How Wide or Thin Should My Dog's Collar Be?
Choosing the right width for your dog's collar starts with the dog in front of you.
Your dog's size and build come first. Then think about what you want the collar to do.
At Kegdog, we make collars in several different widths because the same width isn't right for every dog — or every activity. How wide or thin the collar is that you select for your dog depends on several factors.
Wide or Thin?
Thin – Lightweight leatherwork for tiny dogs or puppies. Suitable for ID collars and specialist equipment for all sizes
Standard – Our everyday collar width, suitable for a wide range of dogs from around 10kg upwards. The same width as most leads.
Large - A more substantial collar for bigger and more strongly built dogs. This width can be worn daily on dogs such as labradors and any larger breed too.
Wide – (1.5 to 2 inches) Broad collars for hounds, giant breeds and dogs that benefit from the extra width.
Thin collars best for a tiny dog?
For toy breeds and small dogs, start with our Thin range.
If your dog is the sort of size you could comfortably pick up and carry in a bag, this is usually the right scale for them.
Small dogs deserve proper leatherwork too.
We use narrower leather and appropriately sized fittings so that the whole collar is in proportion.
The result is still a proper Kegdog leather collar, simply made on a smaller scale.
Proper leatherwork, made at the right scale for small dogs.
How wide or Thin is a Standard dog collar?
Our Standard collars are 20mm wide and they're the starting point for many dogs from around 10kg upwards. It's a very versatile width.
Both the Cavalier and Akita in these photographs are wearing 20mm Standard collars.
They're very different dogs, but the same width works on both.
This is why we look at the individual dog rather than relying too heavily on descriptions such as small, medium and large. Those words can mean very different things to different dog owners.
For an everyday leather collar, 20mm is our most versatile width.
It's also the width we use for most of our leather leads.
When should I choose a 30mm Large collar?
Our Large collars are 30mm wide.
This width suits dogs with the size and build to carry a more substantial collar. It works particularly well on bigger, broader and more powerful dogs.
There is some natural overlap between Standard and Large.
Both of these collars suit the dogs in the photographs. The 20mm collar has a lighter appearance, while the 30mm gives more coverage around the neck.
Looking at the dog's build and how much of their neck the collar covers is often more useful than trying to put them into a size category. The German Shepherd in this photo weighs around 40kg compared to the Dalmatian which weighs around 30kg.
How wide should a hound collar be?
Hounds are a perfect example of why we make collars to suit the individual dog.
A broad collar can spread contact over more of the neck, while the shape and construction of a hound collar can give extra security to dogs with a head and neck shape that makes slipping a collar easier.
But hounds themselves come in very different sizes.
An Italian Greyhound has many of the same lovely sighthound proportions as its much bigger cousins — just on a tiny scale.
For an Iggy, we can take the principles of a hound collar and make them work with narrower leather, smaller fittings and proportions that suit the dog. Whippets are fitted in a medium width compared with greyhounds.
A much larger hound has the neck length and overall size to comfortably wear one of our broad 2 inch Wide collars.
Same idea. Same attention to fit and security. Made at the right scale for each dog.
What width collar is best for a giant breed?
For a large or giant breed dog, look towards our Large and Wide collars.
A 30mm Large collar gives a substantial everyday option, while our widest collars provide more coverage where the dog's size, strength and build call for it.
The dog's neck length is useful here too. A broad collar can sit beautifully on a long, substantial neck, while a different build may suit 30mm better.
Shop for the Best Collars for Big Dogs
Can a large dog wear a Thin collar?
Yes. Thin describes the width of the leather, rather than the size of the dog wearing it.
On a larger dog, we often use 12mm leather when we want something lightweight.
A Thin house collar, for example, gives the dog a comfortable place to carry their ID tag. Their walking collar can then be chosen separately.
We also use narrow leather for show equipment and parts of our headcollars, where keeping the equipment light and neat works well.
This is one of the reasons we make different types of collars. A house collar, walking collar, show collar and training collar each have their own job to do.
Shop for: House & Tag Collars
What width collar should I choose for a puppy?
Choose a collar that's light and in proportion to your puppy's size now.
For tiny puppies, this will usually be from our Thin range.
As they grow, their next collar may be Standard, Large or Wide depending on their adult size and build.
Check the fit regularly during those fast-growing months — puppies can change surprisingly quickly. We can add some growing room depending on your dog's expected full size.
What about long-haired dogs?
For long-haired dogs, look at the shape of the collar as well as its width.
Our rolled leather collars have a rounded surface against the coat and are a popular choice for dogs whose coats are prone to matting or marking beneath a flat collar.
A rolled collar can therefore be a better answer than simply choosing a narrower flat collar.
Should my dog have different collars for different activities?
Absolutely.
A dog might wear a Thin house collar for their ID tag, a Standard or Large collar for everyday walks and different equipment for training or showing.
Each piece can be chosen for its job while still belonging to the same dog's kit.
If your dog is always green and brass, for example, their house collar, walking collar, lead and training equipment can all be made in their colours while using the width and construction that works best for each job.
What if my dog needs something different?
Ask us. We welcome custom work.
Our standard range covers lots of dogs, but dogs themselves aren't standard.
You may have a tiny dog and want a particular collar style made at a smaller scale. Your dog might sit between our usual options. You may need different fittings, or already know exactly what works well for your dog.
Because we make our leatherwork ourselves in our Bolsover workshop, we can look at what you're trying to achieve and see what we can make.
If we can make your idea work comfortably and safely for your dog, we're always happy to talk it through.
Which Kegdog collar width should I choose?
For toy breeds and very small dogs, start with Thin – around 12mm.
For many dogs from around 10kg upwards, Standard – 20mm is our most versatile everyday width.
For bigger and more substantial dogs, look at Large – 30mm.
For hounds and giant breeds, our specialist Wide – around 1.5 to 2 inch collars give greater coverage where it's useful.
Then think about what you want the collar to do.
Your dog's house collar, everyday walking collar, training equipment and show equipment can each be made for their particular job.
Choosing a collar made for your dog
Start with your dog's size and build.
Choose the width and style to suit how you'll use it.
Choose the leather and hardware to make it theirs.
And if the collar you have in mind isn't in our standard range, get in touch and ask us about making it.
Every Kegdog collar is made to measure in our workshop in Bolsover.
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