The Best Big Dog Collars

Over the years I’ve found that it’s not always easy to find big dog collars that are tough enough, and good-looking enough, for my Rottweilers.

But, I’ve also learned that it’s possible to find a collar that is both big and beautiful if you know where to look!

You really need an X-Large collar for adult Rotties and similar breeds.

Anything designed to fit large and giant breeds should fit a dog who weighs more than 100lbs and has a neck that’s bigger than 21″ (minimum).

Most regular ‘Large’ collars don’t make the grade.

On this page I’ve featured a huge range of products that don’t just meet these requirements, they go ‘above and beyond’.

Plus if you scroll on down the page, you’ll find a few tips that will help you choose a collar that you love, AND that fits properly.

There’s something for every dog, every need and every budget. Enjoy…..

Most of these collars are available in a huge range of sizes, so they won’t just fit your adult Rottweiler, but will look adorable on your Rottie puppy too!

Large Dog Collar Reviews

These are some of our favorites when it comes to large dog collars, so you can make sure your dog looks great and gets the benefits they need from a quality collar. 

1. Black Rhino – The Comfort Collar – Best Overall

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Available in different colors to match you (and your pets) preference, this collar fits dogs with a neck between 23” and 27”, which covers the majority of the large breed dogs. It offers neoprene padding for added protection and odor resistance. Not only that but it’s lightweight and features heavy duty metal hardware to keep it in place at all times. You’ll also be happy with the reflective stitching that keep your dog (and you) safer while walking in low light conditions. 

Pros

  • Reflective stitching for added safety
  • Odor resistant even with water exposure
  • Durable for strong dogs

Cons

  • Buckle can be difficult to detach
  • May not fit some of the largest dogs

2. EzyDog Neo Classic Dog Collar

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If you’re looking for a simple design that gets the job done then this is definitely what you want. It’s a thick, waterproof collar that features an ID clip and D-ring made with stainless steel. You’ll have quick release buckles and you only have to size it once and the collar stays where you set it. Plus, the piping is reflective so it’s easy to see at night.

Pros

  • Adjustable between 28.5” and 32”
  • Quick release buckle to get on and off easily
  • Reflective piping keeps you and your dog safe

Cons

  • Sizing can be difficult to get the right fit
  • Very wide, can be too big for some dogs

3. Superman Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar

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When it comes to getting something unique and fun for your dog, this is definitely a great way to go. It’s designed to look like a seatbelt, with a seatbelt release to make it easier to get on and off. It’s also highly adjustable, fitting dogs with a neck from 18” to 32” which should cover practically all dog sizes (an extra large Mastiff might be the exception). It also has a fun look with the blue background and Superman shield design. 

Pros

  • Unique style for your dog
  • Easy release buckle for quick removal
  • Wide neck size range for use

Cons

  • Collar itself can be heavy
  • Fabric is somewhat thinner than other collars and may wear over time

4. Pit Bull Collar for Large Dogs

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Made with heavy duty nylon, this collar is not only durable but still lightweight as well. In fact, it’s great for training purposes and keeps your dog comfortable while they’re using it. The hardware is made with stainless steel, including the attached D-ring, and it’s washable in case your dog gets a little too dirty playing outside. It also fits dogs with necks between 25” and 29”. 

Pros

  • Durable and strong collar to prevent breaking
  • Variety of color and size options available
  • Double buckle for added support

Cons

  • Very stiff
  • Too small for some extra-large dogs

5. EzyDog Checkmate Martingale Collar

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Martingale style correction collar that tightens when your dog pulls, so you can have more control of your dog. The neoprene and polyester construction of this collar mean that it’s not only durable, but also waterproof, lightweight, odor resistant, and comfortable for your dog. A wide range of sizing means you don’t have to resize.  

Pros

  • One time sizing system holds the size you set
  • Reflective stitching for walks in low light
  • Fits dogs with neck size from 22” to 33”

Cons

  • Can get stuck when tightened
  • Loose when the dog’s not pulling meaning it can get caught

Large Dog Collar Buying Guide

If you’re not quite sure which of these is the best option for you, or if you want to keep looking at some other choices for yourself, here’s a buying guide with a few ways to pick out exactly what you need before buying a large dog collar. 

