Benefits of a Dog Harness

Whether you own a toy breed or a medium sized dog who likes to pull on his walks, you may be better off using a harness with your dog rather than the standard collar and leash. Owners of small dog breeds prefer to use a harness since it doesn’t wrap around a dog’s neck the way a collar does and spares any unnecessary strain on a toy breed’s fragile neck. The same is true with medium size breeds that have a habit of pulling on the leash when walking and thereby putting their throat and neck at risk for injury. If you think a collar is a bit too restrictive for your pet, consider the benefits of using a well-made dog harness.

A collar will wrap snugly around a dog’s neck and throat. However, if your dog has a weak trachea or problems with his neck, either hereditary or from yanking on a leash, then a collar may be a bad idea since it can restrict your dog’s breathing and cause him to choke. With a harness you avoid any contact with the throat and instead wrap the accessory around the dog’s chest and ribcage to secure a tight fit. Once the harness is attached simply hook the leash on and you’re ready to take your dog out for a walk.

In addition to dog’s with neck problems and small breeds, harnesses are also recommended for dogs that have large necks and small heads which allows for them to easily back up and slip out of a collar. If your dog has a habit of trying to escape his collar then consider using a harness instead to secure him in place when going out for walks. Harnesses can be found in many sizes and a wide variety of materials including leather, nylon and fabric.

While it usually comes down to the preference of the dog owner, some dog breeds are better candidates for harnesses including Italian Greyhounds, toy poodles, dachshunds and French bulldogs. These dogs are known for their slight statures and fragile necks so walking such breeds with a standard dog collar and leash may not be the best idea. Also, if your dog has a medium build but tends to be overly aggressive when being walked you should consider using a harness to relieve the pressure that will be put on the throat of a dog that pulls and yanks. Simply put, if you have any concern about the health of your dog due to a collar being too tight, try using a dog harness instead and see if that does the trick.

For a great selection of dog harnesses as well as leather dog collars [http://www.mydogcollars.com/] and nylon dog leashes visit My Dog Collars.

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