Before we talk about dog collars for French Bulldog’s – let us consider the breed. Originating from England and France in the 1800s, French Bulldogs are a popular domestic dog breed ranked #3 in Australia, #4 in the United Kingdom and #6 in the USA.
As a breed of style and sophistication, it’s always a pleasure seeing a French Bulldog out walking on pavements, parks and propping up a chair in Cafes.
But what about how best to walk them. Is it sufficient to put a collar on your Frenchie, attach the leash and away you go?
Or are their other considerations such as their health, comfort and behaviour to consider? And if you do use a collar, what type should you pick and why are they different?
This article will cover the basics of collars for French Bulldogs, as well as discuss our tried and tested reviews to help you pick the best collars for French Bulldogs.
Contents
Best French Bulldog Collars – Our Top Nine
1. đ 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 |
Affordable, colourful and great looking – this soft dog collar will suit any French Bulldog looking for a regular wear collar.
This is a straightforward French Bulldog collar to put on and remove. Using the lightweight Draflex buckle, simply place it around the neck and clip in place. It is easily adjustable using the adjustment buckle for a perfect fit.
The collar has anti-corrosion zinc O-loop at the back for attaching your lead.
Durable and washable nylon materials make up the outer layer. The inner layer provides a comfortable, non-chafing, breathable soft mesh padding. It is joined together by nylon webbing.
For better visibility at night, there is also reflective trims around the outside.
In total there are ten different colours to choose from, these are strong and colourful dog collars for french bulldogs that are great for tags and quick trips.
2. Julius-K9 Color & Gray Collar
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 | Julius-K9 Color & Gray Collar, 20 mm (27-42 cm), Neon-Gray | Buy on Amazon |
Known for their distinct police-style robust no-pull dog harnesses, Julius-K9 make products built to last. Their range of dog collars, made from strong textile material, is no exception.
There’s a heavy-duty buckle for adjusting the dog collar for a better fit.
This collar is strong and should last for years without snapping or wearing down.
An INOX ring at the back is used for leash attachment.
The soft inner layer will not chafe your Frenchies neck and the stitching holding it all together is well done.
There is a range of colours available from darker grey and black to brighter blue, neon and pink.
3. Teemerryca Pink Leather Dog Collars
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 | teemerryca Pink Leather Dog Collars for Girls Spiked Collars for Medium Dogs Studded Small Dogs... | Buy on Amazon |
If you want something with a bit of street-cred edge, this spiked collar may be ideal for your Frenchie. Made from soft, high-quality leather – it’s built to last.
Available in three colours; black, red or pink – the collar is studded.
The studs are fairly blunt to prevent injuring your dog, and the studs do not tug on stray hairs.
The collar is adjustable and measures 36cm-46cm; a suitable size for most French Bulldogs.
4. Halti Collar (Medium)
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 | HALTI Collar, Size Medium, Purple, Best Comfy Dog Collar, Premium Puppy Collar, Nylon,... | Buy on Amazon |
You may already be familiar with Halti’s training leads, leads and harnesses – and this is another great product in their range.
Halti dog collars have a two-tone design and are available in a range of colours including purple, black and red.
An easy-clean neoprene lining makes up the inner section of the collar, resulting in a soft experience for your French Bulldog. The outer layer is made from a strong, stitched, webbing designed not to wear down quickly. There is also a 3M Scotchlite reflective trim on the outside for better visibility in darker walking conditions.
5. Max and Neo Stainless Steel Chain Martingale Collar [USA]
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 | Max and Neo Stainless Steel Chain Martingale Collar - We Donate a Collar to a Dog Rescue for Every... | Buy on Amazon |
This Martingale dog collar uses rust and stain-proof stainless steel material.
6. PetTec Comfortable Dog Collar
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 | PetTec Comfortable Dog Collar, Permanent & Robust; Made with Strong, Tear Resistant Trioflex,... | Buy on Amazon |
Made from a strong, tear-resistant trio flex; this dog collar is another great example of both strength and style.
