The Best Collars for Your Pitbull
January 18, 2021 2021-06-14 11:27As Amazon associates, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we have tested and are using for our own dogs!
My brindle American Pit Bull, Rudolph, just turned three years old and melts my heart every time he looks at me. Unfortunately, he can also be quite destructive and has a reputation for destroying collars and harnesses as if they were made of tissue paper.
In our search for the best collars for Pit Bulls, we also stumbled across some robust budget options, a couple of great harnesses for dogs who are difficult to control, and one or two that will make your Pit Bull look like he belongs on the catwalk, rather than the sidewalk.
Best Overall Pitbull Collar
Bully’s Pit Bull collar provides a comfortable enough fit that it’s suitable for long-term wear while its tactical grade materials mean it's strong enough to restrain the most excitable Pit Bull. The extra width reduces chafing and distributes pressure evenly, preventing any damage to your dog.
Made of hard-wearing nylon, Bully’s Pit Bull Collar is tough, durable, and easy to clean. While not the cheapest collar on the market, it’s long-lasting durability makes it excellent value for money. Nylon may fade a little over time, especially if worn daily, but it won’t crack or stretch as a leather collar will.
Due to the hardy design of the Bully’s collar, you should always supervise your Pit Bull when he's playing with other dogs. Nylon can become “a strangulation hazard in a tussle between dogs." While “a leather collar will break under enough force," a nylon one, especially one as rugged as Bully’s, won’t.
Although not waterproof, the Bully’s Pit Bull collar handles water well and, better still, is as strong as your Pit Bull is loyal.
What Makes Bully’s the Best Collar for Pit Bulls?
After testing over 20 different collars on my energetic Pit Bull, I found Bully’s PitBull collar to be the best in terms of durability and fit. No matter how many restraints your Pit Bull has destroyed in the past, this one will stand the test of time. Its stainless steel buckle will stand up to the roughest treatment, while the extra-wide dimensions make it comfortable to wear and prevents chafing.
Rudolph has yet to make any impression on his Bully’s Pit Bull collar, even after six months of use. Bully’s isn’t the only company making good collars for Pit Bulls, however, and the genuine leather collar from Pet Artist gives it a run for its money with its handy grab handle and heavy-duty design.
Surprisingly lightweight given its chunky appearance, the Bully’s Pit Bull collar is made of tactical grade materials and comes in various sizes and widths, with the extra-wide 2″ fit being the best for your Pit Bull.
Bully’s makes “serious dog ware” for serious dogs, and there’s no doubt this multi-purpose collar will keep your Pit Bull under control no matter how many distractions and temptations you encounter.
Bully’s isn’t the only option, however, and it may not suit every dog or your sense of style. Keep reading to find out more about the best collars for Pit Bulls as well as what to look for when making your choice. We hope that, by the time you finish this article, you’ll have the knowledge you need to make the best choice, whether you need a collar for training a Pit Bull puppy or an everyday collar for a senior.
Table of Contents
Mini Reviews
Here are our choices for specific collar designs for your Pittie.
Best Leather Collar for Pitbulls
Made of soft-touch leather with a zinc alloy buckle, the Pet Artist Genuine Leather dog collar is easy to fit so your dog is comfortable but can’t wriggle out of the restraint. A grab handle on the top of the collar makes it great for training young dogs and for controlling over-excited Pit Bulls.
While not ideal to leave on your dog for long periods, as the top handle could get hooked on a fence post or rail, this heavy-duty leather collar is suitable for both walks and training sessions. Not only does it look good, but it also feels good.
Easily adjustable, this collar comes in two sizes, both of which measure 1.5” in width. The larger size 23.6” long and will fit the largest American Pit Bull or American Bully whereas the smaller one, at 20.8”, is more suited to the slimline Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Not only are these leather collars surprisingly affordable, but they also come with a 90-day quality guarantee.
