What is the Best Collar for Alaskan Malamutes? 2023 Picks

An Alaskan Malamute’s collar is very important, not only for walking purposes but also for identification.

Finding the right one can be tricky, especially with a Malamute’s thick coat making it almost impossible for their name tags to stick out. So, what is the best collar for Alaskan Malamutes?

We’ve got you covered with our recommendations!

Table Of The Best Collars for Alaskan Malamutes

Before we jump into the buying guide, here’s a quick rundown of our top picks if you are in a hurry.

1. Black Rhino - The Comfort Collar Ultra Soft Neoprene Padded Dog Collar

   

   The collar has a thick layer of neoprene padding along the inside which prevents it from digging into your Mal’s coat and stops any irritation whilst they are exercising.

   Pros:

   • Thick neoprene padding for added comfort
   • Heavy duty stitching
   • Available in several colours
   • Adjustable fit

   Cons:

   • Not very reflective
   • Buckle can be tricky to open

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2. DAIHAQIKO Genuine Leather Heavy Duty Dog Collar

   

   Its stylish and sleek design makes it perfect for any dog with subtle gold-coloured hardware that provides a more sophisticated look without the hefty price tag.

   Pros:

   • Lasts for 3-5 years
   • Sleek and classic design
   • 60 days to return, 1 year guarantee
   • Genuine leather

   Cons:

   • Not reflective

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3. Blueberry Pet Spring Scent Inspired Adjustable Dog Collar

   

   Available in a huge range of patterns, the collar not only looks good but is also made to last.

   Pros:

   • Wide range of available patterns
   • Large D-ring for tags
   • Has an easy-to-open buckle
   • Matching accessories are available

   Cons:

   • Some reviews mention inconsistencies between size guide and actual size of the collar

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4. CollarDirect Reflective Dog Collar with a Quick Release Buckle

   

   The collar comes in a wide range of bright colours and has two reflective strips sewn in the whole way around.

   Pros:

   • Very reflective and highly visible
   • Large D-ring for tags
   • Wide strap that doesn’t dig in
   • Affordable and long-lasting

   Cons:

   • Reviews mention that colours fade over time

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5. Julius-K9 Collar with Handle and Safety Lock

   

   Pros:

   • Easy to gain control in an emergency
   • Made with a non-irritable, waterproof material
   • Available in a variety of colors
   • Very durable

   Cons:

   • Some reviewers found the collar to be bulky

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6. Embark Pets Country Dog Rope Collar

   

   Hand spun with a beautiful leather trim, embossing, and strong metal components, this is a beautiful, classic collar.

   Pros:

   • Timeless design for appearance-conscious owners
   • 100% Money back guarantee
   • Withstands up to 670lbs of pulling strength

   Cons:

   • Fur can get caught in the rope section if worn 24/7.

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7. Riparo Genuine Leather Padded Heavy Duty Adjustable Collar

   

   These handmade collars have a classic design with a focus on comfort - every collar is unique and made to last!

   Pros:

   • Available in several stylish colors
   • Made with 100% genuine cowhide leather
   • Sheepskin padding is used on the inside of the collar
   • Separate D ring and dog tag ring

   Cons:

   • Some of the brighter colors fade over time

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Should My Alaskan Malamute Wear A Collar?

When it comes to deciding whether a collar is suitable for your Malamute, you really have to look at your individual situation and the reasons you want them to wear one.

In general, a collar can be used for two things:

• As a way of attaching a leash during exercise
• As a form of identification by having attached nametags

We’ll look at these two in more detail separately.

Using A Collar During Exercise

In the majority of cases, we would recommend using a harness rather than a collar for an Alaskan Malamute.

Harnesses provide better control over your dog, which is especially needed thanks to a Malamute’s impressive size, and reduce the risk of strain injuries to you and your Mal.

Using a harness is also better for Malamutes prone to pulling as they don’t choke the wearer and protect your Mal’s precious coat rather than dig into it.

In some cases, though, wearing a collar is a more suitable choice. If your Malamute is unlucky enough to have a skin condition that is easily irritated or is currently suffering from a hotspot, then a collar can be better as there is no contact with the body except for at the neck.

You may also find that your Mal doesn’t like wearing a harness and can feel restricted. This is uncommon thanks to the breed’s working history, but if your Mal is picky or stubborn, they may feel more comfortable and behave better while only wearing a collar.

If you are confident that your Malamute is well-behaved and properly trained during walks and exercise, then using a collar is an excellent choice. We would still recommend trying a harness if you haven’t already.

