Harness or collar for large dogs?

April 26, 2019

Owners always want the best for their pets so that they can have a healthy and happy life. One question many owners of large dogs have is whether to walk them with a collar or harness.

ARISTOPET always recommends consulting a trusted veterinarian about these questions.

Ultimately, every dog is different and has a completely different build. Some dogs even tend to have a lot of strength and pull during walks. Therefore, specialists are always the ones who can give you the best advice.

Different veterinarians and psychologists have advised us about the questions owners of large dogs have regarding whether to use a collar or harness. There are different arguments, but they all suggest that a harness is “safer and, above all, healthier for your dog”.

harness or collar for large dogs

“My dog pulls and I don't know whether a harness or collar would be better” This is usually one of the main questions owners of large dogs have. María Martínez, an ethology veterinarian at Clínica Malasaña, states that “although people may think that a dog pulls more with a harness, it will always pull just as much even if you use a collar”.

However, one point highlighted by all the veterinarians interviewed is that if your dog pulls, it will pull equally with a collar or harness, but the collar is placed in a problematic area where there are many organs that can be injured by pulling.

The dangers of collars

“They may suffer cervical pain” Beatriz Crespo, veterinarian at Veter Salud las Rozas.
“It causes tracheal problems” Miguel Zarco, veterinarian at Clínica Peñalara.

The biggest drawback is that if your dog pulls a lot and you use a collar, it ultimately suffers more, because it can cause certain injuries. These are not minor injuries; they can develop into chronic injuries.

Another drawback is that many owners leave the collar on while their dogs are at home, and “they may suffer dermatitis and irritation”, states Miguel Zarco. However, with a harness, “owners usually take it off when they get home after the walk”.

Walking a large dog with a harness is healthier

Miguel emphasizes that “for the dog's health, it is much healthier to use a harness,” because it is better for the dog to “pull from the chest rather than the neck”.

Many owners tend to use collars because they think the dog pulls less and will thus learn not to pull. However, Beatriz Crespo states that “the dog's training does not depend on the collar or harness; it begins beforehand”.

To try to prevent your dog from pulling, Laia Custodi, a veterinarian at Clínica Quevedog, recommends walking “your dog with a harness as a puppy and, as they grow older, using no-pull harnesses that pull from the mouth and chest but do not hurt the neck”. She clarifies that everything depends on the dog's “character”.

The advantages of harnesses

The main advantages of walking your dog with a harness, according to María Martínez, are:

They pull from the chest
They do not suffer pain or chronic injuries in the throat
They are much safer and more secure.

Regarding dogs with phobias, she strongly recommends walking them with a harness. She explains that “dogs that tend to display these behaviors should wear custom-made harnesses or other options, such as Puppia harnesses, because they are made of soft, comfortable, safe and durable fabric”.

The disadvantages of harnesses

However, harnesses should not be overused either; certain dog breeds may experience problems with some harnesses because of their build. Laia Custodi points out that “Golden Retrievers and Labradors are experiencing shoulder problems with some sports harnesses because they prevent them from moving properly”. She recommends “trying not to use those types of harnesses during long walks”, and María indicates that “they can be replaced with those that attach around the legs”.

harness or collar for large dogs

Therefore, depending on your dog's temperament and whether they pull a lot during walks, it is recommended to use a harness. However, you should make sure it does not bother them, as Laia emphasized.

However, if your dog does not pull, there is no problem with using a collar, since they will not suffer any type of neck problems.

The most sought-after harnesses and collars on the market are: