The best collar for a Husky
Huskies pull hard and can slip out of a badly fitted collar. Here's what actually matters when choosing one, and why most owners pair it with a harness for everyday walking rather than relying on the collar alone, especially for a dog this determined and strong on a lead.
Why a Husky's build changes what you need
Huskies have a distinctive wedge-shaped head and a neck that is often thicker than it looks under their coat, which is exactly the combination that lets a dog back out of a collar that fits everywhere else. A collar that is simply the 'right size' by neck measurement alone is not always enough on its own.
A martingale-style collar, which tightens slightly when a dog pulls back rather than staying a fixed loop, is a popular choice for Huskies for this reason. It gives a snug, secure fit without needing to be done up so tight day-to-day that it is uncomfortable.
Material and fit
A thick double coat means a slim collar can rub or dig in more than it would on a shorter-coated breed, so a wider, well-padded collar tends to sit more comfortably. Reflective or bright colours are genuinely useful too, since Huskies are commonly walked in early morning or evening light.
Whatever style you choose, you should be able to fit two fingers flat between the collar and your Husky's neck. Check the fit regularly, particularly through a heavy shed, since a coat that has thinned out can leave a previously snug collar noticeably looser.
Collar versus harness for a strong puller
Huskies are bred to pull, and a lot of them do it enthusiastically on a lead. Pulling hard against a collar puts pressure directly on the neck and throat, which is why many Husky owners use a harness for everyday walking and keep the collar mainly for ID tags and as a backup point of control.
A well-fitted harness spreads that pulling force across the chest and shoulders instead, which is more comfortable for the dog and easier to manage for the owner on the other end of the lead.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Red Dingo Design Dog Collar
Red Dingo Design Dog Collar in 28 designs, sizes XS to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£9.49
Red Dingo Classic Dog Collar
Red Dingo Classic Dog Collar in 18 colours, sizes XS to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£10.99
Rechargeable LED Safety Dog Collar
A tough nylon collar with a built-in rechargeable LED strip — up to 8 hours of bright visibility on a single 2-hour charge.
From£7.99
Kingdom Pet Cooling Collar
A fridge-cooled collar that keeps a dog cool for up to 4 hours on hot walks
From£3.99
Ancol Nylon Dog Collar
A classic nylon dog collar with a satin buckle, in two colours and five sizes
From£4.29
Red Dingo Reflective Bones Dog Collar
Red Dingo Reflective Bones Dog Collar in five colours, sizes XS to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£12.99
Ancol Heritage Greyhound Collar
A 34-43cm leather hound collar, made in the UK from European bridle leather
£17.79
Ancol Heritage Leather Collar Round
A rolled leather dog collar with a nylon core, designed to reduce coat tangling
From£15.29
Ancol Collar Soho Star
Ancol's Soho star-print dog collar in recycled fabric, adjustable, in Small, Medium and Large, with a matching lead available.
£7.49
Personalised Engraved Nameplate PU Dog Collar
Personalised Engraved Nameplate PU Dog Collar. Material: PU.
£14.99
Personalised Reflective Dog Collar with Engraved ID Plate
A padded reflective nylon collar with a slide-on metal ID plate engraved with your dog's details.
£12.99
Personalised Padded PU Dog Collar
Personalised Padded PU Dog Collar. Material: Microfibre PU, diving cloth and zinc alloy. Select the required colour and size, then enter the exact engraving text during purchase. Measure your pet and check the size chart before ordering.
From£13.99
Common questions
- Why does a Husky need a martingale collar?
- A martingale collar tightens slightly when a dog pulls back against it, which helps stop a wedge-headed, thick-necked breed like the Husky from backing out of a standard buckle collar. It gives a secure fit without needing to be fastened uncomfortably tight.
- Should I use a collar or a harness for walking a Husky?
- Many owners use a harness for everyday walking, since it spreads the force of pulling across the chest and shoulders rather than the neck, and keep a well-fitted collar on for ID tags and as a secondary point of control. Both together is a common and sensible combination.
- How do I check a Husky's collar still fits?
- You should be able to fit two flat fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. Check this regularly, especially during a heavy coat shed, since a Husky's neck can appear noticeably different once a thick undercoat has thinned out.
- Are Huskies prone to slipping their collar?
- Their wedge-shaped head and often thick neck under the coat make it more possible than with many breeds, which is why a properly fitted martingale collar, checked regularly, is worth the extra thought compared with a standard buckle collar.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.