No one wants to think about losing their dog, but accidents happen; your dog could dig under a fence or run out when the door has been left open accidentally. If your dog is wearing a collar with a tag on it, it’s much likelier you’ll be reunited with your escape artist. So, just because your dog is never outside without a leash on, it’s still a good idea to invest in a collar, but your next challenge is finding one that’s sturdy enough for a big dog like the Bernese Mountain Dog.
It’s a tough challenge, but we’ve compiled a list of the best collars for Bernese Mountain Dogs. We hope these reviews will help in your search for something durable and comfy for your Berner.
The Blueberry Pet 3M Reflective Dog Collar is our pick for the best overall dog collar for Bernese Mountain Dogs. The polyester webbing is lightweight and durable and dries quickly, and it keeps its shape even after it’s been in the washing machine. It comes in a range of colors and sizes that will fit a dog’s neck that measures 12 to 26 inches.
Some owners mentioned that the stitching unraveled when their dogs pulled on the leash. Overall, owners were happy with the Blueberry Pet collar and said it kept up with their large dogs.
Pros
Lightweight and durable material
Range of sizes
Dries quickly and keeps its shape
Cons
Stitching can unravel
2. Chai’s Choice Comfort Cushion Dog Collar – Best Value
Our pick for the best collar for Bernese Mountain Dogs for the money is Chai’s Choice Comfort Cushion Reflective Dog Collar. The mesh padding is designed for ultimate comfort, which reduces rubbing. The reflective material will keep you both visible in low lighting, as long as your dog’s fur doesn’t cover it. While the XXL size promises to fit a 21.7–23.6-inch neck, some pet parents noted it was smaller than advertised.
The adjustable collar snaps on and off easily, and there are nine colors to choose from. Some owners mentioned that the clasp snapped when their big dogs jerked away, so if your Berner isn’t trained yet, this might not be the collar for you.
Pros
Affordable
Designed for comfort
Good range of sizes
Cons
Smaller than advertised
Clasp can break
3. Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Dog Collar – Premium Choice
The Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Training Dog Collar is one of our most costly options but is a well-made product. This collar is an excellent choice if training with positive reinforcement isn’t working. However, it may not be your first choice for a Bernese Mountain Dog, as they are usually easy to train. The prongs have been made to be blunt to minimize the risk to your dog. Training collars are generally used if your dog has poor leash manners. It’s durable and made to last, so while it is expensive, you get your money’s worth.
Pros
Well-made
Blunt prongs for your dog’s safety
Cons
Costly
Prong collar
4. PetSafe Quick Snap Buckle Dog Collar– Best for Puppies
The PetSafe Quick Snap Dog Collar is an excellent option for puppies, thanks to the custom fit. It’s designed to tighten when pulled to prevent your puppy from slipping its collar when out on a walk. The collar prevents matting and doesn’t cause bald spots like some standard collars.
Customers mentioned that the collar was slightly larger than advertised. PetSAfe advertises that it will only fit a neck that is 20 inches, but some pet parents successfully attached the collar to dogs with wider necks. Although the sizing is problematic, you shouldn’t have a problem with it fitting your Bernese Mountain Dog. Although generally, owners were happy, they mentioned that the material that attached the tag clip to the collar was thin and not as long-lasting as the rest of the collar.
The Black Rhino Comfort Collar is lined with soft neoprene padding that protects your dog’s neck, especially if your Berner is active. Even if your dog has sensitive skin, it can wear the Black Rhino without any irritation. It dries quickly and is a tough collar with reflective stitching to keep your dog safe during early morning walks or late at night.
It’s available in 10 colors, but some pet parents did not like the large Black Rhino label on the color because it obscures the attractive design. Also, some customers complained that the metal tarnished quickly, which took away from an otherwise good-looking collar.
Pros
Sturdy and durable
Padded for comfort
Dries easily
Cons
Metal tarnishes quickly
6. Taglory Reflective Dog Collar With Safety Locking Buckle
The Taglory Reflective Dog Collar has a safety lock to prevent it from accidentally opening, which is a unique feature not shared by many brands. It’s made from eco-friendly plastic, and the soft padding has been designed for ultimate comfort. It’s durable, and the reflective stitching gives you peace of mind on dark morning walks or at night.
The sizing goes up to XL, but the sizing chart only shows up to size L, which is slightly confusing. Customers noted that the colors aren’t quite as vibrant as advertised, especially since the colors shown in the photos seem so bright.
The GoTags Nylon Personalized Dog Collar is machine washable, strong, and custom-made. There are various colors for you to choose from, and you can put your dog’s information directly in the collar to add a little personality to it and avoid the need for tags. It’s an inch wide, which means it isn’t too bulky, unlike other brands.
