Dogs vary in shape and size depending on their breeds. A dog’s neck also varies in shape and size individually, with age and also according to the breed.
When you are buying a collar for your dog, you need to measure the circumference of your pet’s neck. However, in doing so, there are some things you have to keep in mind.
This is a general piece of advice on how to properly measure your dog’s neck before you buy a collar. The size of the collar is more important than the color or even type of the collar. Remember, if the collar is too big, it will snag on something or fall off your dog and if it is too small, it would be tight and would hurt your dog.
If you have a seamstress’s tape measure, you would be able to measure your dog’s neck with ease. If you don’t have one, you can use a piece of string to measure around your pet’s neck first and then measure the string with a tape measure or a ruler afterward.
Some important factors to consider
• While measuring, pull the tape/string snug but not too tight.
• As shown in the image, measure at the base of your dog’s neck ‘A’
• After you have measured it snug, allow enough room to slip 1 finger between the dog’s neck and the tape/string for small dog breeds (weighing less than 10 pounds), 2 fingers for medium dogs and 3 fingers for large dogs (weighing over 80 pounds). Alternatively, after you have measured the neck snug, you can also add extra 1 inch for small dog breeds, 2 inches for medium and 3 inches for large dogs. This is to ensure that the collar is not too tight as tight collars can cause pain and injury to your pet.
Consider the length of the hair/fur
Depending on your pet’s breed, you may want to consider the length of their hair/fur before you settle on a measurement. The collar size depends on how much hair/fur is removed when your dog is groomed and how often is it groomed. Hair and fur grow faster in some dogs and if not trimmed regularly, you may have to adjust the size of the collar, accordingly.
You need to measure before and after grooming and find a collar that is going to fit your pet in both situations if the collar you are getting is not adjustable. Almost all collars are adjustable, which enables you to change accordingly in between haircuts.
Consider the thickness, strength, and width
The size and type of the collar also depend on your dog breed. If it is a large dog, you are going to need a collar that is thicker and stronger. Thicker collars provide more support and larger, stronger dogs would require thicker collars. For the collar to be strong, the width of the collar is another factor you may want to consider.
Wider collars are not only stronger but also reduce the pressure when you are using a leash with your collar. They also tend to be more comfortable for your pet. You can talk to your vet about finding the right pet collar if you are not sure on what type of collar you should use.
Measuring For A Tag Collar or Martingale
If you are measuring for a Tag collar or Martingale, you have to measure both ‘A‘ and ‘B‘ as shown in the image above. Then, choose a collar where the measurement ‘A‘ is approximately in the middle of the measurement range. For instance, if your dog’s neck (measurement ‘A‘) is 15 inches, you have to pick the one with size 13 – 18 inches rather than 15 – 20 inches. Martingale collars need to fit over your dog’s head so you also need to consider measurement ‘B‘
After you get your pet a collar that fits great, be sure to check it periodically to make sure it is still a good fit. If you have growing dogs or dogs with faster growing hair, you have to check them more often. Tight collars are very uncomfortable and can choke your pets.
Collars come in a variety of lengths. Here are some popular ones with approximate dog collar size (in inches):
- XX Small – adjustable 6″ – 8″
- X Small – adjustable 8″ – 11″
- Small – adjustable 10″ – 15″
- Medium – adjustable 14″ – 19”
- Large – adjustable 18″ – 24″
- X Large – adjustable 23″ – 30+”
Here are the average weights (in pounds) and approximate collar measurements (in inches) for popular dog breeds:
These are just approximate measurements. You still need to measure your dog before ordering any collar to ensure a correct fit.
