Harness or collar for your dog? What's best, and what the law says

Blue Cross says coughing is common when a dog pulls on the lead and the collar presses on the windpipe, and that a harness can help reduce coughing and prevent damage to the neck or windpipe. Training your dog not to pull helps too.

Battersea's advice is that a good harness avoids pressure on the neck and lets the shoulders move freely. Look for a Y-shaped front.

In a public place, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 says a dog must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it, or on a tag attached to it. The Order talks about a collar, so the safest way to meet it is a collar with your details, even if the lead clips to a harness.

Battersea calls a flat collar a simple, safe choice for most dogs. Our guide to UK dog tag law covers who's exempt and what to put on the tag.

• Clip the lead to the harness, and keep a light collar on for the ID.
• Put your name and address on the collar or a tag on it. A personalised collar counts too.
• Hang a QR code dog tag beside it, so whoever finds your dog can reach you straight away and see any medical notes.

• Collar: snug, with room for two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. Our guide to how tight a dog's collar should be has more.
• Harness: no pressure on the neck, and the shoulders free to move.
• Check both as a puppy grows, and whenever your dog's weight changes.

If a medical reason means your dog can't wear a collar, talk to your vet, and put a tag with your details on the harness so anyone who finds your dog can still reach you.