The 8 Best Dog Collars Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

A dog collar has so many functions in a dog’s life. It’s an identifier to strangers. It is a signifier that your dog is loved and cared for. It is a convenience when walking on a leash. Sometimes, it is even a training tool.

The best dog collar for your dog would take into account the form and function you are using it for. But there is more to it than just the right size or a cool design.

There is a LOT going on. To help you find the best dog collars Australia offers your fur baby, we teamed up with veterinarians, professional groomers, and dog walkers to form a panel of independent experts. We spent months researching and testing the most popular dog collars on the market, and after months of trial and discussion, we finally agreed on our list below.

We are going to break down the types of collars available, what they do, and who they’re for. We’ll then quickly define what to look for in a dog collar. Finally, we’ll sum up the best dog collars on the Australian market to help you find the right one for your pup!

Australia's Best Dog Collars Reviewed

So, you have the low-down of what makes a great dog collar and the multiple types of collars that you may need. Here is our review of the best dog collars on the Australian market. Along with our panel of independent experts, we tried to find an option for each of the categories we mentioned so you can find the right purchase for you.

We love bright colours, cool designs, and high quality products for dogs. The Dog Nation Personalised Dog Collar, fortunately, does all three with ease.

These collars are best known for their incredible designs that include laser engraved personalised name and owner phone number that are made in a variety of colours and patterns, ranging from our standard neutral tones to rainbow-esque design. We chose the Maya design as the unique patterns and colours will make your dog stand out which can be an added safety bonus (plus your dog will surely be the most stylish at the dog park). Unlike our number two choice, though, it does not have reflective stitching for better visibility.

Luckily, the Dog Nation collars aren’t style over function. They are soft and durable, made of high-quality materials, lightweight and comfy for your dog to wear here, there and everywhere.

Our team of experts also love how the Dog Nation collar comes in 5 different sizes - extra small, small, medium and large & extra large, making it a suitable option for all breeds.

Judging by the high-quality and the fantastic reviews from our panel members, we’re sure this option won’t disappoint!

For our budget-friendly pick, the Rogz Snake Collar is a solid choice.

With a bright colour and durable material, this collar will last your dog for a long time. The material is woven for extra strength.

Every member of our team of independent experts love how the sturdy weaving includes reflective strips that provide a glow at night time. Perfect for owners who prefer to walk their dogs at night or early morning.

This particular collar in the vibrant turquoise comes in small, medium, large and extra-large. Though it is awesome for our extra-large furry friends to be represented (since they rarely are), what about the tiny pups? Our Dog Nation choice at number one and the Ozpaw collar at number five are better options for tiny breeds and pups alike.

Of course, best of all is the very reasonable price point. For quality and durability, it’s a wonderful, economical option.

Though we absolutely love the cool designs of the Rogz collars, the Aring Pet feels soooo luxe. The soft velvet was smooth and comfy on my dog’s fur. Seven gorgeous colour variations add to the stylishness. You can choose from soft black, azure blue, minty green, tan brown, Barbie pink, fiery red, and mustard yellow. They all come with a rose gold D-ring and buckle for an extra bit of pizzazz. So chic!

For extra durability, the velvet encases a strong cotton-webbed interior structure. The great reviews from our panel of experts attest to the long-lasting nature of the collar and leash set.

Finally thank you Aring Pet for having a truly representative selection of sizes! These collars start at extra-small with a 20 cm - 30 cm length. The largest size is extra-large with a 40 cm - 66 cm length. All of us pet parents testing this collar found the perfect size for our fur babies.

An extra bonus of this dog collar is the packaging - it is swoon-worthy and just as luxe as the collar. A weird thing to note perhaps, but this is the perfect gift for the dog-owning buddy in your life.

For the giant loves in our lives, the Ezydog Oxford Collar is a classic flat leather dog collar that will surely suit your pup.

It’s a simple, leather exterior design; elegant and timeless. The inside is constructed of padded leather lining. Leather, as you know, is super durable and looks better the more your dog wears it. This definitely passes the durability test. It is available in either a classic brown or black leather.

As for the size, the XL size length ranges from 55cm - 65cm depending on whether you lengthen the collar or not using the adjustable straps. This puts in the range similar to our number three pick's XL sizing.

Everyone on our panel of independent experts like this dog collar because it is chic, reasonably priced and a great size for extra-large breeds. If that’s what you need, this is the choice for you.

Can you tell we like the leather look? In fairness, leather is incredibly hard-wearing, whilst also being fashionable. It’s a win-win!

The Ozpaw Padded Leather Dog Collar is the perfect introductory collar for your puppy. The padded interior lining is comfortable and soft. There are 5 adjustable holes too that allow for your puppy’s fast growth.

As for design, the Ozpaw comes in 5 colourways - black, blue, brown, pink, and red. All very versatile and universally stylish colours.