Best Training Collar
I’m not a fan of prong collars or shock collars so, when I think about training collars, I’m more focused on finding a durable basic collar that won’t chafe, but that will give me the control I need. The Excellent Elite Spanker tactical collar ticks all of those boxes.
Made of 1000D nylon, this collar is virtually unbreakable. This tactical collar closes with a magic sticker initially, but you can also lock the buckle for extra protection against the Houdini antics of certain Pit Bulls.
The handle on this tactical collar is easier to grab than a harness handle as it is closer to your hand, meaning you can control your dog’s unwanted behavior while you’re in the process of tackling reactivity.
Best Harness
If your Pit Bull is always on the go, making him difficult to restrain, not even a tactical collar will be enough to maintain proper control. Instead, you should consider getting a harness like this one from Ruffwear. Although lightweight enough to be worn all day, the Ruffwear harness is robust and can stand up to the toughest of treatments.
The Ruffwear harness is easy to customize with four points of adjustment. It also fits snugly enough that it will allow for your dog’s full range of motion without causing chafing. The foam-padded strips across the dog’s chest make sure the pressure is equally distributed, ensuring your dog’s comfort at all times.
Better yet, this harness helps with leash pulling, meaning you can enjoy your walk and return home revitalized by the activity rather than exhausted by it.
Best Collar for Senior Pitbulls
Pit Bulls generally calm down as they mature, but, being an energetic breed, will still want and need regular exercise. This collar from Black Rhino has a soft neoprene padding that is perfect for senior Pit Bulls who are prone to skin irritations and disorders. Furthermore, neoprene dries easily so your water-loving dog won’t be irritated by a damp collar after a swim.
Reflective stitching makes it easier to spot your dog at night so, if he’s prone to wandering off during his night-time outings, it will enable you to track him down and keep him safe on busy streets.
Like the Ruffwear harness, the Black Rhino collar combines a lightweight design with heavy-duty hardware, making it both comfortable and long-lasting. One of the most affordable of our top collars for Pit Bulls, the Black Rhino is available in four different sizes.
Best Budget Collar for Pitbulls
This collar may not look as impressive as the extra-wide Bully’s Pit Bull Collar nor as robust as the tactical collar from Excellent Elite Spanker, but it does the job surprisingly well. It’s thick and durable enough to withstand abuse from the most rambunctious Pit Bull. It copes well with water and some serious “roughhousing at the dog park."
Made of heavy-duty nylon with high-density webbing, Blueberry’s collars are suitable for everyday use, whether that involves sleeping, walking, or training. On the downside, instead of using stainless steel for the fastening, Blueberry opted for eco-friendly plastic that, while more affordable, isn’t as robust or hard-wearing.
Another issue with the Blueberry collar is that the webbing can become slippery, causing the collar to loosen.
Overall, however, Blueberry’s collars are both cost-effective and offer excellent value for money. They won’t last as long as our top brands, but then again, they don’t cost as much either, so they are affordable enough to replace more frequently.
What To Look For In A Collar For Your Pit Bull
Pit Bulls are powerful dogs with muscular necks and shoulders that can make it difficult to find something that is both comfortable and robust. The wrong collar could hurt your dog putting undue pressure on the trachea, spinal cord, and esophagus.
Because of the Pit Bull’s short coat, these dogs are also prone to chafing which is why a wide collar is preferable. You also want a collar with a solid buckle – plastic quick-release fastenings won’t last long around a Pit Bull’s neck!
Due to their popularity on the illegal dog-fighting circuit, these loving, family dogs often get a bad reputation and, because some people fear them, it’s important to keep them under control when out and about.
What Materials Are Best for a Pit Bull Collar?
Nylon, leather, or neoprene are the best materials to look for. While heavy-duty nylon is the best in terms of durability and won’t stretch, even when wet, leather is a great option, especially for a breed that’s so prone to skin disorders. Nylon can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs, making leather the better choice.
