The Pug still hasn’t lost any of their popularity. Dog owners who live in large cities often choose to own this breed because of their easy-going nature and adaptable personality. Taking your Pug out on the town is as simple as clipping a leash and collar on.
Regardless of where you may live, you’re going to need a collar for your Pug. While purchasing a collar for your Pug might seem like the easiest part of dog ownership, it might not be as simple as you think. Since Pugs have a spotted history of respiratory issues, you want to make sure the collar you buy is a perfect fit.
The good news is that we’ve got your back—keep reading for more information about different collar types, what to look for, and our top picks for the best Pug collars of 2024.
Despite sometimes looking similar in appearance, not all collars are equal. Unfortunately, if you aren’t careful, you may end up wasting money on a collar that’s uncomfortable or breakable. The best way to avoid this is by understanding what specific traits make up a good collar.
Regardless of what breed you’re shopping for, you’re always going to want a durable collar. Although it can be challenging to determine a collar’s lifespan before purchasing it, one precaution you can take is looking at the materials used to make it. In most cases, durable collars will use materials like non-abrasive nylon or sturdy polyester. It’s also a smart idea to look for collars that specify that they were handmade or hand-crafted too.
Another factor to consider is adjustability. Even if a collar claims to be your Pug’s size, that doesn’t mean it will be a perfect fit right off the bat. Most of the time, you’ll need to adjust it. The more adjustable a collar is, the more custom the fit will likely be. If your Pug is still a growing puppy, finding an adjustable collar is even more important. Collars that use multiple sliders or straps tend to be more adjustable than ones that don’t.
Lastly, comfort should always be a consideration when shopping for your Pug. Even if the collar is highly-adjustable or durable, it won’t matter much if your Pug can’t stand to wear it. While it can be difficult to know which materials will irritate your Pug’s skin from the start, you can try looking for collars that use soft padding or leather on the interior.
If a collar leaves behind bald spots or causes matting, it’s probably uncomfortable for your pup to wear.
At first glance, most collars might look the same, but many of them function in very different ways. Before you purchase anything, it’s a good idea to know exactly what type of collar you’ll need.
The first type of collar to familiarize yourself with is a choke chain. As a dog owner, you might hear the term “choke chain” thrown around, but might not know how it works. Choke chains prevent bad habits like pulling on the leash by cutting off your Pug’s air-flow when they tug harshly. However, given the Pug’s small size and elevated risk of breathing issues, many veterinarians would most likely recommend against using a choke chain with this breed.
If pulling is an issue for your Pug, you might want to consider a martingale collar instead. While it will restrict your Pug’s throat enough that they may become uncomfortable, it won’t choke them. Limited closures and safety features prevent a martingale collar from causing too much damage.
Regardless of where you may live, the thought of your Pug wandering off (or getting snatched up by someone else) is one reason why many owners choose to invest in a GPS tracking collar. While these devices tend to be pricier than regular collars, they can make your Pug much easier to track—and in some cases, even prevent them from getting lost in the first place.
Electronic training collars, which might not be an extremely common choice for Pug owners, can still come in handy—especially if you’re trying to stop bad behavior like excessive barking.
Your Pug deserves the best of the best. Here’s the collar that we recommend:
For a collar that can support your Pug throughout the day to day life, your best option may be the Taglory Unique Designer Soft Dog Collar. With its retro-inspired theme, your Pug is sure to be the most fashionable dog for miles around.
In addition to being highly-adjustable, the collar also uses nickel-coated hardware and polyester webbing to add extra durability. If you’re worried about your Pug getting away, you can attach an ID tag or pendant on the collar’s ring.
Clean-up time isn’t painful either: if your pup manages to get the collar a little dirty, all you need to do is hand wash it with a mild detergent.
Every dog’s needs are different, which is why we’ve taken the time to add seven more of the best Pug collars to the list:
Although shock collars aren’t commonly used with Pugs, they can come in handy in certain situations. If your pup has issues with excessive barking, for instance, it may be time to think about investing in the PetSafe Elite Little Dog Bark Control Collar.
Every time your Pug barks, the collar will emit a harmless form of static correction. While it certainly won’t hurt your Pug, it should be enough to make them pay attention (and realize they need to stop barking).
In addition to being able to turn the collar on and off whenever you need, it also uses an automatic safety shut-off as well to make sure your Pug’s safety is always a factor. Since it’s also waterproof, you don’t need to worry about inclement weather or conditions.
