8 Best Dog Collars For Golden Retrievers In 2024

With irresistible puppy dog eyes and affectionate personalities, it’s almost impossible to find something negative to say about the Golden Retriever. Many dog enthusiasts have referred to this breed as the perfect family dog—and there’s a reason for that.

Nowadays, some owners may still use Goldens while bird hunting, but this breed primarily functions as a family companion. While full of energy, many people find that Goldens are easy to train and work with.

That being said, if you already own a Golden or you’re thinking about getting one, there will be a few key items you’ll need: among other things, a harness, plenty of toys, and a collar. Although purchasing a collar might seem straightforward, it can be more of a challenge than you might think.

Not all collars are designed for the Golden’s high-activity levels or short, dense coat. Before you spend your money on a product that might not last a week, there’s a couple of things you should know. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the different types of collars, what to look for, and our top picks for the best Golden collars on the market.

What To Look For When Buying A Collar For Your Golden Retriever

Just like any product you’re thinking about buying, it pays to know what to look for in a collar. Not only can you avoid purchasing something that won’t last a week, but you can also end up with a product that’s specifically designed to work for the Golden breed.

The first thing to consider is the special features that a collar has. Since collars sometimes serve different purposes, it’s best to find one that can be multi-functional—especially if you already know your Golden has unique needs. For instance, some collars include reflective strips that can help your Golden stay visible in low lighting while others might contain a GPS tracking device. Although special features can sometimes result in a higher price tag, they may end up saving you money in the long term.

Another key feature to think about is durability. All the special features in the world will be worthless if your collar can’t last more than a week. As high-energy as these dogs are, Goldens can be rough on their possessions—collars included. The best way to locate durable products is by looking at the materials: collars that use resilient fabrics like polyester and nylon tend to hold up longer than those that don’t.

If you have a Golden puppy, you might also want to think about adjustability. As your Golden continues to grow, you’ll want a collar that grows with them. Highly-adjustable collars usually include multiple points of adjustment or sliders. Even if your Golden isn’t a puppy, an adjustable collar can also help ensure you get as close a fit as possible.

Different Types Of Dog Collars For Golden Retrievers

In addition to knowing what to look for, you should also be aware of the different collars that you can purchase for your Golden. Not all of them are equal.

For instance, choke chains might have been popular twenty or thirty years ago, but few owners still use them—especially Golden owners. Choke chains operate by restricting your Golden’s airflow when they tug on the leash or try to slip out of the collar. In some cases, the chain may end up choking your Golden. For this reason, experts don’t generally recommend using choke chains all the time (if at all).

A safer option is a martingale collar. While it still restricts your Golden’s airway, it shouldn’t choke him. Martingale collars often use limited closures as a safety precaution to avoid doing any damage to your Golden’s throat.

Another collar type to be aware of is the light-up collar. Unlike reflective collars, which just use reflective stitching in the seams, a light-up collar includes LED lights. Not only does this make your Golden more visible, but you can also alter how much light the collar gives off too. Many light-up collars include multiple glow or flash modes so that you can determine how much illumination you want.

Lastly, a GPS tracking collar may come in handy if you own a Golden. While not a rare breed, these dogs can be escape artists. If you give them the opportunity, they might end up dashing away. This is where a GPS collar can come in handy: if your Golden does manage to wander off, you can easily track them down.

Best Dog Collar For Goldens

There’s a lot of collars to choose from—which is why we’ve taken the time to highlight the best Golden collars:

Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Dog Collar-Best For Every Day Use

For a simple collar that can get the job done without any gimmicks, your best bet may be the Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Dog Collar. In addition to durable nylon webbing that can endure tough conditions, the collar also uses nickel-plated hardware to ensure your Golden can’t break the buckle or D-ring when they pull on the leash.

Since the heavy-duty buckle closure is also designed with eco-friendly materials, purchasing this collar also means supporting the environment. When your Golden’s adventures get them a little dirty, washing the product is effortless: all you need to do is stick it in the washing machine.

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7 More Highly Rated Dog Collars For Golden Retrievers

Why stop with just one when you can have seven more collars to pick from? Here are more of our top picks:

PetSpy P620 Easy & Effective Adjustable Dog Training Collar-Best Electronic Training Collar

Although Goldens may be easygoing and affectionate, they can also be extremely stubborn as well. Many owners have found that, when all else fails, the best option is to use a shock collar like the PetSpy P620 Easy & Effective Adjustable Dog Collar.

With sixteen different levels of adjustable shock and vibration, you can ensure that you don’t over-correct or under-correct. In addition to using easy-to-distinguish buttons that make the device easy to operate, the collar will respond to the transmitter within a 650-yard radius. If you’ve never trained a dog before, there’s also a convenient instructional guide included with purchase.

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Mighty Paw Martingale Dog Training Collar-Best No Slip Martingale Collar

If you’ve found choke chains to be too controversial, but you still need to prevent your Golden from pulling on the leash, you may want to think about a martingale collar like the Mighty Paw Martingale Dog Training Collar.

While the collar will tighten under correction enough that your Golden notices it, it shouldn’t be so much that it ends up causing your Golden any pain. There’s also a durable nylon chain attached so that the collar will provide your pup with audible feedback as well.

