The first thing that everyone does when they get a new dog is rush to the store to buy dog supplies. Once they’re in the store, the first thing they do is go to the dog collar isle. 

They then start marveling at the hundreds and hundreds of different dog collars to choose from. There are leather dog collars, nylon dog collars, metal dog collars, cotton dog collars, designer dog collars, personalized dog collars, fancy dog collars, and plain dog collars.

With so many choices in such a huge variety in the huge modern pet stores, how is one to choose the perfect collar for your new pet?  I would suggest to you that there’s no reason to choose just one.  There are different types of collars for different purposes.

Sometimes you may want a collar that is very strong and meant to handle the elements. Other times you may want one to celebrate a certain holiday.

My daughter actually has one that she has made into a lions mane that she puts on our 160 pound English mastiff from time to time. We even have one that has flashing lights on it for occasions when we are walking our dog at night in the dark.

Let’s look at a few of the different kinds.

  • Leather dog collars: Leather dog collars can be very stylish and there are many varieties to choose from.  Some are plain and some are fancy.  Leather dog collars are fine for indoors but if your dog is outdoors a lot, you should probably consider an alternative style of collar.  Leather and wet weather usually don’t get along very well.
  • Nylon dog collars: This type of collar isn’t quite as fancy as a leather dog collar but it is generally much more durable.  This type of collar is more of the utilitarian type of dog collar.  Your dog can wear this kind both indoors and out regardless of the type of weather he is faced with.
  • Metal Dog Collars: If your dog’s collar is made from metal it is most likely a dog training collar.  While not all dog training callers are made from metal, the majority of them are.  This type of collar should be used only when training your dog.  When you have completed your training session, the collar should be removed and replaced with another type.  Metal dog collars are often designed to slide and choke the dog should they become unruly.  When used with a gentle touch they can be most effective.  When used with harsh hands, they can be torture devices.  If left on the dog while unattended, it is possible that the chain would get hooked on something and possibly choke your dog.
  • Cotton Dog Collars: Cotton dog collars often have very cute designs embroidered on them. Many people choose to have their dogs names embroidered on them.   They can be very cute to look at and fun to change from occasion to occasion.  They’re not as durable as nylon dog collars and should not be left on your dog full time if your dog is an outside dog.
  • Designer dog collars: Designer dog collars are very fashionable these days.  They are often made by high fashion designers and are very trendy.  Unfortunately along with the trendy nature of these dog collars comes a hefty price.  Once again these collars are usually very ornate and should not be left on if your dog is kept outside all of the time or if your dog is left outside in the pouring rain.  You wouldn’t wear a nice leather jacket in a snowstorm, nor should you let your dog wear his fancy designer dog collar in a snowstorm.
  • Personalized Dog Collars: It can be quite convenient to have a personalized dog collar.  Many of these collars have a metal nameplate riveted to the collar.  Should your dog become lost, the metal nameplate is very easy to spot and your chances of getting your precious pet back are much higher.  Some personalized dog collars even have very ornate embroidery on them.  These custom dog collars can be made in virtually endless combinations and styles.  You are only limited by your imagination.  If your pet’s personalized collar is made from leather or other material that may not hold up very well in the weather, you should change to a more utilitarian type of collar like a nylon model before letting him run outside in the rain.

Here is an interesting video from the SPCA on selecting a dog collar. You should check it out! There are some good tips in it!

As you can see there are many types of collars to choose from and you can also see there’s no reason to choose just one.  Buy your puppy a selection and dress him up in his fancy collar when he goes to town and maybe put on his nylon collar when he swims in the river.  Have fun with it. There’s no reason to stick to any hard and fast rules here. Let your sense of style show though in the way to dress your favorite pet.

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