Trying to find the best dog collars for German Shepherds can be quite a hassle. If you already own a German Shepherd, you’ll already know by now that they demand a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation and that’s why you need the perfect fit collar for your dog.
You wouldn’t want them slipping out of their collars and running away. German shepherds also possess thicker necks and it can be a struggle to find a collar that fits perfectly.
Moreover, you need to make sure the collar can sustain the occasional chewing of your German Shepherd. Sounds like too much? Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard part for you.
After research and testing, and consultation with experts and pet owners, we’ve rounded up our expert list of the best dog collars and leashes for German shepherds.
Top 7 Best Dog Collars For German Shepherds
Hipidog Personalized Dog Collar
- Constructed with thick nylon and lint
- Fadeproof engraving on closure
- Available in 18 style designs and 5 size options
- Tough nylon webbing that can withstand up to 500 pounds of pressure
This product from Hipidog is one of the best dog collars for German Shepherd your money can buy. Constructed with thick nylon on the inside and high-quality lint on the outside, this collar is comfortable for wear and we are sure it’ll last a very long time.
This collar is handmade further enhancing the durability and the fabrics are also washable so you don’t need to worry if your dog loves to splash and play in the rain.
With this collar, you don’t need to bother with tags as it comes with fade-proof laser engraving on the closure in case your dog gets lost. The buckle and clip are also made with sturdy stainless alloy ideal for german shepherds of all sizes.
One of the best features of this collar from Hipidog is that it comes with 18 style designs providing you with incredible personalization options for your fur ball. However, on the downside, we noticed that the engraving is a tad bit small and light which makes it challenging to read.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
- Great design and customization options
- Secure and safe
Cons
- Engraving is a little small
Blueberry Pet Essentials Nylon Dog Collar
- Constructed with nylon fabric
- Buckles made of eco-friendly plastic
- Chrome-coated metal D ring
- Name and phone number can be embroidered
The Blueberry Pet Essentials Nylon Dog Collar also makes it into our list of the best dog collars and leashes for German Shepherds. The nylon fabric construction with high-density webbing ensures that this collar passes the test of time regardless of how playful or adventurous your German Shepherd is. The metal D ring is also chrome-coated for increased durability and offers increased safety.
This collar from Blueberry Pet Essentials is available in four sizes XS, S, M, and L. The collars come in 20 colors offering you tremendous personalization options and your dog’s name and your phone number can also be embroidered in case your dog loses its way. We found the embroidering to be clear and well-made. On the downside, you’ll have to purchase the matching leash separately.
Pros
- Durable construction and long-lasting
- Long-range of color options and info embroidering options
- Secure and safe
Cons
- leash sold separately
PetSafe Martingale Collar With Snap Buckle
- Made with durable nylon material
- Martingale collar for increased safety and security
- Custom-fit collar
- Available in a wide range of colors
PetSafe is a well-known brand in the pet accessories world and their martingale collar is one of the best dog collars for German Shepherds that we’ve come across.
The bright colors make them a total standout and you can choose from a total of 5 stylish colors. They are available in five sizes and you can customize the size of the collar according to the size of your dog. The custom fit makes it a great choice if you have a German Shepherd puppy that’s still growing.
This collar comes with a quick snap buckle and it makes it super easy to snap on the collar and take it off. However, the buckle is very durable and ensures that the collar stays in place.
We also found the collar very lightweight and in our testing, our German Shepherd seemed very comfortable wearing the collar. The martingale loop will also prevent your German Shepherd from backing out and running away. However, the collar doesn’t come with any engraving option so you’ll have to rely on a name tag.
Pros
- Durable construction and long-lasting
- Long-range of color options and info embroidering options
- Secure and safe
Cons
- No engraving option
ADITYNA Heavy Duty Leather Dog Collar
- Constructed with high-quality leather
- Comes with 2 D rings for leash and dog ID
- Features a double buckle system for secure fastening
- Stylish handmade design
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty collar for your German Shepherd, this leather dog collar from ADITYNA is a perfect choice. The collar is made with heavy-duty leather and it’s incredibly long-lasting. Despite the durability, the texture is very soft and your dog won’t feel bogged down by it even after long hours of usage. It’s also handmade giving it an exquisite look and will look great with any leash. The collar comes with 2 D rings for placing your dog’s ID and leash. The collar doesn’t stretch and we were impressed by how secure the double buckle system was. The collar is available in the color brown and comes in five sizes. That’s not all, it also comes shipped with a quirky dog bow tie made of genuine leather. It’s one of the best dog collars for German Shepherd that we’ve come across but we were disappointed that the color of the bow tie started to fade after some time.
Pros
- Stunning design and durable
- Soft texture and comfortable to wear
- Secure and comes with a bow tie
Cons
- The color of the bow tie starts to fade
Tuff Pupper Heavy Duty Dog Collar
- Constructed with heavy-duty ballistic nylon
- Stretch bungee handle for a safe and secure hold
- Unique 3M reflective stitch trim for safety in low light environments
- Available in a wide range of sizes and colors
If you want another durable option, you can try the Tuff Pupper Heavy Duty Dog Collar. This collar is made with heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s rip and fray-proof; we were impressed by its durability and have no doubts that it’ll sustain whatever your dog throws at it.
