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Original poster

Dog Collar Colours

29 replies

NorthCountryMam · 27/02/2022 20:52

Hi, bit of a stupid one and can't believe I didn't already know but does everyone else know that there's a list of what each dog collar colour means?!

I've always had my 2 year old chocolate lab in a red collar and a red lead as I thought the colour suited his coat best but whilst searching for a new collar for him I learned that red indicates an aggressive dog and not to approach, I'm pretty mortified to be honest as he's the friendliest boy ever.

If you saw a dog with a red collar would you give it a wide berth?

Now trying to find one for him which indicates he's just plain old fashioned daft though very friendly!

OP posts:
fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/02/2022 22:11

I'm a dog walker so I did know this, but to be honest, I'd say 95% of dog owners have absolutely no clue so I really wouldn't worry what colour he wears Smile

PermanentlyDizzy · 27/02/2022 23:41

I read about this online recently, but have never heard or read about it previously. I only knew about the Yellow Dog UK campaign.

I doubt the average pet owner in most local parks will give collar colour a second thought. When we had Yellow Dog accessories for my anxious dog we had a bandana and fabric lead cover, so it was obvious from a distance that we were trying to convey a message..

Fwiw, people with the breed we are planning on having next seem to favour red collars as they look lovely against a black coat.

DramaAlpaca · 27/02/2022 23:45

I have to admit I didn't know this. I always used to have a red collar on my black and white springer because it looked lovely against her coat. She was the soppiest dog ever, not the least bit aggressive.

Out of interest, what else is on the list?

Peakypolly · 27/02/2022 23:49

Another dog owner here only aware of the significance of a yellow collar and lead. Most people seem oblivious to this, so can't imagine bringing a list of colours into the equation will be heeded.

PermanentlyDizzy · 27/02/2022 23:57

A quick google suggests this might be more of an American thing, as the websites listing the different colours and their meanings spell the word ‘colors’.

whythefuckdoibother · 28/02/2022 00:24

We have a yellow lead with "nervous" on our youngest dog but I just assumed it was the lead not the collar that indicates the nature of the dog. I've owned dogs for over 25 years and they have had such a range of collar colours, god know what messages I've been sending out!

BiteyShark · 28/02/2022 06:26

I know about yellow here but not red. Mine wears red because it stands out.

RuthW · 28/02/2022 06:56

Ours wear seasonal colours, so will wear red for Valentine's day, St George's Day etc with a rose on or something.

I would expect an owner who wanted to get the message across would have a printed lead.

tothemoonandbackbuses · 28/02/2022 07:09

I know about it for horses (ribbon in the tail) but not for dogs. I just chose a colour that the dog looked nice in. So the elderly black lab who wouldn’t hurt badly had red because it looked smart.

Climbingthelaundrymountain · 28/02/2022 07:13

I didn't know this. Our dog has a marvel collar (thanks 7yo ds2!) a black harness and black lead.

I know about yellow leads but not about other colours.

LemonViolet · 28/02/2022 07:39

If you look at the yellow nervous dog leads on Amazon, there is this “system”

However it isn’t official in any way, and I’d only think people were using it if they had the collars/leads/harnesses that also has the words on it. The yellow = give me space is more widely known, I’ve seen on occasion someone tie a yellow ribbon to their dog lead etc.

My two have a collection of different colours that we change for different times of year/occasions etc as well.

Dog Collar Colours
UnUdderOne · 28/02/2022 07:48

@tothemoonandbackbuses

I know about it for horses (ribbon in the tail) but not for dogs. I just chose a colour that the dog looked nice in. So the elderly black lab who wouldn’t hurt badly had red because it looked smart.
I knew about it in horses too but not dogs, though I think I've seen webbing leads on line with 'nervous dog' or similar text.
NotMeNoNo · 28/02/2022 07:49

I would expect to see a printed message or something. One of our dogs leads is yellow because that's the colour they had in the shop in that size of lead and it's visible to cyclists on shared paths. I have no idea about any secret code of colours, how would you unless they were labelled when you buy them?

OnTopOfThePiano · 28/02/2022 07:53

Another with no idea! Apart from yellow and usually something on the lead to say.

I wouldn’t really pay attention to a dogs collar as you can’t always see them anyway.

Iheartmysmart · 28/02/2022 07:55

Wouldn’t even occur to me to notice what colour collar and lead a dog has yet alone think it has any meaning. Mine is currently wearing a Batman one and he’s about as far from a superhero as you can get.

Sockpile · 28/02/2022 07:56

My dog has had a red Disney collar and lead from a puppy- I didn’t know the significance and no one has ever commented.

RaininSummer · 28/02/2022 08:02

I have never heard of this and have had dogs for the past 18 years.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 28/02/2022 08:08

I do know about the main 3, yellow = nervous / red = reactive / green / friendly but as PP said, I would expect written text too so I know it isn’t just a fashion choice on the part of the owner. The temperament warnings usually have the text in large letters on the coloured background.

gogohm · 28/02/2022 08:30

Rubbish. I chose red because it looks good on him, it has no meaning. He currently has orange and grey...

Aria20 · 28/02/2022 10:09

I knew yellow lead was for nervous dogs but didn't know the others.

Mine is in orange as it stands out on her black fur and also it is high vis meaning she can stand out at night too.... just seen above orange means no dogs and that would be a shame if people thought that as she's very approachable and happy to play!

steppemum · 28/02/2022 10:15

Many many dogs wear red collars and leads. Pretty much all black dogs and most black and white Grin

It is not a sign at all that they are aggressive.

BUT there are red leads with things written on them, like the yellow lead with NERVOUS on it.
These leads really look different to normal leads and are quite obvious when you see them.
Most dogs who need a nervous/aggressive lead also wear a harness with it written on.
A friend of mine has a dog who is now blind and he wears a white collar and lead with BLIND DOG in large letters, again, the style of lead and collar looks different to normal lead.

Whitney168 · 28/02/2022 10:31

Have seen reference to this tosh before. Think the yellow collar/lead scheme has gained traction and has value, but if people expect the general public to know this complicated scheme (and to limit their collar choices to something that doesn't clash with it), I fear they will be sadly disappointed.

MrsWinters · 28/02/2022 18:59

I find most owners who are trying to communicate something have a sleeve on the lead, writing on the lead or a vest on the dog. I see lots walking dogs with yellow leads simply because they are high-vis

Idratherhaveacuppa · 28/02/2022 20:01

I would expect writing too. We have an yellow lead sleeve showing she is nervous. I have seen white harnesses on deaf dogs too but they had that printed on them.
I wouldn't give a red collar/lead a second thought.

ABitBesotted · 01/03/2022 05:49

Mine has a red lad as she chewed through her blue ones.

Her collar is pink because it was the only one in her size at the local hardware shop when her other one proved too big

I have never given the colours a second thought and my eyesight is not good enough to see them on other dogs in any event

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