How to Choose a Dog Lead and Collar

A golden retriever walking on a lead beside its owner

A collar and lead are the two things your dog wears every single day. They carry its identification, keep it safe near roads and livestock, and are the link between you on every walk. They need to fit properly, be strong enough for your dog, last through all weathers and, ideally, look handsome too.

This guide covers the main types of collar, how to measure and fit one, what UK law says about ID tags and microchips, the different types and lengths of lead, choosing between a collar and a harness, materials, and how to care for leather and tweed so they last for years.

Types of dog collar

Flat buckle collar: the classic, everyday collar, fastened with a buckle like a belt. Secure and easy to adjust. The best choice for most dogs.
Quick-release collar: fastens with a plastic or metal clip. Quick to put on and take off.
Rolled leather collar: rounded rather than flat, which helps prevent matting and wear marks on long-haired breeds.
Martingale or limited-slip collar: tightens slightly when the dog pulls, so it can't slip its head out. Often used for sighthounds such as greyhounds and whippets, whose heads are narrower than their necks.
Wide collars: spread the pressure over a larger area, which suits large dogs and long-necked breeds.

Many trainers and welfare organisations advise against choke chains and prong collars, which work by causing discomfort or pain.

How to measure for a collar

Use a soft tape measure around your dog's neck, where the collar naturally sits, usually just below the head.
Keep the tape snug but not tight.
Add a little for comfort, according to the maker's size guide.

If you are measuring an existing collar that fits well, lay it flat and measure from the buckle to the hole you use.

The two-finger rule

Once the collar is on, you should be able to slide two fingers flat between the collar and your dog's neck. Any tighter is uncomfortable and can rub; any looser and your dog may slip out of it, particularly when backing away.

Check the fit regularly

Puppies grow quickly, so check the fit every week or two. Adult dogs can gain or lose weight, and coats thicken in winter, so check every few months.

The law on collars and ID tags

In the UK, a dog in a public place must wear a collar with an identification tag showing the owner's name and address, including the postcode. Many owners also add a mobile phone number, which makes it much quicker to be reunited with a lost dog.

Some owners prefer not to put the dog's name on the tag, as it can make it easier for a stranger to call the dog away. That is a personal choice.

Microchipping

In England, Scotland and Wales, dogs must be microchipped, and the owner's details on the chip database must be kept up to date. A microchip is not a substitute for a tag; a tag lets anyone who finds your dog contact you immediately, without a scanner.

Collar or harness?

Both have their place.

A collar is ideal for carrying ID and for well-trained dogs that walk nicely on a lead.
A harness spreads pressure across the chest rather than the throat. It suits dogs that pull hard, small and toy breeds with delicate necks, flat-faced breeds and dogs with breathing, neck or back problems.

A back-clip harness is comfortable and easy to fit; a front-clip harness can help reduce pulling. Even if your dog wears a harness, it should still wear a collar with an ID tag. If in doubt, ask your vet or a qualified trainer.

Types of lead

Fixed-length lead: the everyday lead, with a handle at one end and a clip at the other. Simple, strong and reliable.
Multi-length training lead: a longer lead with clips and rings that can be adjusted to different lengths, or clipped around your body for hands-free walking.
Slip lead: a lead and collar in one, popular for gundogs and quick trips to the car. Best for calm, well-trained dogs.
Long line: five to fifteen metres long, for practising recall safely in open spaces. Use with a harness, never a collar, and wear gloves.
Retractable lead: lets a dog roam further but gives you less control, and can cause injuries if used carelessly. Not ideal near roads or livestock.

What length of lead?

Around 110 to 120cm is the most useful everyday length. It gives control on pavements, near roads and around livestock, while allowing your dog room to sniff and walk comfortably.
Shorter leads give closer control on busy streets and for training to heel.
Longer leads give more freedom in open spaces.

On open access land in England, dogs must be on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1 March and 31 July. Read the Countryside Code with dogs for more.

What makes a good lead?

A comfortable handle, ideally padded or of soft leather, that won't cut into your hand when the dog pulls.
A strong, reliable clip. A trigger snap hook is common and secure; check that it closes firmly and can't open by accident.
Good stitching and solid fittings that can take a sudden pull.
Weather resistance, so it doesn't rot or rust.

Materials

Leather: strong, comfortable in the hand, and it softens and darkens with age. A good leather lead can last for many years.
Tweed and leather: the warmth and texture of tweed, with leather for strength at the points of stress. Handsome and hard-wearing, and particularly suited to the country.
Nylon and webbing: light, inexpensive and easy to wash, but less comfortable in the hand when a dog pulls.
Rope: strong and easy to grip.
Neoprene-lined collars: soft against the neck, and good for dogs that swim.

Our leads and collars

The Lincoln: light brown herringbone upholstery tweed with soft nubuck leather. Lead, 110cm, and collar in seven sizes. Designed in Great Britain.
The Balmoral: grey herringbone with black leather. Lead, 110cm, with a padded leather handle and strong snap hook, and collar with a smooth leather lining, in seven sizes. Designed in Great Britain.
Foxbury Plaid Tweed Collar: adjustable, lined with neoprene, in sizes XS to Large.

Caring for leather and tweed

Let mud dry, then brush it off.
Wipe leather with a damp cloth and let it dry naturally, away from radiators and fires, which make leather brittle.
Condition leather every few months with a little leather balm to keep it supple.
Brush tweed once dry to lift mud and hair.
After swimming, rinse off salt or pond water with fresh water and dry naturally.

Check for wear

Every few weeks, check your dog's collar and lead for worn or fraying stitching, cracked leather, stretched holes, and rusty or loose clips. Replace anything that looks weak. It is far better to replace a lead early than to lose a dog near a road.

A matching set as a gift

A matching collar and lead in tweed and leather makes a lovely gift for a new puppy, a dog-loving friend or the family dog at Christmas. A lead is the easiest gift if you're unsure of size, as it fits any dog. See our country Christmas gift guide.