Material Construction

One of the first things that you need to think about is the construction of the collar. This includes just what it’s actually made of, as the material affects durability and longevity. 

Most dog collars are made with nylon, neoprene, leather, faux leather, or chain. Each has it’s own pros and cons, but it’s important to figure out which one will work better for your dog. This is especially true if you have a larger, stronger dog.

  • Nylon can be inexpensive and easy to use but it’s not durable and it can be hard to keep clean.
  • Neoprene is good for odor resistance and pets with allergies, but it can be bulky and a little on the pricy end. 
  • Leather is durable and it’s natural, but it can be quite expensive and it absorbs odor over time.
  • Faux leather is inexpensive and has a lot of different options, but breaks down quickly.
  • Chain can be good for training and it’s obviously durable, but you don’t want to leave it on your dog for extended periods and it’s not good for cold.

Overall, neoprene or leather collars are the better way to go because they add durability for larger and stronger dogs. Keep in mind that they’re not quite as flexible and they can be more expensive, but you’ll get more time out of them in exchange for that. 

Collar Type

There are a number of different types of collars to look at as well. These can vary from traditional buckle collars and quick release to safety collars and martingale collars. We’ll take a look at what each of these is about so you can find something that fits the needs of you and your dog.

  • Buckle collars are the most common and are considered ‘standard.’ You can easily adjust them like a regular belt buckle, but they may not be as easy to release when you want to take the collar off.
  • Quick release collars are another popular option because they do exactly what the name suggests, detach easily. However, these aren’t usually good for dogs that like to pull at their leash.
  • Safety collars are good for dogs that could end up stuck somewhere, such as hunting dogs that could get stuck on a tree branch because they keep the collar from choking. But they’re not necessary for dogs that are generally confined to small areas.
  • A martingale collar is one that works great for dogs who tend to pull. It keeps them from being able to get away, but you want to be careful about the sizing as they can easily pinch too much if your dog pulls on it.
  • Full harnesses are great if you want to keep your dog not only safer but actually where you want them to be as well. These harnesses go around the shoulders and chest of the dog too to provide more support but may not be as comfortable for all dogs. 

The specific type of collar that you choose will depend on your preference, your dog, and what you’re planning to do with them. You will likely need multiple collar types as well to make sure that your dog is set for different occasions (like training versus playing in the backyard). 

Training Collars For Large & Giant Breeds

Training collars are specifically designed to help train your dog to stop pulling.

Examples are Martingale, ‘choke-chain’, prong, and quick-grab designs and they all have their own fans and critics.

Personally I think all but one of them is useful depending on the situation and your dog.

The one I wouldn’t advise inexperienced owners to use on an adult Rottweiler? The ‘choke-chain’ collar. 

Many people are surprised by this and assume that a prong collar is more unkind (even dangerous) than a regular chain collar – but they’re wrong…..

Rottweilers are big, strong dogs in fact they’re just too strong for a choke-chain collar, and if they pull against it and the owner is yanking and dragging on the other end of the leash, it can do serious damage to their trachea and throat.

A ‘pinch’ or ‘prong’ collar may look scary (especially the big dog collar variety!), and you may worry that you’ll hurt your Rottie by using one, but that’s not the case.

The prongs are rounded, and these only need to press gently against the dogs’ neck for him to be aware of the correction. That means that they’re actually safer and much less likely to hurt your dog.

These are what I always use on my Rotties (not puppies though, for them a regular buckle collar or a light-weight choke collar is fine because they’re just learning to walk on the leash and can be handled fairly easily with these).

I can promise you my dogs are loved to pieces and I’d never do anything to hurt them!

Martingale collars are an alternative to prong collars if you’re training an adolescent pup or an adult dog who isn’t inclined to try to pull you off your feet!

