In this article, we will consider the role of dog collars for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cavaliers are a toy dog breed known for being affectionate, sociable and playful. We have a tricolour Cavalier in our household and he’s the friendliest dog a person could hope for.
This article will look at dog collars and Cavalier. We will give our picks of the best collars for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, look at the collar types, the role of harnesses, the sizes and measurements for the breed as well as offer some handy training tips.
Contents
Best Collars for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
1. 🏆 Rosewood Luxury Leather Dog Collar, Black
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 | Rosewood Luxury Leather Dog Collar, 10 - 14-inch, Black | 880 Reviews | Buy on Amazon |
This quality black leather collar is sure to look good on your Cavalier. It has blue stitching for added appeal and a stylish paw print embellishment.
Rosewood collars are crafted from fine leather and suede material with sturdy buckles. Neat details such as hand stitching make this a very attractive collar.
The collar is of excellent quality and expected to last a long time without the leather cracking. Of course, be sure to look after it like any other leather product.
2. PetTec Comfortable Dog Collar
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 | PetTec Comfortable Dog Collar, Permanent & Robust; Made with Strong, Tear Resistant Trioflex,... | Buy on Amazon |
You’ll know by now that there are many types of materials for dog collars. PetTec opted for a triple-layered trioflex material in this comfortable collar.
Trioflex is durable and resistant to various things which damage other dog collars, such as mould, water and dirt. Along with added padding, this is one very comfortable collar that can ensure a perfect fit for your Cavalier’s neck.
Not only is trioflex material hard-wearing, but it also allows for some lovely vibrant colours to be used. We recommend the eye-catching red or orange collar. Pair them up with PetTec’s leads in same colours.
3. Didog Soft Leather Padded Custom Dog Collar
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 | Didog Soft Leather Padded Custom Dog Collar with Personalized Nameplate and D Ring, Engraved Dog... | Buy on Amazon |
This cute collar is made out of eco-friendly microfibre with a leather lining for extra durability.
The beauty in this collar is that it comes with a customisable plate for adding your dog’s name and your telephone number. It can be used as the main walking collar due to its durability, but it is most useful as an identification tool for your dog.
The contrast between the brown and blue material, paired with black buckles and a D-ring makes for a pretty accessory on any occasion.
4. Kismaple Adjustable Reflective Dog Collar
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 | Kismaple Adjustable Pet Soft Comfy 3M Reflective Dog Collar Breathable Mesh Dog Collar Training... | Buy on Amazon |
This lightweight collar is great for casual wearing, and it also comes in a variety of exciting colours. The addition of reflective nylon makes it a great accessory for those late-evening walks where visibility is not that great.
The material dries quickly, so it can come in quite handy for training and outdoor activities where you might want to keep your more expensive collars safe from damage.
5. Lionet Paws Cotton Dog Collar with Bowtie
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 | Lionet Paws Cotton Dog Collar with Bowtie, Durable Adjustable and Comfortable Collar for Medium... | Buy on Amazon |
One for those formal occasions and photoshoot or walks to special places, these collars come in a variety of beautiful designs.
Polka dot blue is our favourite, matched with a quality bow tie, it would be a perfect match for a tri-colour or a black and tan Cavalier.
The collars are machine washable, but the bowtie isn’t, so make sure you detach it before any cleaning procedures.
6. HAOPINSH Dog Bow Tie and Collar
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 | HAOPINSH Dog Bow Tie, Dog Cat Collar With Bow Tie Buckle Light Plaid Dog Collar for Dogs Cats Pets... | Buy on Amazon |
If you want to something a bit different than a plain collar, this is the one for you and your dog.
These pretty collars in tartan style come in different colours and include a cute bowtie attached to the collar with elastic bands.
The bowtie can also be removed for a less formal look on your dog. The bowtie is made of cotton and hand-sewn, and it should be safe for your dog.
Make sure you don’t leave the collar in dog’s reach when not worn though, as they might be attracted to the idea of chewing the bowtie.
As beautiful as it is, the collar is also sturdy with buckles made from eco-friendly plastic and a stainless-steel ring for attaching the lead.
7. Ancol Timberwolf Leather Collar
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 | Ancol Timberwolf Leather Collar Blue to fit 26-36 cm (size S) | Buy on Amazon |
Ancol’s Timberwolf range combines classy quality leather with tailoring made to last. The combination creates a lovely accessory for your dog.
