Last Updated: 12/02/2026
Best Dog Collars 2026 [Vet Reviewed]
Looking for the best dog collar for your pup? Look no further - check out our Vet-reviewed top recommendations.
Author: Dr Emilee Lay BVSc BSc (Vet) Hons
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
A dog collar is not only for identification, but walking, protection, training and even fashion. Don't forget that in most states of Australia your pooch needs to be wearing a tag with your details when they are outside your property. Failure to do so can risk fines of up to $880 or $5500 for dangerous or restricted breeds. Check out our guide below for the best collars for your dog - no matter the situation!
Why is choosing the right Dog Collar important?
Four reasons why it's important to choose the right collar are:
- In most states it is a legal requirement to have your dog appropriately restrained when in public settings and with proper identification - a dog collar is the perfect way to do that
- It is a great way to help manage pulling and as part of training
- A collar is a fabulous fashion statement - dress your pooch up and inject a bit of personality to their everyday gear whilst out and about
- A collar is an essential item to have when taking your dog walking
In this article
- How we review our products
- Best for Puppies: SCREAM Reflective Adjustable Puppy Collars
- Best for Small Breed Dogs: Pawfect Pals Don't Quit Your Day Dream
- Best for Large Breed Dogs: Kazoo Collar Active Adjustable
- Best for Hounds: Rogz Collar Padded
- Best for A Fashion Statement: Lily and Dash Boucle Collar
- Best for Active Dogs:Scream Reflective Adjustable Collar
- Best for Training: Halti Training Head Collar
- What to look for
How We Review Our Products
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Top Recommended Dog Collars in Australia [Vet Reviewed]
Best for Puppies
Scream Reflective Adjustable Nylon Puppy Collar
Pros
- Fully adjustable from 19-31cm - perfect for any size puppy
- Made from lightweight fabric perfect for growing puppies
- Available in three other bright reflective neon colours
Cons
- Only suitable for puppies and dogs up to 5kg's
- Small D ring - may not be suitable for vigorous walkers
It's time to live your life loud and proud, thanks to these bright neon, reflective collars from SCREAM. These thin, adjustable collars are perfect for growing puppies. The lightweight fabric allows for your pup to slowly get used to having a collar on, whilst the reflective surface on the collar means your puppy can be seen night or day. It comes in four great colours, suitable for any gender or breed of dog.
What our vets say: "It's great to see a collar than can grow with your puppy. Often puppies find collars to be a bit unsettling when they first put it on. This lightweight collar, is a great starter collar for any new puppy owner " - Dr. Antonella
Best for Small Breed Dogs
Pawfect Pals Don't Quit Your Day Dream
Pros
- Made cruelty free vegan leather with luxurious gold hardware
- Vibrant, fun print collar with cute added charm
- Available in multiple sizes - making it suitable for dogs of all breeds
- Australian based company
Cons
- Belt loop adjustment not as flexible as regular buckle strap collars
- Matching leads to be purchased separately
- Faux leather not as durable as real leather long term
Pawfect Pals is simply perfect - from their design process, high end hardware and quality products - theres nothing to fault when it comes to their great, fun and functional designs. Support a local company whilst also injecting a bit of fun and personality into your dog's every day wear.
The accompanying matching accessories and leads make this company at the forefront of Australian based dog accessories. High end hardware are not only for showing off that bling, but to ensure strong lead attachments and durability in the long term.
This collar is super cute and is perfect for that boy or girl pooch in your life. The extra small sizing is great for tiny to small breed dogs.
What our customers say: "The collar has a nice soft feel and seems much more comfortable than the collar my dog had previously. It's so pretty, she already has the matching lead & harness."
Best for Large Breed Dogs
Kazoo Active Dog Collar in Aqua
Pros
- High quality nylon webbing, nickel plated metal and premium hardware
- Super soft neoprene lining for night walks
- Reflective stitching - perfect for early and night walks
- Available in a range of colours and sizes
- Matching leads also available
Cons
- Not suitable for super small breed dogs (minimum length is 20cm)
- Not suitable for giant breed dogs (maximum length is 73cm)
One of our highest rated collars here at Pet Circle, is up there for a reason. The quality hardware and furnishings as well as fun, funky colours means there's a perfect match for every pooch out there. The TRI POINT DURA LOCK provides additional security for your leads to attach to. Not to mention the reflective stitching ensures your dog stays visible day or night.
Kazoo is renowned for manufacturing collars, leads, harnesses and tethering products with only the finest materials. In addition to their keen design eye, they also have ensured there are matching accessories as well.
What our customers say: "Pretty collar that my dog can wear swimming and playing. Easy to clean and has nice padding around the neck.'
Best for Hounds
Rogz Padded Dog Collar in Red
Pros
- Specially designed for all hounds such as Greyhounds and Whippets
- Solid D ring attachment, with lockable buckle for additional security
- Quick drying material that is soft, comfortable and breathable
- Minimises pressure on the neck and has reflective stitching for better visibility at night
Cons
- Not suitable for smaller hounds like Italian greyhounds
The ultimate collar for greyhounds and whippets alike - this Rogz collar is not only soft and durable but stylish and perfectly designed for most hounds! The non shift pad ensures that there is minimal pressure on the neck, whilst the solid D ring and lockable buckle provides additional peace of mind that your pooch is nice and secure. These collars come in a range of colours so that your hound stands out from the crowd. However hounds aren't the only ones to benefit - strong pullers and dogs not comfortable in a harness may also find this to be the perfect fit.
