While a thin, patterned collar might be a cute accessory for a mild mannered or small dog, tactical dog collars are a more fitting option for bigger dogs or canines who like to pull.  They’re tougher than your standard thin ribbon collar since they’re usually made out of thick nylon or cord instead of ribbon or rope and secured with a metal or double roller buckle instead of a flimsy plastic buckle.

Although they’re frequently used in military and police work, there’s no definitive idea of exactly what makes a dog collar tactical, except it’s generally built stronger than a standard collar. But they’re not just for working dogs. A tactical dog collar is a necessity for your super strong or active pet who likes to pull on the leash. The perfect gear to use on walks or for training, tactical collars won’t budge or break as easily as normal collars and generally have longer lifespans overall. We’ll review our favorite 10 picks here and let you choose the best design for your dog.

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The 10 Best Tactical Dog Collars

1. OneTigris Nylon Military Dog Collar – Best Overall

OneTigris Nylon Military Dog Collar is our best overall choice for tactical dog collars for the active pet, or the working dog in training. You can let your pup grow into this heavy-duty nylon collar. The five points of adjustment on a double-pronged metal clasp ensures this tactical collar isn’t going anywhere any time soon. The insulated padding on the inside protects your dog’s neck from chaffing as they train, and the quilted design makes the collar lie flat to prevent bunching. You can choose from three neutral colors to find the most fitting for your dog.

The only downside is that you may need to wait for your young puppy to hit a growth spurt or find another design more appropriate for smaller dogs if they fall under the 50–90-pound range. This collar is only available in two sizes, medium and large, and probably won’t fit dogs under 50 pounds.

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2. Water & Woods Double-Ply Patterned Hound Dog Collar – Best Value

This double-layer nylon collar by Water & Woods won’t break your budget while keeping a better hold on your dog than your average collar. The buckle design seems more stable than a typical plastic clip. However, it should be noted that we can’t determine whether the buckle is made out of plastic or metal.

Water & Woods Double-Ply Patterned Hound Dog Collar is made in the USA from domestic and imported parts. Outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased with any of the three camouflage patterns. You can find this collar in five sizes, but the smallest size has an 18-inch circumference, which may still be too big for a smaller dog. We think it’s the best tactical dog collar for the money.

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3. Logical Leather Padded Dog Collar – Premium Choice

The Logical Leather Padded Dog Collar lends your dog an air of aristocratic sophistication while keeping them safe with a sturdy metal clasp and adjustable lead. With five colors and sizes to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect match for your dog. We like how this collar has a soft, split leather lining to prevent chafing on your dog’s neck.

It’s a little more expensive than most of the collars we’ve reviewed, but we can see why. Leather is an ideal material for a dog collar because it’s water-resistant, easy to clean, and won’t scratch your dog like rope. One word of warning though: customers claim that this collar doesn’t run true to size. Aim to order one size down from what you’d expect to need.

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4. Blueberry Pet 3M Pattern Polyester Reflective Dog Collar – Best for Puppies

Available in three sizes and four beautiful colors, the Blueberry Pet 3M Pattern Polyester Reflective Dog Collar is our favorite choice for puppies because it fits as small as a 9-inch neck. We especially appreciate the reflective nylon fibers woven into the webbing, which helps you locate your dog in the dark, in the event that they do break away.

Although the buckle appears to be made out of metal, the product description says it’s crafted from eco-friendly plastic. This means the buckle probably isn’t as durable as one with a metal construction, but it’s a good starter collar until your pup can grow into a tougher tactical collar. The soft lining fabric also provides some cushion for your puppy’s neck while they train.

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5. Blueberry Pet Safety Training Personalized Martingale Dog Collar

If you have a dog with a slender neck, such as a Whippet, you might want to consider using a martingale style collar like the Blueberry Pet Safety Training Personalized Martingale Dog Collar. This type of collar is designed to slip over your dog’s head and tightens if your dog tugs.

However, it’s non-stretchy, so your dog can’t simply wiggle free. Some pet parents don’t like the martingale style though because there isn’t a clasp. Available in over a dozen colors and three different sizes, you can also customize the text at no extra cost to include contact information so that you can do away with dangling dog tags.

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6. Carhartt Tradesman Dog Collar

While we typically don’t prefer plastic bucklesfor tactical dog collars, the buckle on the Carhartt Tradesman Dog Collar seems more durable than the simple plastic clasps we see on standard dog collars. The thick, nylon duck canvas webbing is woven with bands of reflective threads that make it easy to keep track of your pup on night runs. While we like the three color choices, we’re a little disappointed that the collar is only available in medium and large. However, the medium adjusts from a 12–18” neck circumference and the large ranges between 18–26” so this may not be a big problem for most dogs.