The leather used in the Timberwolf range has been hand0-crafted in the United Kingdom. This is an ideal option for collars made to be extra sturdy but also flexible as well. The leather softens over time, but it should remain sturdy and without breakages to ensure safety and comfort to your dog.
The Cavalier dog collar features nylon stitching in a complementary colour on both sides, with an antique gold coloured buckle for fastening. It has been treated with leather protector to reduce damage from dirt and weather. Pair this fetching collar with a lead in the same style from Ancol for best results when out on a stroll.
Why Do Dogs Wear Dog Collars?
Dog collars can have multiple uses including:
- Identification. This is the main reason your dog should wear a collar. Attaching a tag with your dog’s name and your home address on it can help others return them to you should they somehow become lost.
- Control. When taking your dog out for a walk, attach a leash to their collar to make sure they follow your walking path. Don’t yank on their leash if they start to stray though! This puts pressure on your dog’s throat and may cause them to choke.
- Training. There are special collars designed to train your dog not to perform unwanted behaviours, such as aggression or barking too much.
- Medical purposes. There are also collars that can repel fleas while others can prevent dogs from accidentally self-harming sensitive areas.
Collar or Harness for a Cavalier?
For those Cavaliers who walk nicely on the lead with no pulling, wearing just a collar is perfectly fine.
For those Cavaliers that pull, a collar might not be the best solution. Teaching your Cavalier not to pull on walks is much easier with an appropriate harness, ideally one made especially for reducing pulling.
Similar is true if you have an overly-excitable or even reactive Cavalier. A dog collar will enable them to be able to jump around and get more aroused than a harness would. A harness provides better control over your dog in such situations. In addition to that, too much tension on the collar could cause damage to their windpipe or cause neck problems.
Although a Cavalier’s face doesn’t look too much like a pug’s, they are still classed as a brachycephalic breed, this means breeds with flat faces and short noses. Cavaliers are not severely brachycephalic, but they can still suffer from breathing problems. This is especially true in hot weather as your vet is likely to advise. In these situations, a collar would create additional pressure to your dog’s breathing, whereas a harness would avoid any such problems.
There are also various health problems which could be worsened by your Cavalier wearing a collar. Although not as common as it is in pugs, they can suffer from Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS).
A more common and more serious issue in Cavaliers is syringomyelia (SM), this disease affects the spinal cord near the brain, so any amount of pressure on the neck could cause extreme pain to your dog.
What are the Different Types of Dog Collars?
Normal Dog Collars
These simple collars are mainly used for identification purposes or leads for leashes.
- Flat Dog Collar
The flat collar is the most basic dog collar. It may also be referred to as the buckle collar due to the adjustable buckle you can use to fit around your dog’s neck.
- Martingale Dog Collar
A martingale collar is made for small dogs that have heads proportionate to their bodies (like greyhounds, for example). If your dog also keeps slipping out of their flat collar, this also works as a good alternative.
Keep in mind that this collar constricts at a certain point if you or your dog applies too much pressure to it (i.e. you or your dog tug on it). This point is set when you put on the collar and can be adjusted if necessary.
- Head Collar / Halter
The head collar pretty much acts the same way a halter on a horse does. There are two straps to this collar—one to go around your dog’s neck and sit high on their head and another to loop around your dog’s muzzle.
This collar is mainly used for larger, more energetic dogs to rein them in when they become excitable. Again, you don’t want to yank on this collar too much as that could injure or choke your dog.
Specialist Dog Collars
These collars serve a special purpose on top of being used for identification.
- Medical Collars
Medical collars like the Elizabethan or E-collar are cone-shaped collars used to prevent your dog from aggravating neck injuries or from licking any infected or open wounds they may have. There are also flea and tick collars, which have flea or tick repellent built into them.
You should only use medical collars on your Cavalier if your veterinarian has advised you to put them on your dog.
- Reflective and Lit Collars
Reflective or lit collars emit bright colored lights. These collars are typically used during night walks so dog owners and oncoming vehicles alike can spot them in the darkness.
Dogs can already see perfectly fine in the dark, so wearing this collar is more for the benefit of humans.
- GPS Collar
GPS dog collars make it easier for you to track your dog in case they ever become lost. They can also be used to measure exercise.
Aversive Collars
We’re not recommending any of these – but it’s important to know what they are.
Aversive collars are used to correct or punish unwanted behavior. These collars inflict physical discomfort or mild pain to teach your dog what not to do.
The main downside to this is that this negative reinforcement doesn’t teach your dog what the proper behavior actually is, so at best, they just make dogs uncomfortable. Positive reinforcements such as treats and affection should always be your first method of training.
