Colour is the fun part of choosing a collar. It's also more practical than you might expect. Here's how to pick one you'll love.
Think about contrast
A collar that contrasts with your dog's coat stands out in photos and makes your dog easier to spot in the park.
- Black and dark coats: Brighter or lighter colours such as orange, pink, sky blue or sand show up clearly.
- Golden and light coats: Deeper tones like navy, forest green or burgundy look striking.
- Brindle, merle and multicoloured coats: Solid colours in a shade that matches one of the coat colours look coordinated, while a bold contrasting colour makes a statement.
- White coats: Almost anything works. Rich, dark colours give the strongest contrast.
Think about where you walk
Bright colours are easier to spot in bushland, in long grass or at the beach. Muted, natural colours blend in and can look great with earthy surroundings.
Two-tone or single colour?
Two-tone designs, like our Heritage range, add interest and pair a base colour with an accent. Single-tone designs feel classic and go with everything.
Match your lifestyle
If you like a coordinated look, choose a collar that pairs with a lead or harness you already own. If you'd rather have one collar that goes with everything, neutrals such as slate, sand, brown and black are easy to match.
Consider the engraving
The engraved plate or buckle is small and metallic, so it tends to look best against collar colours that let the metal stand out.
Colour ideas by coat
Black or very dark coats. Light or bright colours show up clearly, including pinks, oranges and sky blues.
Golden, cream and tan coats. Deep greens, navy and burgundy make a strong contrast, while earthy tones look natural.
Grey and silver coats. Warm accents like orange or burgundy stand out, and cool tones look calm.
Brindle, spotted and merle coats. Pick a solid colour that echoes one of the coat's shades, or a bold contrast if you want to stand out.
White and light coats. Dark, rich colours give the strongest contrast.
Practical things colour affects
- Visibility. Bright colours are easier to spot in long grass, bush or at dusk.
- Dirt. Very light collars show mud more, and darker ones hide marks. Regular wiping helps either way. See how to clean a PU leather dog collar.
- Matching gear. If you already have a lead or harness, choose a collar that sits well alongside it.
- Photos. If you love taking photos, pick a colour that looks good against your dog's coat and your usual walking spots.
Frequently asked questions
Do dogs see colour?
Dogs see colours differently from people. It doesn't matter much for the collar, because colour is mainly for you and for other people to see your dog.
Should the colours match the season?
It's a fun idea, but a colour you love is likely to stay in use all year.
Does the colour affect the engraving?
The engraved plate is metal, so it stands out against most colours. Look at the product photos to see how they combine.
What if the colour looks different on my screen?
Screens vary, so treat photos as a guide. Compare with something you own in a similar shade.
Still can't decide?
Look at the photos on each product page. Colours can look different on screen, so also compare against something you own. Browse our Heritage two-tone collars or our Terra collection to see the range.