This collar comes in four sizes from extra-small to large. Extra-small or small will work perfectly for your puppy, measuring 30 cm and 37 cm respectfully. For larger sizes, definitely check out our number four choice.

Finally, this is another awesome manufacturer that offers a 100% money-back guarantee to dissatisfied customers. It’s a risk-free choice for this reason, but we’re certain you and your puppy will love it!

Moving onto the more speciality collars, first, we have our pick for the best head collar.

What you want from a head collar is one that is easy to fit and comfortable to wear. The Canny Collar does both. It is made with your dog’s physiology in mind, so the noseband is fitted loose enough for your dog to open their mouth freely.

As the Canny Collar, and all head collars, are just training collars to teach good walking etiquette, they don’t need to last forever. Durability is less of a factor here. However, the cotton webbing is still hardy enough to last through your training phase.

In terms of sizing, there are 7 sizes ranging from 23 cm at the smallest to 58 cm at the largest. This still leaves out extra-large breeds who can go up to 65 cm in neck circumference but it is a good size range in general.

Our team of experts provided many great reviews of this head collar, attesting to its high-quality and effectiveness as a training tool. If you are in the market for a gentle head collar, this is a wonderful, economical option.

Flea and tick collars are woefully unstylish and boring but a necessary purchase for many of us. Unfortunately, the Seresto Collars aren’t any more exciting than the typical flea and tick collar, but they do the job - that’s what matters! After all, flea and tick collars are very thin so you can always do what I do and pair it with one of the other more fashion-forward collars on this list. Fun & function!

The actives are 100mg/g imidacloprid and 45 mg/g flumethrin. These chemicals are infused into the plastic collars and are non-toxic to your dog. It is also water resistant and completely odourless.

It is effective for 4 months against ticks and 8 months against fleas. Therefore, focus your energies on what you need it for most.

Our panel of experts note that the con here is clearly that the design is not so fun. It is also only 38 cm in length, which will suit many dogs but not all.

That said, if you have a small to medium dog in need of a reliable flea and tick collar, this is our top choice for them.

I love a good pun, so a “good boy” collar is just irresistible. But I promise that this isn’t why we chose this model as our pick for a vibrating dog collar.

The first thing to say is that this isn’t a shock collar in any way. I am actually recommending this more so for owners of deaf dogs who need vibrations as an added sense to communicate with their pup.

The Good Boy collar works with a remote control that has a range of 2,700ft/900 yards which is quite an impressive range for the category. I was able to use the 9 levels of sound and vibration as a tool to train my dog however he needed it.

As for durability, this vibrating collar is completely waterproof and so is the remote. It’s the perfect companion for outdoor training and communicating with your dog in all types of weather.

The con here is the sizing (a familiar let down but still a letdown nonetheless). This dog collar is only meant for small or medium dogs. Large or extra-large dogs will need to find other options.

Harnesses Vs Collars

Just as a quick note, how do you know whether you want a dog collar or a harness?

According to our panel of independent experts, it depends on a few factors. Dog harnesses are great for small dogs who are susceptible to Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. (1) This is when pressure is applied to your dog’s trachea because of the collar. Harnesses spread the pressure more evenly across your dog’s chest.

On the other hand, collars can work better for walking if your dog is very comfortable with one.

Types Of Dog Collars

There is a lot of variety within the dog collar category. There is quite literally something for everyone! Knowing which collar is right for your dog makes it ten times easier to choose one, and our experts have some ideas on how to make that happen. Let’s dive in.

Flat collars

Flat collars are what you picture when you imagine a dog collar. A simple collar that clips around your dog’s neck comfortably. Most dogs will start their collar life with a flat collar. This is also the type of collar that you typically leave on all of the time.

Martingale collars

Martingale collars have a similar structure to the humble flat collar with one key difference - they are roughly ⅓ shorter than the average flat collar with a fabric or chain loop making up the final third.

This essentially gives you more control as you are walking your dog. Some breeds like greyhounds are great escape artists of the regular flat collar. A martingale collar can be a total game-changer in that instance.

Head collars

Head collars are much like flat collars with an extra strap resting above your dog’s nose. This is not the same as a muzzle. Muzzles are usually made of hard plastic or metal around the nose and mouth. Head collars are training tools that allow for plenty of free movement of your dog’s jaw.

Flea/Tick collars

Flea collars and/or tick collars are flat, plastic collars that are infused with insect repellent. These collars are much more function over fashion. They tend to be a dull grey colour without a pattern in sight.

They are very lightweight and are meant to worn loosely. Therefore, the comfort level of these collars is very high - your dog will barely notice they are wearing one!

Because of their unique function, they can be paired with any other type of collar and your dog won’t mind the double collar style. That way, you can have a more fun design with a flat collar.

Vibrating collars

Vibrating collars get likened to shock collars but they are very different. Vibrating collars do not use electric shocks as an aversive tactic. They are much gentler as a training tool. That said, that is not why we mention this collar specifically. Vibrating collars are actually fabulous additions to your support kit for deaf dogs.

