Best Collars for Pugs – Top Picks in 2023

Looking for a new Pug dog collar? Pugs are an adorable breed of dog, aren’t they! Pugs are famous for their small frame, stubby legs and cute, wrinkled faces. They have large eyes that seem to look right into your very soul, and a playful, very endearing and often quirky personality.

Fiercely loyal, these little dogs can quickly steal your heart, and this is why they are considered to be one of the world’s most cutest dogs. However, being a Pug owner (or being owned by a Pug), you need to take notice of their very different needs that separate them from other breeds of dog.

Of course, when you go walking in the park or take to the streets, you’ll see many Pugs wearing a collar. Collars can be both stylish and practical. But is walking a Pug on a collar and leash always the best for their wellbeing? Perhaps a collar in combination with a harness will help – as well as aid in any pulling behaviour they have.

This article will discuss the best collars for Pugs. We will look at the types of dog collars available, why they benefit your Pug, which sizes fit best and looks at the benefits of including a harness.

Best Dog Collars for Pugs – Our Top Eight

1. 🏆 Julius-K9 Collar

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	Julius-K9 Color and Gray Collar, 25 mm (39-65 cm), Black-Gray	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Julius-K9 are best known for their distinct police-dog style secure dog harnesses. This robust collar is fantastically designed with strong textile material.

One unique feature of this collar is the optional closable handle at the back which can be used to help hold your dog in place. This is probably a little over-kill for a Pug unless you have a real puller, so the standard collar is more than sufficient.

The collar can be adjusted using a heavy-duty buckle. It’s near unbreakable, which means it won’t snap or wear down over time.

Stitching is solid, and the leash is attached using a sturdy INOX ring. The inner layer is designed not to chafe or irritate your dog’s neck.

Available in a range of colours, including our favourite grey and black as well as blue, neon and pink.

A great dog collar that should last a very long time.

2. Kismaple Adjustable Reflective Dog Collar

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	Kismaple Adjustable Pet Soft Comfy 3M Reflective Dog Collar Breathable Mesh Dog Collar Training...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

This is a very cool looking, colourful and inexpensive soft dog collar is ideal for regular wear by your Pug.

It’s effortless to put on and take off. Simply place it over your Pugs head and adjust using the adjustment buckle.

It clips together using a lightweight Draflex buckle.

The lead attachment at the back is an anti-corrosion zinc O-loop.

The collar has a breathable soft mesh padding on the inner layer for a comfortable fit.

The outer layer is made from durable, washable nylon.

There’s a nylon webbing with reflective material around the outer layer for increased visibility when you’re out with your Pug at night.

There are ten different colours to choose for – so you should find something to suit any personality.

3. 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...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Perhaps you’re looking for a collar that will help with your Pugs barking behaviour.

There are plenty of methods for dealing with this, including conditioning, training and professional assistance.

You should avoid shock collars; they are both cruel and harmful. However, an alternative to consider is an anti-bark collar.

The collar itself uses a combination of sounds and vibrations, which progressively increases when your dog starts barking.

This may not be for everyone – but if you’re looking for this technology – this is a far more humane approach than many collars out there.

4. Halti Collar (Medium)

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	HALTI Collar, Size Medium, Purple, Best Comfy Dog Collar, Premium Puppy Collar, Nylon,...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Halti makes great leads, training leads, and head collars among other products and this fine collar is another impressive product in their range.

These two-tone dog collars are available in a range of colours.

The inner layer is very soft on your Pug’s neck, made from easy-clean neoprene lining. The outer layer uses a strong webbing which won’t wear down easily.

For increased visibility in dark conditions, there are reflective 3M Scotchlite trims around the outside of the collar.

This is a great dog collar, from a company known for making quality dog products.

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...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Made with a rust and stain-proof stainless steel chain, this martingale collar is a well-crafted item for your dog.

6. PetTec Comfortable Dog Collar

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	PetTec Comfortable Dog Collar, Permanent & Robust; Made with Strong, Tear Resistant Trioflex,...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

Another hugely popular choice of dog collar is the PetTec. The emphasis is on strength with this collar, and it’s made from a strong, tear-resistant trioflex.

7. Knuffelwuff Hamilton Real Leather Dog Collar

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	Knuffelwuff Hamilton Real Leather Dog Collar, Medium, 28-36 cm, Brown	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

If you’re looking for a leather collar for your Pug – the Knuffelwuff Hamilton is a real bargain. Made from genuine, high-quality leather, it’s both stylish and long-lasting. The inner layer is padded to prevent chafing and irritation in wet weather.

This is a beautifully crafted soft leather collar, which not only looks good but has been made with great care. Available in a choice of brown or black.

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...	No ratings yet	Buy on Amazon

We’ve saved the cutest for last with this Lionet Paws collar. This adorable bow tie collar will suit pug adults and puppies alike.

The collar is made from cotton fabrics and uses dual D-rings for a leash and collar combination.

This machine-washable collar comes in a range of different colours and designs.

You can even remove the bow-tie during the day; saving it for those special evening occasions when you want your Pug to look their most dapper.

Why Pugs Should Wear Dog Collars

A lot of people wonder whether dogs need to wear collars. In most cases, a dog collar can be useful because it allows you to attach a dog ID tag, so if your little Pug does wander off and get lost, it can make it easier for them to be returned to you once they are found.