7. Petic Advanced 2in1 Anti Bark Dog Collar
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 | Advanced 2in1 Anti Bark Dog Collar Stop Dogs Excessive Barking Device SAFE HARMLESS & HUMANE... | Buy on Amazon |
I’ll start by repeating that I’m not a fan of shock collars. But if you are looking for something to reduce barking – perhaps look at something more humane and less harmful such as this anti-bark collar.
The collar itself uses a combination of progressive sounds and vibrations, which activate when your Frenchie starts barking.
If you’re looking for this conditioning tech- this is a far better approach than many collars out there.
Remember there are other methods for dealing with barking behaviour, including conditioning, training and professional assistance.
8. Lionet Paws Cotton Dog Collar with Bowtie
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 | Lionet Paws Cotton Dog Collar with Bowtie, Durable Adjustable and Comfortable Collar for Small Dogs... | Buy on Amazon |
For adults and puppies alike, this collar is adorably cute. Machine washable, soft and with a bowtie. What’s not to love?
9. AIOO Fashion French Bulldog Gold Chain
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 | AIOO Fashion French Bulldog Dog Cat Neck Bully Plastic Synthetic Gold Chain Torque Small And Medium... | Buy on Amazon |
I’ve added this gold chain collar for a French Bulldog as they are often trendy. These gold dog collars are designed for fashion so please DO NOT use as a walking collar. They can be used with a french bulldog harness or collar with tags, but are primarily designed for style.
This cool looking plastic gold-style dog chain is lightweight and rust wear-resistant. Whether it’s to show off while out and about, or for taking photos – this is an adorable addition for your fashion-conscious Frenchie.
Can French Bulldogs wear Collars?
In general, collars are not the wrong choice for any breed of dog. There are different types, many with pros and cons.
A well-fitting collar not only looks distinguished on a Frenchie but also provides an excellent place to home the all-important dog ID tags.
The problem comes when the collar is too tight, or you are walking your dog solely on a collar and leash/lead.
French Bulldogs are Brachycephalic (Latin for short-headed) – a restriction of their airways caused by their short-nosed skull. Respiratory ailments are common.
Stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils) and elongated soft palate are also shared with the breed.
In addition to Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, they can suffer other respiration issues, including the frequent snoring and wheezing you may be familiar with.
We will cover more about the implications of this on walking your dog shortly. However, it is worth summarising that collars are fine for well behaved Frenchies, and day to day usage. For dogs who tend to pull, you may consider a harness.
Should a French Bulldog Wear a Collar or Harness?
In short, many owners choose to use both a dog collar and harness for their French Bulldog.
Collars are excellent for day to day usage, for storing dog identification tags and for those who do not pull on the lead.
We covered the topic of collars vs harnesses in-depth here as well as our recommendation for French Bulldog Harnesses.
When on a leash, many dog breeds tend to pull.
This can be a difficult habit to break and a combination of proper training, patience and a well-designed harness.
Excessive pulling on their leash while wearing a collar can cause damage to your dog’s throat, including trachea collapse.
This is particularly daunting for a French Bulldog where, like a Pug, restrictions of airways can be a big problem. As a brachycephalic breed caused by their short noses and heads, French Bulldogs suffer from Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS). The breed can also suffer from tracheal issues leading to tracheal collapse.
You must not put undue pressure on your French Bulldog’s throat, particularly if they’re a puller. Though it is fine popping a collar and lead on for a short toilet trip – for walks in the park; wearing a harness reduces the risks and is much physically safer for your furry friend.
What Size Collar for my French Bulldog?
Frenchies are small dogs with short and stocky necks. Theyâre then not going to cause significant issues with pulling, but they are stubborn dogs and may be pretty hard to lead train, though youâll probably be getting annoyed your Frenchie isnât walking in a straight line rather than getting sore arms from them pulling.
When measuring the neck, ensure your dog is relaxed. Youâll be using a regular flexible measuring tape. Most Frenchieâs have a neck around 14â or 35cm in circumference, which generally equates to the size âsmallâ for most collar brands. Puppies, however, will usually need extra small collars.
