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Finding Halloween costumes for large dogs is harder than it looks. Most dog costumes are made for small, short-coated dogs. A Rough Collie is a 50- to 75-pound dog with a thick double coat, a big ruff, and a long nose. Full-body suits and snug hoods don’t fit that shape: they squash the coat, trap heat, and slip over the eyes.
Here in Jacksonville, Halloween night can still be warm, so I lean toward costumes that do a lot with a little: capes, bandanas, a headpiece, or something that clips onto the collar. That’s the approach behind every collie Halloween costume below. These are nine dog Halloween costumes in large sizes, plus tips on choosing one and the ASPCA and AKC safety basics. Prices change often, so we don’t list them.
Our top picks
Quick Picks
- Best overall cape: GOYOSWA Vampire Cape (Large)
- Best wizard look: GOYOSWA Wizard Cloak with Neck Tie (Large)
- Best cape and hat set: Rypet Witch Costume Cape and Hat (XL)
- Best superhero costume: Rubie’s Big Dog Superman Costume (XXL)
- Best headpiece: Onmygogo Lion Mane Wig with Ears (Large)
- Best pumpkin pick: Jack-O-Lantern Over-the-Collar Bandana (Large)
- Best Halloween bandana: Gofshy Reversible Halloween Bandana (XL)
- Best clip-on light: Nite Ize SpotLit XL Rechargeable Collar Light
- Best light-up collar: Blazin LED Light-Up Dog Collar
Jump to: How to pick a costume · Rough, Smooth, or Border Collie · The picks · Halloween safety · FAQ
How to Pick Halloween Costumes for Large Dogs Like Collies
The AKC lists male Collies at 60 to 75 pounds and females at 50 to 65. A few rules make shopping easier:
- Go partial, not full-body. Capes, bandanas, manes, hats, and collar add-ons sit on top of the coat. Tight step-in suits flatten it, get hot fast, and can rub under the legs.
- Keep the face clear. The eyes, ears, and muzzle should stay uncovered. The ASPCA says a costume shouldn’t limit a pet’s movement, sight, or ability to breathe or bark.
- Measure over the coat. Measure around the neck where the costume will sit, with the ruff included. Sizes vary by brand, and several makers warn that costumes run small.
- Easy on, easy off. Ties, hook-and-loop closures, and slip-on pieces beat anything you have to wrestle over the head.
- Think about heat. A double coat is already an insulated jacket. The AKC notes that costumes can contribute to overheating. On a warm night, go lighter, keep it short, and watch for heavy panting.
- Check for chewable bits. Pompoms, beads, bells, and loose trim can be swallowed. Pick simple designs and trim off anything dangling.
Do a trial run at home a few days before Halloween: costume on for a minute, a treat, costume off. If your Collie freezes, tucks their tail, or keeps rubbing at it, switch to a bandana.
Rough, Smooth, or Border Collie Halloween Costume?
These picks work for all three. A Rough Collie gets the most out of capes and bandanas, because they sit on top of all that coat. A Smooth Collie is the same size with a short coat, so a costume shows off more but still needs room in the neck and chest. For a Border Collie Halloween costume, size down: the AKC lists Border Collies at 30 to 55 pounds, so many will fit the Medium wizard cloak (16 to 21 inch neck) or a Rubie’s XL (30 to 45 pounds) rather than the XXL. Whatever the breed, measure your own dog.
The Best Halloween Costumes for Large Dogs With a Full Coat
Every pick is a cape, bandana, headpiece, or collar add-on in a large size. Sizing notes come straight from each listing, so double-check the chart before you buy.
Best overall cape: GOYOSWA Dog Vampire Cape
A cape is the easiest costume to put on a Collie, and this red-and-black vampire cloak is about as simple as they come. It ties on with two ropes and has a stiff stand-up collar that frames the face. It drapes over the coat and leaves the legs, ears, and muzzle free.
Sizing: The listing says the Large fits necks from 14 to 25 inches.
Best wizard look: GOYOSWA Dog Wizard Cloak with Neck Tie
This hooded cloak comes with a necktie for a wizard look with nothing on the legs. It ties on with two straps, the tie has a quick-release cord, and GOYOSWA says it’s machine washable. Leave the hood flat on the back; most Collies won’t want it over their ears.
Sizing: The listing says the Large fits necks from 21 to 28 inches. Smaller Collies may measure into the Medium (16 to 21 inches).
Best cape and hat set: Rypet Halloween Dog Witch Costume
For a Collie who doesn’t mind a hat, this purple witch set pairs a cape with a starry hat on an elastic cord with a buckle. Nothing covers the eyes. The cape is plush, so on a warm night use just one piece.
Sizing: Per the listing, the XL cape is 29.5 inches long and fits neck sizes of 15.8 to 27.6 inches. The hat strap fits a head circumference of 7.9 to 19.7 inches.
Best superhero costume: Rubie’s Superman Pet Costume, XXL
Rubie’s XL pet costumes are sized for 30 to 45 pounds, which is too small for most Collies. This officially licensed Superman costume also comes in XXL: a step-in shirt with a detachable cape. That detachable cape is the point. Use the cape alone on warm nights, and save the full outfit for a quick photo on a cool evening.
Sizing: Rubie’s lists the XXL for 45 to 71 pounds and says costumes run smaller than apparel, so check the size chart.