In fact, in the UK, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. You could be subject to a fine of up to £5,000 if your dog does not wear an identification tag.

In the USA, pet laws can differ significantly from state to state and city to city. So you must check the laws in your local area to make sure you abide by their rules about dog collars and ID tags.

Dog collars can also look smart or pretty, so a lot of owners will treat their Pug to a new collar for Christmas or celebrate their dog’s birthday. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your Pug a collar, but you do need to be mindful about using one.

While most dog breeds are fine with constantly wearing a collar, it is best if you take off your Pug’s collar whenever they are left alone at home, left in their crate (if you use one), or while playing with other dogs. You want to find a collar that can be removed almost instantly.

It is very easy to simply get into the habit of popping on their collar before you head out of the door to take them for a walk or a trip in the car. However, Pug owners should never attach a dog lead to their collar, but instead, use a dog harness to help prevent injuries happening.

Collars or Harnesses for Pugs?

Pugs do tend to pull on their leash when walking and can get quite excitable and can jump around when they meet other dogs or their favourite people while out and about. This is why using a harness with a lead is better than attaching the lead to a collar.

Most dog breeds are fine with having a lead attached to their collar, but Pug dogs are part of the brachycephalic breed that are bred to have flat faces and short snouts. This breeding has resulted in the soft palate at the back of the throat to become elongated, so making breathing more difficult.

If you Pug pulls while on a lead and collar, the pressure of the collar can cause injury to the windpipe, especially if they jump up or jerk their head to the side.

Because of their short noses and heads, Pugs suffer from Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) – a respiratory problem associated with flat-faced breeds. They can also suffer from tracheal issues leading to tracheal collapse.

It is therefore vital that you take pressure from your Pug’s throat, particularly if they’re a puller. Though it is fine popping a collar and leash on for a quick toilet trip – for longer walks wearing a dog harness reduces the risks and is much physically safer for your Pug.

Types of Pug Dog Collars

For a small breed of dog such as a Pug, the best type of design to choose is a flat collar that has a quick release or breakaway buckle. Many break-away collars are compatible for use with a lead, but for a Pug, it is better to use a harness for safety reasons, as already discussed above.

Possibly the best style of collar for a Pug would be the martingale, or limited-slip, collar. The martingale collar is also recommended for greyhounds and other sight-hound breeds for the same reasons they are suitable for Pugs. These collars are designed to provide gentle yet effective control without the risk of any choking effect.

The martingale design consists of two loops which draw together under your Pug’s chin when they pull on their lead, distributing the pressure evenly around the head and neck rather than against the trachea. The design helps to prevent your Pug from slipping free of their collar if they try to wriggle out of it.

Be careful though – these collars should not be left on your Pug when they are unsupervised.

Another collar is a head collar. These are quite specialist and used for controlling dogs movements and reduce pulling behaviour. They’re often used on big dogs and probably wouldn’t be much use on a Pug.

We’re not a fan of shock collars and find them somewhat cruel. Not only are the unpleasant for your dog but can result in worse behaviour as the dog attempts to escape the stimulus. If, however, you are looking for a collar that can help with barking behaviour – there are “anti-bark” collars out there which vibrate or emit sounds.

Similarly undesirable are prong and choke collars which tighten when your dog pulls on the lead. These are particularly bad for a pug because of their delicate throats. If you have a barker, puller or impulsive Pug – don’t opt for these collars to fix it. Harnesses, training, patience and professional trainers are all excellent options for dealing with unwanted behaviour.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning GPS collars and fitness trackers. These can be used for identifying your dog’s location, marking out virtual boundaries which alert you if your dog crosses them and can even measure the amount of exercise your dog has done.

Pug Collar Sizes and Measurements

Sizing your Pug’s collar is important, so before you buy a new collar, make sure you measure your Pug. The general rule of thumb is to measure around the circumference of your dog’s neck and then add 2 inches on top of that measurement.

When your Pug is wearing his or her collar, you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and their neck comfortably. Most collars you can buy for your Pug will be adjustable so you can ensure a better fit and make an allowance for a growing puppy.

Pug Collars for Puppies or Older Pugs

There are two main types of collar that are best suited for Pugs and other brachycephalic dog breeds. These are flat collars with quick-release clasps that make it easy to remove the collar – and flat collars with breakaway clasps.

Flat collars with breakaway clasps are useful for emergencies where you Pug’s collar may become trapped on something preventing your dog from escaping.

The breakaway clasp is designed to break when excessive force is placed upon it, so if you Pug was trapped on a fence, branch or gate, the collar will break allowing your dog to escape and prevent it from being strangled.

Break-away collars will allow your Pug puppy to explore their environment safely without you needing to worry about them if they get caught on anything. These collars are also built to be durable so can be worn in different weather, and are quite resistant to chewing and scratching.

Summary

We hope this article has helped you identify the best collar for Pugs when making your decision. Though there are many types of both collars and harnesses available for the breed, you should consider what is best for your particular dog.

Pay particular attention to your Pugs delicate throat, potential breathing issues and head shape; and if they tend to pull on their leash – consider whether a collar in combination with a harness will deliver the best results.

Make sure to measure your Pug before buying a collar, too loose, and it may slip off; too tight and they may get choked.

If you have suggestions regarding Pug dog collars, please let us know in the comment section below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.