Neoprene is a soft rubber material and not as hardy as nylon or leather, but preferable if your Pit Bull likes to spend a lot of time in the water. It comes in a variety of colors, letting you pick the one that best matches your dog’s coat color and pattern!
What Types of Buckle are the Most Effective on a Pit Bull Collar?
Metal buckles are by far the best, especially if you’ve got an escapologist on your hands. While some quick-release mechanisms are easy to release and even come undone by accident, a buckle will dumbfound even the smartest of Pit Bulls. Both our top picks feature metal buckles, with the Bully’s boasting a stainless steel buckle and the Pet Artist leather collar, a zinc alloy alternative. Both are corrosion-resistant and hard-wearing, as well as being difficult to tamper with.
What Width of Collar is Best for a Pit Bull?
While most collars have a width of around 1.5”, the Bully’s extra-wide collar measures 2”, meaning that it disperses any pressure on the collar evenly around the dog’s neck, reducing the risk of injury.
A wider collar will also provide more protection against other dogs when your Pit Bull is roughhousing with his friends.
A collar of just 1” or less is liable to cut into your dog’s neck, especially if he lunges for something while on the leash so should be avoided.
Is a Collar or Harness Better for a Pit Bull?
I find it easier to control my over-enthusiastic Pit Bull using a harness rather than a collar. It gives me greater control and stops him from pulling me off my feet. I can also grab the handle over his shoulders to stop him from jumping up. I also prefer the harness because it distributes pressure over a larger surface area, reducing the risk of injury and optimizing my dog’s comfort.
Conclusion
With thick necks and muscular shoulders, Pit Bulls can be challenging to control and even more challenging to find a collar for. On the one hand, it needs to be lightweight and comfortable so he can wear it for long periods. On the other, it needs to be robust enough that it can withstand rough games and extreme outdoor adventures.
Bully’s have produced a collar specifically designed for a Pit Bull. Not only is it extra wide, but it’s also made with tactical-grade nylon that will withstand the roughest of treatment. A strong stainless steel buckle keeps the collar securely in place, making it virtually impossible for even the most determined of Pit Bulls to remove.
If you don’t like the look of nylon, or your dog is sensitive to this allergenic material, then a leather collar, like the one from Pet Artist, is a better option. The additional handle also gives you more control over a dog that pulls or lunges when out on a walk. The tactical collar from Excellent Elite Spanker has a similar design but is made from high-quality nylon.
For older dogs, the Black Rhino padded collars provide comfort and durability, making them perfect for dogs who wear their collars 24/7 but no longer need the additional control provided by a grab handle.
For owners who have been dragged around by their Pit Bulls one time too many, a harness is a better option and makes it easier to control your powerful pooch. The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is designed to distribute pressure evenly, while its ergonomic design makes it comfortable, easy to fit, and reduces chafing.
On a tight budget? The Blueberry classic collar is the best budget collar for Pit Bulls but probably won’t last as long as some of the more robust products discussed above. It’s nevertheless strong enough to withstand daily usage and comes in a full spectrum of colors so you can color-coordinate your dog’s attire with your own.
No one wants their Pit Bull running off and causing havoc. Even if you know your dog is as gentle as a lamb, others will, understandably, fear him, especially if he’s out of control so, finding the best collar for your Pit Bull is the best way to protect him and those around you.
Stop struggling with second best – click here to get the right collar for your Pit Bull today. No more fighting your dog or engaging in interminable tug-of-war games – just fun walks with a happy, comfortable Pit Bull!
Author: Nicky Hoseck
Nicky lives on a small-holding on South Africa’s Wild Coast with a selection of animals, a husband, and five dogs. She spends all her waking hours with her Australian Cattle Dog, Koala, either walking, horse-riding, running, or just hanging out.
Originally from the UK, Nicky been living with dogs for over 40 years and is a passionate dog-owner.
With a Masters Degree from the University of London under her belt, Nicky has had a diverse career, training and riding horses, running safari lodges, and hosting volunteers. She’s now a full-time writer.
