Dogs are our lovely companions and members of our families. But it's dangerous to ignore the dog's natural character of exploration. They love new scents, sounds, and sights. That's why they are always eager to go for walks and hikes.
If you don't take care of your furry friend during these times, he will wander off and go missing. The best way to keep your furry friend under control is to get a dog collar. Not just a collar but a tough collar that won't snap when the dog pulls on a leash.
This guide will explore some of the toughest collars that can withstand pulling without snapping. We'll highlight the things you should check to ascertain the collar is indestructible and give you some of the collars we have tested and confirmed that the quality is superb.
Indestructible and Stylish: The Best Tough Dog Collars on the Market
Dogs are intelligent, but that doesn't mean they can't get lost. The Animal Humane Society report shows that one in three pets gets lost each year. That's roughly 10 million pets. Apart from dogs getting lost, statistics from Vision Zero Partnership show that over 80,000 dogs die out of road accidents each year.
You can agree with us that the pain of losing a dog is similar to that of losing a close relative. Probably, it's because of the unconditional love that dogs offer. But from the above reports, you can see there is a high probability of your dog dying in an accident or wandering off and getting lost.
Luckily, all you need is a leash and a tough collar to keep your dog under control. Here is everything you need to know about tough collars, their features, the top recommendations, and sizing tips.
Key Features of a Tough Dog Collar
A tough collar means something sturdy, durable, and reliable. A collar you can go with for days of hiking or camping trips without carrying a spare one for fear of breakage. If this is the collar you're looking for, then make sure the collar ticks the boxes in the following things.
Material
Just like clothes, the material determines the sturdiness and durability of dog collars. The most durable collars are those made of nylon webbing with a density of more than 1000D. Many people argue that real leather is more sturdy and durable than nylon webbing. It might be true for belts, but not dog collars.
We're talking about a material tough enough to withstand extreme weather, scratches from bushes and rocks, and, of course, chewing. That's probably why most mountain climbing gear is made of high-density nylon webbing instead of leather.
Leather softens when it gets wet. If your dog is a heavy chewer, it can easily chew and destroy it during this time. Remember, real leather is made of animal hides, and dogs will love its smell and texture when chewing, not to mention the bad odors when leather is wet.
Another thing is that leather cracks when it's overly dry. A high-density nylon webbing maintains its sturdiness even in extreme weather. The material also doesn't feel good for the dog's gums, which discourages chewing.
Adjustability
Collars are not like harnesses. They sit on the neck of your furry friend. If the size is too small, it restricts the airway, and the dog can't breathe freely. You can imagine hiking on a hot day with a collar that prevents the dog from breathing and panting freely. The dog can easily overheat.
On the other hand, if the collar is too large, the dog can easily slip out and escape, especially if it has a narrow head like Greyhounds. Remember, the size of the dog's neck isn't constant. Your furry friend loses and gains weight just like you do.
That's why you need to go for an adjustable collar. That way, you'll give your furry friend a perfect fit, whether he loses or gains weight.
Comfort
The comfort of your furry friend remains a priority. It makes no sense to go for walks and hikes aiming to excite your companion and strengthen your bond, but you're punishing him with an uncomfortable collar.
The most common cause of discomfort in collars is rubbing. Nylon isn't so smooth. If the fit isn't perfect and the collar moves, the webbing will rub the dog's neck and cause chafing and irritations. Your furry friend has no speech and can't tell you the collar is uncomfortable. But here are some of the signs of an uncomfortable collar.
- Coughing: It shows there's so much pressure on the dog's windpipe, and he can't breathe freely. It's also the first sign of choking. If the dog starts to cough, adjust the collar immediately
- Hair loss: It's a good sign that your furry friend has been enduring friction. Check where the bald spots are. If it's all around the neck, it means the collar isn't the right fit or the material is rough. If it's at a certain spot, check to confirm whether it's an attachment or closure on the collar causing it.
- Scratching: This is one of the signs to watch out for immediately after introducing a new collar. If the collar isn't comfortable, the dog will try to remove it by scratching.
