The 6 Best Puppy Collars Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Is your puppy looking a little naked at the moment?

A collar is a simple product that does so much. It is a symbol that your puppy is cared for and loved. It is a unique fashion statement to show off your dog’s personality. It is a portable ID card that your puppy has at all times in case they wander from the pack while you are walking.

So, it stands to reason you’ll be looking for the very best puppy collars you can find right?

We’ve got you covered. We teamed up with veterinarians, professional groomers and dog parents to form a panel of independent experts to research the best puppy collars Australia offers. After months of trial and error and several dozen collars later, we were finally able to agree on the list ahead.

In this mega guide, we’ll chat about the qualities of a top dog collar and the different types of puppy collars on the market. But first we get into our recommendations for the best puppy collars Australia has to offer.

Australia's Best Puppy Collars Reviewed

Before we discuss the different types of puppy collars out there and what could be right for your little one. Let’s dive into the recommendations we have for top puppy collars in Australia, so you first know what is available for your puppy. These are the puppy collars are team of independent experts personally tested with their puppers and loved the most.

Dog Nation have such high-quality and varied collars that we have to feature them in the top spot here. Our pick is their soft padded nylon range which is stylish, durable, and the perfect size for young dogs.

The smallest size is suitable for a neck girth of 17 cm to 27 cm. Our team of experts noted that this is an ideal range for puppies and that your pup can grow with this collar for quite some time.

The padded nature of the collar may make it a little heavier than most but infinitely comfortable and cosy for your dog to wear for long periods of time. This is a great introduction to wearing collars with confidence.

Best of all, this is a personalised puppy collar, meaning I was able give them my dog’s name and my phone number, and they then lovingly engraved those details onto the front buckle. ID and collar all in one!

For reasonably priced personalised soft dog collars for the special pup in your life, Dog Nation has you covered!

For an economical option with a side order of bling, the Gummi Bling Puppy Collar is a prime choice. It is quite a simple, thin, delicate collar with bright colour and a touch of pizzazz with the little diamantes, giving it quite a different look from our number one option. I am not a diamante person per se, but it does look quite fetching on this collar.

I think because there are few of them and the band is thin, it manages to look quite elegant and fancy rather than naff. But I think this is a Vegemite situation - you love it or you hate it.

Beyond the design, it is made specifically for puppies, so it has a very short length of 20cm to 30 cm. That still allows some growing room for your pup as well.

The collar is lightweight, making it almost imperceptible to your dog. This is always helpful when getting a new puppy used to wearing a collar.

Every member of our panel of independent experts appreciated that this collar is durable and weatherproof. Essential to your puppy through their early months.

Overall, Gummi has an economical option that won’t melt on the first wear! Fabulous.

Leather dog collars can look very classic and beautiful on every breed. The one drawback is that the majority of leather dog collars tend to be a bit bulky and macho for a little puppy. It’s a bit like giving a toddler a Moleskine notepad. You could do it, but it definitely looks too grown up for them.

We love the Dog Nation Leather Collars, but they are a bit wide and adult. So our team of independent experts chose the Ozpaw range for this category because these collars are small, fine, and come in youthful colours that will suit any puppy’s playful personality.

There are five colours in total and four sizes. The extra small size measures 30 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. It is suitable for a young dog with a neck size of 20 cm to 26 cm. So there is some growing room here but perhaps not as much as the Dog Nation or Gummi options we listed above.

I love how the soft leather design is weatherproof and durable. The nickel-plated buckle is also rustproof and should last your puppy for as long as they fit the collar.

Best of all, this is another economical option that rivals the best of them. The manufacturer also offers a money back guarantee. It’s a no-brainer!

The Ozpaw option is pretty stylish but for a polyester option that is still show-stoppingly beautiful, every member of our expert panel loved this option from Dog Nation. The Maya collar is soooo pretty with a unique almost tribal-like print in bold colours.

It’s unisex and stylish to the highest degree. It looks premium with a high-quality print. This is also a personalised dog collar, so you can have your dog’s details engraved on the front plate. Always handy!

As for sizing, the smallest size is suitable for a neck size of 23 cm to 30 cm which is a good range for puppies.

This is a very hardy collar with tightly woven polyester; however, nylon and leather are known to be a little more durable than this. That’s not to say that this collar will melt. It won’t. But if the material matters to you, you may prefer the nylon padded collar in spot number one over this one.

