8 Best Dog Collars for Labradors in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Plenty of us love Labradors, but these super enthusiastic and water-loving pups can make keeping a collar clean for more than one season something of a challenge! That means Lab owners probably need to invest in collars more often than the owners of some other breeds.

But with a staggering array of different collars to choose from, how do you figure out which one is going to suit your Labrador the best? Are quality materials and a handstitched finish important to you, or would you rather have an indestructible waterproof collar for those trips to the beach?

The good news is that we’ve created a list to help you out. We consider workmanship, quality of materials, and of course, durability. Whatever type of collar you’re thinking of, we have you covered.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated 2023)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Blueberry Pet Nautical Prints Polyester	Premium quality Eco-friendly Machine washable	Check Price
Best Value		Frisco Solid Nylon Dog Collar	Easy to adjust Ergonomic design Excellent price	Check Price
Premium Choice		Soft Touch Collars Leather Two-Tone	Matching lead available Handstitched Full-grain leather	Check Price
		OmniPet Latigo Leather Dog Collar	Great value Nickel-plated hardware Made in the U.S.A.	Check Price
		Country Brook Design Woodland Camo	Comes complete with leash Made in the U.S.A. Many sizes available	Check Price

The 8 Best Dog Collars for Labradors

1. Blueberry Pet Nautical Prints Dog Collar — Best Overall

This Blueberry Pet Nautical Prints Dog Collar is a best seller and for good reason! This premium quality collar is made with a high-density polyester designed to stand up to your Labrador’s exuberant nature. With so many bright and eye-catching designs, you can switch your dog’s collar throughout the seasons or select one that suits their personality perfectly and stick with that!

The robust buckle is easy to clip on and off, and as a bonus, it’s made from eco-friendly recycled plastic. We all know that Labs love to swim, and the nickel-plated D-ring on this collar will stand up to plenty of dunkings. If your pup gets super muddy, you can throw this collar in the washing machine, and it’ll come out as good as new.

2. Frisco Solid Nylon Dog Collar — Best Value

If you’re looking for the best dog collar for Labradors for the money, then the Frisco Solid Nylon Dog Collar is, as the name suggests, a solid choice. The nickel-coated D-ring is tough enough to cope with whatever your Lab throws at it, and if this collar gets dirty, you can wash it in the bath at the same time as the dog!

The only reason that this collar missed out on our top spot is that the quality isn’t quite as high as our best overall choice, and there are only four colors to choose from, which isn’t going to give enough choice for everyone. But as a budget option that’s still high quality, this can’t be beat!

3. Soft Touch Collars Leather Padded Dog Collar — Premium Choice

If you’re looking for a premium collar for your precious pooch, then the Soft Touch Collars Leather Two-Tone Padded Dog Collar will fit the bill. Made from the highest quality materials, this handstitched leather collar has brass hardware, full-grain leather, and interior padding that’s soft against your dog’s skin. It’s available in a range of stunning two-tone colors as well.

This collar just missed out on our top two spots due to the fact that it will need specialist cleaning if it gets dirty or wet. Leather collars like this aren’t well-suited for regular dunkings in the river or sea. All Lab owners know that it’s impossible to keep our pups out of the water. So, you’ll need to take more care of this collar in terms of cleaning and oiling to keep it supple.

4. OmniPet Latigo Leather Dog Collar

This classic leather collar features a minimalist design that will never go out of style. Made in the U.S.A. from high-quality supple leather, this collar also has chunky, nickel-plated hardware. The sizes do run small on this collar, so you might want to pick one size larger than normal.

This collar could do with an extra leather loop to secure the collar end, as if it’s a little too long for your dog, the excess can flap annoyingly. You’ll also need to take care to clean and then oil this collar if it becomes wet and muddy. Otherwise, the leather is at risk of drying out and developing cracks that can affect the strength of the collar.

5. Country Brook Design Martingale Dog Collar

If you’re looking for a martingale-style dog collar to use for training sessions, this one by Country Book is a good choice. This comes complete with a 6-foot leash in the same pattern as the collar, and there are loads of different designs and sizes to choose from! From camouflage to tie-dye, paisley, and more, you’re bound to find one to suit your Lab!

The martingale-style collar doesn’t suit all dogs for all occasions. This collar is a slip-on, so it doesn’t feature a buckle. This can be annoying, as you have to slip it on over your dog’s head each time you want to take it off and put it back on. While the colors on this collar are vibrant, be warned that they will fade quite quickly.

