Collar vs Harness

By: December 09, 2025 By Gareth Olyott By: Styled By:

Choosing between a collar or a harness is one of the most important decisions you will make for your dog. The right choice affects their safety, comfort, breathing, and long-term health. Although both tools are common, veterinary research shows that they impact a dog’s body in very different ways.

This article breaks down the science, the pros and cons, and the situations where each option is suitable. All claims are supported by peer-reviewed papers and trusted veterinary sources to help you make the safest choice for your dog.

Dogs have delicate structures in the neck. These include the trachea, larynx, thyroid gland, cervical vertebrae, and major blood vessels. When a dog pulls, or when the handler accidentally jerks the lead, the collar absorbs the force directly in this area.

Multiple veterinary studies have raised concerns about this.

Key findings from research:

• A study by Pauli et al. (2006, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association) found that pressure from collars can cause a significant increase in intraocular pressure, which is a risk for dogs prone to glaucoma.
• A study by G. Arnott et al. (2015, Journal of Veterinary Behaviour) showed that dogs respond more calmly and show lower stress signals when walked on a well-fitted harness compared to a collar.
• Research from Anders Hallgren, animal behaviourist and physiotherapist (2013), documented cervical injuries in dogs correlated with long-term collar use in dogs that pull.

These findings highlight a clear pattern. When force is placed on the neck, the risk of injury increases. Harnesses move that force to the chest and shoulders, which can handle load more safely.

Collars are traditional, familiar, and easy to use, but they come with safety considerations whilst harnesses distribute pressure across the chest, sternum, and shoulders. These are areas that are structurally designed to absorb movement and force. This makes them the preferred option for most walks.

Collar Pro's

• Reduce risk of neck injuries
• Keep pressure away from the trachea and thyroid
• Offer better control for reactive or excitable dogs
• Lower stress responses according to Arnott et al. (2015)
• Prevent eye pressure increases associated with collars
• Dogs with respiratory issues breathe more comfortably
• Help prevent escape risk when fitted correctly
• Suitable for all walking environments including city streets, countryside, and hiking
• Recommended by most modern dog trainers and behaviourists

Collar Con's

• Apply pressure to the neck, trachea, and thyroid
• Not suitable for flat-faced breeds, small breeds, puppies, or dogs with respiratory issues
• High risk for pulling dogs because of cervical strain
• Can worsen coughing in dogs with tracheal collapse
• Increase intraocular pressure according to Pauli et al. (2006)
• Easy for some dogs to slip out of
• Provide less control in busy environments

Many behaviourists advise against using collars for full walks unless absolutely necessary.

Harness Pro's

• Good for carrying identification tags
• Useful for short, calm potty breaks
• Quick to put on and take off
• Acceptable for dogs that never pull and have no respiratory issues
• Required by law in some countries for ID

Harness Con's

• Poorly designed harnesses may rub or restrict movement
• Some harnesses are difficult to fit
• Cheap hardware or buckles can fail under pressure
• Back-clip only harnesses may increase pulling in some dogs

A high quality harness with proper fit eliminates most of these disadvantages.

A COLLAR CAN BE ACCEPTABLE FOR:

• Short, calm trips to the toilet
• Dogs that never pull
• Wearing ID tags at home
• Dogs without respiratory or musculoskeletal concerns

It should not be the main walking tool for any dog that pulls, lunges, or has health conditions relating to the neck or breathing.

MOST GUARDIANS AND VETS AGREE THAT HARNESSES ARE SAFER FOR DAILY WALKS. THEY ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR:

• Puppies
• Flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs
• Small breeds with fragile tracheas
• Dogs with existing neck or back issues
• Strong or excitable dogs
• Dogs that pull
• Senior dogs
• Dogs in busy areas where control matters

The British Veterinary Association and most UK behaviourists consistently recommend harnesses for general walking because they lower the risk of accidental injury.

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