You can check out our recommendations for the best Alaskan Malamute harnesses and read more about their benefits here.

For Day-To-Day Wear

In our opinion, the best use of a collar for an Alaskan Malamute is as a form of identification and during daily wear.

In many countries and states, it is illegal for you to take your dog in a public space without some form of identification tag. Having your Mal be microchipped is not enough, and they must have visible identification, making a collar a perfect choice.

We have our Malamutes wear their collars 24/7, only removing them during bath time and grooming sessions or when our Mals are blowing coat. This way, if the worst were to happen and our Mals somehow managed to escape, they have our contact information with them and can be identified by anyone who finds them.

Of course, this makes it very important to find a collar that is comfortable to wear all day and doesn’t dig into your Malamute’s coat without being loose enough to slip off.

When it comes to exercise, a harness can usually just be worn on top of a collar as they fit at different parts of the body. If you’re concerned this might cause discomfort to your Mal, we suggest investing in a separate set of tags that can be kept on their harness and simply taking their collar off until they’re home again.

What Is The Best Collar For Alaskan Malamutes?

Looking for the right collar for your Malamute can be a difficult task. You need to find something comfy enough for them to wear daily that doesn’t irritate their coat but is also strong enough to last a long time.

Luckily, we’ve compiled our favorites that have kept our Mals looking smart and feeling secure through the years.

The Comfort Collar By Black Rhino – $$

Available Colours: Aqua, Pink, Blue, Red, Black

Material: Neoprene

We mentioned the importance of comfort when finding a suitable collar for your Mal, and you won’t find much better than The Comfort Collar by Black Rhino.

We use the large size, but you should always check their guides to find the right fit for your Malamute.

The collar is very heavy-duty, and we’ve had no problems with the stitching fraying, even after months of daily use. The stitching is also reflective, although we must admit it isn’t as visible as it could be.

Leather Dog Collar By DAIHAQIKO – $$

Available Colours: Brown, Black

Material: Leather

When it comes to durability, one of the best materials for a dog collar is leather and our personal pick is by DAIHAQIKO.

The collar is also very well made and extremely durable, and DAIHAQIKO claims it will last for 3-5 years.

Make sure to double-check your Malamute’s neck width as leather generally has less stretch than other manufactured materials, although DAIHAQIKO offer 60 days to return it if the fit is not quite right.

Spring Scent Floral Collar By Blueberry Pet – $

Available Colours: Various designs

Material: Polyester

If you’re looking for a collar that makes a fashion statement, the Spring Scent Floral Collar by Blueberry Pet is perfect for you.

The buckle is easy to open for us humans but stays securely in place during rigorous exercise. The material is thick enough not to dig into your Mal’s coat, and the large D-ring stands out through all their fur.

We recommend getting the large size for your Malamute but once again, check their size against the provided guidelines. Blueberry Pet also sells a wide range of matching accessories if that’s your thing!

Reflective Dog Collar By CollarDirect – $

Available Colours: Orange, Aqua, Blue, Pink, Red, Green, Black, Purple

Material: Nylon

Keeping your Malamute visible whilst on a walk, especially is you usually walk at night, should be a priority. The Reflective Dog Collar by CollarDirect is one of our favourites and it just about as bright as you can possibly get.

The strap itself is very wide and allows the collar to rest over the top of your Malamute’s coat, and the D-ring is especially large meaning their tags won’t get lost amongst their fur.

Despite the very affordable price, the collar is still high quality and feels very sturdy.

Honorable Mentions

A Note On Shock Collars And Prong Collars

Here at The Malamute Mom, we do not endorse the use of shock collars or prong collars on your Malamute.

These collars have the intention of training your dog to behave better through negative reinforcement by physically hurting them, either through small electric shocks or by pinching their skin.

There are far better and more sustainable ways of training your Malamute than to use negative reinforcement that results in fear.

If your Malamute is not yet trained to walk on a leash, using positive reinforcement will build a better relationship between you both and will lead to them looking forward to their walks rather than the other way around.

If you want to learn more, you can find more details in our shock collars for Huskies article.

In Summary

Whether it’s for walking purposes or everyday wear, our recommendations are bound to keep your Malamute looking stylish and easily identifiable.

If you’re going to do some serious exercise with your Mal, a harness is a better choice. However, having a collar for identification purposes and as an alternative for stubborn Mals or those with hot spots is still important.