- Shyness when you touch the neck: Before there are visible signs of chafing and irritations, the neck skin will become excessively sensitive due to rubbing. You'll notice the dog shying away when you try to touch the neck area.
- Change in behavior: Dogs are intelligent and will resist wearing uncomfortable accessories. If you notice a dog used to collars starting to resist wearing them, it's a sign the collar isn't comfortable. But remember that dogs don't love things that restrict their movement, so rejecting a collar isn't a sure sign.
But something to remind you: all these signs are after buying the collar—and probably you won't get a replacement. The best preventive measure is to make sure you buy the right collar size and the collar has paddings.
Top Tough Dog Collars
The market is full of collars with different designs, materials, and qualities. Some of the design details are not listed on the labels, and even after knowing the key features of a tough collar, you might end up confused. But worry not. Here are the collars we tested, and we have confirmed that they are tough and indestructible.
Rose Gold Chocolate Luxe Martingale Dog Collar
We love listing things in the order of priority, and that's why we started with the Rose Gold Chocolate Luxe Martingale Dog Collar. This is a training collar, and it's probably the first collar you'll need for your newly adopted furry friend. This collar comes with two loops.
The larger loop goes around the dog's neck, and then you attach the leash to the smaller loop. When the door pulls, it pulls the smaller loop, which makes the larger loop tighten. This tightening is what discourages pulling, as dogs don't like tension around the neck.
We understand that most people worry that the collar will over-tighten and choke the dog. For instance, people fear that the dog will choke if it tries to jump over the fence, and then the collar gets caught, or it runs through bushes, and a branch catches the collar. This collar is different.
The tightening is limited and won't slide all the way to choke your furry friend. The way it works sets this collar apart from most martingale collars in the market. Instead of slipping over the dog's head, it uses a clip. The advantage of a clip is that it's easier to put on and take off.
This gives you the following benefits. One, you won't have trouble putting it on territorial and protective dog breeds that view an object passing over the head as a threat. Second, you won't risk anything near the snout of a newly adopted dog you haven't yet strongly bonded. Note that this is a training collar, and you shouldn't use it for tie-outs.
Apple 1.5-inch Luxe Dog Collar
As we mentioned, the above collar is best for leash training, not standard use. If you're looking for a tough and indestructible collar for normal walks and hiking, then the Apple Tacti Slim Dog Collar is one of the best. This collar is made of 1050D nylon webbing, the same webbing used to make harnesses for mountain climbers.
As you can tell, the mountain climbing gear undergoes rigorous testing before climbers can peg their lives on it. Considering that dogs are generally lighter than humans, this webbing is virtually indestructible when used to make a dog collar. Something else worth mentioning is the dual-release buckles.
This design allows you to quickly open the collar in case of an emergency. For instance, if you're hiking, the dog spots a squirrel, gives chase, and the collar is caught by the branches, you just press the quick-release buckles, and the dog is free.
One of the heartbreaking things we discovered with most collars we tested is that the sizing is not adjustable. So, even if the collar is durable, at one point, it fails to give your dog a perfect fit. For instance, if you took your furry friend's neck measurements when he was slender, the collar will fail to fit when he gains weight.
The good thing is that the Apple 1.5-inch Luxe Dog Collar is adjustable for two size ranges. That means you can always give your dog a perfect fit, regardless of weight gain or loss. However, keep in mind that the adjustability is limited. So, don't expect to buy a collar meant for Chihuahua and adjust it to fit a Great Pyrenees.
Gold Camo Tacti Luxe Dog Collar
As the name suggests, the Gold Camo Tacti Luxe Dog Collar is the most luxurious collar on this list. Although its features resemble those of the above collar, the wider straps make it more luxurious and sturdier. This collar is 2 inches wide against the 1.5-inch width of the above collar.
This brings two advantages. One, the rules of pressure apply. The larger surface area that this collar covers means better pressure distribution. So, this collar won't dig into your dog's neck. This makes it the perfect choice for brachycephalic dogs with breathing problems, such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers.
