Dog Collars Vs. Harness: Which is better?

There is a hot debate when it comes to dog owners choosing between collars and dog harnesses. While there are pros and cons to both which is the better option?

Pros and Cons of Collars

Pros

Collars are a great way to display your dog’s information on an ID tag. This will provide information regarding your pet and a contact number if they get lost. Collars are also a cheaper alternative to harnesses and are easier to put on. Dog collars also have a much wider selection and have creative designs since they have been around longer. Collars are also less intrusive when they are wearing any pet apparel in comparison to dog harnesses. While collars offer much in versatility it lacks in a few categories.

Cons

Since collars are attached to your dog’s neck it can cause damage to your dog’s trachea over time. This is caused by the constant pulling and stress that gets put on their neck. Since dogs also pant to cool down a collar that is too tight and restricts their ability to pant can cause overheating. Dogs have also been known to slip out of their collars when they are too loose.

While no one solution is perfect collars have benefits for some outweigh the cons. Dog harnesses fix several the cons that collars have but they also lack in a few categories.

Pros and Cons of Harnesses

Pros

Since harnesses transfer the pulling motion onto their chest and back area it alleviates the concerns of potentially harming your dog’s neck. Harnesses also make it harder for your dog to escape from their leash since it covers a larger surface area it makes it harder to slip off. Harnesses even have better sizing options for larger dogs making it easier to control them when on their leash. Harnesses can also come with dog backpacks which can come in handy when carrying food or waste bags

Cons

They are harder to put on. It takes some extra effort daily to put on and take off their leash. If you forget to remove their harness it can cause chaffing and hair loss when left on for long periods of time. Since their weight is evenly distributed along their chest it makes it easier for them to pull harder. Having They are also more expensive that just using a collar. 

After weighing the pros and cons its up to you to decide which will work best for your dog. We recommend having both since they make up for what the other lacks. We understand that owning both might not be feasible. Collars can be used without a harness, but training should be done to avoid unnecessary pulling. Harnesses are easier for the new dog owners so if you have a new puppy and can’t get both at least get a harness.

Can You Walk Your Dog Without a Collar or Harness?    

The short answer is no. Walking your dog without a harness or collar shouldn’t be done. Some dog owners will just use their dog leash as a collar by attaching it to itself. This is extremely dangerous as when they pull the leash will get tighter.