So, you have a new member of your family - a four-legged, fluffy and lovable dog! Between all the excitement and selfies a few questions may pop up in your head - do I buy a dog bed, so he/she sleeps in mine, when should I start walking him/her, and probably the most important - should I buy a collar or a harness?

The last question is one of the most debated ones amongst dog owners - both dog collars and dog harnesses have their pros and cons. In most cases, we will recommend using a dog collar and a leash - because you will be more in control of your pet and your dog will feel more comfortable. However, there are a few breeds for which a dog harness is more suitable - in those cases, we will recommend using both a collar and a harness.

Harness vs. collar

Before your first walk with your new pup, you should equip him/her with the right gear for an adventurous walk. You narrowed down your choices to two options - a dog harness and a dog collar, below you will find a direct comparison of both in different aspects.

Security

If the harness or the collar is not suitable for your dog, he/she could easily wiggle out of both of them and it is important to find the right one for your dog. The dog harness has more contact points with the dog’s body - it may seem more secure but in reality, it makes the dog more prone to pulling and not obeying commands. 

It is crucial to train your dog to walk on a leash, next to you - with a collar, you will have better contact with your pet and it will be easier to teach him/her the basic commands.

Control

As we mentioned in the previous segment, with a collar you have more control over your dog - there are many situations where this is crucial and can save you and your dog from injuries. The harness has more attachment points than the collar meaning that your dog will be able to pull with his/her whole body instead of only the neck, making him/her stronger.

If the dog is not trained right and has the habit of pulling or suddenly trying to run somewhere if he/she is wearing a harness that will reflect directly on the dog owner, causing serious harm or shoulder injuries on the person walking the dog.

It is easier to train a dog to walk beside his/her owner with a collar and a leash instead of a harness. Of course, the best way to do that is through positive reinforcement using treats and prizes and not through negative influences like beating, pulling or yelling. Dogs can be very sensible and can mirror their owner’s attitude towards them.

Hygiene

Dog harnesses have more contact points with your dog and may cause eczemas, tangled dog hair and rubbing and redness on your dog’s skin. A single collar is more hygienic for the dog and he/she can wear it all the time - DoggoCollar dog collars are made from polyester and neoprene and are easily washed, they don’t cause sweating and are very easy to maintain.

Everyday use

Most dog harnesses don’t have a place for id tags and it is important for your dog to wear such a tag at all times, you don’t know when he/she can run someplace unknown or dig a hole under the fence wandering off in the neighbourhood. 

It is hard for a dog to get used to wearing and walking in a dog harness because they are not very comfortable for dogs to wear and It is also not an easy task for dog owners to put on the harness.

Perfect fit

Most dog harnesses are not a good fit for very small dogs or very large dogs - the little ones can easily wiggle out of the harness and the big ones often don’t have enough room for movement. DoggoCollar dog collars are adjustable and can fit every breed and every dog size - they are a secure fit throughout the whole life of your four-legged paw.

If you have a fit harness your dog can quickly grow out of it and you will have to buy another one very soon, with a dog collar, you can always adjust the length of the collar. Keep in mind that for a perfect fit you must have room for at least one finger between the collar and the dog’s neck in order for it to be comfortable and not too tight. 

Personalisation

As we already mentioned - you can put different tags on your dog’s collar - an id tag, some kind of jewellery or anything you feel will make the collar more beautiful and unique, you can also put some reflective strips or reflective trim so you will never lose your dog in the dark again. 

DoggoCollar offers different colours of dog collars from which you can choose - from black, through red, blue and pink. Find the perfect match for your dog and make him/her the fashion icon he/she deserves to be.

Summary

In conclusion, we can say that dog collars are more hygienic, more comfortable and better for everyday use for your dog, the dog collar is easier to put on because you can quickly buckle it and your dog is ready for his/her morning walk. With harnesses, you have to pick up your dog, put it through his/her front legs and fasten it on the back.

DoggoCollar dog collar fits dogs perfectly from day one and they won’t even notice it is there, there is one leash attachment buckle on the back of the collar giving the control of your four-legged friend in your hands - this is very important when walking through new parks and neighbourhoods. 

Of course, there are some dog owners who prefer harnesses, because there are some dog breeds that should always wear a harness - dogs with breathing or throat problems. For them, it is best to wear pull dog harnesses featuring back and front clips - in those cases, we would recommend having both a harness and a collar for maximum security and personalisation.