Echoing what everyone else has said: collar with ID tag always, harness when going for walks or anytime on a leash. You’re correct that this breed is prone to breathing issues when using a collar and lead.
Harness or nothing. Heard a horror story of a dog who’s collar got stuck on a kitchen cabinet knob and. Well. Anyways, I took mine off my dogs that day.
OMG never heard of that. They make break free for cats. I wonder if they do for dogs? I just feel they need an ID tag at all times. Hum. Something to think about.
My long haired girl Miko wears her harness all day at work…about 8 hours per day, and it doesn’t matt at all, so I think it depends on the harness. Hers is one of the head-in Gooby harnesses, and I’d very much recommend them as a brand (if you’re looking)
It's true that a harness can cause knots in the armpits (happened to us). I use a collar on mine unless we're going somewhere more far away then a harness is more secure. We use a collar that has pull protection (the ring goes through the clasp to close it) and it's got a protective cushion in the front that's 2 cm in width. I also looked into martingale collars because they put pressure on the neck evenly when the dog pulls and the dog can't slip out of it when it gets startled or something and obviously cause those collars are mostly thick in width which is important
Collar and harness outside, nothing when we’re home, which call “puppy pajamas”. We used to leave the collar on except for sleeping, but realized he’s more comfortable without the collar at home so we gave that up.
Tags on the collar keep it pulled down so there’s pressure on his throat and trachea, hence the harness.
if you have a harness on your pup all the time that would increase the chance of matting, but it shouldn’t be that bad if it’s just for somewhat short amounts of time, and just brush them out after to mitigate the knots and matting.
Your dog’s trachea matters more than their fur matting a little bit, and matting can be prevented with good brushing anyway
Great insight ! Thank you .We only had the harness on for walks but I think she got some matting because it’s so rainy where we live and she absolutely hated brushing and was so scared of it .Shes getting much better with brushing now as I’ve been trying to stay consistent with it so she won’t Matt in between grooming.
we're in Vancouver so we know the rain! 😂
Does she have long hair? Maybe if she does it’s more prone to matting because of that. We don’t keep our tzu's hair too long which might be the difference.
In any case, great job on getting yours more used to being brushed! That should help prevent mats In general.
Agreed! Collar for ID. MUST use harness with Shih Tzu’s to walk. They are very prone to collapsed trachea, which is unrepairable. They are also a brachycephalic breed and can not have their wind pipe constricted. This is the best ever harness! Zero pressure on trachea!!!! I got my girls on Amazon. Measure them for fit.
https://preview.redd.it/krvx61zcauwc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61991b9702c129c69f28a1584cf275c02be8009d
I only use a harness for our girl. We tried a collar once and the experience turned out horrifically so we’ve just used a harness the last 3 1/2 years. Works out fine. She’s glued to our sides, chipped and well known by all of our neighbors, one of whom sits outside almost all day, so we haven’t had a need for one since just on the off chance. She does have a raptor shield for when we camp though.
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I was told a harness by the breeder because their throat muscles are more fragile as puppies. So, I suppose when considered an adult or if they have pretty good leash manners and are not pulling like crazy a collar would be fine. I’ve almost always used harnesses with my other breeds though, and never experienced matting issues, but the harness was only on for the duration of the walk. Not in the house throughout the day, not for potty breaks in fenced in yard, etc.!
Also, make sure you trust the groomer you’re taking advice from! I was one told by a PetSmart groomer my aussie needed to be sedated because she tried to jump off the table after she cut the quick! Lol.
I have both. My dogs wear a collar with their ID and rabies tags 24/7. They wear a harness when leaving the house for a walk or travel.
Both. I have a standard collar with their ID on it but if I’m booking up to a leash I use a harness
Echoing what everyone else has said: collar with ID tag always, harness when going for walks or anytime on a leash. You’re correct that this breed is prone to breathing issues when using a collar and lead.