The Might Paw collar is designed with durable and waterproof nylon so that your Golden can take it on all their adventures.

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Max And Neo Dog Gear NEO Reflective Dog Collar-Best Reflective Collar

Whether you plan to take your Golden on a stroll around the neighborhood or an early morning hike in the woods, it’s a good idea to use a reflective collar like the Max and Neo Dog Gear NEO Reflective Collar.

Not only is the soft nylon on this collar designed to be ultra-wearable but the reflective stitching will reflect any nearby light sources. If you want to hang your Golden’s ID tags or pendants, you can use the anodized gunmetal ring to do so. The added snap buckle on the collar makes it easy to pull it off when you need to but prevents the collar from unlatching when it’s grabbed.

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Illumiseen LED Pet Collar-Best Light Up LED Collar

While reflective collars might be the best choice for low lighting, nothing can shine better in total darkness than the Illumiseen LED Pet Collar. The collar is designed with non-abrasive nylon so that it shouldn’t irritate or harm your Golden’s skin like some other choices might.

The LED lights are made to provide at least 100,000 hours of visibility while also ensuring your Golden can be seen from at least 1,400 feet back. Depending on your pup’s preference, you can choose to order this stylish collar in a multitude of different colors.

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Weaver Pet Savannah Leather Dog Collar-Best Leather Collar

While some owners might complain that leather collars are plain, that isn’t the case with the Weaver Pet Savannah Leather Dog Collar. Not only does it use premium English bridle leather, but it also includes a copper metallic overlay and white-denim stitching for a little extra style.

Keep in mind that the buckle has been rubbed in oil to ensure it won’t easily rust or break while the stress rivets have been added to increase durability. Even if your Golden tries, tearing or ripping apart this collar won’t be an easy task.

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Link AKC GPS & Activity Monitor Dog Collar-Best GPS Collar

While Goldens might be a little more reliable than some other breeds, these dogs can be escape artists if they want to. Given the opportunity, your Golden would gladly wander from home to embark on a few explorations of their own. Regardless of where you live, locating a lost Golden could take days or weeks.

Fortunately, there’s a much better way to deal with a lost dog and it includes the Link AKC GPS & Activity Monitor. Using a smartphone app, this collar will allow you to keep track of your Golden wherever they go and send you alerts if they happen to wander off. Keep in mind, however, that there is a low monthly service plan cost in addition to purchasing the collar.

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Pet Champion Hunting Camouflage Dog Collar-Best For Golden Puppies

Although a camouflage collar might not be able to hide your puppy’s vivacious personality, the Pet Champion Hunting Camouflage Dog Collar can withstand any outdoor adventures you and Golden decide to take.

Along with a sturdy D-ring that’s meant to last, the high-grade polyester ensures that the collar won’t easily rip or tear like some other choices. It’s also worth noting that this product contains an adjustable slider so you can find the perfect fit for your growing Golden. Keep in mind that the collar comes in three different sizes as well as two different collars to pick from.

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 Related: Best Dog Foods For Golden Retriever

Frequently Asked Questions

How Big Of A Collar Do I Need For My Adult Golden Retriever?

Although it can vary from dog to dog, most adult Goldens have a neck size of around seventeen to twenty inches. In many collars, this will be the medium or large size, but you should double-check with the sizing chart first. You should also measure your Golden’s neck too—while most Goldens will have these measurements, some might not.

Is It A Legal Requirement For My Golden Retriever To Wear A Collar?

There usually aren’t any specific legal requirements that apply to Goldens, but there may be a law regarding large or medium-sized breeds. If you aren’t sure about your city’s regulations, the best way to find out is by checking with a local government official. If you plan on taking a trip somewhere new with your Golden, you’ll also want to check with your destination’s local government as well. Most places won’t ask that your Golden wear a collar, but they might ask that they wear a leash.

What Size Collar Does My Golden Retriever Puppy Need?

The collar size of your Golden puppy can vary depending on his age. Your best option is to take your Golden’s current measurements. and search for an adjustable collar that you can adjust to a larger size.

How Do I Know If The Collar Is Too Uncomfortable For My Golden Retriever To Wear?

Even if a collar looks like it fits correctly, you still want to ensure that it’s comfortable for your Golden to wear. There are two things you can do: the first is to place two fingers underneath the collar. If you aren’t able to get even two fingers beneath (or you feel like you have to force them), then it’s probably too tight. However, if you can easily fit three or four fingers underneath, it’s probably too loose.

Another way to check for signs of discomfort is by checking for signs of skin irritation. An uncomfortable collar can sometimes leave behind areas of redness, bald spots, or chafing.

How Can I Keep My Golden Retriever Visible During The Night?

If you’re worried about keeping your Golden visible to drivers, try investing in a reflective or light-up collar. Some regular collars may even include reflective stitching too.

Conclusion

Now that you’re equipped with the tools to find the right collar for your Golden, it might be time to begin searching. However, if you still aren’t quite sure where to start, feel free to try one of the best Golden collars that we’ve already reviewed for you.