They work in a similar way to both the choke and prong collars. They’re designed to tighten around your dog’s neck, but because of the way they’re made (leather/fabric collar, with 2 ‘D’ rings and a chain or additional length of material between them) they don’t tighten all the way and therefore put less pressure on the neck.

Training collars are designed to be worn during active training sessions – when your Rottweiler is right next to you, and under constant supervision.

It’s important to get into the habit of always removing it as soon as ‘work’ is over.

Judy, a regular visitor and contributor to this website (it’s her beautiful Angel who is modeling the pink collar a bit further up this page) shared the terrifying ordeal she and Angel went through as a result of her leaving a chain collar on her precious dog for just a couple of minutes… it’s a sobering and scary story, which so easily could have ended tragically.

Luckily it didn’t, but it was a close call. This story is a must-read for all dog owners and you can read it right here….. The Dangers Of Chain Collars.

Proper Sizing

Getting the right size of collar is essential to overall comfort and safety for your dog. You want to make sure that they are going to be safe wearing the collar and that goes in two different directions. First, you want to make sure the collar isn’t too small where it’s going to hurt their neck while they wear it and especially if they pull at the leash. 

Second, you want to make sure it’s not too loose where it could slip off if they were to pull at the leash. Either way, the collar isn’t going to be safe. That’s why you need to make sure you get a size that’s right for your dog.

For those buying a collar in store take your dog with you, put the collar on and make sure you can get two fingers comfortably under the collar. This means you have a good fit. You shouldn’t have to squeeze your fingers under the collar, they should slide under easily.

If you’re buying online you want to get a good measurement around your dogs neck. You need a soft tape measure that you can measure them with easily. Wrap the tape measure around the neck where the collar would go. You will want it to be a little bit tight to account for fur and such. 

Once you have a measurement you want to look for collars online that are within two inches in either direction. So, a measurement of 14” means that you want a collar that measures 12” to 16”. If your dog has a neck size of 11” you want something that ranges from 9” to 13”. 

Remember, your dog is going to grow but you shouldn’t get a collar that’s too big just for that purpose. If you have a dog that’s still growing you’ll likely need to buy at least a few collars for them over their puppy years (and their adult years too). 

Large Dog Collars FAQ

When you’re ready to buy a collar for your large dog it’s important to know what you’re getting into, but you may have a few questions, which is what we’re going to look at here. 

Should I Get a Plastic or Metal Buckle?

The truth is that this is going to be up to your personal preference. In general, a metal buckle is going to be the better option for a large dog because it’s more durable and long lasting. On the other hand, plastic buckles are usually easier to release (a quick release collar will have a plastic buckle). So you’ll want to think about what your preference is for ease of use versus durability. With large dogs especially, a metal buckle is the best and safest way to go. 

Are Dyed Collars Bad for My Dog?

This is another question that you’ll need to think about for yourself as well. If you get a high quality collar that holds the dye well you shouldn’t have to worry. This means that even when the collar gets wet or your dog gets overheated the color doesn’t leach out. If the collar is lower quality, however, the color could leach out and onto your dogs skin, which is unhealthy for them. If you are going to get a collar that has color in it get something high quality and test what happens when it gets wet before putting it on your dog. 

Can I Add Accessories to My Dogs Collar?

You can add some minor accessories to your dogs collar but remember they have to be able to carry the extra weight. In general, the only things you want to attach to the collar are an ID and possibly a reflector if one isn’t built into the collar. Other accessories, including the ones that are designed to make your collar look ‘cute’ or ‘fun’ are not recommended. They can be heavy, they can hurt if they rub or bang against your dogs neck, ears or face, and they can be choking hazards if your dog manages to get ahold of them and chew on them. 

Find the Large Dog Collar That’s Right for You

Hopefully you now have a good understanding of what kind of collar your dog needs and just how to find one. Plus, you’ve gotten a good look at a few top options for collars so you can choose something you and your dog will be comfortable with. Now it’s time to pick one out and head out on a nice walk through the park. 

About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone