Collar vs harness – check out what is better for your dog!

Collar or harness? This is a question that most dog owners will ask themselves sooner or later. However, the answer is not so simple. If it was, we would simply point it out to you, instead of devoting an entire post to this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s start with our main idea, which we repeat like a mantra – every dog is different and has its own individual needs. For some, the optimal choice will be a collar, and for others – a harness. Each of these solutions has its advantages and disadvantages, so we will look at them together and present you two models of Hempsy harness!

You can read about the types of our collars in this article:

 Jak dobrać idealną obrożę dla swojego psa?.

Collar – more control

The main feature of a collar is the transfer of the leash’s movements to the dog’s neck. This gives us a lot of control over the animal’s head, and therefore – more control over its behavior. The collar can be successfully used with strong, massive and nervously reacting breeds, because it allows you to attract the dog’s head, make eye contact and build its focus on the handler and commands. It also works well for learning how to walk properly on a leash, which is why it is a popular solution during training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In most cases, a collar will be a better choice for puppies because, unlike some harnesses, it only minimally affects the dog’s still developing skeletal system.

One of the advantages of the collar over harness is the ease and speed of putting it on, which will be appreciated by people whose pets cannot stand still for too long and get dressed calmly. Compared to a harness, it is also lighter, so it is less burdensome for small dogs.

On the other hand, the collar transfers the forces directly to the cervical spine. In the long run, this can cause health problems, especially in small breeds that feel every leash pull more acutely than larger dogs. The pressure exerted by the collar on the larynx and trachea, which can be dangerous for short-mouthed dogs, is also important due to their specific anatomy.

While the collar can help teach the dog not to pull forward, it will be a risky choice for quadrupeds who often resist their owner and like to pull the other way. It is possible to slip it off the dog’s neck and, as a result, completely free the pet, which in some circumstances can be quite dangerous and stressful.

Harness – health and stability

 

It is very different with harnesses. They distribute the forces acting on the dog more evenly over his torso and do not endure stress on the neck. Therefore, they are a safe solution for energetic and dynamic quadrupeds prone to pulling or jerking. For the same reason, they are also a good solution for dogs with tendency for diseases of the cervical spine, respiratory problems and for small, delicate breeds.

However, thanks to the harness around the torso, which is the most massive part of the body, the dog is able to pull the leash much stronger than it would with a collar on. Therefore, owners of large animals should take this into account, as it can cause a significant strain on their hands.

At Hempsy, we have prepared for you two models of harness, which are slightly different from each other.

Classic harness, is a model in which one of the straps runs through the breast, the other under the abdomen, and is connected by a tape between the front legs. Due to the fact that they are put on by “stepping” into them and fastening them on the back, they are a good solution for quadrupeds who, due to past trauma, do not like to put anything on through their heads. These harnesses are also called “walk in”. 

In addition to the main leash hook on the comb, we have placed another one on the chest. By using the front attachment, you can teach your dog to walk correctly on a loose leash. It works in a similar way to the collar – as the dog pulls, it simultaneously starts to move towards the handler.

On the other hand, the guard harness, is a model built upon the principle of two hoops, one of which surrounds the dog’s neck and the other – the chest. The fasteners are two stripes – one on the back and the other located under the breastbone. This design gives the dog maximum freedom of movement without blocking the shoulder blades or paws. This is by far the most comfortable type of dog harness! And at the same time, even the most flexible four-legged acrobat will have a real problem to free itself from this type of harness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to the stable force on the spine, sternum and ribs, they are the only harness suitable for puppies. Other structures may more or less affect the skeletal system under development, especially the joints which are associated with the movement of the forelimbs and hinder their proper development.

The key thing: adjustment

Do you already know which solution will be better for your pet? Excellent! No you just need to adjust the accessory to your hound’s dimensions

First – size is important. For the products in our store, you will find information about the exact dimensions of each of the available options. All you have to do is measure your dog in the right places and choose the right size. Of course, so that the collar or harness does not cut into the dog, the width of the tape also matters, which is why in our case it grows with size.

Dodatkowo, każdy z naszych produktów ma na taśmach sprzączki, dzięki którym możecie precyzyjnie wyregulować go na swoim psiaku. Co ważne, nie możecie zrobić tego za ciasno, ani też za luźno. Optymalnie, powinniście być w stanie wsunąć pod taśmę dwa palce.

A jeśli Wasz pupil ma nietypowe wymiary i miewacie problemy z gotowymi produktami, zawsze możecie zamówić u nas obrożę lub szelki uszyte idealnie na wymiar!