Trying to decide which is better for your dog—a collar or a harness? The short answer is: You may need both. It really depends on the size and temperament of your dog and what it takes to maintain safe control of him.

A collar comes in handy for holding dog tags and clipping a leash, whereas a harness can be used as a training tool for dogs that need a little more direction. In general, a harness provides greater control, helps reduce pulling, and makes lifting your dog easier.

Here’s when you would use one over the other:

Why a Collar?

A collar is worn around your dog’s neck and features attachment points for a leash and important vaccination and ID tags.

Traditional collars can be problematic because they can slip off easily, put strain on your dog’s neck, and don’t allow for much control when walking.

At Kurgo, we’ve designed collars that specifically address each of these issues. For dogs who simply don’t like having something around their neck, the wrap system of the RSG Dog Collar provides a more comfortable fit and reduces pressure on your dog’s neck when on a leash. Other dogs have a habit of trying to back out of their collar, which is why we designed our Walk About Limited Slip Collar. And for dogs who need a little more direction, we created the Walk About Head Harness to teach them not to pull.

So When Do I Need a Harness?

If you’re doing more with your dog than just walking around the block, a harness is probably a good idea. Here’s why:

Eliminates choking

If your dog is a serious puller, you may want to try a harness. Unlike a traditional collar, which tends to choke when a dog pulls aggressively toward something, harnesses evenly distribute the weight across your dog’s chest. A harness that is fitted properly won’t restrict your dog’s neck or ability to breathe easily.

Control and training

Harnesses can have multiple leash attachments on the front, back, and chest area. Not only do these attachments prevent the leash from getting tangled in your dog’s legs, they also help reduce pulling. For example, when the leash is attached to the chest area D-ring of a harness, it will be harder for your dog to pull. If she tries to pull, this configuration will result in her being turned around every time she pulls, getting her nowhere.

Lifting

Harnesses give you extra places to grab when you’re trying to lift older dogs, get your dog out of harm’s way, or give your adventuring pup a hand over rocks or other dicey areas while hiking. Our Journey Air Dog Harness and Walk About Harness both feature a convenient handle on the back, so you can quickly grab your dog in a dangerous situation or provide extra assistance when needed.

Carrying stuff

When you’re out on the trail, you may need extra room for your dog’s travel essentials. Our RSG harnesses were designed with this need for versatility in mind. They are lined with Velcro straps to easily attach items in our RSG lineup. These include a pack pannier (for storing small items), a hydration flask, first aid kit, and dog treat bag.

If you do a lot of outdoor adventuring, you also might consider a dog backpack, like our Baxter Dog Backpack. Check out “Five Benefits of a Dog Backpack” for help deciding whether this is the best option for you.

Riding in a car

Dogs can be a dangerous distraction in the car, especially if they’re nervous passengers. A car safety harness not only protects your dog in the event of an accident, it also keeps him in one place. The harness attaches securely to the child restraint system in your car, preventing your pup from roaming around.

Kurgo dog harnesses come in different styles and sizes. Once you’ve decided on the harness that best fits your needs, you’ll need to determine the correct size for your dog. Here’s everything you need to know about how to measure your dog to ensure the proper fit.