Choosing the right equipment for your dog is essential for their safety, comfort, and your peace of mind. At Dahound, we offer two types of walking gears – Martingale collars and Strap Style H Dog Harnesses. Both are excellent choices for your dog. But you may wonder which one is right for your pup if you must choose one over the other.
The truth is that there is no right or wrong answer to this. It really depends on your lifestyle and your dog's health concerns and their behaviours when they go on a walk.
Before we dive into a couple of things that you want to consider when choosing a martingale collar or a harness, let’s start with learning their benefits first.
The Wide Fabric Martingale Collar – Why is it great?
- Anti-escape with the dual loop system: Made of two loops, martingale collars tighten when the dog pulls just enough to prevent accidental slip-outs. Especially when the dog jumps backwards.
- Comfort with a more relaxed fit: When the dog is not pulling, properly fitted martingale collars sit a lot more loosely around the dog’s neck compared to other conventional dog collars, providing extra comfort for your dog.
- Extra support around the neck: Dahound martingale collars are intentionally made to be wider than other conventional dog collars to provide more support and to distribute tension more evenly to prevent the collar cutting into the dog’s skin.
- Gentle on the skin: Made from soft premium quality fabric both inside and outside, webbing core is not exposed to your dog’s delicate skin. Dahound martingale collars are great for dogs with sensitive skin who don’t do well with nylon dog collars.
- Quick and easy to put on: Dahound martingale collars do not have a side release buckle – just slide it over your dog’s head and that’s it. What a time saver!
The Strap Style H Dog Harness – Why is it great?
- Even pressure distribution: Spreads the pressure from pulling evenly across your dog’s chest and shoulder, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience and relieve strain on the neck.
- Unrestricted movement with no fluff strap style design: Simply made with straps without any unnecessary bulky parts, it allows maximum freedom of movement for various activities and keeps them cool on a warm day.
- Proper fit with five adjustable straps: Offers the perfect tailored fit with five adjustable straps around chest, belly and lower neck areas, ensuring optimum comfort and proper fit – even for sighthounds and other breeds with unconventional body shapes.
- Gentle on the skin: Made from soft premium quality fabric both inside and outside, webbing core is not exposed to your dog’s delicate skin. Dahound harnesses are great for dogs with sensitive skin who don’t do well with nylon.
- Effortless tangle-free fitting with dual side release buckles: Simply slip it over the head and secure the buckles. Dahound harness is a breeze to put on. No acrobatics required trying put a leg through the harness.
Making the Choice: Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you start: What is your goal?
When choosing between martingale collars and harnesses, remember that there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this. Consider what matters most for you and your dog, as well as how and when the gear will be used. Just like us humans, every dog has unique needs, from their lifestyle and health concerns to their behaviour.
Is your top priority preventing your dog from escaping from a harness or collar? Are you looking for gear that's perfect for long walks and an active lifestyle? Or do you need something quick and easy for short daily walks or potty breaks from your apartment?
Ultimately, the best choice is different for everyone, and it may not be one over the other. You may choose to use both martingale collars and harnesses for different occasions to meet your needs.
Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself that will help you make the decision.
Does your dog have any health concerns around its neck?
Dogs with neck issues or those prone to respiratory problems would benefit more from using our harnesses over martingale collars. Although it is safe to use a martingale collar, in general, using a harness distributes pressure more evenly across the body.
Is your dog an escape artist?
If your dog has a knack for slipping out of standard dog collars and harnesses, a martingale collar can be a great option for you and your dog. It is specifically designed to prevent escape by tightening when pulled, but without choking.
How often and for how long do you walk your dog?
If you take your dog on long walks or hikes, a harness might be more comfortable for extended wear. The even distribution of pressure can prevent strain and discomfort. For shorter, frequent walks, a martingale collar might be quicker and easier to put on and take off.
What is your dog’s temperament?
If your dog is calm and well-behaved on walks, a martingale collar can provide enough control without putting excessive pressure on your dog’s neck. However, if your dog is highly energetic, reactive, or prone to lunging at distractions, a harness can offer better management and help you maintain control.
What’s the environment like where you usually walk your dog?
Consider where you usually take your dog for walks. If you often walk your dog in quiet, open and secure areas with minimal distractions, either a harness or a martingale collar will be just fine. However, if you navigate busy parks or other areas with other animals and lots of distractions, consider using a harness for even distribution of pressure. If your dog easily escapes out of a harness, consider using a martingale collar instead.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best choice between a martingale collar and a harness depends on your lifestyle and your dog’s needs. By considering these questions, you can make a more informed decision that ensures your dog’s safety and comfort for a better walking experience.
Choose a martingale collar:
- If you need something simple and quick to put on for quick daily walks or potty breaks
- If your dog easily escapes out of a standard dog collar and a harness
- If your dog is generally calm and doesn’t get too excited or reactive on walks
Choose a strap style H dog harness:
- If your dog has health concerns around its neck
- If you take your dog for a long walk and hikes and need something for an extended wear
- If your dog is highly energetic, reactive, or prone to lunging at distractions
