Dog Collars Sizing, Fit & Ordering Guide + more!
Have a bounty of curiosity about picking the perfect Atomic Collar? Not sure what size to order? What’s the difference between styles? Does the webbing width really make a difference? You’re in the right place!
This guide covers measuring your dog for a collar, collar sizing, collar styles, webbing widths & webbing colors and turnaround time & shipping info! Everything to help you when you order your unique dog collar from Atomic Collars.
How to Measure Your Dog for a Collar
Getting the right fit is key for both comfort and safety.
👉 Use a soft measuring tape and measure where the collar will naturally sit on your dog’s neck.
👉 Or wrap a string around your dog’s neck & measure how long it is.
👉 Or measure your dog’s current collar – side release buckles from just beneath the teeth / male end to the end of the buckle / female end. For belt style collars measure from the middle of the buckle to the hole your dog currently is on.
Make sure you can fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck for the perfect fit!
Atomic Collars Collar Sizing
Classic Collar Sizing / upcycled material + polypro webbing
- XXS / 8 – 12 inch
- XS / 10 – 14 inch
- Small / 11 – 16 inch
- Medium / 12 – 18 inch
- Large / 13 – 20 inch
- XL / 15 – 22 inch
- 2X / 17 – 22 inch
- custom size larger than 24 inches
Layered Fabric + Biothane Collar Sizing
- Medium / 15 – 18 inch
- Large / 17 – 20 inch
- XL / 19 – 22 inch
- 2X / 21 – 24 inch
- custom size larger than 24 inches
Atomic Collars Dog Collar Styles
Flat Buckle Collars
Flat buckle collars feature strong black plastic side release buckles, a welded D ring & metal triglide. The upcycled material is paired with colorful polypro webbing. These are classic collars, perfect for everyday and every dog.
To fit them, measure your dog as noted above.
Martingale Collars
Also known as greyhound or sighthound collars. These collars feature a loop with a D ring. Your leash attaches to the D ring and when pressure is applied to the the collar the loop brings the sides of the collar together to cinch. Perfect for dogs who are prone to slipping collars or need a gentle correction.
Don’t worry, a well fitted martingale won’t choke your dog!
You’ll need TWO measurements to fit a martingale:
- Around your dog’s neck
- Around the widest part of your dog’s head
Limited Slip Collar
A cousin to a martingale & full slip collar, limited slip only cinch a little bit – typically 3-4 inches of cinch. Limited slip collars feature welded O & D rings and a metal triglide.
Since this is a slip over collar you’ll need to have both the neck & noggin measurements handy to size correctly.
Limited slips need to be worn just right to cinch correctly. If your dog walks on your right side, the D ring “stopper” needs to be on your dog’s left side. If your dog walks on your left side, the “stopper” needs to be on their right side.
And if your dog walks left, right, center and around – then you’re better off with a martingale!
House Collar / Tag Collar
House collars are casual colllars that have a simple welded O ring for holding tags and a metal triglide for adjusting the size.
These pair wonderfully with harnesses!
As for sizing, house collars can fit snugger or looser, all personal preference. (We lean towards looser house collars ourselves!)
Layered Fabric + Biothane Collar
An EPIC pairing happens in these collars – upcycled fabric is wrapped around polypro webbing the paired with a colorful biothane strap. The feature a side release buckle, 3 inches of adjustment, and welded D ring.
No more boring biothane collars!
Available as 2 inch biothane with 1.5 inch fabric overlay & hardware or 1.5 inch biothane with 1 inch fabric overlay & hardware.
Size like a flat buckle collar.
Dog Collar Webbing Widths
Atomic Collars are available in multiple widths:
- 3/4 inch
- 1 inch
- 1.5 inch
- 2 inch
- 3 inch with 1.5 inch or 2 inch hardware
Wider collars are quite a statement! They are bold, show the pattern of the material broadly and are great for large to ginormous dogs. Small & teenie dogs can rock 3/4 inch and 1 inch collars well (or even a 1.5 inch if they are feeling quite bold!)
Different Collar Widths on Different Dogs!
Jack the English lab / 20-21 inch neck // wearing 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch and 2 inch
Lucy, mixed breed / 16 inch neck // wearing 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch and 2 inch
Yuuna, Shiba Inu / 13 inch neck // weraing 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch and 2 inch
3 inch with 1.5 inch or 2 inch hardware!
BEAST sized collars perfect for those big, heavy, sturdy & strong dogs. A great way to show off the upcycled material you choose!
Each of these collars is adjustable, but with less adjustability than the standard width collars. Create them as martingales, limited slip, flat buckle or house collars.
** Only available in black or white webbing.
Webbing Colors
Polypro Webbing Colors for Classic Collars
Black, brown, navy blue, white, golden yellow, orange, red, burgundy, pink, purple, blue, teal, kelly green & dark green!
Polypro webbing is thinner than nylon webbing, soft in hand, UV resistant, is water resistant and quite strong. Not likely to get mildew or funky dog smell.
Biothane Webbing Colors for Layered Fabric + Biothane Collars
Available in 2 inch: Black, dark brown, red, purple, royal blue, teal, bright green & bright orange.
Available in 1.5 inch & 1 inch: Navy blue, burgundy, magenta pink, olive green, hunter green, burnt orange & lemon yellow
** If you’d like a color that isn’t available in 2 inch, don’t worry! We’ll combine two strips of 1 inch in your color choice to make it 2 inches wide!
Biothane webbing is polyester webbing with a TPU or PVC coating that makes it waterproof, stink proof, durable & easy to clean.
What are Atomic Collars Made From?
Atomic Collars are made from a rotating collection of upcycled materials—giving each collar its own personality and story.
We source fabrics from unexpected places, which means your dog gets something truly one-of-a-kind (and way cooler than big box pet store collars).
Materials may include:
- Vintage neckties in polyester & silk
- Thrifted fabrics:
- curtains
- bedding
- tablecloths & table runners
- pants – denim, cotton & polyester
- dresses & skirts
- Vintage fabric remnants
Because materials are upcycled, each collar is:
- Unique (no mass production here)
- Sustainable (less waste, more style)
- Full of personality
Crazy Celtic from necktie to collar – from the 2015 archives!
Wear & Tear - Don't Toss a Worn Collar!
Let’s be real—your dog’s collar is going to live an adventurous life – from strolls in the park, the woods, and up mountains, to the bustling city streets. Where ever your dog goes, your Atomic Collar goes too!
Over time:
- Dirt may not fully wash out (light colored upcycled materials are really prone to this)
- Snags can turn into fraying or material can tear
- Daily wear adds up
When your collar starts to wear out, don’t throw it away!
Send it back and we’ll reuse the hardware in a brand new BOMB Atomic Collar for your pup.
If the hardware is beyond saving, it may be time for a full replacement—but we’ll let you know.
Every Atomic Collar gets a second life!
Caring for your collar
Caring for your collar is easy peasy! Visit the Caring For Your Collar page for all the information!
Shipping & Turnaround Times
We keep things simple:
- Flat rate shipping: $5 anywhere in the United States
- All collars are made to order just for your dog!
Your collar will be made & on the way to you in the span of 2-3 weeks during the non-holiday time. Collars are crafted Wednesday – Friday!
** Holiday time is starts in August for Halloween & September for Christmas and runs through the end of December. Please allow ample time if you are getting a collar for a gift during this time!