The L size will fit a neck around 18 to 26 inches, although some customers mentioned that they are larger than advertised. If you find your dog is straddling two sizes, go for the smaller size. This means it will fit better, but it also won’t obscure the writing when you tighten it.
The Starmark Pro-Training Plastic Dog Collar uses plastic instead of metal to train your dog on leash etiquette, and it isn’t quite as intimidating looking as other collars. The sizing is more difficult to get right with this collar because you have to take into account the spikes when measuring your dog’s neck, and if you have a particularly large Berner, it might not fit; it only goes up to a 21-inch neck.
There are only two sizes, and it uses a bolt clip to secure the collar to your dog. Customers have had several issues with the sizing, but if you get lucky and have the perfect fit, it will be a helpful addition to training if it’s proving difficult.
The Yunlep Adjustable Tactical Collar is strong and heavy-duty without being too heavy around your Berner’s neck. There’s a control handle on the side, which will make it easier for you to control your dog when you’re attaching their leash. This is a good option if you are just starting out on your training journey.
The largest size fits a dog with a 24.5-inch neck, but some customers noted that they’re made larger than advertised. It’s also quite bulky, and if your dog doesn’t love having a collar on, it might not like the Yunlep.
The Made to ROAM Premium Dog Collar comes in nine sizes. It’s double-layered and promises to be durable and tough so it can keep up with your large dog and all types of weather. The buckle has a quick-release feature for safety, and when some customers complained their buckle kept unclipping, they were sent replacements from the company as they had been given faulty ones. There’s a wide range of colors, and it’s available in five sizes. Overall, most customers seemed happy with this product.
Pros
Wide range of sizes
Durable and tough
Wide range of colors
Cons
Some faulty items mean the safety buckle unclips easily
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Collars for Bernese Mountain Dogs
How to Measure Your Bernese Mountain Dog for a Collar
Most adult Bernese Mountain Dogs have a neck size of around 20 to 22 inches, but finding the exact measurement is simple and doesn’t usually take long. Use a cloth measuring tape and wrap it around your Berner’s neck—you’ll need to take into account that collars usually shift when your dog is wearing them, so measure different parts of the neck.
A collar generally lies at the bottom of a dog’s neck, so start there and add two inches to this measurement for the right fit. It’s also always better to get a collar that is too big for your dog because it can be adjusted, unlike a smaller collar.
How Do You Know You Bought the Right Size?
When you get your new collar, you’ll have to double-check that you bought the right size. To do this, you can do the “two-finger” test. Secure the collar on your Bernese Mountain Dog’s neck and make sure you can get two fingers between the collar and their neck. It’s too tight if you have to force your fingers in the gap. If there’s extra room, the collar is too loose, and they could slip out of it. If it’s snug around your fingers, it’s the right fit.
Puppies and Collars
You will need to take extra care when it comes to puppies and their collars. First, don’t go out and spend a fortune on a collar for your puppy—they grow fast, and they will probably outgrow it in no time. Also, never leave your puppy unattended when they are wearing a collar. Puppies can get themselves into some sticky situations, much more than adults do, and they are prone to getting a paw or leg stuck in their collars. This causes them distress and could potentially injure them. They can get caught or hung on something, and they could panic and get badly hurt.
Removing the collar every day is a good habit to get into because you’re also going to be more aware of when the time comes to buy a new collar. A tight collar will cut into your puppy’s skin and could result in injury to the muscles and skin, and it could also cause an infection.
Conclusion
You’ll notice by the time you’ve worked your way through our collar reviews that there are many types of collars on the market. What you ultimately pick will depend on whether you need something decorative or durable to keep up with your dog’s lifestyle. The Blueberry Pet 3M Reflective Dog Collar was our pick for the best of the bunch. It’s lightweight and durable and comes in a range of sizes, so you’re sure to find something suitable.
You also can’t go wrong with the affordable Chai’s Choice Comfort Cushion Reflective Dog Collar. It’s designed for comfort, and there are several sizes and colors to choose from, so you can select a design that reflects your Berner’s personality!
Kerry-Ann lives in Scotland and wishes her garden was bigger so she could have her very own Highland cow but thinks her dogs probably wouldn’t like that idea very much. She has a La Chon called Harry who was poorly with a liver shunt when he was a puppy. It wasn't likely he would make it into adulthood, which was difficult to comprehend, but he beat the odds and is a healthy old man now. She also has a Pug called Maddie who is a big foodie. She’s small, sassy, and every day she finds a new way to wind her brother up.
When she isn’t writing you can find Kerry-Ann going for long walks when it isn't raining, reading, or watching cartoons when she should be tidying her house. She would one day like to be a tourist in her own country and travel through the Highlands with her family....Read more
