Harness vs. Collar - What’s the difference?
Many of the dogs you see out and about will be wearing harnesses of all different types, but as new or sometimes even experienced dog owners, it may be unclear as to why this has become such a popular option for our dogs. On top of this, there are SO many different styles and types of harness to choose from, sometimes it’s tricky to know where to start! In this post, I’ll be discussing the advantages of using a well-fitted harness, and the ways in which this can keep your dog safe and healthy in various scenarios, plus how to decide on the best type for your dog.
What is the fundamental difference between using a harness vs. a collar?
To put it as simply as possible - a harness sits around your dog’s chest and back, and spreads pressure across the chest when on the end of a lead or long line. In contrast, a collar sits around the neck, and concentrates pressure on the throat when on the end of a lead or long line.
So, the main difference is the areas of the body that are on the receiving end of this pressure. Your dog doesn’t need to be a serial lead-puller to suffer damage from pressure on the lead - even occasional pulling (when over-excited, seeing a squirrel or cat, seeing a ball thrown, etc….) can cause pain and longer term damage, not to mention instances of human error (tension on the lead from our end).
This isn’t even just relevant to walking - harnesses can help to keep your dog safe when travelling in a car as well.
Below are two graphics featured on Perfect Fit’s website which really highlight the difference between wearing a collar vs. a harness. As you can see, any tension on the collar puts a lot of pressure on a ton of crucial systems, whereas wearing an appropriate harness leaves all of these areas clear and safe from damage.
Not all harnesses are created equal…
However, although choosing a harness over a collar is generally the safer and more comfortable option for your dog, it’s still critical that you choose the right harness for your dog to really ensure that no damage is done. Harnesses of certain shapes or those which are ill-fitting can have a similar effect to using a collar, in that they put pressure on vital areas, and furthermore can damage the shoulders which can greatly impact mobility.
One way to easily tell if your dog’s harness is causing an issue is to listen to their breathing when straining on the lead. If your dog begins to wheeze/rasp/cough/choke/reverse sneeze when straining on the lead, then this is an indication that their harness is putting pressure on the throat and top of the chest near the shoulders.
A side-by-side comparison
In the pictures above, you can see a really good side-by-side comparison between two common types of harness, modelled by Cyndi (left, Boston Terrier) and Rocco (right, Cockapoo). Cyndi is wearing a Rabbitgoo harness I recommended to her owners, and Rocco is wearing a Julius K9 harness.
I took these photographs as the pair were tethered up to have their feet washed and dried after a walk, and as you can see they’re both straining on the ends of their leads to get towards me in the photo. In the middle photo, showing Cyndi’s side profile, you can see that her harness is in place across her chest, and the focus of that pressure is across her breastbone, not the neck, and also just above the shoulders. Although she’s at the end of the lead, the harness doesn’t look distorted in shape, and her body doesn’t look like it’s strained. In contrast, Rocco’s harness is up underneath his collar, putting the focus of that tension on his neck despite the fact that he’s in a harness. You can see the harness pulling up and back with the lead, and the pressure this puts on his body.
In the video above, you can see the differences illustrated in motion. Watch as this dog demonstrates 3 different harness types in comparison with no harness and with each other whilst walking on a treadmill. You can see clearly that harness 2, (which is the Julius-K9 Style), in particular really restricts the movement of the front legs when any tension is applied to the lead, whereas harness 1 doesn’t seem to impact gait much at all in the same scenario.
Establishing needs
Of course, every dog’s need is different. Some breeds won’t fit the ‘H-type’ harness Cyndi is wearing well, some may be able to escape them which could compromise safety, and others may wear a harness for shorter periods or walk well on lead, which reduces the effects of wearing a harness of a less ideal shape. You may even have a dog who is very touch-aversive to key areas involved in wearing or putting on a harness, for instance something going on over the head or having feet and legs lifted. This just to say, it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing, so do take stock of your dog’s individual needs when shopping for a harness, and consult with professionals (eg. a trainer, behaviourist, vet) if you need assistance.
Travel Safety
When thinking specifically about car travel, it’s crucial that if attaching your dog to a seatbelt, they are clipped onto a harness, not their collar. In the event of an accident, being attached via the collar would almost certainly cause severe injury or death as again, all that force would be going up against your dog’s neck. It’s also really important to select the right harness for this purpose - not all harnesses can withstand the forces of a crash, and the same goes for seatbelt attachments.
On the right, you can watch one of Kurgo’s crash test videos demonstrating their harness in action, plus the included seatbelt attachment. This shows the importance of making the best selection possible, as you can see how much force is being placed on that equipment during impact, not to mention your dog’s body!
Some of the different types available…
Above are just some examples of the different kinds of harnesses and the different forms they might take. Perfect Fit offer the option to buy individual pieces of the harness separately, essentially building your own custom fit to suit your dog. The sizing goes from teeny to extra large, so there’s something to suit pretty much any type of dog, including crossbreeds of less usual proportions! If your dog is a mixed breed, of an unusual size, or still growing, this could be a great option to explore. Kurgo’s crash-tested car harness is a great option for anyone wanting their dog to travel in the back seat, as this will help to ensure their safety as well as yours, as discussed above. Ruffwear make all sorts of harnesses, but this 3-strap style is one that works well for dogs with longer bodies with drastic proportions such as sighthounds, and are also good for dogs prone to escape attempts! Check these out if any of these elements apply to your dog, or if you’re especially outdoorsy as they make harnesses to suit lots of activities to ensure your dog can come along with you easily. Finally, Rabbitgoo is my go-to recommendation for clients, as their harnesses are really good quality, affordable in all sizes, comfortable, functional, and also available in tons of fun colours (which is definitely also an important factor!). These are fixed size in the padded chest plate and adjustable on the sides, so check their sizing carefully to ensure a good fit. Click on each of the images above to learn more about each of these harnesses - none of these links are affiliated, I’m just sharing products that I have found good over the years.
Top tips for your harness search
Ideally, look for a harness with an ‘H’ shape chest plate, like the Rabbitgoo harness. At the least they should have some form of chest plate to focus that pressure when there is strain on the lead.
Check how the harness sits against the neck and shoulders - when standing neutrally and when the lead is tight.
Watch your dog’s gait when in and out of the harness - does the harness affect their walking in any way?
Consider material and overall comfort for your dog - is it too heavy for them, or is the material scratchy or potentially going to be too hot in warmer weather for instance?
How does your dog feel about having their legs handled as well as their neck and head? Some harnesses may need you to place something over the head, others may require lifting a leg through - consider which options may suit your dog best.
Don’t be afraid to go for a cheaper option whilst your puppy grows - if you’ve got a young dog still growing, make the most of budget options like Rabbitgoo so you can size up without hurting your wallet too much! Perfect Fit also have online communities who swap components so you can always have a look at these options as well.