Biothane

Made exclusively by the Biothane Coated Webbing Corp, Biothane is a heavy-duty, brand-id webbing material. This leather alternative is most frequently used in ultra-strong leashes and lines, but we also use it in several of our collars, like the Single Layer Biothane Collar, E-Flex Collar, and Biothane Adjustable Collar.

Biothane dog collars are made of polyester webbing with PVC coating, making them both durable and waterproof, which is ideal for trainers who need a collar for tracking or outdoor training. Another advantage of Biothane is that it delivers a superior grip over other materials when a dog starts lunging or pulling.

Leather

Tried and true across a variety of applications, especially in the working dog world; leather is a great material for dog collars. Sturdy and attractive, leather dog collars are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This material can be designed in a wide array of lengths and thicknesses and is excellent for everyday training and use.

Leather pieces are graded by weight, measured in ounces. Most of our handmade leather products are crafted out of tight-grained, 12- to 14-ounce (which you’ll see written as .12 -.14) leather to ensure nearly total durability and water resistance.

Check out our blog, Leather Dog Collars Strength Test - Backwoods Destructive Testing, to learn more about the Latigo Leather Agitation Dog Collar, Ultimate Padded Leather Agitation Collar, and the Military Spec Collar.

We know that shopping for a leather collar isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, so read our blog titled How to Choose a Heavy Leather Dog Collar to learn more about all of your options.

Nylon

Nylon is a wonderful material for both on-the-job use and for transitioning from K9 duty to everyday wear. Thanks to their comfortable fit, lightweight feel, pliability, and durability, nylon collars are both reliable and ultra comfortable.

Depending on the construction of the collar, nylon has more give than other materials, which aids in shock resistance. However, don’t let its comfort and lightweight composition fool you into thinking this is a weak material! Nylon is great for heavy-duty, tactical use, and it’s capable of bearing extreme loads.

Another advantage of nylon collars is that they can be customized to suit your dog in a number of ways. They often come in the widest range of sizes, colors (excellent for adding visibility when needed), and styles to suit most training needs. Dog trainers can further customize nylon collars with patches and ID panels for use during fieldwork.

Steel

Built to last a lifetime, steel is most often used in choke chains and pinch collars, which are excellent in correcting undesirable behaviors (but we’ll cover that later). As one of the most durable, long-lasting collar types on the market, steel is rust-resistant, won’t discolor your dog’s fur, and can be used on any large K9 breed. Stainless steel dog collars are made in various sizes to suit each dog's needs and breed.

All styles of steel collars can be used across specialties, such as behavior training. They are ideal for dogs who are prone to dragging and tugging on the leash, as collars made from steel are often centered around effective behavior correction.

Buckles

Buckles are the mechanism used to secure your dog’s collar in place. There are a wide variety of buckle types, all serving unique purposes. It’s important to understand that the style of buckle you choose depends heavily on the types of work you’ll be doing with your K9.

For example, if you’re walking a dog that’s known for pulling, you should consider purchasing a collar with a heavy-duty metal buckle that won’t snap or pop open if the dog lunges for a squirrel or tries to dart away.

Carabiner

Carabiners are handy clips that act as an extra security measure if a dog tries to break free from his collar (like in the example above). When used with a leash, like our Trikos Leash and Collar Set, a carabiner can also function as a hands-free way to walk your dog.

ClicLock Buckle

Made by Herm Sprenger, the ClicLock Stainless Steel Buckle can withstand the harshest environments and the strongest dogs. Its intended use is as the primary buckle on your dog’s pinch collar. As a bonus, the ClicLock Stainless Steel Buckle is equipped with a safety sleeve mechanism that eliminates the risk of an unintended buckle release.

D-Ring

Commonly referred to as an “active D-Ring,” D-Rings are the stainless steel or brass rings that are secured to a dog collar. As their name suggests, this ring is in the shape of the letter “D.” They can lay flat or pop out, and stay stiff to clasp the end of a leash or line. D-rings have one of the most secure designs because dogs must pull against two layers of the collar when they lunge forward.

French Scissor Snap

Designed exclusively in Germany by Herm Sprenger, collars with a French Scissor Snap offer quick release. This hardware can be used with many collar types, and is ideal for hunting dogs and those training in a variety of sports and disciplines.

Frog Clip

A frog clip is a directional connector that is used on many dog leashes and leads. This style features automatic clamping action, which helps clip and engage securely when it touches an anchor point, such as a D-Ring.