If your Pug doesn’t stop pulling on the lead, you might need to consider purchasing a Martingale collar like the Country Brook Design Paisley Martingale Collar. With a dual-loop design that prevents your Pug from pulling (while also keeping them from slipping out of the collar), the limited closure prevents the collar from getting too tight.
Not only does is the collar handmade in the USA with durable polyester, but every purchase comes with a matching leash. When your Pug is out on walks, they’ll be both comfortable and stylish.
Pugs are small dogs and may not always be extremely visible during the nighttime. That doesn’t mean you need to limit your walks and jogs to daytime hours—you just might need a reflective collar like the GoTags Personalized Reflective Dog Collar.
Not only does it use a reflective strip that will reflect headlights, but the GoTags collar may also come in handy if your Pug happens to wander off. Since you can personalize it with up to twenty-five characters, owners can add their dog’s name as well as their phone number.
It’s worth noting that the product comes in three different adjustable sizes with five collars to choose from and fourteen thread options.
Whether you live in the heart of a big city or the middle of nowhere, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to take your Pug for a walk whenever you need to. If a reflective collar doesn’t seem to be providing enough visibility, the next best option may be the Illumiseen LED USB Rechargeable Dog Collar.
Not only can one charge provide up to five hours of illumination, but you can also choose between steady lighting, slow and rapid flash modes. When you’ve finished your walk, you can always easily recharge the collar with its USB slot.
If you find that your Pug doesn’t tolerate a nylon or polyester collar well, your next best option may be to go with a leather choice like the OmniPet Latigo Leather Dog Collar. With a classic design that’s been handmade with genuine leather, this collar also includes nickel-coated hardware for extra durability. Even when your Pug pulls, the leash shouldn’t unfasten or break off.
It’s worth noting that the Latigo collar also comes in an assortment of different sizes and two stylish colors to pick from.
Given the Pug’s popularity, it’s only natural that you’d want to keep track of your Pug. Not only can these small dogs easily wander off and get lost, but someone else may take the opportunity to snatch your Pug up.
Fortunately, with the Link AKC GPS Activity & Monitor Dog Collar, keeping tabs on your Pug is as easy as ever. Instead of having to use complicated logins or call the security company, you can locate your Pug with just a few taps on your Smartphone.
Keep in mind that you’ll also need to purchase a monthly service plan from AT&T (that may run you less than ten dollars a month) along with the collar.
We’ve highlighted some of the best collars for Pugs, but just because a product is right for an adult Pug doesn’t mean it will be a perfect choice for a puppy. Fortunately, we’ve got that area handled too—the Sassy Dog Wear Multi-Stripe Dog Collar may be an ideal option for growing Pugs.
With tough, non-abrasive nylon webbing that’s built to last, this collar is designed to withstand the playful nature of an adolescent Pug. In addition to being handmade with the US, it also comes in a variety of different colors and sizes for you to pick from.
Related: Best Dog Crates For Pugs
Generally, most Pugs will have a neck size around twelve to sixteen inches when they’re fully grown. For this reason, they may wear a small or medium collar size, but you’ll need to double-check the sizing chart before you purchase. Since every product sizes a little differently, your Pug may wear a medium size in one product and a medium in another.
While it’s typically not a legal requirement for a small dog like the Pug to be collared, you’ll want to check with a local official before you take them out in public. Since local governments usually make dog-related laws rather than federal or state governments, they may be able to give you more specifics. If you’re planning on traveling somewhere, you may also want to call your destination’s local government ahead of time to ask about specific leash or collar laws.
Generally, depending on their age, a Pug puppy will require an extra-small or small collar. However, the best way to know for sure is by measuring your Pug’s neck and comparing it to the sizing chart of the product you’re interested in. Keep in mind that an adjustable collar may come in handy as your Pug continues to grow.
If you aren’t sure whether or not the collar is too tight on your Pug, you can try sliding two fingers underneath of it. If you aren’t able to, then the collar is too tight on your Pug. However, if you can easily slide more than two fingers underneath the collar, you might want to make it even tighter.
Now that you understand what to look for, it might be time to start shopping for your Pug. If you still aren’t feeling confident, feel free to take a second look at any of the top-rated best Pug collars that we’ve highlighted for you above.