Collar Size Guide for Dogs and Cats

 How do I pick the right size collar for my dog?
Picking the right width and size range for your dog depends on the dog's age, neck size and, to some extent, the size of the dog. 1/2" products are appropriate for pets up to 20 pounds or so.

A 1/2" collar for a new puppy is a great way to introduce the concept of wearing a collar. It's lightweight and will give you a way to quickly attach a lead for those frequent trips outside during house-training. Early on in life, the dog has to be taught about being on a lead, and what it means. The 1/2" leads are going to keep the pup' connected' to you, but not be so heavy as to be annoying.

There are many full-grown larger dogs (like Labs and Retrievers) that wear a 3/4" width collar at maturity. It's important to remember that with the rapid growth rate of all young dogs, what fits in the beginning will almost certainly be outgrown before it wears out, much like kids' clothes! Buying with room-to-grow is OK to a point, but a collar set to it's smallest size has the most webbing doubled back and becomes somewhat bulky.

To determine collar size, use a dressmakers tape to measure around the middle of the neck. Measure snugly, against the skin, not how you'd like it to fit. Whatever that measurement is, add in 5% extra for wiggle-room. This gives you a good approximation of the current size of the dog.

Should I get an Adjustable collar or a Combo collar?
For small dogs (1/2" patterns) we only offer Adjustable collars. We make two types of collars in 3/4" and 1" patterns: adjustable collars (aka 'flat' collars), and Combo collars (aka 'martingales' , 'limited slip chokers' or 'half-check collars'). They do different things.

The Adjustable collar is the best all-around collar. The dog can wear it all the time, although many dog pros recommend removing any collar when the dog is crated.

The Combo collar is designed specifically to prevent a dog from 'backing out' of its collar. It has a 'martingale' loop of webbing. When tension is applied via the lead, the martingale reduces the size of the collar. It's not an infinite amount of closure, as with a choke chain, but enough to prevent the dog from slipping out. 
The Combo collar should not be left on when the dog is off-leash or unsupervised. Wearing a Combo collar off-lead increases the potential for getting caught on some object, or even another dog's jaw.

To determine what size of Combo collar to use, measure around the widest aspect of the head and jaw, as well as the mid-point of the neck. Take whichever measurement is larger, and add in an additional 5% to ensure a comfortable fit.