The stretch bungee handle also offers increased safety and control over the dog’s movements which is crucial in crowded places or while waiting for the traffic. Despite its sturdiness and durability, this collar is very comfortable. The inner collar features mesh padding and soft neoprene material and our German Shepherd showed no signs of discomfort even while wearing it for the very first time.
That’s not all, we absolutely love the 3M reflective stitch trim that makes it easier to keep your eyes on your German Shepherd in the dark. This collar comes in 3 sizes and 11 color options. It’s one of the best dog collars for German Shepherd from our testing but we were disappointed to see that the color faded a little after some time.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting construction
- The Stretch bungee handle offers great control and safety
- Very comfortable to wear
Cons
- Color starts to fade a little after some time
Soft Touch Collars Genuine Leather Dog Collar
- Made with high-quality genuine leather
- Durable and secure buckle for fastening
- Available in 6 color options and 4 sizes
- Features a small built-in ring for dog tags
The durability and comfortability of this dog collar from Soft Touch Collars impressed us and that’s why it made it to our list of the best dog collars for German Shepherds.
It’s made with high-quality and durable genuine leather; we found it very sturdy and it will surely last long. What impressed us the most was how lightweight and comfortable this collar is. The padded leather ensures comfort even for the most sensitive and picky of German Shepherds. After some time, your dog won’t notice that it’s wearing a collar.
The buckle and D ring is made with durable brass hardware and secures excellently.
There’s no engraving option but there’s a small built-in ring for you to place your dog’s tag. The collar is available in four sizes so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your dog. However, if you want more personalization options, you might be disappointed with the color options as it comes in only 6 colors.
Pros
- Very well-built and sturdy
- Comfortable to wear
- Durable and secure buckle and D ring
Cons
- Lack of personalization options
Max And Neo MAX Reflective Metal Buckle Dog Collar
- Made with a double nylon layer
- Features a heavy-duty buckle with metal eyelets
- Reflective stitching for night-time visibility
- Available in 5 sizes and 7 colors
Rounding up our list of the best dog collars for German Shepherds is the Max And Neo MAX Reflective Metal Buckle Dog Collar. Thanks to the double nylon layer construction, this dog collar is durable and sturdy.
It’ll resist the normal tear and wear and can handle whatever your dog throws at it. The collar has five total eyelets so you can easily customize the size according to your needs. That’s not all, the collar features a heavy-duty buckle with metal eyelets for enhanced security and safety.
The buckle also features a small hole for you to attach your dog’s name tags. We were also delighted that this collar comes with reflective stitching for better visibility in the dark.
And to top it all, Max and Neo also donate an identical collar to a dog rescue for every collar sold. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for the best dog collars for German Shepherd but we wish it had a loop to secure the strap and prevent it from flapping.
Pros
- Double nylon construction for comfort and longevity
- A heavy-duty buckle ensures safety and security
- Reflective stitching for low light visibility
Cons
- No loop to secure the strap
Buying Guide For Best Dog Collars And Leashes For German Shepherds
When you’re shopping for the best dog collars and leashes for German Shepherds, there are certain features that you need to focus on.
It’ll make it easier for you to find the right dog collar for a German Shepherd. Keeping this in mind, we’ve included a buying guide for you:
Type
There are various kinds of collars for German Shepherds and each comes with its advantages. A standard collar comes with a simple buckle and a D ring for the leash and is available in various materials like leather and nylon. The advantage of this kind is that they are fairly straightforward and offer great security.
A martingale collar comes with two loops- one for control and the other for adjusting the size. This collar is a perfect choice if you have a Shepherd that’s a bit mischievous. If you pull the leash, the collar will tighten without choking your precious one.
There’s also the choke chain but it’s not recommended to use them. This collar should only be used by professionals to train German Shepherds as without careful usage, it could potentially choke and harm your dog.
An E-collar comes equipped with a device that gives off stimulations or vibrations to deter dogs from unwanted behavior such as excessive barking. They are not as harmful as choke collars but it’s not recommended to use e-collars as well.
When choosing the best dog collars for German Shepherds, it’s highly recommended that you stick to the standard or martingale types.
Material
Dog collars for German Shepherds are mainly available in three types-metal, leather, and nylon. You need to make sure that the material used to create the collar is sturdy and durable yet gentle for your Shepherd to wear. Additionally, ensure that it’s easy to wash and clean and free from harmful chemicals.
The most common material for dog collars is Nylon due to its wide range of benefits. They are durable, water-resistant, and comparatively more affordable. Additionally, nylon can come in a wide range of patterns and colors making them the perfect choice for personalization.
Leather is another popular choice among dog owners and they are comparatively more durable than nylon collars.
Moreover, many people adore the exquisite aesthetics of leather but on the downside, they can be quite expensive. Some people opt for leather knock offs but it’s not recommended as manufacturers often treat fake leather with chemicals that can be harmful to your German Shepherd.
