Dogtra Vs Sportdog Training Collars

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‍Dogtra vs SportDOG: Which makes the best dog training collar?

In a battle of dog shock collars between the brands of Dogtra vs SportDOG, I would choose Dogtra for a couple of reasons. The price tag is smaller for a lower end model and it has more options when it comes to stimulation levels. This is great for pet owners whose pets both need some training reinforcement but might also be more sensitive.

While some have complained about the Dogtra’s longevity and durability, these really aren’t a concern for me because my dog won’t be wearing the collar for months.

However, if you want to train multiple dogs in a row and will be using a dog training collar for months, if not years, continuously, the SportDOG is a better bet just because it has more positive reports over years of work.

Now that you know a bit more about our opinion, let's further break down what makes each collar unique.

Dogtra Pros and Cons

Let’s take a look at a couple of the pros and cons you’ll find when using Dogtra dog training collars.

Dogtra Pros

Dogtra collars typically have a more sleek and modern design compared to SportDOG.
Wider range of stimulation levels, which can be useful for dogs with different temperaments.
Dogtra collars often have a longer battery life than SportDOG collars.
Wireless signal range of up to a mile which is great for open spaces
The Dogtra collar is also easy to adjust with one hand, thanks to the front-facing Rheostat Dial.

Dogtra Cons

Not as user-friendly as some other models on the market when it comes to adjustments.
May have issues with longevity and durability.
The Dogtra collar is on the more expensive side.

SportDOG Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve discussed Dogtra's pros and cons in some detail, let’s also look at what is good and bad about SportDOG dog training collars.

SportDOG Pros

SportDOG collars tend to be more rugged and durable than Dogtra collars.
They also offer a wider range of collars and accessories,
SportDOG collars feature "In-Touch" technology, which allows some communication with your dog.
The battery life is better than Dogtra.
The collar has a range of up to 500 yards, which is great even for a big yard.
The SportDOG collar is that it is waterproof so diving into water is fine.
Variety of modes, including vibration, tone, and static stimulation.

SportDOG Cons

The collar can be bulky and heavy, which is not great for small dogs.
The SportDOG can be expensive compared to other training collars on the market.
Static stimulation mode can be too strong for some dogs, even on the lowest setting.
It can be difficult to adjust especially while actively training.

Model Comparisons

Both Dogtra and SportDOG make several models to more exactly fit your needs:

Collar Model	Price	Main Features	Range	Battery Life
SportDOG SD-825X	$189.95	Waterproof and submersible, 7 levels of static stimulation, tone, and vibration modes	1/2 mile	50-70 hours
SportDOG SD-1225X	$229.95	Waterproof and submersible, 21 levels of static stimulation, tone, and vibration modes	3/4 mile	40-60 hours
SportDOG SD-1825X	$299.95	Waterproof and submersible, 21 levels of static stimulation, tone and vibration modes	1 mile	40-60 hours
Dogtra 1900S	$239.99	Waterproof and submersible, 127 levels of static stimulation, nick and constant stimulation modes	3/4 mile	2-hour quick charge, 2-3 days of use per charge
Dogtra 1902S	$369.99	Waterproof and submersible, 127 levels of static stimulation, nick and constant stimulation modes, 2-dog system	3/4 mile	2-hour quick charge, 2-3 days of use per charge
Dogtra 200C	$189.99	Waterproof and submersible, 100 levels of static stimulation, nick and constant stimulation modes	1/2 mile	30 hours

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Dogtra and SportDOG

Price

When considering the price of Dogtra and SportDOG collars, it's important to keep in mind that Dogtra collars tend to be more expensive than SportDOG collars. This depends entirely on which model you buy, of course.

Note that both kinds of training collars come in a range of prices. Dogtra starts at around $170 while SportDOG can reach into the mid to high $200 range depending on what you get and need.

Range

The range is an important factor to consider when choosing between Dogtra and SportDOG collars. Dogtra collars have a longer range than SportDOG collars. We’ve charted the difference below:

As you can see, a hunter trying to teach a dog what to do when it runs for a downed goose might favor the Dogtra because of the overall distance. If the dog keeps running, the Dogtra will be more capable of continuing to send the dog a message from a further distance.

Battery Life

Battery life is another important factor to consider when choosing between Dogtra and SportDOG collars. This is a factor you might not think a lot about until you start actively using the collar and run out of juice before you get a moment when you need it.

Both brands offer rechargeable batteries, but Dogtra collars tend to have longer battery life than SportDOG collars. This can be a significant advantage for owners who need to train their dogs for extended periods of time without access to a power source.

You’ll also see in our table above that Dogtra claims to charge at least partially faster which might be a good thing for those that charge at the last minute.

Durability

When it comes to durability, both Dogtra and SportDOG collars are built to last. However, SportDOG collars are generally considered to be more durable than Dogtra collars. This is because Sportdog collars are made with higher-quality materials and are designed to withstand more wear and tear than Dogtra collars.

Admittedly, with fewer buttons and settings, SportDOG comes out ahead here. The very use of fewer buttons makes it more durable because less is likely to go wrong.

Training Modes

Both Dogtra and SportDOG collars offer a range of training modes, including vibration, tone, and static stimulation.

However, Dogtra collars tend to offer more training modes than SportDOG collars, which can be an advantage for owners who need to train their dogs for specific behaviors or in specific environments.

The much larger number of “shock” settings are more designed for owners who are more cognizant of their pet's feelings. The larger range allows pet owners to get the best out of their pet without pushing them too hard with corrections.

With that said, the more limited range of settings on SportDOG can result in less overall adjusting.

Size

Size is an understated factor when choosing from remote dog training collars. Whether you decide on Dogtra or SportDOG, you’ll want to make sure any remote training collars fit properly around your dog’s neck.

This is very important for a couple of reasons, the first and most obvious of which is your dog’s comfort. Second, an improperly fitting remote training collar might not deliver the shock if it is too loose, and your dog could feel a jolt too deeply if it’s too tight.