Should Corgis Wear A Harness? Here’s The Truth.

Asking yourself the question: should corgis wear a harness?

Trying to decide which one is best?

The short answer is yes, corgis should wear a harness. It’s safer and more comfortable for them. Especially as a dog breed prone to spine- and joint-related issues.

Ever since we brought Winston home, he’s worn a harness.

And I strongly recommend harnesses to anyone considering getting any kind of dog, not just a corgi.

So why am I so pro-harness?

And which brand is my favorite?

Let’s find out!

Is a harness good for a corgi?

Yes, a harness is very good for a corgi. By using a harness, you minimize the strain put on their neck and back by a collar.

This is particularly true for dwarf dogs like corgis. They have unusually long bodies and short legs, so extra care should be taken when it comes to their spine and joints.

Just imagine you were attached to a lead that someone was pulling.

Would you rather be wearing a harness that covers your torso or a strap fastened around your neck?

I know which I’d prefer!

Should corgis wear a harness or a collar?

I strongly recommend that your corgi wears a harness rather than a collar.

Not only will this be more comfortable for them, but it’ll be much easier for you to walk them on a leash.

That’s because a harness gives you more control.

Rather than yanking on your corgi’s neck (which I think is cruel), you can use the harness to more easily guide your corgi in the direction you’d prefer them to go.

A study led by a canine scientist in 2020 looked at the potential impact of pulling on the lead and the related pressure on a dog’s neck.

It found that all collar types – even those that were wider or padded – would be sufficient to risk injury to a dog.

Dr. Anne Carter, a researcher at the university that was involved in the study said:

“Even the ‘best’ type of collar is putting too much pressure on the dog’s neck if they pull on the lead and this is risking injury. We suggest that collars should be used to display ID tags and dogs should be walked on a harness or loose lead that avoids any pressure on the neck.

Dr. Anne Carter, a researcher in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences

The researchers involved in the study recommended a well-fitted harness for all dog breeds, rather than a collar.

How to measure your corgi for a harness

Wondering what size harness you should get your corgi?

Unfortunately, this isn’t a case of one-size-fits-all!

Every harness is different and you’ll need to follow the brand’s specific instructions to ensure you get the right fit.

As a general rule, you’ll need to measure your corgi’s neck and chest.

Here’s the sizing chart for my preferred corgi harness (more on that below!).

Puppia Soft Vest Harness: The best harness for a corgi

I recently tried and tested 3 harnesses and shared my findings in this corgi harness round-up.

However, if you’d like to skip additional reading and find out my favorite one, here it is.

This Puppia harness is the most durable, secure, and gentle corgi harness we’ve used to date.

It’s breathable mesh material makes it warm in winter, cool in summer and easily washable… great if your corgi is a fan of rolling in fox poop like ours!

Puppia also offers a variety of different colors and patterns for the more fashion-conscious corgis out there.

Make sure to measure your corgi properly because Puppia’s sizing comes up very small.

For example, Winston fits a Large size perfectly. For other brands, he is a Small or a Medium.

The verdict: To harness or not to harness?

In case it wasn’t obvious by now, I strongly recommend you get your corgi a harness.

Not only because I think collars are unnecessary and cruel, but because the research says so too.

And with so many harnesses available to choose from, you and your corgi will be spoilt for choice.

There’s a harness to suit every corgi, whether they’re chonky, slim, an escape artist, or the perfect heeler!

Related FAQs

How do you train a corgi to walk on a leash?

Training a corgi to walk on a leash takes patience and consistency. You can learn more about corgi training tips here or check out this video.

What’s the best escape-proof harness for a corgi?

We’ve found Puppia’s Soft Vest Harness to be very escape-proof. However, do check out the corgi harness product round-up for a look at some other harnesses that might be more suitable for your escape artist!

Article source: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2020/05/collars-risk-causing-neck-injuries-in-dogs,-study-shows