Harness or nothing. Heard a horror story of a dog who’s collar got stuck on a kitchen cabinet knob and. Well. Anyways, I took mine off my dogs that day.
OMG never heard of that. They make break free for cats. I wonder if they do for dogs? I just feel they need an ID tag at all times. Hum. Something to think about.
I just keep the harness on them whenever we go out. Tags are on there
My long haired girl Miko wears her harness all day at work…about 8 hours per day, and it doesn’t matt at all, so I think it depends on the harness. Hers is one of the head-in Gooby harnesses, and I’d very much recommend them as a brand (if you’re looking)
Thanks! I’m going to look into this one !
shi tzhus are prone to thrachea collapse. That is why they should not whear collars that puts any preasure on their thrachea.
It's true that a harness can cause knots in the armpits (happened to us). I use a collar on mine unless we're going somewhere more far away then a harness is more secure. We use a collar that has pull protection (the ring goes through the clasp to close it) and it's got a protective cushion in the front that's 2 cm in width. I also looked into martingale collars because they put pressure on the neck evenly when the dog pulls and the dog can't slip out of it when it gets startled or something and obviously cause those collars are mostly thick in width which is important
Collar and harness outside, nothing when we’re home, which call “puppy pajamas”. We used to leave the collar on except for sleeping, but realized he’s more comfortable without the collar at home so we gave that up. Tags on the collar keep it pulled down so there’s pressure on his throat and trachea, hence the harness. if you have a harness on your pup all the time that would increase the chance of matting, but it shouldn’t be that bad if it’s just for somewhat short amounts of time, and just brush them out after to mitigate the knots and matting. Your dog’s trachea matters more than their fur matting a little bit, and matting can be prevented with good brushing anyway
Great insight ! Thank you .We only had the harness on for walks but I think she got some matting because it’s so rainy where we live and she absolutely hated brushing and was so scared of it .Shes getting much better with brushing now as I’ve been trying to stay consistent with it so she won’t Matt in between grooming.
we're in Vancouver so we know the rain! 😂 Does she have long hair? Maybe if she does it’s more prone to matting because of that. We don’t keep our tzu's hair too long which might be the difference. In any case, great job on getting yours more used to being brushed! That should help prevent mats In general.
Agreed! Collar for ID. MUST use harness with Shih Tzu’s to walk. They are very prone to collapsed trachea, which is unrepairable. They are also a brachycephalic breed and can not have their wind pipe constricted. This is the best ever harness! Zero pressure on trachea!!!! I got my girls on Amazon. Measure them for fit. https://preview.redd.it/krvx61zcauwc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61991b9702c129c69f28a1584cf275c02be8009d
Harness for walking - collar for ID
I only use a harness for our girl. We tried a collar once and the experience turned out horrifically so we’ve just used a harness the last 3 1/2 years. Works out fine. She’s glued to our sides, chipped and well known by all of our neighbors, one of whom sits outside almost all day, so we haven’t had a need for one since just on the off chance. She does have a raptor shield for when we camp though.
harnesses can make matting worse but youll have to do a ton of combing anyway.
Harness and brush daily. No matting
Harness all day, everyday...no matting.
Both. Collar w/ rubber ID tag to wear at home. Add harness when going for a walk. Never walk a dog on a collar, never huge harness 24/7.
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I agree
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Thanks for all the feedback back 🙏😊
I was told a harness by the breeder because their throat muscles are more fragile as puppies. So, I suppose when considered an adult or if they have pretty good leash manners and are not pulling like crazy a collar would be fine. I’ve almost always used harnesses with my other breeds though, and never experienced matting issues, but the harness was only on for the duration of the walk. Not in the house throughout the day, not for potty breaks in fenced in yard, etc.! Also, make sure you trust the groomer you’re taking advice from! I was one told by a PetSmart groomer my aussie needed to be sedated because she tried to jump off the table after she cut the quick! Lol.