Harness or collar? The pros and cons of each, which dogs need a harness, and the UK law that says your dog must still wear an ID tag.
Quick answer: for walking, a well-fitted harness is usually better for most dogs. It spreads pressure across the chest instead of the neck, gives you more control, and is especially good for small breeds, flat-faced breeds, puppies and dogs that pull. But in the UK your dog must still wear a collar with an ID tag in public by law, so most owners use both: a collar and tag for identification, and a harness for attaching the lead.
The UK law on collars and ID tags
Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address (including postcode) on it, either engraved or written on a tag or plate. A phone number is optional but strongly recommended. This applies even if your dog wears a harness, and even though dogs must also be microchipped. There are limited exceptions, such as some working dogs. A clearly engraved pet ID tag is the simplest way to comply.
Collars: pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to put on and leave on
- Holds the legally required ID tag
- Fine for walking calm dogs that don't pull
- Comfortable and lightweight. A padded neoprene collar adds comfort.
Cons
- Pulling puts pressure on the neck, throat and windpipe
- Not ideal for flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs
- Small dogs and dogs with tracheal problems are particularly at risk
- Dogs with narrow heads, like Greyhounds and Whippets, can slip standard collars. These breeds often wear a martingale or sighthound collar.
Harnesses: pros and cons
Pros
- Spreads pressure across the chest and shoulders, away from the neck
- Gives better control, especially of strong or excitable dogs
- Front-clip designs help reduce pulling. See how to choose a no-pull harness.
- Harder to slip out of when well fitted, which is useful for nervous dogs during fireworks
- Handy grab handle on many designs for lifting or steadying a dog
Cons
- Must fit correctly. A poor fit can rub or restrict shoulder movement.
- Takes a little longer to put on
- Back-clip harnesses can encourage some dogs to pull harder
- Shouldn't be left on all day, as it can cause rubbing
Which dogs should wear a harness?
- Puppies still learning to walk on a lead
- Small and toy breeds with delicate necks
- Flat-faced breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Shih Tzus
- Dogs that pull on the lead
- Dogs with neck, back or breathing problems, as advised by your vet
- Escape artists and nervous dogs: an escape-resistant vest harness is harder to back out of
Types of harness
- Vest harnesses: padded and comfortable, great for small dogs. Try the mesh vest harness and lead set.
- Padded no-pull harnesses: with front and back clips, like our padded no-pull harness.
- Y-front harnesses: leave the shoulders free to move, which many trainers prefer.
- Sports and pulling harnesses: for canicross and sled sports, such as the canicross pulling harness.
- Cat harnesses: yes, cats can wear them too. See the tactical cat harness.
Shop all collars and harnesses.
How to fit a harness
- Measure your dog's chest at the widest point and their neck. Follow our harness measuring guide.
- Adjust so you can fit two fingers under every strap.
- Check it doesn't sit across the shoulder joints or rub behind the front legs.
- Check your dog can't back out of it by gently pulling forward.
- Re-check fit regularly, especially for growing puppies.
Choosing the right lead
Pair your harness with a lead suited to where you walk. Read how to choose a dog lead and browse leads.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to walk a dog with just a harness in the UK?
Your dog must wear a collar with an ID tag showing your name and address in public. If your dog wears only a harness, make sure the ID is attached to a collar as well, because that is what the law requires.
Can my dog wear a harness all the time?
It's best to remove the harness when your dog is at home, to avoid rubbing and matting.
Do vets recommend harnesses or collars?
Many vets recommend harnesses for walking, especially for small, flat-faced or pulling dogs, while keeping a collar on for ID.
Shop dog harnesses and collars and personalised ID tags with free UK delivery.