In this blog we answer the question:

Does my Dachshund need a harness or a collar?

When asked 'Does my Dachshund have a "Do you need a harness or a collar ?" we wholeheartedly say a harness! Why? Because a harness is always better for a dog in general, and especially for a Dachshund. Dachshunds are known for their neck and back problems (read: hernias!) due to their unique anatomy compared to other dogs. For example, they have a prominent sternum and a naturally long back. We'll explain the effect of a collar and the pulling force it places on a Dachshund's body later in this blog. So, we always advocate for a harness over a collar. The caveat here is that it must be a well-fitting harness, of course. Because a harness that isn't designed for a Dachshund almost never fits properly, in our experience. We'll tell you which harness your Dachshund needs in our other blog.

It's sometimes quite difficult to figure out what's best for your Dachshund. And we all want the best for them, right? Because if my Dachshund needs a harness, why do you still see Dachshunds wearing collars, and why are there collars on the market?



No harness but a collar because that's how we've always done it, right?
Back in the day, there were only collars for dogs, and the question "Does my Dachshund need a harness or a collar?" wasn't even asked. A dog would be given a collar, period. If possible, even a choke chain. Since then, the harness market has grown considerably, and people are increasingly realizing that harnesses are much friendlier to a dog's body.

The traditional (and somewhat outdated) way of thinking about harnesses is still alive and well, especially among breeders who have been breeding Dachshunds for years. A collar is sufficient and has been used for years. We even sometimes hear in the store that a harness will cause a Dachshund to pull even harder! And that a collar is the only way to truly train a Dachshund... ouch!



With a collar, a Dachshund would pull less than with a harness.

A Dachshund that pulls obviously has nothing to do with a harness or collar, but with upbringing and training (and it's simply a part of their personality). We're sorry to hear that breeders view harnesses this way, and we hope this blog will help change their perception a bit!

Fortunately, there are more and more dog harnesses on the market, and people are realizing that a harness is often friendlier to the Dachshund and (dogs in general) than a collar. Unfortunately, almost no harness from conventional brands fits a Dachshund. Even harnesses from major manufacturers that claim to be made for Dachshunds don't. You can read here which harness is actually made for your Dachshund.

In our store and webshop, you'll find both harnesses and collars for Dachshunds. We offer Dachshund owners the option of choosing a collar in addition to a harness. We recommend using a collar to attach things like their name and address. After all, a collar is easier to put on than a harness. For walks, we recommend using a harness instead of a collar for your Dachshund.

Why does my Dachshund need a harness and not a collar?

We'll show you why your Dachshund needs a harness and not a collar. First, Dachshunds (and dogs in general) always experience pressure and pulling during walks. No matter how well-behaved your Dachshund is and walks with you on a leash, pulling will occur if another dog approaches. Because, well, once a Dachshund, always a Dachshund, right? They almost never go the same way as you, anyway.


Dachshunds do what they want...whether they're wearing a collar or a harness!

The pulling force on the neck with a collar is much stronger than with a harness. And not just on the neck: the entire spine, from neck to tail, is affected. If your Dachshund wears a harness instead of a collar, the pulling force is distributed much more evenly across the body. There's no "sway" in the spine when the pulling force is applied.

The effect of a collar on a Dachshund's body
Below you can see the effect of a collar on a dog's body.


The body parts that get caught when wearing a collar

Your Dachshund's neck and throat contain the trachea, nerves, cervical vertebrae, artery, lymph nodes, and thyroid gland. Pulling on the leash attached to the collar puts tension on the neck. In the image below, you can see that all these parts are located under a collar. These parts of the neck and throat are therefore subjected to pressure when using a collar. Damage to the larynx or trachea, as well as swelling of the glands under the collar, can also occur.

So, there are a lot of them! Besides the constriction caused by the collar, it also creates movement in the spine. If you were to look at a Dachshund's back from above, pulling on the collar would create a kind of "sway" in the entire spine, from neck to tail. This is called the S-motion. You can imagine that this sway is not pleasant for your Dachshund with a fragile spine, and this sway must be supported by the entire body. This is one of the causes of a hernia.

Besides the S-motion, a jerk on the leash can also jerk your Dachshund's neck, potentially causing neck injuries. Think of bruised vertebrae and bones, slipped vertebrae, or even whiplash from extremely hard "rescues."


The effect of pulling force in the neck on the rest of the Dachshund body

The effect of a harness on a Dachshund's body
As you can read in the blog post "Which harness do I need for my Dachshund?", we recommend choosing a Y- or H-shaped harness for your Dachshund instead of a collar. The image below shows the pressure and pull points of these two types of harnesses.


The body parts that are subject to the pulling force of a harness

So there's no pulling force on the back, which is why it's not shown. The chest contains the lungs and heart, among other things. A little further on, the liver. These organs are covered by a Y- or H-harness and are protected by a thick layer of muscle and tendons. The harness distributes the pulling force across these muscles, so you never pull on your Dachshund's neck or other organs. The ring in the middle of the back of a Y- or H-harness ensures even pressure distribution and therefore prevents an S-shape in the spine. Note: all of the above only applies with a properly fitting Y- or H-harness made specifically for Dachshunds (not regular Y- or H-harnesses!). You can imagine that an ill-fitting harness, which, for example, slips to the side, will indeed cause an S-shape in the spine. In the previously mentioned blog post, we discuss the differences between a Y- or H-harness and which one is right for your Dachshund.

Conclusion: a harness is better for a Dachshund than a collar

A harness is better for a Dachshund than a collar

As you've come to expect from us, at Hashteckel you'll only find products we fully support. We're also very harness-minded. If you're not convinced yet, come visit our store so we can show you the difference. And to complement this blog post, also read the blog post "Which harness do I need for my Dachshund?"
We hope we've answered your question about whether a collar or harness is better for a Dachshund, and that we've clearly explained why.

Do you have any questions or comments? Please contact us.

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