For an incredibly adorable collar that is premium quality and breathtakingly stylish, this is the one for you!

Less exciting than the others on this list but a necessary evil, let’s talk about flea collars!

Now, if your puppy is older than 7 weeks of age, you can start treating them for fleas and ticks. Seresto collars are known for being extremely effective against fleas and ticks due to their strong chemical make-up.

These collars are also loose-fitting, lightweight and won’t interfere with your dog’s day to day.

That said, Seresto can be too strong for some dogs. Think of it like a mosquito repellent. Some of us can slather it on with no issues at all. Others of us are sensitive to the chemicals leading to rashes and discomfort. It’s the same for dogs.

This is to say, exercise some caution. Most dogs will be perfectly fine with this collar, and it is very effective. If your puppy shows any signs of discomfort or allergy to the chemicals in the flea treatment, simply whip it off.

Seresto collars are hardy, budget-friendly and lightweight enough to wear with your dog’s main collar. Our panel of independent experts still recommend it as a top flea collar option for most dogs.

Finally, let’s talk about martingale collars! Now admittedly, I don’t think puppies should start with martingale collars. I simply don’t think that it’s necessary right out of the gate. Particularly as a first collar for your puppy.

Yes, it’s true that dogs aren’t built with walking etiquette fresh out of the womb. Like with all doggy etiquette in their lives, they will need to be taught, but some dogs are more open to their walk training than others. I see martingale collars as a corrective tool to be used if you are struggling to walk train your puppy, rather than a preemptive tool to teach your puppy to walk straight away.

Anyway. Rant over. What our panel of independent experts recommend if you do want to walk train your puppy with the help of a martingale collar?

The Fourhouse chain martingale is a great option for young dogs.

Firstly, the smallest size is decently small at around 25 cm. Most martingales are much larger than this.

The red grid design is made of 100% pure cotton for a premium feel and look. The inner lining is made of nylon for comfort and durability where it matters the most.

The chain is stainless steel adding to its imperishability and effectiveness as a walking tool. And yes, this does have a chain but it is not a choke chain. We do not support choke training in any shape or form. Martingales work in a gentle, forgiving way.

Finally, the price point is fabulous. This is an economical option that has a 100% money back guarantee.

It is worth noting, however, this collar is of a cheaper quality than others on this list. While the design may look premium and the reviews are generally positive, there have been some outliers of the links breaking or the pattern fading. It is a cheaper quality so do bear this in mind.

How To Find The Right Collar For Your Puppy

There is sooo much choice on the market for cool puppy collars. And given that the first collar your dog will wear will likely be outgrown at some point, it’s worth bearing these factors in mind when you make your choice. After testing out so many puppy collars, our team of independent experts say these are the factors you need to keep in mind as you make your choice:

Size

Of course, a decisive factor of the collar you choose will be the size. Your puppy is a baby still and therefore likely doesn’t have a neck the size of Scooby Doo’s. That said, unlike with our human babies, you don’t want to purchase a collar that your puppy will “grow into”. A loose-fitting collar can be dangerous.

To accurately measure your puppy for their collar, you need to measure two points of their neck. You need to measure around the base of their neck and the high point. These are the two areas that the collar will rest at various points of their day. You don’t want it to be too tightly wrapped around either point. (2)

Durability

Your puppy will be a rambunctious little thing, getting into scrapes, falling off the sofa and playing with the neighbourhood children. These are all opportunities for any of their wearables like their collar, harness or ID tags to be ruined by sheer playfulness.

In the case of collars, it is pretty difficult to find a collar that easily falls apart. Even cheap puppy collars are often made of nylon which is tough as nails when woven into a collar. 

That said, the buckle and D-ring can be obviously of cheaper quality. These can be broken easily. The buckle and D-ring are often made of metal or plastic. The metal variety is generally better quality and longer lasting.

To truly assess the durability of any collar you may come across on the world wide web, you need to review the reviews. They will tell all. No broken buckle goes unreported in honest feedback.

Comfort

The comfort of your puppy is paramount. This will likely be their very first collar, so they need to adjust to life with it on. Therefore, it needs to be lightweight and well-fitted.

You also may want to account for your dog’s unique physiology. For example, if you have a little pug puppy, they have a short neck so a collar with a wide width won’t be the most comfortable for them. If you have a Dachshund puppy, they have small, delicate necks. A collar that is too bulky will surely get in the way of their important day to day activities. It’ll also probably look quite comical. Imagine a Dachshund with a huge, spiked collar? Comedy gold.

