A good collar should be snug enough that it won't slip over your dog's head, and loose enough that it never pinches. Getting it right takes about two minutes.
What you'll need
- A soft measuring tape (the kind used for sewing)
- No tape? Use a piece of string or a phone charging cable, mark it, then measure it against a ruler.
Step 1: Measure the neck
Wrap the tape around the middle of your dog's neck, where a collar naturally sits. Keep it flat and snug, but not tight. That number is your dog's neck size.
Step 2: Do the two-finger check
Once the collar is on, you should be able to slide two fingers flat between the collar and your dog's neck. If you can't, it's too tight. If you can fit your whole hand, or the collar slides over the ears with a gentle tug, it's too loose.
Step 3: Pick your WAFA size
- Small: 5/8" wide, fits 10–16" necks. Think beagles, Westies, most small mixes.
- Medium: 3/4" wide, fits 14–22" necks. Think border collies, bulldogs, spaniels.
- Large: 1" wide, fits 18–27" necks. Think labs, shepherds, goldens.
In between sizes? Choose the size where your dog's measurement lands closer to the middle of the range. That leaves room to adjust either way.
Fit tips from the shop floor
- Puppies grow fast. Re-check the fit every couple of weeks and loosen as needed.
- Check after grooming and seasons. A fluffy winter coat or a fresh haircut can change the fit.
- Take collars off in the crate. Collars can snag on wire crate doors, so it's safest to remove them for crate time.
- Keep ID tags current. A collar is only as helpful as the phone number on it.
Every WAFA collar has a quick-release buckle and a smooth adjuster, so dialing in the fit is easy. Browse WAFA collars →
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