The second advantage is that the wider width means extra nylon webbing. Considering that this collar is made of 1050D nylon webbing, just like the above collar, the extra webbing means it's sturdier. This makes it a great choice for heavy pullers such as the Huskies. They won't break it.
Pair it with an equally sturdy leash, and you're good to go. The only issue you might have is that this collar is slightly heavier than the above option. But that doesn't matter for the giant dog breeds.
Olive Expedition Dog Collar
If you want to be unique and pop in the dog parks and streets, then go for the Olive Expedition Dog Collar. From design to color, this collar gives your dog a timeless and classic look. This collar comes with a dual pinned buckle that looks similar to most nylon and leather belts.
Imagine a family portrait of you when you're wearing a military-inspired jacket, denim pants, and an olive dual-pinned nylon belt, and your dog is wearing this collar. It'll be clear that your furry friend is part of the family, not a photobomb.
Apart from the looks, the dual pinned buckle is one of the easiest to use, probably because it resembles a belt. That's a plus for new dog owners who might not be familiar with complex dog accessories. The buckle is secure and reliable, so be sure your furry friend won't slip away.
The only issue you might have is getting a perfect fit due to the spacing of the holes. If the perfect fit of your furry friend falls between two holes, we recommend you go for the larger sizing. It's better for a dog to wiggle free than to choke.
On the good side, this collar comes with many holes, which gives you a wider range of adjustability. For instance, the same collar can fit both large and giant dog breeds.
Chocolate Expedition Dog Collar
The Chocolate Expedition Dog Collar comes with a dual pinned buckle with features similar to the above collar. But we want to mention something about comfort. If you're buying a collar for sports, hikes, and everyday wear, it means your furry friend will be wearing it for prolonged periods.
If the collar isn't well built, it will rub against the dog's sensitive neck and cause irritation, chafing, and hair loss. The discomfort beats the logic of hikes. Instead of enjoying the moments with your furry friend and bond, the dog sees the experience as punishment.
Irritations can even make the dog refuse to wear collars in the future. But that's not the case with the Chocolate Expedition Dog Collar. This collar comes with neoprene padding. Neoprene is the synthetic rubber that makes swimsuits and protective gloves for working on chemicals and acids.
The material is soft and helps to protect the sensitive skin from the rough nylon webbing. Another thing is that neoprene is moisture-wicking. That means it allows sweat and moisture on the dog's skin to move to the outer side of the collar for evaporation. This creates a cooling effect that makes the collar great for hiking, even on hot days.
Sofia Tacti Lite Dog Collar
We have talked about great features like neoprene paddings, but that comes with additional weight. It's a trade-off you must make. The Sofia Tacti Lite Dog Collar is designed to balance weight and some of these features.
Don't get us wrong. This collar is made of 1050D nylon webbing like the rest and is equally tough and indestructible. The only difference is that it doesn't come with a neoprene lining. Although this sounds bad, there are some benefits.
One, the collar is extremely lightweight, weighing around 5 ounces only. This makes it a perfect option for regular wear indoors and outdoors, where you just want your dog to be on a leash but not exhaust it with accessories. If you love traveling with your furry friend, we recommend you get this collar.
It's also a great option for small dog breeds, for which every ounce of accessory weight matters. Since the collar doesn't come with synthetic rubber paddings, it's generally hypoallergenic. This makes it a good option for dogs with sensitive necks.
Another obvious advantage is the quick drying time. There are no linings and paddings that take time to dry. So, if you have a dog that loves water, such as the Portuguese Water Dogs and Newfoundlands, go for this collar.
How to Choose the Right Tough Collar for Your Dog
We have given you our top recommendations, but the eight size depends on your dog. Wrap a measuring tape around your dog's neck, leaving enough room to fit two fingers between the neck and the collar.
Go for an adjustable collar size that falls in that range. This allows you to size up and down depending on the dog's growth or weight fluctuations.
Conclusion
Tough collars are the best way to keep your furry friend under control during walks, camping trips, hikes, and visits to dog parks. We have tested the above collars and confirmed that they are sturdy and durable. Simply take measurements of your companion's neck size, and then get a collar that gives him a perfect fit.