Dog Collar or Harness? Which is best?
Modern scientific studies* have put the long standing debate of Dog Collars vs Dog Harnesses to rest. Read on to learn more.
An uncomfortable truth: Your dog collar is harming your dog
Did you ever stop to think about what happens under a dog’s collar? Did you know that the area around the dog’s throat is one of the most vulnerable parts of their body?
For humans we know that only one whiplash accident can cause long-term pain and suffering. Every time the dog is pulled, pressure is applied to their lymph nodes, mandibular and thyroid gland and their trachea and oesophagus experiences choking. This magnifies when they run forward and experience a sudden tug on their collar pulling them backwards.
A collar damages the vital organs of the dog’s neck and causes pain, just like it would for us. And pain always affects health and behaviour. Dogs who are led by collars often display signs of an injured trachea, which includes coughing, snoring and making low noises during sleep. Some dogs will also suffer from hypothyroidism, which eventually will lead to a low immune system, opening them to all sorts of illness including cancer.
The fix: A Y-shaped dog harness such as a Haqihana Harness
The design and quality of a dog harness is important for your dog’s comfort. Most harnesses are poorly-designed and do not allow freedom of movement. They place pressure on the sensitive structures of the neck or across the shoulders, or use excess or poor quality materials that rub on the skin.
A well fitted Y-shaped dog harness, such as a Haqihana Harness, rests completely on the thorax. The centre of the Y is located between the shoulders on the breast bone keeping the dog’s neck and shoulder joints free.
The best dog harness available is the Haqihana non-inhibitive harness. It does not cause pain, friction or injury to the skin and does not limit movement in any way or create any other discomfort for your dog. Choose a harness, but choose Haqihana!
So how does a dog collar harm your dog?
Skin
A dog’s skin is mostly covered with hair, which protects it against sunburn and to some degree against mechanical forces. The skin is a vital organ, forming an important barrier between the external environment and the internal body.
Collar damage: hair loss, irritation, bruises, wounds & pain.
Muscles
The dog’s neck muscles are constantly working against gravity to keep it’s head up. Unlike ours the centre of gravity of the dog’s head falls outside it’s base of support. During movement the muscles of the neck keep the head balanced, to keep the line of vision and the organ of equilibrium in the inner ear level.
Collar damage: contusions, strains, pain, injury to the muscles of the neck influences the whole body movement.
Lymph Duct & Nodes
Lymph is the fluid that surrounds all cells. It is collected in lymph capillaries and transported to the lymph glands. The nodes are important organs in the immune system they filter the lymph before the duct takes it back to the heart where it is reabsorbed in the blood.
Collar damage: swelling of glands, damage or rupture of the duct, impaired immunity, pain.
Thymus
Another important organ of the immune system, in which the T-cells mature. T-cells are a type of white blood cells that play a central role in immunity. The thymus can be large in puppies, but atrophies (reduces in size) after adolescence. So only in puppies and young dogs can it be damaged by a collar.
Collar damage: mechanical damage to the thymus can result into a decrease in T-cell amount.
Tongue Bone
Small horseshoe-shaped bone, where muscles of tongue and lower mouth attach. It is important in movements of the tongue and swallowing.
Collar damage: can lead to difficult and painful swallowing.
Vertebrae and Intervertebral Discs
7 vertebrae form the cervical spine of the dog. The intervertebral discs consist of cartilage and collagen fibres.
Collar damage: tension on the collar results in a shear force causing unnatural movement that accelerates degeneration, causing osteoarthritis of the spine and possibly herniation of the discs.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a nervous tube that extends from the brain and passes through a canal formed by the vertebrae.
Collar damage: tension on the collar results in abnormal shearing stresses between vertebrae, that may result in narrowing of the spinal canal and impingement of the spinal cord.
Nerves
Peripheral nerves branching out from the spinal cord exit the spinal canal in between two vertebrae. These nerves conduct motor impulses from brain to muscles and sensory impulses from skin to brain.
Collar damage: osteo-arthritis and herniated discs can impinge the nerves causing pain and impaired neurological functions.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nerves
These nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the involuntary actions of the body (heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate etc ). They are the neurological communication between the brain and the organs of the body.
Collar damage: mechanical trauma can cause direct damage to these nerves or indirect due to swelling and pressure from surrounding tissues.
Arteries and Veins
The blood vessels in the neck carry the blood to and from the head and brain.
Collar damage: pressure on the veins causes higher blood pressure in the brain and raised intra-ocular pressure, long-term effects may be impaired blood circulation in brain and glaucoma.
Trachea
The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube reinforced by C-shaped cartilage rings.
Collar damage: the cartilage rings can flatten or break, resulting in a narrower diameter and thus respiratory problems.
Larynx
The larynx sits at the top of the trachea and holds a very important valve. This valve closes to keep food from sliding down to the lungs.
Collar damage: difficulties swallowing, choking, pain.
Oesophagus
The oesophagus, or gullet, is a muscular tube, transporting food from the mouth to the stomach.
Collar damage: difficulties swallowing, pain.
Thyroid
This is one of the largest hormone secreting organs in the body. It has a very important role in regulating metabolism, body temperature, heart and respiratory rate, brain development, cell growth and mood.
Collar damage: mechanical trauma caused by a collar can lead to hypothyroidism.
Choose a harness. Choose Haqihana.
Are you ready to change your dog’s walking experience? Choose a Harness. Choose Haqihana.
Best harness ever for us
Haqihana Double H Harnesses are the best harness ever for us. We got them in colours that matched our greyhounds, as much as possible, because we usually wear a fancy colourful collar just for show.
Perfect fit for Miniature Dachshunds
This is Snickers, the miniature long haired Dachshund, out on her first walk wearing her new Haqihana harness together with her sister Sizzles. It’s perfect, thank you.
Feeling inspired?
If you are ready to change your dog's walking experience purchase your Haqihana Harness and Leash today from our online store.
References
* S Blake, R Williams, R Ferro de Godoy, 'A Systematic Review of the Biomechanical Effects of Harness and Head-Collar use in Dogs', Writtle University College, Essex United Kingdom https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/759258v1.full.pdf