Collars Vs Harnesses: What's Best For Sighthound Breeds?

3 minute read

Collars vs Harnesses: What’s Best for Sighthound Breeds?

As anybody who has owned a sighthound will know, they have quite unique physical traits and temperaments that need special consideration.

No more is this true than when buying a collar or a harness for your sighthound.

Whilst harnesses have become increasingly popular for dogs in general, the adoption of harnesses for sighthounds is trailing behind, but is there any real reason for this?

That is what we will explore today and hopefully by the end of the article, you’ll be able to make the right choice for your sighthound.

Benefits of a collar:

Lightweight & comfortable – collars are usually smaller and less bulky than a harness, and some dogs will appreciate the lighter load. Some owners also prefer this look.
Comfortable to wear – sighthounds tend to be quite sensitive, and collars are often more comfortable than many (not all) harnesses.
Easier to put on than a harness – some sighthounds can be sensitive / stubborn about doing things they don’t want to do and may be more accustomed to having a collar slipped on than having a harness put on.
Although sighthounds can slip out of traditional collars quite easily due to their narrow heads, this is easily solved by using a martingale collar.

Benefits of a harness:

Safer & less risk of injury – a harness distributes pressure on the chest rather than their fragile necks which reduces the risk of injury.
Can use a longer lead – it’s no secret that sighthounds are sprinters, but did you know that a greyhound for example can get up to 45mph in as little as 6 strides? Now imagine using a collar around the neck to bring that to a sudden halt. Yeah, I’m grimacing too. Please use a harness if you have any intention to use a longer lead with your sighthound.
Prey drive – sighthounds are known for their prey drive so it’s common for them to lunge towards things when walking. You don’t want this repetitive strain on the neck, so it’s safer to use a harness when walking anywhere you might encounter wildlife.
Escape proof harnesses – much like traditional collars, sighthounds also have a knack for escaping traditional harnesses. However, you can get a sighthound harness like this one from Snootiful Hound, and it is completely escape proof.
Car travel – a harness can be used in a car to keep your sighthound secure, whereas you must never attach your dog in the car using their collar.

For me personally, I always use a harness with my rescue Saluki, Blondie, because she’s really comfortable in her Snootiful Hound harness, it’s escape proof, and I like to use a longer lead with her most of the time.

I see a lot of people use collars for short trips and harnesses for more adventurous walks, and that’s a great middle ground for a lot of people too.

At the end of the day, nobody knows your dog like you do, so you know what is best for them, and hopefully this article will help you make that decision.