It’s important to measure your Frenchie for a collar before buying.
When fitting a collar, use the âtwo-finger rule. You should be able to slip two fingers under the collar reasonably easily. Itâs kind of like fitting jeans or other clothing; youâll know if the collar is likely too tight for your dog, so use your intuition. Of course, donât leave too much slack or else it might slide off.
What are the Types of French Bulldog Collars?
You have a few options when it comes to dog collars, and each has its place in dog walking and training.
Collars have aesthetic as well as practical qualities too, so letâs not deny, style does matter when choosing a dog collar!
French Bulldogs, aka Frenchies are stylish dogs, super-cute with bundles of personality and heaps of attitude to match. When choosing a collar for your Frenchie, it goes without saying that fit, comfort and usability are the maximum priority. Style comes after.
Flat Collar
This is your standard basic collar, and every owner must have one. For the vast majority of reasonably well-behaved dogs, the flat collar does the trick just fine. It may likely be the only type of collar youâll ever need, providing you have a harness if you think that would be beneficial for longer walks when more pulling is more likely.
The flat collar comes in many materials and styles; you can have nylon collars, leather collars, they can be studded with jewels, have funky prints and even allow you to attach bow-ties or other novelties for special occasions like Christmas or birthdays.
Pros
- Widely available and great selection
- Inexpensive
- Reliable for most dogs that are reasonably well lead trained
Safety Collars
Safety collars are the same as flat collars, but they have a 2nd âquick releaseâ buckle that can be triggered in an emergency.
One such situation might be if your dog shoots off and gets caught around a moving object, or is pinned to the ground by its collar during play.
If this happens, you can quickly grab the collar and pull it across the release buckle to detach the collar and prevent choking.
Pros
- An excellent choice for multiple dog owners who play enthusiastically
- Great when walking dogs in environments they can easily get caught, e.g. dense forests
Head Collar
Headcollars slip over your dogâs snout and work by the principle that where your dogâs head goes, its body follows. They arenât advisable for long term use, and itâd be quite rare to own a Frenchie that would benefit from one of these collars.
Some dogs do find them comforting though, usually only if they really hate collars around their neck, so they might just be worth a bash if youâre struggling for options. When using these collars, make sure you never jerk the lead as youâll be directly shaking your dogâs head.
Pros
- Gives you greater control over the dogâs head
- Can be comforting for some dogs
- Useful for controlling barking
Slip Lead/Choke Chain
These are controversial, and itâd be doubtful a Frenchie would need one. These leads essentially act as a noose. The more a dog pulls, the more they close on its throat.
There is a danger involved here, and these leads are only recommended for correcting dogs that have been improperly trained (e.g. rescue dogs from abusive owners).
That said, there is a chance your dog is exceptionally enthusiastic on the lead, and you might then be looking for a choke chain. However, itâll nearly always be better to turn to a Martingale lead first.
Choke dog collars are designed to tighten around the dog’s neck when they pull on their lead. In general, these are a terrible idea – especially for breeds with airway problems like a French Bulldog. The method is almost a type of punishment and can lead to discomfort, injury or an increase in pulling behaviour.
You will probably find French Bulldog choke collars for sale – but we would certainly recommend avoiding them.
Pros
- Used in dog shelters/rescue homes where handlers need protection
- Last resort correction for aggressive or mishandled dogs
- Do have a limited application for super-enthusiastic and fierce dogs
GPS and Tracking Collar
GPS leads or smart collars are trackable using GPS technology. This means you can track your dog using software installed on your PC or smartphone. Theyâve quickly become more reliable, cheaper and effective, and they donât have many downsides. Being able to track an escaped dog is a wonderful asset that provides peace of mind, allowing you to track it down before it gets too far quickly.
Pros
- Allows you to track your dog
- Same mechanics as a flat collar
Martingale Collar / Lead
Martingale leads are replacing choke chains, and they offer a relatively safe intermediary between traditional flat collars and choke chains or slips leads. These do have the slip function and will tighten up when a dog pulls, but they have a built-in limitation which prevents the lead from tightening continuously. They have to be appropriately adjusted to ensure the limit is somewhere where it only causes slight discomfort to the dog and not pain or choking. These leads can help discourage pulling and barking when used carefully and patiently.