6. EzyDog Neo Classic Dog Collar

We all know how much our Labs love water, so a collar made out of a wetsuit material is a good idea! This waterproof and fast-drying collar is made from neoprene reinforced with nylon webbing. It has a reflective strip running around the collar, perfect for spotting your dog on late-night walks.

This collar is expensive, well into the premium price range for dog collars. You’d expect that would mean premium hardware too, but we’ve heard reports that the buckle on this collar is prone to snapping. The sizes also run small, so make sure you measure your dog’s size carefully before ordering.

7. Max and Neo Dog Gear Martingale Chain Dog Collar

If you need a martingale-style collar that’s suitable for late-night walks, then the Max and Neo Dog Gear Martingale Chain Dog Collar will fit the bill. As well as a metal D-ring, this collar has a separate plastic tab designed to hold your dog’s ID tag (and prevent that annoying jangling noise).

As a bonus, when you buy a Max and Neo collar, they’ll donate the same model to a rescue dog! But some owners don’t like chain sections on collars, and as with any martingale-style collar, this should never be left on your dog when you’re not around.

8. K9 Explorer Reflective Adjustable Dog Collar

A choice for late-night walks, the K9 Explorer Reflective Adjustable Dog Collar has strips of reflective material woven through the webbing of the collar. You can move the D-ring on this collar away from the tag attachment point, so there are no annoying clanking sounds from your dog’s ID tags!

We found the side-release buckle to be a little fiddly, especially if your enthusiastic Labrador has rolled in mud. The webbing is also quite narrow, so this collar can look a little small on a chunky Lab’s neck.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Collars for Labs

Collars are not only a good idea to keep your dog safe, but they’re also a legal requirement in many countries. So, choosing one that’s going to be comfortable for your Labrador to wear is a top priority. Here’s how to choose the best dog collar for Labs:

Sizing

A fully-grown Labrador can have a chunky neck! It’s a good idea to measure your Labrador’s neck in inches before you start shopping. That way, you can check sizing as you go along!

To measure your Lab’s neck, simply place a flexible tape measure around your dog’s neck where their collar usually sits, and then make a note of their size.

Once the collar is fastened, you want to be able to slip two or three fingers underneath. Anything tighter can cause discomfort, and anything looser will be easy for your dog to slip out of.

Type of collar

There’s a whole range of collars out there, so let’s take a look at the possibilities:

Flat collar. These are usually made out of webbing or leather, without any padding. They’re a good budget option and available in a wide range of colors.

Padded collar. These are similar to a flat collar but with additional padding around your dog’s neck. These are a good option if your pup has sensitive skin.

Martingale collar. These are designed to be used during training sessions or on walks and should not be left on all the time. Once you come home, remember to remove the collar. You may want to replace it with a flat collar with an ID tag. Martingale collars have a section of fabric or sometimes chain that tightens around your dog’s neck if they pull against their leash. This can correct their forward movement (by causing discomfort) and encourage them not to pull. Some owners prefer not to use a martingale collar to correct pulling and instead, focus on re-training that behavior.

Collar material

Most collars are made from either webbing or leather. Webbing is cheap, it’s available in a huge range of colors, and it doesn’t matter if your pup gets it wet. It’s washable by hand or machine, depending on the manufacturer.

Leather is of higher quality than webbing, so these collars are usually a bit more expensive. It does give a high-end, luxurious look that some dog owners love. If your Labrador goes swimming in their leather collar, you’ll need to clean and then oil the leather. Leather collars can start to smell a little if they are left damp.

Conclusion

As a reminder, as the best overall choice on our list, we recommend the Blueberry Pet Nautical Prints Dog Collar. These striking collars are available in a wide range of colors and sizes, from nautical sailing styles to bright spring colors or seasonal treats, so you’re bound to find out what suits the personality of your pup!

For the best value collar, you can’t go past the Frisco Solid Nylon Dog Collar. This hardwearing collar offers great value for money, as well as being tough enough to stand up to whatever an enthusiastic Labrador can throw at it!

Our reviews are designed to make your life easier. So, instead of trawling through hundreds of options and feeling overwhelmed, simply choose one of our recommended collars instead!

Which collar would you choose for your Lab? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!

Featured Image Credit: Pxhere