Labradors are friendly, loving, and eager to please their humans in all situations. Their high intelligence makes them fantastic working dogs, and their friendly disposition makes them perfect for families. They also work well in therapy situations, hunting trips, obedience training situations like dog shows, and search and rescue dogs.
Labs, as they are affectionately referred to, are highly energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise to stay in shape and to keep negative behaviors down. So they love going for walks or runs or even swimming.
They are happiest when they live with a busy, active family who spends a lot of time with them, as they don’t like to be left alone very often. So if you have a job where you can take your Lab with you to help or just tag along, they will be happier than if you had an office job where they were left at home for eight or more hours per day.
The Labrador is easy to train and are great with kids. However, since they are a larger breed, they may accidentally knock a small child down in their excitement to play. Collars that allow for a lot of movement yet holds up to the strong pulling from your Lab, are best for this type of dog.
Labradors have short fur that can get rubbed too much and break if they have a collar that is too tight. Some people who use a rolled collar say that a flat collar can get tangled in the dog’s fur, while others have no problem with a flat collar.
The collar should be padded and lightweight so your Labrador can move about and play freely. The width of the collar should be about 1 ½ inch and long enough to fit no more than two fingers between the collar and your Lab’s neck snugly. They need a wide collar for strength and support, as Labradors are fairly active.
Try to look for collars that fit loosely, yet pull snugly without choking your Lab when he pulls against the leash.
Puppies need narrower collars, which should have a snap clasp for easy removal if necessary. You want to get a collar that fits well for your puppy now, rather than getting one that adjusts. As your puppy grows, you will need to replace the collar every month or so until your Lab reaches his adult size.
Active dogs, like Labs, need a fairly lightweight collar that won’t inhibit their movements or tighten too much when they pull against the leash. However, collars that come with a mouth collar are ineffective, and unnecessary, because they can slip out of those collars. Plus, Labs are very friendly and eager to please, which makes these collar types useless.
Choke chain collars or collars with prongs are not recommended and may damage your Lab’s windpipe. Plus, Labradors are eager to please and will readily obey you when trained properly, making these collars unnecessary.
Two main collars are appropriate for Labradors: rolled or flat, and they come with either a buckle or snap fastener. Let’s look at the differences.
Rolled Collars
These collars are cut at 1 ½ inch wide, then rolled narrow to create the collar. They are better suited for dogs with long, shaggy fur, as they don’t get caught in the hair as easily.
Flat Collars
Flat collars are usually padded, and provide more sturdy support for an energetic Labrador. While some flat collars can get caught in the fur, others are made for longer coats and stay in place naturally.
Buckle Fasteners
Buckle fasteners look like belt buckles and are designed to stay on your pooch better and longer than other fasteners. They are also easily adjustable and comfortable with longer wear times.
Snap Fasteners
Snap fasteners are those that snap together using a plastic hook and eye. Snap fasteners are better suited for puppies, as they have less patience to wait for a buckle to be fastened.
What Do You Choose?
Flat and rolled collars can both be comfortable, depending on what you buy. Padded flat collars are designed for all-day wear, while rolled collars can also be worn all day. If your Lab begins showing signs he is uncomfortable with one type of collar, try the other kind. Or, if a rolled collar makes sense for your Lab, then get the rolled collar due to his activity level.
Finally, if you have trouble keeping collars with snap fasteners on your pal, go with a buckle fastener. It might help keep the collar on your Lab longer. But puppies may need the snap fastener so that they can be free faster.
The Blueberry Pet Classic Leather Striped Dog collar features high-grade genuine leather and a heavy-duty polyester that can stand up to most dogs’ antics, and it is easily adjustable. It comes with a standard belt buckle, so it won’t snap open if your Lab wants to chase a rabbit or squirrel, and is easy to adjust.
The D-ring to hook the leash to is located near the buckle and can be placed in the front for when you want your Lab to follow you, or it can be switched to the back of the neck for when your Lab is leading you. Since it is flat, you may not want your Lab to wear it all day, since it could get tangled in his fur.
The following collars are included because of their high reviews and ease of use, plus other cool features we like.
The padded leather collar is comfortable for your Labrador and looks classy for those proud walks around the neighborhood. While leather is usually not easy to clean, this collar is easy to clean and water-resistant for those times your buddy decides to roll in the mud or take a quick swim in the pond or the ocean.
The sturdy metal buckle and leash hook stay fastened regardless of how hard he plays or tugs on the leash. The size may run small, so make sure you measure your Lab’s neck and check it against the size chart before ordering. If your Lab is between sizes, order the next size up for a better fit.
The collar is also fray-resistant, and won’t collect hairs as other collars do. To keep your Lab’s collar like new, use a leather conditioner on it periodically.
The flat collar is made with a cushioned padding on the inside, which keeps your pet comfortable yet secure. Perfect for military owners who want to display some of their patches on their dog’s collar, it has a loop panel section that you can attach the patches to.
Five adjustable points keep the collar snug, yet comfortable as your Lab grows, and it won’t snag your Lab’s fur. The strong metal buckles and D-ring hold up to strung pulling that Labradors are famous for.
Its easy to clean material dries fast and keeps its shape wash after wash. Hand wash only for best results.
Best for walking at night, the K-9 Explorer collar is reflective, making him easy to see by oncoming vehicles, and gives you peace of mind that the two of you will be safe. The metal hardware has a gun-metal finish, which adds to the reflectiveness of the rest of the collar.
If you are training a puppy, this collar will provide that quick-release you need for rambunctious pups, as it is a quick-snap closure. It is also adjustable to grow with your Lab.
The D-ring attachment moves, so you can place it wherever is best when taking your Labrador for a walk.
Labradors are very active and get into everything, so you need a collar that will stand up to her playful nature. The Mighty Paw sports collar is designed for energetic and playful dogs, as it stands up to years of hard use. Its neoprene material is odor resistant and padded to be comfortable for long days at the park or beach.
The strong buckle, clasps, and velcro fastener is lightweight, yet strong enough to stay on your energetic friend. You can take your Lab out in all kinds of weather, including snow, rain, or sleet, without getting damaged. The reflective stitching means that you can take your Labrador out after dark without fear of oncoming vehicles.
Related: Best Dog Beds For Labradors
Buying a collar for your favorite Lab companion may seem unnecessary to you, especially since they are so playful and energetic. Many Labrador owners feel the same way, and ask the following questions:
Your Labrador may need a collar, even if you don’t use a leash for walks, because if he got lost, the ID tag on the collar would help him get home. Plus, in many cities, it is illegal for a dog to go without a collar or a license. Where you need a permit for your Lab, you need a collar with space to attach the permit.
Labradors have long fur that can get tangled in collars, regardless of whether they are flat or rolled. However, rolled collars have less of a chance to get tangled up with the fur. Flat collars can be more comfortable when padded. It depends on what you get and if your fur-baby is comfortable in it.
While buckle fasteners are better suited for adult dogs who are less active, snap fasteners are better for puppies, as they have more energy and less patience for standing still long enough for you to put the collar on her or take it off her.
Your Labrador looks up to you to make him comfortable and happy, and getting active with him is the best way to do that. Collars that are long-lasting, comfortable, and keep your buddy from getting into trouble are a good investment in happiness.
We like the Blueberry Pet Classic Leather Striped dog collar, as it is both durable and soft while keeping your pet safe while having fun.