Dog Collar Size Chart
Dog collar sizes by breed and weight, how to measure a neck properly, and the two-finger rule that decides whether a collar is safe or a hazard.
Collar size chart by weight
| Dog weight | Neck size | Collar size | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 lb | 8–12″ | XS | ⅜–½″ |
| 10–25 lb | 10–14″ | S | ½–¾″ |
| 25–55 lb | 14–18″ | M | ¾–1″ |
| 55–75 lb | 16–22″ | L | 1–1½″ |
| 75–100 lb | 20–26″ | XL | 1½–2″ |
| 100 lb+ | 24–30″ | XXL | 2″ |
Typical neck sizes by breed
| Breed | Neck circumference | Collar size |
|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | 8–12″ | XS |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 8–12″ | XS |
| Dachshund | 10–14″ | S |
| French Bulldog | 12–16″ | S–M |
| Beagle | 13–17″ | M |
| Border Collie | 14–18″ | M |
| Labrador Retriever | 18–24″ | L |
| German Shepherd | 18–26″ | L–XL |
| Rottweiler | 20–28″ | XL |
| Great Dane | 22–30″ | XL–XXL |
Individual dogs vary — always measure rather than ordering on breed alone.
How to measure correctly
- Have your dog stand normally, head up.
- Wrap a soft tape (or string) around the middle of the neck, where a collar naturally rests — not right up behind the ears, not down at the shoulders.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight against the fur.
- Add about 2 inches for small dogs, 3 inches for large, so two fingers fit underneath.
- Choose a collar whose adjustable range puts your measurement in the middle, not at either extreme.
Getting the fit right
- The two-finger rule: two fingers flat, slid between collar and neck. That's the whole test.
- Sighthounds need martingales. Greyhounds, whippets and similar have heads narrower than their necks and can reverse straight out of a flat collar.
- Check puppies weekly — they outgrow collars faster than owners expect. Predict where they're heading with the puppy weight calculator.
- Long-coated breeds may need re-checking after grooming; a collar fitted over a thick winter coat is too loose once it's clipped.
- Remove collars in crates — tags and buckles catch on bars. If you need sizing for the crate itself, the dog crate size calculator covers it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my dog for a collar?+
Wrap a soft tape measure around the middle of your dog’s neck, where the collar naturally sits, and add two fingers’ width of slack. If you do not have a tape, use string and measure it against a ruler afterwards.
How tight should a dog collar be?+
The two-finger rule: you should be able to slide two fingers flat between the collar and your dog’s neck. Tighter risks chafing and breathing problems; looser and a determined dog can back out of it — the most common way dogs get loose on walks.
What width collar does my dog need?+
Match width to size: ⅜–½ inch for toy breeds, ¾ inch for small to medium dogs, 1 inch for medium to large, and 1½–2 inches for large and giant breeds. Wider collars spread pressure and last longer, but look bulky on small necks.
How often should I check a puppy’s collar?+
Weekly. Puppies outgrow collars alarmingly fast, and a collar that fitted last month can be genuinely tight this month. Check the two-finger rule every week until they finish growing.
Should my dog wear a collar all the time?+
For ID purposes many owners do, but remove collars for crating and unsupervised play — collars can catch on crate bars, furniture and other dogs’ jaws. Breakaway safety collars exist for exactly this reason.