Short answer
For flat-faced breeds, the RSPCA, PDSA and Royal Kennel Club all advise walking on a harness rather than a collar, to keep pressure off the neck and airway1,2,3. The best type is one with a Y-shaped front that sits low on the breastbone, avoids pressure on the neck and allows free shoulder movement4, in a style your dog is comfortable putting on.
What UK bodies say
This article answers one question from our guide to dog harness types.
The RSPCA says: "Walk your dog on a harness rather than a collar and lead, to avoid putting pressure on their neck and help them breathe easier."1
The PDSA says: "Attach the lead to a well-fitted harness instead of a collar as pressure on their neck can make breathing problems worse."2
The Royal Kennel Club advises "using a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting pressure on their airway"3.
What to look for
Battersea says: "A good harness should avoid pressure on your dog's neck and allow free shoulder movement. Look for a Y-shaped front for comfort."4
- Y-shaped front, sitting low. On a short-necked dog there's little space between the throat and the front legs. The front should rest on the breastbone, well below the throat.
- Nothing across the throat. We suggest avoiding designs with a strap that runs high across the front of the neck.
- Free shoulders. Broad-chested breeds need the straps clear of the shoulders and armpits4.
- A good fit. The PDSA specifies a "well-fitted harness"2. A loose harness can ride up towards the throat when your dog pulls.
Which style?
Battersea says: "Try different styles (over-head, step-in or clip-around) to see what your dog prefers," and "Choose a clip-around harness if lifting legs is uncomfortable."4
Many flat-faced dogs have a large head for their neck. We suggest a step-in or clip-around harness if an over-head loop is a struggle to get on, since neither goes over the head. See how to put a dog harness on.
Front clip or back clip?
We haven't found a study on clip position for flat-faced breeds. We suggest checking that, whichever ring you use, a pull on the lead doesn't lift the front of the harness up towards the throat. See front-clip or back-clip harness?
The collar is for ID only
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 says every dog "while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it"5. There are some exceptions, for example for certain working dogs.
For a flat-faced dog, we suggest keeping the collar for the ID tag and always clipping the lead to the harness, in line with the RSPCA's advice1.
Breathing
If your dog struggles to breathe, snores loudly, tires very quickly on walks or seems distressed in warm weather, see your vet. A harness keeps pressure off the neck, but it isn't a treatment.
See your vet
Any breathing trouble, at home or on a walk, is a reason to see your vet.
Harness guides for flat-faced breeds
Each guide covers the sizes in each brand, how to measure that breed, and the styles that suit it:
Breed harness guides
Every breed fits a harness a little differently. These guides cover the sizes in each brand, how to measure that breed, and the styles that suit it.
- French Bulldog harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Pug harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Bulldog harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
- Shih Tzu harness sizeSizes by brand, measuring and fit
Find your dog's harness size All breeds
Questions
Should a French Bulldog wear a harness or a collar?
Why do flat-faced dogs need a harness?
What harness style is best for a Pug?
One with a Y-shaped front that keeps pressure off the neck4. If an over-head loop is hard to get on, try a step-in or clip-around harness.
My flat-faced dog struggles to breathe on walks. Will a harness fix it?
A harness keeps pressure off the neck, but any breathing trouble is a reason to see your vet.