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7. Mighty Paw Sport 2.0 Dog Collar

Made out of high-quality nylon, the Mighty Paw Sport 2.0 Dog Collar easily adapts to your dog and their environment. The weatherproof material wipes clean, and the collar adjusts in a 4-inch range, which means your dog is always ready for their next adventure. The sizing seems flexible too, since the collar is available in four sizes and colors.

The reflective threads give extra visibility for nighttime excursions and the neoprene padding keeps your dog comfortable. Overall, we’re very impressed by this collar. Our only concern is that we’re not sure what the buckle is made from, whether it’s plastic or metal.

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8. Soft Touch Collars Leather Two-Tone Padded Dog Collar

Soft sheepskin leather adorns this padded collar inside and out. The handcrafted leather gives this tactical collar a luxurious flair, while the brass hardware ensures that it’s not going to go anywhere any time soon. All five color choices have different shades of leather on the outside, as well as different colors on the inside lining.

You can easily find your pup’s match since there are four available sizes that adjust in 3-inch increments. For a day-use collar, the Soft Touch Collar should fit the bill. However, you should be forewarned that there’s no reflective webbing or threads on this design, so it may not be the best choice for nighttime excursions.

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9. Country Brook Design Bone Camo Polyester Martingale Dog Collar

Country Brook Design Bone Camo Polyester Martingale Dog Collar comes in pink and blue infour adjustable sizes. The nickel-plated hardware has a double loop system designed to keep your dog from slipping out. Some pet parents don’t prefer martingale collars because they can be difficult to put on. However, once they’re on your dog, they’ll tighten if they pull on the leash.

Thankfully, this design has a limited closure, which means they can’t pull their collar dangerously tight. We wish there was padding or a lining material on this tactical collar, but the polyester seems like it wouldn’t feel too rough. Unfortunately, though, there’s no reflective webbing so this isn’t an ideal collar for playing outside after dark.

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10. CollarDirect Rolled Leather Dog Collar

The CollarDirect Rolled Leather Dog Collar offers the most extensive options of size and color. The six adjustable sizes and 15 shades ensures that you’ll find the perfect fit for Fido. The metal buckle is a more durable option than plastic models, and we like how the rounded edges help prevent tangles.

Although there isn’t any lining on the inside, an internal nylon cord gives the collar some cushioning. Also, there aren’t any reflective threads, so this collar may not be the best for activities after dark.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Tactical Dog Collars

When shopping for a tactical dog collar, you should think about the type of activities you do with your dog and when you do them. Consider factors such as:

Time of Day

Playing glow-in-dark frisbee at night might call for a different type of collar than walking downtown during the afternoon. For example, a tactical collar made out of reflective nylon webbing is better suited for nighttime adventures, while a padded leather collar might be more fitting for fun while the sun is up.

Estimated Lifespan of the Collar

You’ll also want to consider how long you want the collar to last, given your dog’s size and age. Some collars have a more flexible adjustment range than others, which might be a bigger priority to you if you have a growing puppy whose neck size may change rapidly. The material also weighs in heavily on how durable your collar will be. In general, we prefer metal buckles over plastic, and nylon or leather material over single ribbon nylon.

Type of Closure

We definitely prefer metal buckles or martingale-style closures for tactical collars since these tend to be more sturdy than average collars with a plastic clasp. However, occasionally a heavy-duty plastic buckle might still do the trick if the other elements of the design seem up to par. Martingale-style collars are suited for dogs who like to slide out of their collars or pull excessively on the leash. However, look for one with a limited enclosure so that your dog doesn’t pull their collar dangerously tight.

Conclusion

Although tactical collars are often employed by the military and police for canine training, they also might be an appropriate choice for your wily pup at home. Our overall best choice was the OneTigris Nylon Military Dog Collar. With its tough nylon webbing and metal double-prong clasp, this design embodies the idea of a tactile dog collar—a hardy design that keeps your dog safe and yet keeps them comfortable with insulated padding. The Water & Woods Double-Ply Patterned Dog Collar is a high-quality polyester collar that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Leather is a natural, durable option that’s often padded, like our premium choice, the Logical Leather Padded Dog Collar.

Martingale-style enclosures like the ones on the Blueberry Pet Safety Training Collar and the Country Brook Collar tighten around your dog’s neck when they pull, which can help train dogs who like to tug and keep them from wiggling free. If you’re going to buy a tactical collar with a clasp, we recommend getting one with a metal buckle instead of plastic generally. If you like to run with your dog at night, you might prefer a nylon tactical collar with reflective threads like those on the Blueberry Pet 3M Reflective Pattern, Mighty Paw Sport 2.0, or Carhartt Tradesman.

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Featured Image Credit: RebeccasPictures, Pixabay