What size collar for my Puppy?

You’ve decided to get a puppy and are looking forward to welcoming that bundle of joy into your home. Certainly, you’ve got a few things to get sorted before they arrive though! You’ll know you need to get various things and we’ve got some great blogs to help you! But what size collar will you need for your puppy?

Your puppy’s first collar

Your puppy may have worn a very soft, lightweight coloured collar at the breeders to distinguish them from the rest of the litter. This collar will be quite different from their future collars. Possibly, your breeder may provide a collar. But you may want to have a special “coming home” collar ready! Depending on what breed they are, they may grow considerably  in the first weeks and months. In most cases, the first collar will be outgrown within the first 6 months.

How soon should I get a collar?

Many people want to have a collar to hand to put on their puppy as soon as they arrive at their new home. It’s a good idea to get your puppy used to wearing a collar from day one. It is the law that all dogs (there are a few exceptions to this) must wear a collar with identification. Ideally, the sooner your puppy starts wearing a collar, the quicker they will get used to it. So that means getting a collar for your puppy before they arrive home, and before you’ve had a chance to measure them!

What size collar should I buy for my puppy?

One of the questions we get asked the most is “what size collar should I buy for my puppy?” Generally, if we know what breed your puppy is, we can make an educated assessment of what size of collar your puppy will need. 

Take a look at our puppy collar size chart below, to see which size Oscar & Hooch collar will be the best fit for your new furry family member. Our recommendations are based on the average neck size and weight of each breed, which can also be found below.

However, if you’re still unsure, you can always buy two sizes and return the unused one to us.

Now you know what size collar you need, all you need is to pick the colour 🌈!

Puppy Collar FAQs

What kind of collar is best for a puppy?

When it comes to puppies, particularly short-haired breeds, you should look for a soft collar made of a non-abrasive material. Fabric collars are a good option, and collars made from a breathable fabric that is also machine washable are even better.

When should a puppy wear a collar?

Even if your puppy is still too young to go outside for walks, getting them used to wearing a collar is a good idea and will prevent any tiny tantrums further down the road! Collars should be worn most of the time, even around the house, but taking it off every so often to let the skin breathe is recommended. Try leaving the collar off for a couple of hours every time you brush or bathe them.

Can an 8-week-old puppy wear a collar?

Responsible breeders recommend puppies should not be brought home until 8 weeks old, and you can start getting them used to their collar shortly after this. It may be a good idea to let them settle into their new environment before introducing something new, but getting them used to their collar in their second week at home is a good idea.

Should puppies wear collars at night?

Most dog collars are designed to be non-abrasive, and perfectly safe for pups and older dogs to sleep in. This can also help puppies get adjusted to wearing a collar for the majority of the time.

Although collars are not designed to be worn 24/7, taking the collar off for a couple of hours every two days will be sufficient. You certainly don’t need to take their collar off every night before bed!

What information should I put on my puppy’s dog collar tag?

According to the Control of Dogs Mandate of 1992, all dogs in public are required to wear an identification tag which includes the owner’s first name, surname, postcode, and the first line of their address. However, many vets also recommend including a contact telephone number, in the event your dog goes missing.

Although microchipping has been mandatory for pet dogs since 2016, tags are still a legal requirement and provide a quicker way to get in contact with you if your dog is found, without their microchip needing to be scanned first.

We hope our puppy collar size guide has been helpful, as well as our dog collar FAQs! If you’d like to browse our full range of collars, leads, harnesses, and other accessories, feel free to visit our online shop. And why not use puppy10 at checkout for 10% off your puppy’s first collar?

Or, if you’d like more advice on caring for your puppy, feel free to visit the Oscar & Hooch blog for more articles. If you enjoyed our puppy collar size guide, you might like our other article, What do I need for a New Puppy?

Elaine and the team at Oscar & Hooch