Picking the right collar size is necessary when buying a collar for a German Shepherd puppy. A collar that is too big will easily slip off its neck, while a smaller one will choke it and may put it at risk of getting neck injuries.
So, what size collar is right for a German Shepherd puppy? You can only know if you diligently read this article to the end.
What Size Collar Is Right For A German Shepherd Puppy?
Generally, German Shepherd Puppies usually have a neck size of around 11 to 14 inches, meaning they will need a collar of around 12 to 14 inches.
However, if you are skeptical about using the general size for German Shepherd puppies, you can measure the exact head and neck size of your puppy.
How To Measure The Puppy’s Head And Neck Size
A measuring tape is used to measure the head and neck size of a German Shepherd puppy. To determine the head size, measure the top of the dog’s throat to the top of its head.
For the neck measurement, measure the position where the collar normally stays and loosen the space with one or two fingers to add up to 2 more inches for large dogs and 1 inch for small ones.
If you are unable to get a measuring tape, use a string to do the measurement and transfer it to a ruler after straightening it to get the length in inches.
Other Things To Consider When Buying A Collar For Your German Shepherd Puppy
Apart from the size of the collar, you should also consider other factors that will determine the comfortability and durability of the collar. They include;
- Collar Material
- Collar Type
Collar Material
Collars are available in different materials, with each of them having its unique features. Ideally, we recommend leather and nylon, but here is a list of them all;
- Nylon
- Leather
- Polyester
- Cotton
- Neoprene
- Metal or chain
Nylon
This is the most commonly used collar material. It is very affordable, durable, and mostly waterproof. It is also available in a wide range of colors that you can pick from. It is also lightweight and will not add unnecessary weight to your dog’s neck.
The cons of using a nylon collar for your puppy are that it can irritate the skin of German Shepherds with super sensitive skin. Nylon collars also tend to get smelly over time and will need to be changed frequently.
Leather
Leather is not as commonly used as nylon because real leather is expensive. However, leather is more durable than the other types and also stylish. Real leather is more comfortable than nylon, and it is suitable for German Shepherds with super sensitive skin.
Unfortunately, there are fake leather collars that are treated and manufactured using chemicals that can be dangerous for your puppy and cause irritation on its skin. Leather collars can also be too thick and heavy on the neck of the puppy.
Collar Type
There are different types of collars but the ones that we recommend are the standard and martingale collars. Here is a list of the types of collars that are available for German Shepherds;
- Standard collar
- Martingale collar
- Choke collar
- Prong or pinch collar
- E-collar
Standard Collar
Standard collars are the most popular and regular collars worn for day-to-day activities. They are usually fitted to the neck of the puppy with a simple buckle connection to attach a leash when going on a walk. They also have rings where you can attach the dog’s id and the owner’s phone number.
Standard collars are available in different materials, as we have listed above, and have two types of buckles – one with a steel buckle, similar to human belts, and the other with a snap buckle.
Martingale Collar
This is suitable for hyperactive German Shepherds that pull the leash when walking. Martingale collars have simple designs just like the standard collars, but the only difference is that martingale collars have two loops and tighten around the neck when the dog pulls the leash and loosens when it stops.
A martingale collar will not choke your dog’s neck and will make you control it easily while walking.
When Can A German Shepherd Puppy Start Wearing A Collar?
A German Shepherd puppy should start wearing a collar when it is around 10 weeks of age. Introducing it to wearing collars at a young age will make it easy and quickly get accustomed to them since they will be wearing them for the rest of its life.
The Right Collars For German Shepherd Puppies: Conclusion
As much as getting the right size collar for your German Shepherd puppy is very important, other factors such as the material quality, the type, and the closure are also equally important.
We have made sure to provide you with the necessary details on the ones that we recommend to help you with selecting the best collar for your German Shepherd in terms of size, comfort, and durability. If you are interested in learning how high GSDs can jump, you might want to see this post.
