If you use your dogs for hunting you may have heard of the SportDOG collar brand and the top-of-the-line Sportdog training collars. Now you may be wondering if these collars are really worth the price tag.
In this article, we will examine what the sport dog collar products offer in terms of choices and function. By the end, you’ll know if this brand has a collar that would serve you and your dog’s needs.
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What Are SportDOG Collars?
SportDOG is a popular brand of electric dog collars that offers premium options, high value, and thorough testing. The company notes that its products are developed from and for real-world conditions, including rain and wind.
Sporting Dog also offers a wide variety of options in their collars, so you can select the dogsport collar that’s the perfect fit. Now, let’s see what kind of collars the company offers with its industry leading technology, and how they fare against the competition.
Features and Benefits of SportDOG Collars
Depending on the SportDOG collar you end up selecting, you can expect to see a wide variety of features and benefits.
YardTrainer
- Designed for dogs that do not respond to lower levels of static stimulation
- 100-yard range e-collar that supports training 1 dog
- Choose to train with vibration (buzz), tone (beep), or 8 levels of static simulation (in a higher range than the YT-100)
If you want a collar for at-home training, the YardTrainer is the right fit. These collars, designed for basic obedience training, come with rechargeable batteries, are waterproof and submersible up to 25 feet, and offer seven to eight levels of static stimulation, depending on the model you select.
FieldTrainer
- Collar Receiver only; expand your current system or replace an old collar
- Compatible with the SportDOG Brand FieldTrainer 425X (SD-425X), 425 (SD-425), SportTrainer 575 (SD-575E), 875 (SD-875E), and SportHunter 825X...
- Waterproof and submersible to 25 feet using DryTek technology
The FieldTrainer line is designed for introducing dogs to field training or for hunting with close-working dogs. These collars feature 21 levels of static stimulation, and the corresponding remote can support up to three dog collars at once. Additionally, the rechargeable batteries have a 2-hour quick charge feature.
These collars offer several high-quality features and tend to work well for dog owners who want to hunt with dogs. That said, the collars function at only a moderate range, and some noted that the collars have rather confusing controls.
SportHunter
- 1/2 MILE RANGE: Half mile range e-collar that can support training up to 3 dogs with the same remote with purchase of additional collars...
- NO LOOK OPERATION: Designed for ease-of-use and no look operation while offering more levels of stimulation which allows for more customized...
- 21 LEVELS OF STIMULATION: This electric collar offers 21 levels of static stimulation with low/medium ranges. Option to train with vibration...
The SportHunter line of SportDOG collars is geared toward upland hunting and hunting with multiple dogs. In addition to 21 levels of static stimulation and ranges of between a half-mile and a mile, these collars are noteworthy for their low profile and custom fit. That means that they’re especially comfortable for extended hunting periods.
SportTrainer
- 1/2 MILE RANGE: Designed for field training and hunting with close-working dogs. Train up to 3 dogs with the same handheld remote with purchase...
- OLED SCREEN: Easy-to-read screen means you can view the selected dog, static stimulation level, and battery status with just a glance.
- 10 LEVELS OF STIMULATION: 10 levels of both continuous and momentary static stimulation, as well as vibration (buzz) and tone (beep) options...
One of SportDOG’s highlights is in the Sportdog Stubborn Dog Yardtrainer, which has remotes that feature the largest OLED screens in the industry. These lights allow for easy use in a variety of environments, whether early morning or mid-afternoon.
This Sportdog Yard Trainer 100s is extendable to multiple dogs–between two and six, depending on the product. This means that the collars are a strong choice for hunters who need to track dogs on more intense hunts, such as low-visibility morning hunts.
WetlandHunter
- Collar Receiver only, wrapped in Realtree Max-5 camo; expand your current system or replace an old collar
- Compatible with the SportDOG Brand WetlandHunter 1825X (SD-1825XCAMO), 1825 (SD-1825CAMO)
- Waterproof and submersible to 25 feet using DryTek technology
One of the benefits of the SportDOG collar is that each line comes in different sizes to match the typical size of the hunting dogs in those sporting activities. This is the case with the WetlandHunter line, which offers smaller collar sizes to accommodate the more petite dogs typically used to hunt waterfowl.