Pros
- A great middle ground between standard leads and slip leads
- Can be adjusted to ensure your dogâs safety
- Generally will never harm your dog
Dog Shock Collars
Designed to shock your dog when they misbehave. We’re fundamentally opposed to these as being cruel and distressing for your dog – so other than mentioning what they are; they won’t be covered in this article.
Are Collars a Legal Requirement?
Dog collars are a legal requirement in many countries, including the USA and UK. In the UK, the rules are quite simple. A dog must wear a collar at all times in public spaces, and this must feature the ownerâs name and address.
Most owners will include the dogâs name and their contact numbers also. You can face fines up to ÂŁ5000 for failing to comply with this.
While there is no blanket law to enforce leashing your dog in public spaces in the UK, there are local orders that require dogs to kept on leads in specific spaces, e.g. childrenâs play areas, roads, parks and beaches. Dogs in the UK must never be allowed to run âdangerously out of controlâ.
In the USA, it is more complicated as dog laws are mostly state-wide and not federal. Federal rules require all dogs to be licensed, though, meaning all dogs need a collar with the ownerâs details attached.
Some states do not allow dogs to be let ârunning freeâ anywhere other than on private property, whereas others are more liberal and allow dogs off-lead so long as they are safe and under control.
Getting your Puppy to Accept a Collar
Frenchies are obliging but stubborn. Once they accept a collar, you should be good in the long term. To get a puppy to accept a lead, youâll mostly be using distraction techniques.
Allow your puppy to examine and sniff the lead while giving him/her some treats to perk them up in the presence of it. Youâll then want to provide them with treats while slipping the lead on loosely.
See if they realise. If they do and begin to try and remove it, then take the lead off and try again with more treats. Once itâs on, leave it on for longer each time and gradually tighten it to the desired level.
Tips for Using Collars Safely
When to take Collars Off
Collars are only necessary to use outside. Donât leave the collar on a dog when theyâre inside or on your land and simply donât need one. Of course, some dogs wonât mind whatsoever, but itâs still unnecessary, and even if your dog is fully accepting of the lead, it will still rub its fur gradually over time.
Unattended Dogs
A second reason to remove collars around your home is that your dog will be mostly unsupervised. Unattended dogs may get caught on their collar when playing, and if youâre not around, this can be fatal.
The risk is highest with slip or choke collars. If youâre roaming a large area like a forest, then donât be tempted to remove a collar, even when no one is around. Itâs still illegal, and if your dog does go missing, it wonât be tagged and will be unidentifiable.
If youâre concerned about your dog getting in a pickle, then use safety or quick release collar so you can quickly release it if your dog gets stuck or caught.
Playing Dogs
Dogs play by nuzzling and play-biting each otherâs necks. A dogâs neck is thick-set and strong and usually has a fat or skin pad that allows the mother to carry her pups by the scruff of the neck.
During play, dogs can go for this pad and pin each other down, and while this is usually a benign activity, it can be dangerous if a dog is getting pinned by its collar. During play, try and remove your dogâs collar while remaining aware that this is still illegal in public.
In public, supervise your dog during play at all times. If during an emergency you have to remove a collar then take control of your dog immediately and replace the collar.
Summary
Frenchies are lovely but stubborn. Theyâre not likely to pull hard to cause significant issues on the lead, and when theyâre trained to accept collars and walk nicely, theyâll usually remember this and not cause any real problems.
French Bulldogs are the kind of dog you might want to indulge with a cool lead. If you do this, always place comfort and fit first. Safety first, style later!
We hope you found our Best Collars for French Bulldogs guide helpful in making your dog collar (or harness) buying decisions. Just remember to measure your Frenchie first and pay special attention to your pet dogs neck when out walking.
If you have your own dog collar tales or want to comment, let us know in the feedback section below or on our Facebook page.