DC Comics Superheroes: Superman Pet Costume for For Dogs or Cats by Rubies, XXL
XXL size for 45 to 71 lb dogs; cape detaches
Best headpiece: Onmygogo Lion Mane Wig for Dogs
A Collie already has half a mane, so this one is an easy joke. The plush mane with ears wraps the head and neck, leaves the face open, and has no body piece. It’s washable by hand or machine. Try it at home first, since some dogs won’t tolerate anything near their ears.
Sizing: The listing gives a neck range of 60 to 80 cm (about 23.6 to 31.5 inches). Measure over the ruff.
Mane and ears only, no body suit
Best pumpkin pick: Top Rocks Jack-O-Lantern Over-the-Collar Bandana
This cotton jack-o-lantern bandana slides onto your dog’s existing collar, so there’s nothing new to tie. It can sit on the back, front, or side, and it’s machine washable. For a Collie who hates costumes, this may be as far as you get, and that’s fine.
Sizing: Choose the Large, and check the listing against your collar’s width.
Jack O Lantern Over the Collar Dog Bandana That Slips onto Their Existing Collar Size Large
Slips onto your dog's existing collar
Best Halloween bandana: Gofshy Reversible Halloween Dog Bandana
The ASPCA suggests a festive bandana for pets who are stressed in costumes. This double-layer bandana is reversible, with jack-o-lanterns, bats, ghosts, and witches, and it goes in the washer.
Sizing: The listing says the XL is 30 by 21 inches and fits necks up to 23 inches, with room to tie the knot.
Best clip-on light: Nite Ize SpotLit XL Rechargeable Collar Light
Trick-or-treat walks mean darkness, cars, and crowds. This light clips to a collar or harness with a stainless steel carabiner. Nite Ize says the XL is made for large dogs, and it lists up to 10 hours of run time, a weather-resistant body, and four colors plus a color-changing mode.
Sizing: None needed; it clips to any collar or harness D-ring.
Best light-up collar: Blazin LED Light Up Dog Collar
If you want the whole collar to glow, this rechargeable collar has individual LED bulbs and three modes. The Amazon listing says it runs up to 8 hours per charge, includes a USB-C cord, and is waterproof. Keep your dog’s regular ID collar on too.
Sizing: Four sizes, X-Small to Large. Use the chart in the listing images; most Collies will need the Large.
Halloween Safety for Collies
Costumes are the fun part, but most of the real risks are elsewhere. The ASPCA and the AKC both publish Halloween safety tips. Here are the ones that matter most for Collie households:
- Chocolate: The AKC says chocolate is one of the most common Halloween emergencies in dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. Keep candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags up high and behind closed doors.
- Xylitol: This sweetener in sugar-free gum and candy is toxic to dogs. The Merck Veterinary Manual says signs of low blood sugar can start within 30 minutes. It can also turn up in some peanut butters and toothpastes, so read labels.
- Candy wrappers: Dogs will eat the wrapper along with the candy. The AKC warns that wrappers can lodge in the throat or gut and may need surgery to remove. Pick them up right away, including on walks.
- Door-dashing: All that doorbell ringing gives a Collie plenty of chances to slip out. The ASPCA recommends keeping all but the most social pets in a quiet room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating.
- ID tags and microchip: Make sure your Collie is wearing a collar with current ID tags, and that the microchip registration has your current phone number. For walks after dark, the ASPCA advises a reflective collar, a secure leash, and ID.
- Stress: Strangers in masks and constant knocking can overwhelm even a friendly Collie. A long-lasting chew or food puzzle in a back room helps. The ASPCA suggests exactly that.
If you think your dog ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.
For Halloween treats, stick to dog treats, not candy. Our list of treats that are easy on a Collie’s GI tract is a good place to start, and treats count toward your dog’s daily calories (see our guide to the best dog food for Collies for more on keeping them lean). A new toy from our recommended toys for Collies also makes a great costume-free way to celebrate.
FAQ
Do Collies like wearing costumes?
Some do and many don’t. The ASPCA recommends against putting a pet in a costume unless you know they love it. With a Collie, start small with a bandana or cape, keep sessions short, and reward calm behavior. If your dog seems uneasy, skip the costume.
What size Halloween costume does a large dog like a Collie need?
Usually a Large, XL, or XXL, but sizing varies a lot between brands. Measure the neck over the coat, and the chest if the costume wraps around the body, then compare with the listing’s size chart.
Is it too hot for a costume on Halloween night?
It can be, especially in the South. A Collie’s double coat holds heat, and the AKC notes that costumes can contribute to overheating. On a warm night, choose a bandana or a light cape, keep outings short, carry water, and take the costume off at the first sign of heavy panting.
Should I give my Collie something to calm them on Halloween?
Talk to your vet before giving any calming medication. Many Collies carry the MDR1 gene mutation, and Washington State University lists several drugs that need extra caution in affected dogs, including the sedative acepromazine. Our MDR1 parasite protection post explains the mutation. A quiet room and a good chew are the safest place to start.
What can I do instead of a costume?
A Halloween bandana or a collar slip-on gives you the festive photo without the fuss. The ASPCA suggests exactly that for pets who are stressed by costumes.
The Bottom Line
The best Halloween costumes for large dogs are the ones your dog barely notices: a cape, a bandana, or a headpiece that leaves the coat, face, and legs alone. Add a light for the walk, put the candy out of reach, and give your Collie a quiet spot when the doorbell starts ringing. If you’re already planning ahead for the holidays, our gift guide for Collie lovers picks up where this one leaves off.
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