BREED | WEIGHT (Avg.) | COLLAR MEASUREMENT (Avg.) |
Affenpinscher | 6 – 13 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Afghan Hound | 50 – 65 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Airedale Terrier | 42 – 55 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Alaskan Malamute | 75 – 125 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Akita | 70 – 100+ lbs | 20″-24″ |
American Eskimo | 18 – 35 lbs | 16″-20″ |
American Indian Dog | 30 – 60 lbs | 16″-22″ |
American Pit Bull Terrier | 35 – 55 lbs | 14″-18” |
American Water Spaniel | 25 – 45 lbs | 18″-22″ |
Australian Kelpie | 25 – 45 lbs | 15″-21″ |
Australian Terrier | 12 – 14 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Australian Shepherd | 30 – 75 lbs | 14″-22″ |
Basenji | 22 – 24 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Basset Hound | 40 – 60 lbs | 16″-24″ |
Beagle | 18 – 31 lbs | 12″-18″ |
Bedlington Terrier | 17 – 23 lbs | 14″-18″ |
Bernese Mountain Dog | 70 – 100+ lbs | 20″-28″ |
Bichon Frise | 10 – 15 lbs | 14″-18″ |
Bloodhound | 80 – 110 lbs | 22″-28″ |
Blue Heeler | 30 – 35 lbs | 22″-28″ |
Border Collie | 30 – 45 lbs | 14″-22″ |
Border Terrier | 10 – 16 lbs | 10″-15″ |
Bouvier des Flanders | 60 – 80 lbs | 20″-26″ |
Boston Terrier | 10 – 25 lbs | 12″-18″ |
Boxer | 50 – 70 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Brittany Spaniel | 30 – 40 lbs | 14″-20″ |
Brussels Griffon | 5 – 12 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Bull Terrier | 52 – 62 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Bulldog (American) | 60 – 120 lbs | 20″-25″ |
Bulldog (English) | 40 – 55 lbs | 18″-25″ |
Bulldog (French) | 18 – 30 lbs | 12″-20″ |
Bull Terrier | 50 – 60 lbs | 12″-18″ |
Cairn Terrier | 13 – 16 lbs | 13″-16″ |
Caucasian Shepherd | 80 – 200+ lbs | 22″-28″ |
Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 55 – 70 lbs | 21″-25″ |
Chihuahua | 2 – 6 lbs | 8″-14″ |
Chinese Crested | 5 – 10 lbs | 8″-12″ |
Chow-Chow | 45 – 70 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Cocker Spaniel | 24 – 28 lbs | 12″-20″ |
Collie | 44 – 75 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Coon Hound | 55 – 75 lbs | 20″-24″ |
Corgi | 25 – 38 lbs | 14″-16″ |
Curly-Coated Retriever | 70 – 80 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Dachshund | 15 – 27 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Dachshund (miniature) | 9 – 15 lbs | 10″-16″ |
Dalmatian | 45 – 65 lbs | 14″-22″ |
Doberman Pinscher | 60 – 90 lbs | 18″-24″ |
English Cocker Spaniel | 26 – 34 lbs | 14″-18″ |
English Setter | 40 – 70 lbs | 18″-24″ |
English Springer Spaniel | 40 – 50 lbs | 14″-20″ |
Eskimo | 55 – 110 lbs | 20″-24″ |
Fox Terrier | 15 – 18 lbs | 12″-18″ |
German Shepherd | 65 – 95 lbs | 20″-26″ |
German Shorthaired Pointer | 45 – 70 lbs | 20″-26″ |
Golden Retriever | 55 – 75 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Gordon Setter | 45 – 80 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Great Dane | 120 – 176+ lbs | 22″-30″ |
Great Pyrenees | 85 – 100+ lbs | 24″-30″ |
Greyhound | 60 – 80 lbs | 15″-20″ |
Greyhound (Italian) | 6 – 12 lbs | 8″-11″ |
Harrier | 48 – 60 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Havanese | 7 – 13 lbs | 8″-14″ |
Irish Setter | 55 – 70 lbs | 18″-24″ |
Irish Terrier | 24 – 27 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Irish Water Spaniel | 46 – 65 lbs | 18″-22″ |