- Choke Chain
The choke chain collar is a chain-like collar meant to tighten around your dog’s neck if they pull on it. It should be high on your dog’s neck (or around just behind their ears) and attached to a leash or another chain.
- Prong or Pinch Collar
The prong or pinch collar is similar (but much harsher) to the martingale in that it can apply pressure to your dog’s throat if tugged on. Metal prongs with blunt points are fixed on the inside of the collar. When tugged on, these prongs will then pinch the skin on your dog’s neck.
What Size Collar for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are considered small dogs that can weigh anywhere between 10 to 25 pounds.
Small dogs typically have a neck size of around 10 to 14 inches in diameter, though it’s a good idea to measure this diameter yourself.
- Take a tape measure and loosely measure around your dog’s neck
- Insert two of your fingers in between your dog’s neck and the tape measure to add an extra inch or two to ensure their collar doesn’t choke them.
- Once you have these measurements, it should be easy to figure out which collar is best for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Because they are a people-pleasing breed by nature, Cavalier’s tend to be quite easy to handle, so there’s no need to get them aversive collars.
Any normal collar (or special collar, if needed) should suffice. However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do tend to wander when you walk them, so you may want to get them a retractable leash or harness.
Materials
It’s best to get a collar made of a lightweight and soft material, such as leather or nylon.
That way, it puts less of a strain around their necks in the rare instance that you do have to pull on their leash.
Are Dog Collars a Legal Requirement?
In short, many countries you to have identification tags on your dog. One way, and the most common, is to use an ID tag on collars. A few country-specific examples are:
UK Laws
In accordance with the Control of Dogs Order 1992, the main legal requirement regarding dog collars in the U.K. is that it has the proper identification.
On top of the dog’s name, a dog collar or tag must have the name and full address of their owner clearly inscribed somewhere visible on or around the collar. A telephone number isn’t legally required, but highly recommended nonetheless in case the police find your dog if they have run away.
Though not explicitly stated in the Control of Dogs Order 1992, there are other Dog Control Orders (or DCO for short) that can be enacted. For instance, local authorities will require you to have your dog on a lead while walking them, which typically means they must wear a collar as well.
You may face a fine for knowingly breaking a DCO as described in the 1992 order. The fines can reach anywhere between ÂŁ50 on the spot up to ÂŁ1,000 if the matter reaches court.
US Laws
The laws in the U.S. are fairly similar, though there are only two states that explicitly declare that a dog must be kept under control by their owner when outside the owner’s premises—Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Michigan’s Section 287.262 is a clear and concise statewide leash requirement. It reads: “It shall be unlawful for any person for any owner to allow any dog…to stray unless held properly in leash.” Working dogs, guard dogs, and hunting dogs are the only exception to this law.
Pennsylvania’s law regarding dog collars states that it is “unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to fail to keep at all times the dog in any of the following manners”:
- Confined within the premises of the owner
- Firmly secured by means of a collar and leash or other devices so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured;
- Under the reasonable control of some person, or when engaged in lawful hunting, exhibition or field training
It is reasonable to assume that such dog collar laws are much the same throughout the rest of the nation as well but worth checking for your specific state.
Dog Collar Tips for your Cavalier
- Always introduce new things to your dog gradually. Put the Cavalier’s collar on for around 10 minutes and watch how they behave. If they manage to tolerate it, reward them with treats or fun play. Gradually extend this time multiple times a day until they are comfortable wearing their collar all the time. Repeat this process if you add tags or other things to their collar.
- Do not leave your dog unsupervised if they aren’t used to wearing a collar.
- Refrain from adding any tags or bells to the collar when first introducing the concept to your dog. They can alarm them or cause them some distress.
- If your dog is already used to a collar but cannot stand any tags or bells hanging from it, then you should consider either embedding a nameplate into their collar or embroidering their name and your information on it.
- A well-fitted collar should not be too snug nor too loose on your dog’s neck. Rather, it should have enough space for two of your fingers to slide in between their neck and the collar but not enough for your dog to be able to remove it themselves.
Summary
We hope this article on the best dog collars for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has helped with your buying decisions. If you do decide on a particular collar, it is important to get the sizing right. However, you should also consider the benefits of a harness if they are pullers.
As a breed, they have a small size but a big heart and are always eager to please. If you do find they struggle a little while out on a leash – give them patience and training – the results are well worth it.
If you have other suggestions for Cavalier dog collars – let us know in the comments section below or join us on our Facebook page.
