Which LED Dog Collar Should I Buy? How to Pick the Right One

Which LED dog collar should I buy? It is the question we get most often when the days start getting shorter. The answer depends on how big your dog is, whether he likes the water and how long your walks are. In this article you will read why we recommend the DC5, which size to pick and how to get the most life out of it.

The goal is always the same: your dog should be visible from far away in the dark, to cyclists, to drivers and to you when he is off the lead. Why that matters so much is covered in staying safe on the road with a light-up dog collar. Want to see all the colours and sizes straight away? Have a look at the LED dog collars.

The rechargeable DC5: the best LED dog collar for everyday walks

The DC5 is the LED dog collar we recommend to most dog owners, because it does everything you expect from a collar on the daily evening round. Two fibre-optic strips run the full length of the collar, so your dog lights up from the front, the side and the back. The collar and the light are the same colour, so in daylight it simply looks like a perfectly respectable collar.

• 3 modes: steady, fast flashing and slow flashing. Flashing stands out most in traffic, while steady gives a calm glow in the woods.
• Long-lasting light: charged in about 2 hours via USB, then up to about 20 hours of light (manufacturer's figure, depending on the mode). That gets most dogs through a whole week.
• Rain-resistant: a walk in the rain is no problem.
• Sturdy: polyester strap with a plastic buckle and a zinc alloy D-ring for the lead.
• Sizes and colours: M (35-40 cm), L (40-50 cm) and XL (50-60 cm), in blue, green, red and orange.

Who is it for? Medium and large dogs that mostly walk on the street, in the park and through the woods. Take a look at the DC5 in green, size L, for example.

Does your dog love the water?

The DC5 is rain-resistant, not waterproof. A walk in the rain or through wet leaves is no problem, but the collar does not belong underwater. At the moment we do not have an LED dog collar your dog can swim with.

• Take the collar off before your dog goes swimming, charges through a ditch or plays in the sea.
• Got wet in the rain? Dry the collar off and let it dry properly.

If your dog mainly swims to cool down on warm days, also read our tips on keeping your dog cool.

Do you have a small dog?

The DC5 starts at a neck size of 35 cm. If your dog has a slimmer neck, like many chihuahuas, Jack Russells and dachshunds, we currently do not have an LED dog collar that fits well. A collar that is too big slides over the head, and then it is no use to you in the dark.

Not sure whether the DC5 in size M (35-40 cm) fits? Measure the neck as described below. If you land just under 35 cm, get in touch and we will think along with you.

Which size LED dog collar should I buy?

The prettiest model is no use if it does not fit. A collar that is too loose slides over the head, one that is too tight pinches. Here is how to work out the right size:

1. Does your dog already wear a collar that fits well? Then measure that one.
2. No collar to measure? Then loosely measure around the neck, at the spot where the collar will sit.
3. Leave 4 fingers of slack underneath, so the strap is not too tight.
4. Right between two sizes? Choose the bigger one: the strap is adjustable.

With the neck size you can pick your DC5 size straight away:

• 35 to 40 cm: size M.
• 40 to 50 cm: size L.
• 50 to 60 cm: size XL.

In the LED dog collars category, set the Neck size filter to your measurement and you will only see the collars that fit.

How to enjoy your collar for as long as possible

The DC5 has a built-in battery. With a few good habits it will last for years:

• Charge in good time. In the afternoon, for example, so the collar is full for the evening walk. You can charge it from a laptop, a phone charger or a power bank.
• Train the battery. Charge a new collar fully the first few times and let it burn all the way down. How that works is explained under battery training.
• Keep it dry. It can take rain, but not being submerged. If the collar got wet, dry it off and let it dry properly.
• Check the buckle and the fit. Every now and then, check that the buckle clicks shut properly and keep those 4 fingers of slack: a puppy grows, and a winter coat makes the neck thicker.

Want to be nicely visible yourself too? Combine the collar with an LED dog lead or choose an LED dog harness. Dog whisperer Anniek Winters shares more tips for relaxed walks, on or off the lead, in her walking tips.