Irish Wolfhound | 105 – 120+ lbs | 20″-28″ |
Jack Russell Terrier | 8 – 15 lbs | 9″-15″ |
Keeshond | 35 – 40 lbs | 18″-22″ |
Kerry Blue Terrier | 33 – 40 lbs | 14″-20″ |
King Charles Cavalier | 12 – 20 lbs | 10-15″ |
Labrador Retriever | 55 – 80 lbs | 22″-26″ |
Labradoodle | 50 – 65 lbs | 14-20″ |
Lakeland Terrier | 15 – 18 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Lhasa Apso | 13 – 16 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard | 50 – 90 lbs | 17″-22″ |
Maltese | 4 – 8 lbs | 10″-14″ |
Manchester Terrier | 11 – 13 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Mastiff | 130 – 230+ lbs | 26″-38″ |
Miniature Pinscher | 9 – 11 lbs | 12″-18″ |
Newfoundland | 110 – 152 lbs | 26″-32″ |
Norwich Terrier | 10 – 12 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Old English Sheepdog | 55 – 66 lbs | 20″-26″ |
Papillon . | 3 – 11 lbs | 8″-12″ |
Pekingese | 7 – 14 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Pit Bull | 30 – 70 lbs | 20″-24″ |
Pointer | 45 – 75 lbs | 20″-24″ |
Pomeranian | 3 – 7 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Poodle – Toy | 12 – 17 lbs | 10″-14″ |
Poodle – Miniature | 10 – 12 lbs | 14″-18″ |
Poodle – Standard | 45 – 70 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Pug | 14 – 18 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Rottweiler | 88 – 110 lbs | 22″-30″ |
St Bernard | 110 – 220 lbs | 26″-32″ |
Samoyed | 45 – 70 lbs | 18″-22″ |
Schnauzer- Miniature | 11 – 15 lbs | 14″-18″ |
Schnauzer – Standard | 33 – 40 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Schnauzer – Giant | 66 – 77 lbs | 20″-24″ |
Scottish Terrier | 18 – 22 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Shar- Pei | 35 – 55 lbs | 18″-22″ |
Shih Tzu | 8 – 18 lbs | 14″-16″ |
Siberian Husky | 35 – 60 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Silky Terrier | 8 – 10 lbs | 10″-14″ |
Smooth Fox Terrier | 15 – 18 lbs | 14″-20″ |
Springer Spaniel . | 48 – 55 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Staffordshire Terrier | 24 – 38 lbs | 14″-20″ |
Weimaraner | 70 – 85 lbs | 20″-24″ |
Welsh Corgi | 28 – 30 lbs | 14″-18″ |
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) | 25 – 38 lbs | 18″-20″ |
Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) | 22 – 30 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Welsh Springer Spaniel | 35 – 45 lbs | 16″-20″ |
Welsh Terrier | 20 – 21 lbs | 14″-18″ |
West Highland Terrier | 15 – 22 lbs | 14″-16″ |
West Highland White Terrier | 15 – 22 lbs | 14″-16″ |
Whippet | 27 – 29 lbs | 12″-16″ |
Wirehaired Fox Terrier | 15 – 18 lbs | 16″-22″ |
Yorkshire Terrier | 8 – 9 lbs | 6″-13″ |
What do you look for in a perfect dog collar? Share this post on social:
Twitter: MissionTrailAL
Great information shared in this blog about the collar of the Dog and i faced many problem for the selection of the collar measurement of my Dog.Thanks for sharing
[…] will also need a slip collar, which is a chain with a ring on each end. Hold one of the rings in your fingers and drop the chain […]
[…] will also need a slip collar, which is a chain with a ring on each end. Hold one of the rings in your fingers and drop the chain […]
Great informative Article! Thanks for sharing!
Love the list of the breeds and the sizes they need. Helpful for me and my wirehaired. Thanks!
You are welcome.
I am glad this article helped you and your wirehaired.