Collar? Harness? Both?

Choosing the right gear for your four legged friend is so important, and we understand that it can be confusing to decide which one is best.

A lot of it depends on your dog from the breed to age, activity level and what situation you are looking to take your dog into.

It’s always smart to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of all your options. We here at Furry believe that outfitting your pup with both a collar AND a harness is essential to his health and safety.

COLLARS

Traditionally, dogs wore just collars on the way out the door for their walks and other adventures. While you can’t deny how simple and easy it is to just attach a leash to a collar, you easily injure your dog’s delicate neck or compromise his safety.

Some smaller breeds, like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Shih Tzu’s, Lhasa Apsos, Toy Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers are prone to collapsing tracheas, and a rough tug on the collar can quickly turn into an emergency situation.

Other breeds like pugs have necks that are as thick as their heads and can slip out of a collar effortlessly. Even if your dog doesn’t fall into one of the two categories here, repeated pulling on the neck can lead to thyroid damage or spinal injuries over time.

Collars, in our opinion, are best for your dog to wear around the house, or when playing with other dogs in a safe and confined space. It is by far the most visible place to have an identification tag, in case your dog is an escape artist.

However, if your dog is not a puller on walks, a collar may be suitable for you.

SO HOW ELSE DO YOU WALK YOUR DOG?

Here is where a harness comes in. A harness is simply the safest, most secure, and most comfortable way to hook your dog up to his leash.

They are great training tools for puppies learning to behave on leash, and they allow walkers to have a bit more control.

Harnesses discourage pulling and allow you to stop your dog from jumping up on strangers without worrying about choking. They also disperse pressure over a larger area of your dog’s body, reducing strain on the neck and back.

Keep in mind that a badly fitted harness can cause more damage than good. Make sure to check out our size guide before purchase.