GT Cobra Buckle

Load-bearing and rated to handle up to 500 lbs, the GT Cobra Buckle is one of the most sturdy buckle designs on the market. It is made from nylon polymer plastic and is created specifically to prevent the accidental release of the buckle. The GT Cobra Buckle is made exclusively by Austria Alpine.

Metal Buckles

Metal buckles are some of the most common pieces of hardware found in dog collars. They’re usually made of stainless steel, brass, or similar heavy-duty metal. Depending on the type of metal used in the piece, it may have a weather-resistant coating that guards against rust or corrosion.

Since these pieces are known for their durability, they’re great for use with hardcore working dogs who spend a ton of time outdoors (especially if they have a protective coating). The only downside to metal buckles is that they tend to be a bit heavier than their plastic counterparts.

Metal Cobra Buckle

Created as a load-bearing, heavy-duty, quick-release buckle, the Metal Cobra Buckle is most frequently used on police and military K9 collars. This buckle style is designed in a way that prevents accidental opening during heavy pulling or activity.

O-Ring

This is a stainless steel ring that is most often built into the center of a dog collar, leash, or harness. The purpose of an O-Ring is to turn inside out and release your dog if the equipment gets caught on something, such as a fence or a piece of training equipment.

Plastic Buckles

Plastic buckles are lightweight, easy-to-use fasteners commonly found in dog collars and harnesses. Despite the fact that “plastic” makes the piece hardware sound flimsy, our plastic buckles are made from durable, high-quality materials like acetal or nylon.

Though they may be weaker than metal buckles or suitable for large breeds or dogs who tend to pull, plastic buckles are popular because they're affordable, rust-proof, and easy to maintain.

Swivel

A swivel is a type of hardware used in dog collars to prevent twisting and tangling when a collar is attached to a leash. It's a small, rotating metal component connecting the leash to the collar, allowing free movement and rotation. Collars with swivels minimize the risk of the leash becoming tangled around the dog or the owner's legs and allow for greater freedom of movement for a dog.

Toggle

Found on well-built choke chain collars, a toggle allows owners to put a training collar on their dog without having to slide the collar over the dog's head.

V-Ring

Similar to the D-Ring, V-Rings are “V” shaped metal rings that can be used to attach various items. On dog collars, this is the primary attachment point for the leash.

As its name suggests, agitation collars are specifically designed with the intention of not agitating your dog during training or bite work. This style of collar works in this way by preventing the restriction of airflow and breathing. It also limits pressure on a dog’s carotid artery during a forward drive in bite training or protection work. Agitation collars achieve these goals by featuring a wide, flat design that evenly distributes weight across the dog’s neck. These collars are almost always made from leather, which further reduces pressure and tension along the dog’s neck due to its soft feel.

E-Collars are an electronic style of collar that is used as a dog training system. Popular models feature a wireless remote and a wireless receiver. This system works by transmitting harmless electronic stimulation, like a vibration or beeping noise, to the collar to help control and correct behavior from a distance. Select E-Collar models also come with a GPS tracking system as an added benefit.

How do E-Collars work in practice? When a dog exhibits an undesirable behavior, the trainer can press a button that emits a small stimulation to the collar. Similar to a TENS unit, and nowhere close to the sensation of a shock, the intensity of these sensations can be further adjusted by the user. No pain is ever felt by dogs wearing these collars. If preferred, trainers can also opt to use a beeping sound instead of the vibration.

Choke collars are steel collars that are used as an efficient training aid when handled by responsible owners. Despite their harsh-sounding name, the dog only feels mild tightness and tension when pulling on the leash. This tension immediately loosens when the dog stops pulling, which provides instant behavior correction.
The collar’s metal and links are intended to prevent discoloration and damage to fur around your dog’s neck, and do not cause pain either. Choke collars should be used only during training, and are not intended for long-term daily wear.

A martingale collar (also called a no-slip collar) is designed for both training and daily wear. This collar type is equipped with a unique loop that stays disengaged while worn normally. The loop tightens only when a dog applies tension to the leash, preventing the dog from wiggling out of their collar and running away.

Different from a choke collar, pinch collars are made to create a slight pinching sensation around most of the neck. This is in contrast to a choke collar, which works by applying tightness instead of pinching. Multiple metal tines distribute the correction across the dog’s neck evenly to provide the sensation. For dogs who are sensitive to metal, there are various pinch collars that are made to be hypo-allergenic.

People who prefer pinch collars over choke collars often cite the difference in sensation as being more effective, since the light pinching is said to mimic the nibble a mom will do to her pups to correct their behavior.