Style

Yes, I am the reviewer who loves a gorgeous looking product, but it is never so important as with your dog’s collar. I am happy to die on this hill. The collar is a statement to the wider world, and outside of protective dog shoes, dog coats and jumpers for cold weather, this is likely the only piece of apparel your dog will wear on a consistent basis. 

Is your puppy super outgoing and fun? Why not have a colourful, exciting design!

Is your puppy prim and proper? A sleek leather number will suit their soul.

And yes, this is a complete vanity metric. Your dog will not care in the slightest if the collar you choose matches the undertone of their fur.  But for your own sense of pride and personality, it’s just a bit more fun to look for a collar that looks as good as it functions.

The Different Types of Puppy Collars

The above list of attributes can be… attributed to any type of collar. Our panel of researchers quickly realised that there is quite a wide range of collar styles out there.

Flat Collars

Picture a dog collar. Any dog collar. Got the image in your mind?

That’s a flat collar!

This is the most traditional and popular type of collar. It is called a “flat” collar because it lays flat around your puppy’s neck.

Martingale Collars

Martingale collars are special collars made with the purpose of walk training.

But wait, doesn’t that sound like a choke collar?

Absolutely not! While the mechanisms are similar, martingale collars have a much more limited amount of constriction, so they can’t hurt or strangle your puppy. It is gentle pressure, not a strangulating squeeze.

Choke collars are not advised for any dog, young or old. They can cause so many neck injuries and anxiety issues.

As for martingales, you can use them with puppies, but I wouldn’t advise doing this before attempting to train your puppy with a regular collar. This is for two reasons.

1. They may respond well to walk training and be perfectly fine with their flat collar.
2. Martingale collars are typically only used during walking. You will likely have a flat collar for your dog’s everyday use. So, martingale collars should only be tapped in when you need them.

Personalised Collars

Isn’t everything better when it is customised? I believe so. Personalised puppy dog collars just add an extra element of specialness to their collar. There are a few interesting options for personalised collars on the market. 

Flea/Tick Collars

Definitely one of the more boring collars in the category but consider it a necessary evil. Flea and tick collars are used in tandem with traditional collars as they tend to be thin and worn for a limited amount of time. You can’t really affix any identifiers to a flea or tick collar. It’s important to note that puppies should not have flea or tick treatments of any kind before they reach 7 weeks old. (4) The chemicals are too strong for them.

Vibrating Collars

Vibrating collars are meant as anti-barking and training collars. They are also great for deaf and blind dogs. (5) If you want to explore vibrating and anti-bark collars, we have made a separate article for them.

My Final Verdict

For a puppy collar that ticks all the boxes with personalisation to boot, every member of our team of independent experts could agree that the Dog Nation Soft Padded Collar is the perfect beginner’s collar for your new puppy! The sizing runs very small too so the tiniest of delicate necks should suit it still.

The soft material will provide that extra comfort too. You can’t go wrong with them. If you are on a budget and want a touch of bling, then we think the Gummi Bling Collar is a very sweet and simple option that will serve your puppy well.

Interested in learning more about dog collars? Check out our below guides:

• Best GPS Dog Collar
• Best Leather Dog Collar
• Best LED Dog Collar

References

1. Lowe, L. January 16, 2018. “5 Ways Collars Can Harm Your Dog”. PetMD. Retrieved November 27, 2023.  https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/5-ways-collars-can-harm-your-dog
2. Perreault, J. September 26, 2013. “How to Choose the Correct Collar Size for Your Dog”. Petful. Retrieved November 27 2023. https://www.petful.com/pet-products/choose-right-size-dog-collar/
3. Jones, J. August 30, 2017. “What are Martingale Dog Collars?”. Orvis News. Retrieved November 27, 2023. https://news.orvis.com/dogs/what-are-martingale-dog-collars
4. Coates, J. June 27, 2019. “How to Choose the Safest Flea Treatment for Your Dog”. PetMD. Retrieved November 27, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/how-choose-safest-flea-treatment-your-dog
5. Messer, J. “Training Deaf Dogs”. Modern Dog Magazine. Retrieved November 27, 2023. https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/training-deaf-dogs/10727
6. Bauhaus, J. September 24, 2021. "Should My Puppy Wear A Harness Or A Collar? Choosing The Safest Option". American Kennel Club. Retrieved November 27, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/puppy-information/puppy-collar-harness/