Lastly, there are chain or metal options.
However, they are not recommended unless you’re a trained professional as these types of dog collars can potentially harm and injure your dogs. When it comes to materials, you should stick with nylon or leather ones if your budget is higher.
Size
Probably the most important factor to consider is the size. You need to make sure that the size of the collar is a perfect fit for your dog.
If it’s too small, your dog will feel uncomfortable and if it’s too big, it’ll come off easily putting your Shepherd’s life in danger. Measure around your German Shepherd’s neck.
If your dog has stopped growing, you can use its old collar if it had one previously or you can simply use a cloth measuring tape.
The average neck size for a German Shepherd is 18-24 inches. Once you have the size, make sure that you refer correctly to the manufacturer sizing chart. Always make sure that you can properly fit two fingers in between your dog’s neck and the collar (not more, not less).
Generally, it’s highly recommended that you purchase an adjustable dog collar especially if your German Shepherd is still growing.
If you’re planning on purchasing online, you should get an adjustable one even if your dog is grown so that it’s easier for you to fit the collar.
Brand And Price
You can also consider the brand and price though they are not as important as the above-mentionjed factors. We would recommend you to go for a well-known brand though that doesn’t mean that lesser-known brands don’t produce good collars for German Shepherds.
Bigger brands have access to better research, testing, and materials increasing the likelihood of producing higher-quality dog collars.
However, if you have a trusted brand that you continuously purchase from, the brand shouldn’t be a factor. All the brands mentioned on our list of the best dog collars for German Shepherds are well known and loved by dog owners. You can also consider the warranty.
In case you receive a defective product and your product malfunctions after a short period, you can always use the warranty to get a replacement or refund.
Lastly, the price can be a big factor when purchasing the best dog collars and leashes for German Shepherds. If you’re under a budget, you can opt for standard nylon collars. However, if you want the best durability, safety, and aesthetics, leather or martingale ones should be the top choices.
However, a leather dog collar can be quite expensive depending on the type of leather used and you must stay away from fake leather collars.
Final Verdict
This brings us to the end of our list of the best dog collars for German Shepherds. The products mentioned on our list are all excellent choices and they made it into our list due to their durability, comfort, functionality, and value for money.
If you’re on the hunt for the best dog collars for German Shepherd, any of these collars will be excellent choices. However, if we had to pick a top winner, it would be the Hipidog Personalized Dog Collar thanks to its customization options, durability, and performance. It’s the best that we’ve come across so far.
On the other hand, if you’re under a budget, you can go for the PetSafe Martingale Collar as it offers excellent value for money and performed better than most products in the market in twice its price range.
If you’re a pet owner, a dog collar can offer you peace of mind. Hopefully, this guide makes it easier for you to get your hands on the best dog collars and leashes for German Shepherds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Collar Should I Get For German Shepherd Puppies?
If you own a German Shepherd puppy/puppies, it’s highly recommended that you get adjustable ones so that you can adjust the size as your puppy grows and gets bigger. If it’s too tight, your puppy will feel uncomfortable and possibly even choke. Regardless, always make sure that you can fit two fingers in between your Shepherd’s neck and collar.
What About Shock, Prong, or Choke Collars?
These types of collars are reserved for professionals and are mostly used during training. These types of collars can be highly discomforting and even injurious to your dog. Shock, prong and choke collars are not the best dog collars for German Shepherd and it’s highly recommended that you stay away from them.
Will A Collar Ruin The Hair Around My German Shepherd’s Neck?
Yes, it’s certainly possible that a dog collar might ruin the hair and cause other problems if it fits too tightly or is made with harsh and discomforting materials.
You must always make sure that the collar fits perfectly and that the inside is padded with soft and comfortable materials. If you’re noticing hair loss or abrasions around your German Shepherd’s neck, take off the collar and seek a veterinarian’s help.
How Tight Should A German Shepherd Dogs Collar Be?
It should neither be too tight nor too loose. If it’s too loose, it’ll come off and if it’s too tight, it can be irritating to your dog. You must always make sure that you can place two fingers in between your dog’s neck and collar.
What Kind Of Collar Is Best For German Shepherds That Pull?
For German Shepherds that pull, martingale collars are the best dog collars for German Shepherds. This form of collar will prevent your fur ball from slipping out and will apply gentle pressure to let them know that pulling out is not good behavior.
Is It A Legal Requirement For A Dog To Wear A Collar?
This can differ according to your location. However, you can face a hefty fine if your dog injures someone. Moreover, if you don’t have a collar and a leash, your German Shepherd could slip away and potentially get lost. For these reasons, you must invest in a high-quality dog collar and leash with name tags.
Should I Remove My German Shepherd’s Collar At Night?
Dog collars are not designed to be worn 24/7. Constant wear could lead to hair loss, irritation and infections. Moreover, if the collar is too tight or wet, the problems can increase further. That’s why it’s advised that you remove your German Shepherd’s collar while it sleeps.