Much like choosing a dog collar that serves a specific purpose, fitting your dog to his or her new collar is equally as crucial. Without the right fit, your selected collar will not function as intended. Your dog also runs the risk of being uncomfortable during their training or daily life, or worse yet, escaping due to too loose of a collar. That is why it is of the utmost importance to know how to select an optimal collar size.

What’s the best way to fit your dog for a new collar? Once you’ve settled on a style, measure your dog’s neck circumference to see how many inches it is, and purchase a collar size that reflects that measurement. One essential piece of guidance to follow is the “Two Finger Rule,” which states that, when secured, you should be able to fit two fingers under your dog’s collar. This ensures that the fit is not too tight or too loose.

Type of Work

The nature of the work your dog does is another major consideration for the type of collar you should be using. Specialty collars, such E-Collars, are fantastic for basic through advanced behavioral training. Alternatively, for dogs who are fully trained and who work in harsh environments, an adjustable Biothane collar can withstand the elements and are indestructible. Consider the factors and collar characteristics that are most essential for your dog’s current training level and work to make the best possible choice.

Material

The material that your dog’s collar is made out of is incredibly important for helping meet your expectations. Some materials are designed to withstand all weather conditions as well as frequent use. Others are sturdy and reliable, yet not indestructible.

Read up on each type of material and decide what style best meets your needs.

The RAM Collar

Designed to withstand any weather conditions and tactical situation, the RAM Collar is one of the hottest-selling collars in our collection. Crafted out of Mil-Spec nylon and leather, this collar’s durability is unmatched and sure to last for years.

Since the collar is sure to last for years, the RAM Collar is adjustable from 14” to 26” inches. So from the time your K9 is a pup to the time they retire, this may be the last collar you ever need to buy!

And as an added benefit for handlers, the exterior of the collar features sewn-in loop Velcro that allows handlers to attach Velcro panels and patches. Good luck finding that feature on average leather collars!

E-Lusive 2.0 Collar

Available in four colors and two widths (3/4” and 1”), and in a handle and a no handle option, the E-Lusive 2.0 ID Collar provides exceptional options and flexibility. Its core purpose is to eliminate the need for multiple collars by creating an all-in-one solution. This design has loop velcro panels for patches and identification, as well as covering for your e-collar receiver. It is made with military-grade construction, ensuring that it will last for years.

Cobra Buckle Dog Collar With Handle

The Cobra Buckle Dog Collar with Handle is a premium, heavy-duty option. Ideal for demanding training sessions, and manufactured from Type 13 nylon webbing, this collar is one of the strongest available. Its handle allows for precise control over your dog, and it is equipped with a velcro ID panel. Choose from one of four colors — black, coyote, gray, and ranger green.

Dominant Dog Collar

Searching for a simple, yet well-constructed slip collar for your working dog? The Dominant Dog Collar is a fantastic choice. It is made using a thick 6mm weaved paracord, as well as two solid brass rings and a sturdy brass clasp. It serves as an effective alternative to metal choke chains, is easy to use, and fits dogs with neck sizes between 14" and 20".

Ultimate Padded Leather Agitation Collar

Available in a variety of sizes and designs, the Ultimate Padded Leather Agitation Collar delivers superior comfort and functionality. It is specifically made to reduce neck irritation, and does not collect dog hair. Made with durable latigo leather, this collar is intended for frequent, long-term use.

Quick-Release Training Pinch Collar

Excellent for reducing pulling, the Quick-Release Training Pinch Collar is a highly effective behavior training tool. Chrome-plated and available in five colors, this dog collar offers a slide loop with D-ring for added correction.

Biothane Adjustable Dog Collar

Constructed with indestructible Biothane material, and made for all-weather use, the Biothane Adjustable Dog Collar is the first of its kind. Great for growing dogs, this design comes with an adjustable slider. It is also made with black finished metal hardware, a light feel, and resistance to mold, mildew, and sun damage. It is exceptional for everyday use, and is available in five bright colors.

Herm Sprenger 3mm Short Link Chrome-Plated Steel Choke Chain

Affordable and ultra durable, the Herm Sprenger 3mm Short Link Chrome-Plated Steel Choke Chain is a popular behavior training collar. Working K9s who need a choke chain will benefit from this design’s smooth action and quick release. The Herm Sprenger 3mm Short Link Chrome-Plated Steel Choke Chain is intended for use in demanding training sessions and missions.