While fitting a collar on your furbaby may be simple, there are a couple of things to be aware of.
Please check how well your dog's collar fits on a regular basis, as their weight may change over time.
How to measure:
If you aren't sure what size collar you need, use a seamstress or soft tape measure. Pull the tape so that it’s snug and note the size. We recommend that you add one inch to this measurement when comparing to collar sizes to allow for a comfortable fit. Please note that lower quality collars often list the total length of the collar as their ‘size’ and this can lead to buying a collar that is too small.
In case you are buying a collar as a gift, or are having difficulty getting them to stand still long enough to get a measurement, we’ve included a chart below for popular breeds and their average neck size and weight.
Checking the fit and comfort:
You should be able to fit 3 fingers comfortably between your dog’s collar and their neck.
If you can only fit 2 fingers or if you find it difficult to slide your fingers under the collar, then it is too tight, which is uncomfortable at best.
If you can fit your whole hand under the collar, then it is too loose and it may fall off!
Popular breeds and their average neck size and weight:
Breed | Average Neck Size | Average Weight | Top 50 Breeds |
Labrador Retriever | 18-24″ | 55-80 LBS | 1 |
German Shepherd | 18-24″ | 50-90 LBS | 2 |
Golden Retriever | 16-24″ | 55-75 LBS | 3 |
Bulldog (French) | 12-16″ | 18-28 LBS | 4 |
Bulldog (English) | 18-24″ | 49-55 LBS | 5 |
Beagle | 12-18″ | 18-30 LBS | 6 |
Poodle (Standard) | 12-18″ | 45-70 LBS | 7 |
Rottweiler | 24-30″ | 77-130 LBS | 8 |
Yorkshire Terrier | 6-12″ | 4-7 LBS | 9 |
German Shorthair Pointer | 15-17″ | 40-65 LBS | 10 |
Boxer | 16-22″ | 55-75 LBS | 11 |
Siberian Husky | 16-22″ | 40-55 LBS | 12 |
Dachshund Standard | 16-20″ | 16-32 LBS | 13 |
Great Dane | 20-26″ | 99-200 LBS | 14 |
Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 14-16″ | 25-38 LBS | 15 |
Doberman Pinscher | 18-24″ | 66-88 LBS | 16 |
Australian Shepherd | 16-22″ | 35-75 LBS | 17 |
Schnauzer Miniature | 10-16″ | 13-15 LBS | 18 |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 10-16″ | 13-18 LBS | 19 |
Shih Tzu | 10-14″ | 12-16 LBS | 20 |
Boston Terrier | 12-18″ | 10-25 LBS | 21 |
Pomeranian | 10-14″ | 9-13 LBS | 22 |
Havanese | 8-14″ | 7-13 LBS | 23 |
Shetland Sheep Dog “Sheltie” | 11-18″ | 11-24 LBS | 24 |
Bernese Mountain Dog | 20-26″ | 75-100 LBS | 25 |
Britany | 14-16″ | 30-40 LBS | 26 |
Springer Spaniel | 14-18″ | 49-55 LBS | 27 |
Bullmastiff | 26-28″ | 99-130 LBS | 28 |
Cocker Spaniel | 12-18″ | 26-35 LBS | 29 |
Vizsla | 15-22″ | 49-62 LBS | 30 |
Pug | 12-16″ | 14-18 LBS | 31 |
Chihuahua | 8-14″ | 2-6 LBS | 32 |
Maltese | 10-14″ | 6-9 LBS | 33 |
Weimaraner | 16-22″ | 55-85 LBS | 34 |
Newfoundland | 26-32″ | 110-152 LBS | 36 |
Cane Corso | 22-30″ | 88-110 LBS | 37 |
Border Collie | 14-18″ | 27-45 LBS | 38 |
Basset Hound | 16-22″ | 40-60 LBS | 39 |
Collie | 18-22″ | 50-75 LBS | 40 |
Rhodesian Ridgeback | 20-23″ | 64-90 LBS | 41 |
West Highland Terrier | 14-16″ | 15-22 LBS | 42 |
Belgian Malinois | 16-20″ | 55-75 LBS | 44 |
Shiba Inu | 14-17″ | 17-23 LBS | 45 |
Bichon Frise | 14-18″ | 10-14 LBS | 46 |
Akita | 20-24″ | 70-130 LBS | 47 |
St. Bernard | 26-32″ | 140-260 LBS | 48 |
Wheaten Terrier | 18-22″ | 32-37 LBS | 49 |
Bloodhound | 22-28″ | 88-105 LBS | 50 |