The compressed size of the WetlandHunter collar has multiple benefits: it’s more comfortable for your dog, and it makes your hunt more efficient, allowing your dog to hunt in snug spaces. Further, since the collar is fully submersible and waterproof, it’s a stellar choice for the kind of down-and-dirty work that comes with hunting waterfowl.
UplandTrainer
- E-collar that features 1 mile (1760 yards) range and can be used to train 3 dogs with the same handheld remote with purchase of additional...
- The Remote Transmitter's dial allows you to instantly select one of the 7 levels of static stimulation in low, medium, or high ranges while the...
- This system features our DryTek technology making it waterproof and submersible to 25 feet; Collar Receiver fits dogs 8 pounds or larger with...
The UplandTrainer line of collars is for areas where it’s all too easy to lose track of a dog, including wide expanses and thick swamps. To mitigate these issues, UplandTrainer receivers controls a waterproof collar and a remote beeper, allowing you to keep a close eye on your dog even if it’s far away.
The UplandTrainer functions with a one-mile range, offers seven static stimulation levels, is waterproof and submersible, and can be expanded to three additional dogs.
HoundHunter
- E-collar that features 2 mile (3520 yards) range and can be used to train 6 dogs with the same handheld remote with purchase of additional...
- Use the transmitter's dial to instantly select one of 7 levels of static stimulation in low, medium, or high ranges. The buttons deliver your...
- Both the Remote Transmitter and Collar Receiver feature our DryTek technology making them waterproof and submersible to 25 feet
SportDOG’s HoundHunter collars are for those who use multiple dogs to hunt large creatures such as bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and raccoons. The HoundHunter transmitter can control up to six dogs with seven static stimulation options. It boasts an impressive two-mile range–meaning that hunters can maintain their hunt with utmost efficiency.
ProHunter
- 2 mile range
- 9 instantly selectable levels of static stimulation in low/medium/high ranges; Option to train with vibration and tone
- Expandable to 6 dogs with purchase of additional SDR-A Add-A-Dog Collars
SportDOG envisions the ProHunter line as a classic, modular option for hunters who want a traditional design and the premium features of other SportDOG collars. These features include nine stimulation levels, expandability to six dogs, waterproofing, and a two-mile range.
A special bonus of these collars is that they’re versatile, working well with any breed of sporting dog; that said, its extended range makes it ideal for hounds, beagles, and far-range pointing dogs.
SportDOG Collars Pros & Cons
Pros
- SportDOG collars come with a wide range of vibrations, tones, and static stimulation options
- SportDOG collars are waterproof, allowing for easy use in a wide range of hunting and outdoor environments
- Many of the SportDOG collar models can control three collars with one remote, giving you the ability to take out multiple dogs at once
Cons
- SportDOG collars are primarily for sporting and hunting dogs. So very petite dogs may not fit into any of the collar models
- Though collars come with advanced features, the collars’ design sometimes make them difficult to use
- High price point
Are SportDOG Collars Right for You?
SportDOG collars are an excellent choice for involved hunters who want to make the most of their sport dogs. Their premium features make them strong choices regardless of your hunting are. And the wide array of options means that you have the freedom to select what works for you.
The high cost and occasional difficulty of controlling the collars can be something of a challenge. SportDOG collars nonetheless offer the opportunity to use advanced technology to train and track your dog in any context.
SportDOG Collar FAQs
Are SportDOG collars safe for my dog?
When it comes to purchasing any equipment for your dog, health and safety should be your number one priority. SportDOG collars are safe. But it’s crucial you use it properly as a training device to be effective and not harmful.
When purchasing a SportDog collar be sure you are getting a collar that is the right strength for your dog. For instance, a smaller dog doesn’t need the same shock as a large dog to experience stimulation. With proper application, the shock should be no more irritating than the static shock you’d get from a blanket.
It’s also crucial that your dog understand basic commands before you begin training. Otherwise the shock collar will give your dog a negative experience without associating it with a specific known negative behavior.
Are there other electric collar options?
SportDOG’s competitors offer a wide variety other than electric collars. They provide gentler or cheaper options for dog training.
Wolfwill’s No-Shock Dog Training Collar, for instance, uses vibrations and tone to attract a dog’s attention. This offers a less painful route for training–not to mention one that’s less expensive.
The Mockins Remote Dog Training Collar, on the other hand, is a cheaper collar with over 100 stimulation levels, ranging from minimal to extreme. However, the brand’s low-quality materials and short-range certainly reflect its low price.
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