What is a dog collar necklace?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A dog collar necklace is a wide, snug necklace worn very high on the neck, close to the throat, traditionally made from multiple rows of pearls or beads and fastened with a substantial clasp at the back. The style became fashionable in the late 19th century when Alexandra, Princess of Wales, popularised it to cover a neck scar, and it has been associated with aristocratic and formal dressing ever since. Today the term is also used more broadly for any wide choker worn tight against the neck.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a dog collar necklace and a choker?
- A dog collar is a specific style of choker, traditionally wide and made of multiple pearl or bead rows, sitting very high on the throat. A choker is a broader category that includes any necklace worn tight to the neck, which can be narrow, simple or made of a single strand.
- Why is it called a dog collar necklace?
- The name comes from the resemblance to a dog's collar, which fits snugly around the neck. The jewellery style was fashionable from the late Victorian era, and the informal name stuck alongside more formal terms like collet or tour de cou.
- What is a dog collar necklace made from?
- Traditionally multiple rows of pearls or seed beads, often five or more rows, held together by a decorated clasp. Contemporary versions are also made in gold, silver, velvet ribbon and other materials, and can be set with gemstones.
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