Safer harnesses and collars are key pieces of equipment for your small dog.
It’s vital to select the right equipment that provides a size appropriate, comfortable fit to minimize your dog’s escape risk. The appropriate fit can also reduce pressure on the throat of your small dogs.
Tracheal Collapse is a concern with many small dog breeds, including pomeranians, yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas, poodles, pugs, maltese, and mixed breeds of these.
Equipment that places stress on the neck region can directly damage the trachea or make an existing condition worse.
Safer harnesses for your small pups
Harness styles for small dogs
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“Y”- front harness: This recommended harness frequently offers 4-6 adjustment points for a custom fit. Connection points on both front and back of the harness allow the most flexibility to manage your dog’s walks, runs, and hikes. Look for a buckle at the neck if your dog doesn’t like their harness pulled over their head.
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Step-in harness: These may be a better option for dogs who don’t like their harness going over their head, we recommend a style that offers a strap between the legs to keep pressure off of your dog’s neck. Dog guardians with hand mobility challenges may also like this style, many of the step-in harness styles only require 1 buckle to fasten, and this can be swapped out for a magnetic buckle in some styles.
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No-pull harness: Many of these are designed with a horizontal chest strap that works by restricting shoulder movement, giving the walker a physical advantage over their pulling pup. They can be more challenging to fit on dogs with a wide chest.
Harness Construction
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Webbing: webbing harnesses are typically the most adjustable, a great option for a growing pup or if your dog is a non-standard shape. Webbing harnesses are also better for the small water dogs out there.
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Fabric: Fabric harnesses or vets are a comfortable option, but are less escape-resistant than a webbing harness. There is also typically less adjustability with a fabric-only harness.
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Combination: The pairing of webbing and padded fabric offers the best of both worlds, but can be a fit challenge due to the limited adjustability. If your dog is very active - it’s well worth the time and money to invest in a padded webbing harness for comfort and durability.
Key Notes
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Properly fitted harnesses can be safer for dogs who pull & lunge, reducing pressure on their neck.
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The right harness design can limit the risk of escapes, but pairing your harness with a backup strap and a martingale collar can give you peace of mind.
Cautions
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Small dogs are more challenging to properly fit in a harness, due to the limited adjustability available with many styles.
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No-pull harnesses work by restricting shoulder movement, which can cause discomfort in the short term and injury in the long term.
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Martingale loops on harnesses are another “no-pull” feature, but these can be uncomfortable as well as aversive for sensitive dogs. Read more from a dog trainer.
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Harnesses with a high neck design can also contribute to creating pressure on the throat, a caution with the small dog breeds that are more susceptible to trachea collapse.
Safer collars for small dogs
Collar styles for small dogs
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Flat Collar / Buckle Collar: ID collar and walking collar in one - as long as it’s well fitting and can’t slip over your small dog’s head, these can be a good option for small dogs that don’t pull.
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Martingale Collar: These can be a great walking collar for small breed dogs who don’t pull or lunge, but the preferred use is as an escape-resistant backup while using a harness for walks. ***Please ensure your equipment is sized correctly- see Cautions below***
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Slip collars, prong collars, and choke collars: Constricting and aversive, these collars are especially dangerous for small dogs. It doesn’t take very much pressure to injure or permanently damage your dog’s throat.
Collar Construction
The smallest dogs have the benefit of not needing a super strong collar, so you can get an almost infinite number of cute designs for your small pup.
But just because your pup is small doesn’t mean you should go cheap with your collar - look for cute designs that are backed by durable webbing and strong hardware sized appropriately for your pup.
Key Notes
Small dog guardians have a wider range of collar features too, including breakaway buckles if your dog tends to wear their collar full time.
Collar Cautions
Large martingale loops can be dangerous, allowing a dog to get their foot or even their lower jaw caught in the loop. Ensure your collar fits appropriately and reduce the risk by never allowing your dog to wear a martingale unsupervised.
Final Thoughts
For small breed dogs, a well-fitted harness is generally safer for outdoor adventures, especially with a lightweight martingale backup collar.
Check out our made-to-order Harnesses and Collars for your pup and enjoy safe, comfortable, and confident adventures with your little one!