Rogz are all about design and producing the best quality and most functional pet gear, all whilst being sustainable and safe for your and your pet. Put your pet's safety in their hands so you can focus on the fun!
What our customers say: "Padding and thickness is great! Collar can also lock."
Best for a Fashion Statement
Lily and Dash Boucle Dog Collar in Sage Green
Pros
- This collar combines style and functionality
- Available in 3 sizes and suited to most breeds
- Pair it with a matching lead and waste bag holder
- Includes a branded ID tag for personalisation
Cons
- May not fit all breeds, only caters for neck circumference >20cm and <55cm
This is a great collar that looks stylish yet is also functional with a plastic side release buckle and a slider for a secure and custom fit. It can be paired with a matching lead and waste bag holder ensuring your dog's style is on point!
Best for Active Dogs
Scream Reflective Dog Collar in Orange
Pros
- Highly reflective accents, ideal for walking your dog in low-light conditionsÂ
- Easily adjustable, suitable for small to large sized breeds
- High quality air mesh material for comfort, control and durabilityÂ
- Available in 4 great colours, perfect for any pooch
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs with a neck measurement of <28cm and >76cm
It's time to live your life loud and proud, thanks to these bright neon, reflective collars from SCREAM. These durable, high quality, air mesh, adjustable collars are perfect for a pooch on the run. The breathable fabric, tri glide set up and black metal hardware with reflective piping means your dog can be seen night or day. It comes in four great colours, making it suitable for any gender or breed of dog.
So what are you waiting for? Adventure awaits with this collar around your dog's neck!
What our customers say: "I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the collar when my order arrived. It's well made and softer than what I was expecting. The edges aren't harsh which is great as my dog has thin fur and chafes easily (She's a Jack Russell) The orange is nice and bright so I can catch glimpses of her when she wanders a little further into the bush and gets lost in the ferns/shrubs."
Best for Training
Halti Training Dog Headcollar in Black
Pros
- Strong, lightweight nylon webbing
- Designed to help reduce pulling without interfering with panting, eating or drinking
- Comfortable and secure with a padded noseband
- Reflective waterproof webbing (making it great for any weather)
- Strong safety link that attached to collar for extra security
- Comes in six sizes and two colours
Cons
- Not suitable for tiny breed dogs (minimum neck size is 29cm)
- Nose circumference is needed for a perfect fit
- Need to acclimatise your dog to wearing a headcollar
- Not to be left on dogs unattended - always under supervision
Being one of the world's first no pull dog head collar, this is a brand that leads the market in innovative designs that fulfill a purpose whilst also being comfortable for the dog.
This No-Pull Collar is not a traditional collar, as it is designed to prevent pulling by gently steering and guiding your dog's direction and can be used in conjunction with your dog's normal collar for additional security. This is the perfect tool to curb pulling enthusiasm whilst out on a walk - and that's what makes it one of our top training "collars". So if your dog is putting a dampener on walks by pulling left, right and centre -Â make walks comfortable and fun again with this handy tool.
What our customers say: "Best purchase we made for training our staffy, it's really helped us to teach him to walk on a loose leash"
What our vets say: "The Halti Training Head Collar is my favourite training tool! It's a perfect option for dogs that pull, are anxious, large breeds with a little bit of extra strength or that independent pup that wants to go their own way. I was recommended a head collar for my own anxious and reactive pup and it gave me the level of control I needed to start training with him. It can take some training for them to get used to wearing it, but it's well worth it for how much easier it is to go for a walk. It's sturdy and durable, with an easy to fit design. It has lasted me 3 years and is still as good as the day I bought it. I recommend it to pet parents all the time for my patients and I would 100% buy this again for my next dog!" - Dr. Brittany
What to look for in Dog Collars
When choosing your dog collar, its essential to measure your dogs neck, understand the type of activity your dog may be undertaking, how it looks and how durable it may be. There are a range of options when it comes to collars, perfect for every need and fit.
Sizing
When choosing your dog collar, its essential to know your dog's neck size. Measure around the base of their neck, remembering that the actual collar should fit firmly but not tightly - leaving at least 2 fingers to be able to comfortable slip under. Buckle style collars are often more flexible when it comes to sizing compared to belt and loop ones.
Fit for Purpose
Think about your dog's activity levels - do they go for frequent and long walks? Do they like to pull a lot? Dog's that are quite strong or like to pull may benefit from a wider collar or an obedience collar. Greyhound and hounds with their slim necks and slim heads require a breed specific style of collar in order to not slip off.
Design
Dog collars are an important part of your pet's overall look - and is not only essential for ID purposes but a great way to showcase their personality and dress them up. Fashionable collars can also be functional and vice versa. Reflective piping is also handy in the design as it allows your dog to be seen day or night.
Durability
Some dog's make their way through the world like its tough mudder! Picking a collar that can endure any kind of rough wear and tear is a must. On the other hand, pesky cheeky chewers may also find their collars or those of their companions to be a delicious option. Check the type of material and hardware (stainless steel vs leather vs plastic) when picking your collar to ensure you have a collar that can withstand the test of time.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Jan 15 2024
Written by Dr Emilee Lay BVSc BSc (Vet) HonsDr Emilee Lay BVSc BSc (Vet) Hons
Veterinarian
Dr. Emilee graduated from the University of Sydney in 2018 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Studies) and as a student worked for a number of years as a small animals and exotics nurse in clinics across Sydney. She is currently a practicing small animal and exotic vet along the Coast. Emilee holds a special passion for avian and exotic medicine (bunnies being her favourite patients), as well as animal behavioural medicine!
