In a rush and just want my recommendation? I think the Tuff Pupper Heavy Duty Dog Collar with Handle is a great choice.
Taking our precious hounds for a walk at night or in low-light conditions, can be fraught. Whether your dog is on a leash or running loose, it’s of paramount importance that vehicle drivers can see them. Similarly, if you’re out and about in the countryside or a park, it’s helpful to be able to see your dog easily with your torch.
In this article, I’m reviewing the following reflective dog collars.
- Joytale Reflective Dog Collar
- Max and Neo Nylon Buckle Reflective Dog Collar
- Mile High Life Dog Collar
- Tuff Pupper Heavy Duty Dog Collar with Handle
- Taglory Reflective Dog Collar
5 Best Reflective Dog Collars Reviewed
Joytale Reflective Dog Collar
Coming in 12 bright colors and four sizes, there’s bound to be the perfect collar for your dog. The stitching is highly reflective, the collar itself made from a neoprene padded nylon. Neoprene is a type of flexible rubber material which is not considered toxic.
The extra padding is there to increase the comfort of the collar and to make it more durable.
There is a sturdy leash attachment, and a quick-release plastic buckle. Easily adjusted and with plenty of spare material for achieving the perfect fit, this is a nice, bright, classic collar.
Pros:
- Durable
- Good value
- Easy to adjust
- Excellent quality
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Colors not accurate
- Some sizing issues
- Some customers report chemical smell
Max and Neo Nylon Buckle Reflective Dog Collar
The Max and Neo are strong and stylish collars, 1″ wide for medium and large dogs and slightly narrower for smaller hounds. The nylon collar itself is 2mm thick, slightly thinner for tiny dogs. These collars are durable, well constructed and comfortable.
Featuring a heavy duty nylon snap buckle that has a lockable tab to prevent accidental release, but keep in mind the XS does not have this feature.
A sturdy D-ring leash attachment is standard on all collars, and the adjustment slider has a loop for dog tags and charms.
Two wide stitching bands provide that essential reflectivity.
Pros:
- USA company
- Excellent quality
- Sales contribute to dog rescue charities
- Useful sizing guide
- Value for money
- Durable
- Good customer care
Cons:
- Loop for tags not secure
- Some customers report scratchy nylon fibers inside the collar
Mile High Life Dog Collar
These are lightweight, nylon webbing collars, ideal for everyday use. Featuring 3M reflective material and available in five colors and four sizes, there’s plenty of scope for accurate sizing.
These collars also come in packs of two, which is always handy in case you have multiple hounds or just like having a spare.
Extremely affordable, highly visible and easy to use.
Pros:
- Durable
- Affordable
- Good sizing
- Great colors
- Secure buckle
- Excellent customer care
Cons:
- Collars loosen after time
- Not appropriate for dogs who pull on leash
Tuff Pupper Heavy Duty Dog Collar with Handle
The Tuff Pupper Collars are extremely durable and sturdy, being made with ballistic nylon.
What is ballistic nylon? It’s a fabric which was developed during World War ll, to protect military personnel from bullets and shrapnel.
These tough collars will last a long time. The heavy duty, rip and fray proof nylon is 3mm thick, but there is soft neoprene and mesh padding to keep your dog comfortable.
I really appreciate the stretch bungee handle. It sits close to the collar when not in use, and provides good control when needed. The highly reflective stitching provides good visibility, and the 100% stainless steel buckle and hardware top-off this brilliantly designed collar. Plenty of colors to choose from, and a full range of sizes over the three options available.
The exemplary customer service, and Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Tough construction
- Great looking product
- Easy to clean
- USA manufactured
- Excellent customer care
- Durable buckle
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Grab handle can loosen over time, resulting in other dogs getting caught in it
- Some sizing issues
Taglory Reflective Dog Collar
The Taglory collar features a plastic, quick-release buckle with safety lock. If your hound is an escape artist, the lock will certainly eliminate the problem.
With four sizes and 12 bright colors to choose from, this lightweight collar is ideal for everyday, and night use. The material is nylon, with a neoprene backing for comfort.
The stitching is highly reflective, and made strong for durability and safety. A D-ring leash attachment, and easy adjustment make this collar extremely straightforward to use.
Pros:
- Lock feature
- Durable
- Value for money
- Great colors
- Good customer care
Cons:
- Color can become washed out
- Safety issues with the buckle
- Some customers report wrong sizing
Guide To Buying A Reflective Dog Collar
Why do we need to use reflective collars for dogs?
1.2 million dogs are killed on United States roads every year. Many of these fatalities could have been avoided if the drivers had been able to see the dogs.
Fortunately, there are many high-visibility products available for your hound. A good, reflective dog collar serves three purposes.
- Visibility
- Leash attachment
- Quick control by holding
A reflective collar lights up very brightly when exposed to even dim, focused light. They are essential if you’re ever likely to lose sight of your dog in the dark.
What is a reflective dog collar?
This is a collar which is either made of reflective material, or it has stitching which picks up lighting and bounces it back. Many collars are normal nylon material, with reflective tape sewn over the top. These are essential if you are walking in the dark. It’s important to know that when a reflective collar is in daylight conditions, you may not realize it actually is a high visibility product.
What Types Of Reflective Dog Collars Are There?
There are the usual buckled collars, as well as clip-on attachments made of plastic. There are also reflective ribbons for small puppies. They should all come with leash attachments as standard design.
Should My Dog Wear A Reflective Collar All The Time?
If you want your hound to wear a collar all the time, just be aware that the reflective collar doesn’t work in the day-time or in fully lit environments.
How To Fit A Dog Collar
Measure your dog’s neck. A well fitting collar needs to be flat against the neck, with room for two fingers to be inserted between the collar and your dog’s coat.
You’ll also need a sturdy reflective leash to keep good control of your dog on busy roads at night.
What Is The Best Reflective Dog Collar?
The collar you need for showing up your hound in the dark is one which is highly visible when lights are shone at it. It needs to fit well, and be secure. The collar needs to be well made, and comfortable for your dog. There are so many to choose from, but there are 5 that I’ve checked out for you, in detail.
Conclusion
All these reflective collars have some great features. The clear winner for me though, is the Tuff Pupper Heavy Duty Dog Collar with Handle. It fulfills all the criteria I originally set out to achieve for the best reflective dog collar.
Great design and construction, highly visible, safe and comfortable for my dog. I like the elasticated grab handle, and although some people have reported problems with this feature, the customer service team appears to put things right quickly.
I’m more than happy to pay a bit more for a product that’s safe and sturdy. My hound’s life may depend on it.
