I wanted to buy a collar ready for before I bring my puppy home so I can gradually start to introduce it. However, I have no clue about what kind of size to get, or what the best material is for the first collar (for example, nylon or leather)? I would appreciate some guidance or advice on this.

Thanks.

A cheap one! ;)

If you get an adjustable webbing one with a snap collar it will last a few weeks.  Just never leave your puppy unsupervised with it on.

I think my GSD's was 12", he is now just 6 months old and growing out of his 3rd collar...........

Hi NannyOgg. I bought a small size collar for my Mastiff puppy and that was ok for when we got him at 7 weeks old. It didnt last long though! ...mind you..none of his collars have lasted very long! (he is on his 4th and he is only 21 weeks old). I think the nylon ones are best to use at first, they are a lot softer. Hope that helps a bit. :-)

I made Pteppic a little leather one, which did from 12 to 17 weeks, he is now in a bigger leather one. The old one is a bit scratched up and bashed, but its in a LOT better nick than any nylon ones i have had (ok it would be if he hadnt pulled it off and chewed it!).

But -- im in the lucky position of being able to make my own leather puppy collars, the cost to sell them to other people would be around £10/£20 and im not sure many people would really want to spend that much, unless you are going to be having a lot of puppies over the yaers and can re-use it!!!

Em

I brought a soft protection collar for my newf when he was a pup. It has no holes and you simply push the buckle through the collar for the correct fit. I can't remember the make but it worked very well and saw him through his early weeks. I now use a snap on type and I went for a wide collar so that the pressure is not in a narrow point and that its more evenly distributed along it if he does pull on the lead.

theemx, i have PM'd you. :-)