Swank Pets Dog Blog

Today, there are hundreds of different styles to chose from when it comes to small dog collars and harnesses. However, which is the best and safest for your small dog? Well, the answer is both. I personally think that your small dog needs both a small dog collar and a small dog harness. However, the small dog collar and small dog harness serve different purposes. I will go over why you should use a small dog harness when you walk your dog.

I would have to say that most people that own dogs use a dog collar to walk their pets. This is fine for LARGER dogs, however small dogs should use a small dog harness. By using a collar on your little fur baby, you run the risk of causing a ‘collapsed trachea’. A dog’s trachea is supported by tough rings of cartilage. When this cartilage loses its strength, it will cause the trachea to collapse. In turn, your dog will have a tougher time breathing and less energy to run around and play. When you use a small dog collar as opposed to a small dog harness, the collar wraps around this essential cartilage that supports the trachea. This cartilage is quite tough, however large strains on this cartilage can cause the trachea to collapse. Large strains can occur during constant tugging on a leash, which is quite common when you walk your dog.

Using a small dog harness places the pressure on your dog’s chest. Your dog’s chest is much more rigid and supported by their huge breast bone as opposed to a weaker area such as their neck. Having the small dog harness around their chest dissipates the tension from a forceful leash pull to be displaced across a larger area. If you’re a visual person, simply press your finger against your neck and then against your chest. Which hurts more? With simple physics, its easy to see why a small dog harness is so much safer than a small dog collar.

So then you might be saying, “I can’t get any cute small dog clothes on my dog if they’re wearing a small dog harness.” Well, I hope you wouldn’t sacrifice your dog’s safety for looks, but have no fear—we have alternatives! Today, you can find a small dog harness in many fashionable styles for both girl and boy dogs. They look like little dog shirts or vests, and double as a small dog harness. For example, this “Army Green Skull Dress Small Dog Harness” is absolutely adorable and most importantly, safe for your little baby. For boy dogs, this”Camo Netted Small Dog Harness” looks cute and serves its purpose. For all these small dog harnesses, you simply place the leash around the D-ring, and away you go on your walk.

However, don’t discount the small dog collar at all. These are still very important, and I’ll tell you why. Although you could technically clip a dog tag onto the D-ring of the small dog harness—it just wouldn’t look as cute! A small dog collar can be used to keep that dog tag on, and act as a nice little accessory. There are many cute small dog collars available. From the high end, to the simple. One of our nicest collars is our “Cowgirl Buckle Designer Dog Collar” These are hand made from the best material, and cannot be found anywhere else. For a more simple collar, you can opt for this “Gold Daisy Small Dog Collar“. Also remember you can always keep a small dog collar on at all times, and then place the small dog harness on when it’s time for a walk. They can both go hand in hand.

Hopefully, you’ve learned the importance of both a small dog harness and a small dog collar. Both are essential and can help prevent injury to your precious little baby.