If you have a deaf dog, things can be very challenging. I am starting to notice it with my elderly pup who is slowly losing her hearing. On long walks or outdoor spaces like beaches and lakes, it can be tricky to get her attention.

Aversive collars

Aversive collars are collars that use the classic negative behavioural reinforcement instead of positive reinforcement. This means using pain or fear to steer your dog away from undesired behaviours.

Our expert panel note that it’s really important that we emphasise that we are not recommending aversive collars in any way, shape or form unless you are properly trained. They can be cruel, outdated, and, ultimately, ineffective as training tools.

The following types of collars are still available on the market but we disagree with their methods wholeheartedly as Gentle Dog Trainers. Here is what you should be avoiding.

Shock collars

Shock collars were very popular in the 1960s as a form of deterring “bad” behaviours in dogs. By emitting a shock directly to your dog’s neck, they induce pain which in theory associates the behaviour with the pain. (4)

This has been considered inhumane for quite some time. Some states in Australia have banned it completely. It dampens the spirits of your lovely dog and doesn’t really teach them anything. Imagine giving your toddler an electric shock every time they cried or made a mistake? No? So, don’t do it to your dog!

Choke chains

This is possibly the most arcane and terrifying of the aversive collars. Choke collars do what they say on the tin - the pull on your dog’s neck and choke them. This is not a walking training tool. It is just painful and hugely damaging.

Choke chains have been known to cause nerve damage, bruising, swollen blood vessels, asphyxiation, skin damage, increased anxiety and depression. They shouldn’t be used in any circumstance. If you want to train your dog to walk nicely, you can use a martingale collar or just good old persistence and positive training techniques to improve their walking etiquette over time. (5)

What To Look for In A Dog Collar

Size

To ensure the perfect fit for your dog’s collar, it is important to measure your dog correctly.

Sizing your dog for a collar is simple. We recommend you use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your dog’s neck. It should be towards the base of the neck where the collar is meant to sit. Pull your measuring tape to a snug fit but not taut. You want there to be some give.

Manufacturers of dog collars tend to be quite diligent about giving measurement data for the size of your dog’s neck and the size of the collar itself. Follow the guidelines and it should be a Cinderella fit!

Durability

You want your dog’s collar to withstand all of the roughhousing and mischief they get up to. Rain, sweat, mud, sea water - all of it has the potential to disintegrate even the best of dog collars.

You are looking for hardy materials that won’t fall apart with extended use. Remember your dog essentially lives a lot of their life with their collar on, so it needs to keep up with them!

Comfort

Comfortable dog collars are paramount to a dog’s happiness. Yes, the overall fit is important when discussing the comfort of any garment, but here I mean the wearability.

These all factor into the ideal comfortable dog collar for your pooch.

Style

Call me vain or superficial, but I think the style of the collar is also an important factor.

In the human world, we use clothes to express ourselves and give us personality from the outside looking in. Dogs don’t wear sleek, leather jackets but they can rock a punk-style collar or a girly floral print. Make your pup the envy of the daily walk with a collar that is as unique and fun as they are.

My Final Verdict On The Best Dog Collars

As an overall winner with a range of sizes and luxe colours designs, everyone on our panel of independent experts say the Dog Nation Personalised Dog Collar is fabulous. Adding to the fact that they come with a leash too - it’s the perfect starter collar for the new or old pup in your life.

For the puppies, we think the Rogz Snake Collar collar is perfect. It will easily stand up to their rambunctious mischief whilst also being totally fashionable.

Want to learn more about dog collars? Check out our below guides:

• GPS Dog Collars
• Dog Barking Collars
• Citronella Collar
• LED Dog Collar
• Martingale Collar
• Calming Collars
• Personalised Collars

References

1. Williams, K., Weir, M., Yuill, C. “Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Dogs”. VCA Animal Hospital. Retrieved May 14, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/brachycephalic-airway-syndrome-in-dogs
2. Clark, M. “Collar Versus Harness: Which Is Best for Your Dog?”. DogTime. Retrieved May 14, 2023. https://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/43739-collar-vs-harness-best-dog
3. Messer, J. “Training Deaf Dogs”. Modern Dog Magazine. Retrieved May 14, 2023. https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/training-deaf-dogs/10727
4. Holmes, L. March 21, 2023. “Why Shock/e-Collars Are Bad For Dogs”. PetHelpful. Retrieved May 14, 2023. https://pethelpful.com/pet-ownership/Are-Dog-Shock-Collars-Harmful-The-Dangers-of-E-Collar-Training
5. Donovan, L. August 30, 2019. “How to Teach a Puppy to Walk on a Leash”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved May 14, 2023.  https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teach-puppy-walk-leash/
6. Lowe, L. January 16, 2018. “5 Ways Collars Can Harm Your Dog”. PetMD. Retrieved May 14, 2023.  https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/5-ways-collars-can-harm-your-dog