It is the question we are asked most often: should my dog wear a collar or a harness? The honest answer is that they do different jobs, and plenty of dogs are best served by both. Here is how to decide.
What a collar is for
A collar sits around the neck and stays on. It carries your dog's ID tag, which is the quickest way for a stranger to reach you if your dog is ever found without you. For a calm dog that walks well on a loose leash, a collar is also all you need to clip a leash to.
A collar is light, quick to put on, and easy to live in. That is why most dogs wear one every day, whatever they walk in.
What a harness is for
A harness spreads the pull across the chest and shoulders instead of the throat. That makes it the better choice when:
- your dog pulls on the leash, or is still learning to walk nicely
- your dog is a flat-faced breed such as a French Bulldog, Pug or Boston Terrier
- your dog is small, with a delicate neck, such as a Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier or Pomeranian
- your vet has advised you to keep pressure off the neck
A harness also gives you more control in busy places, which many owners like for city walks.
Why many owners use both
The most practical set-up is often a collar for everyday wear and identification, and a harness for walks. The collar stays on with the tag, and the leash clips to the harness. That is why our ranges are designed as sets, with a matching collar, harness and leash in the same material and finish.
Getting the fit right
Whichever you choose, fit matters more than anything else.
Collar fit
Measure around the widest part of the neck, low down where the collar actually sits. You should be able to slide two fingers flat between the collar and your dog's neck. Our full method is in How to Measure Your Dog for a Collar, and the sizes are on the dog collar size chart.
Harness fit
Measure the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, and the base of the neck. Our harnesses have five adjustment holes on the chest strap, which gives about 8 cm of adjustment, while the neck is a fixed measurement. There is a step-by-step guide in How to Measure Your Dog for a Harness, and the sizes are on the dog harness size chart.
If your dog is between sizes, get in touch before ordering. Our collars, harnesses and leashes are handmade, so we can make a custom size at no extra cost.
Quick answer
- Calm walker, no breathing concerns: a collar is enough.
- Puller, puppy, small or flat-faced breed: walk in a harness.
- Most dogs: a collar with an ID tag every day, plus a harness for walks.
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