Harness or Collar: Which is Right for Your Dog?

A collar or a harness are both perfectly viable options to use while walking your pup, with advantages and disadvantages for both.

Many owners opt for a collar and leave it on their pup even when they’re home, so attaching a lead is quick and simple, as trying to wrestle their wriggly bodies into a harness isn’t always the easiest task! Collars can also change position around their neck, so if your pup likes to twist and turn a lot, a collar will slip around with them and help to avoid them getting tangled in the lead.

The biggest benefit to a collar is when you’re training your new addition to loose lead walk. You are right at the front of their body by their head, so you can give them a reward in the most ideal position. You also benefit from being able to change position and have the collar swivel to suit your new direction.

On the other hand, for walking largely untrained puppies, harnesses are the safest option - especially when you’re just wanting to get from a to b and not focus on their lead walking too much.

Puppies have a habit of pinging around and changing direction wherever their nose takes them, so a harness can stop them from pulling their neck when they get excitable. If you want to get a harness for your puppy so walks can be safe and comfortable for them, be sure you know what kind you’re looking for and that it fits properly.               

From a legal standpoint in the UK, you should technically not put your dog in a harness instead of a collar. The law states that every dog in a public space must be wearing a collar with an ID tag, and whilst it’s not a law that is enforced often, it was made to help identify missing pets more easily.

Saying that, as long as your pooch is wearing their collar and ID tag, you can choose to walk them with a harness if you prefer.

There are lots of different things to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of a harness vs. collar. If you have a large or giant breed dog that can pull, then walking them in a collar can be dangerous. Instead, you could look at a style of harness that will give you a little more control when they do pull.

A harness like the Red Dingo Padded Adventure Dog Harness has a clip on both the back and the front, so you can attach a double-ended lead to it for more control. If they pull too hard, the attachment on the front of their chest will turn them in towards you, preventing their forward momentum. The Halti Black Training Lead is a great option, as it can also be used to connect to one point of contact while you adjust the length of the lead with the other clip.

If you have a well-trained pup that doesn’t pull on the lead and so won’t risk damaging their neck, collars can sometimes be much easier to use. They’re quick to attach a lead to, you only need to unclip them when they get home, and they don’t soak up every bit of moisture and mud on walks like harnesses do. If your four-legged companion spends most of their time off the lead, then a collar is less likely to snag or get caught somewhere.

Harnesses are generally better for your dog’s wellbeing; however, some Houdini hounds can slither out of them if they learn how to. Both options are valid walking tools, but it generally comes down to what your preference is.

Many parents are concerned that harnesses may have a negative impact on their dog, but they shouldn’t cause an issue. One problem which may arise is that the placement of the straps may impact their gait, however, this is usually only if they are constantly pulling, but it’s still a smaller risk than if they were pulling on a collar and choking themselves every day.

Some pups are better suited to being walked in a harness if they’re likely to pull or change direction quickly. Brachycephalic dogs are also usually happier in harnesses, as their inherited breathing difficulties mean that they should avoid having any pressure around their necks.

Additionally, dogs with more slender heads than necks can be safer in a harness, as they’re less likely to slip out of them.

Whether you want to freshen up your dog’s walking gear or try something new to see if it better suits your pooch, take a look at our vast selection of collars and harnesses available today.