Greyhound harnesses in focus: The ultimate guide for making the right choice
1. Introduction to greyhound harnesses
What is a greyhound harness and why is it important?
A greyhound harness isn't just a simple dog harness. It's specifically designed for the unique body shape and needs of greyhounds.
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Body shape: Greyhounds are known for their lean and athletic build. Their chests are deeper and narrower than most other dog breeds. Therefore, they require a harness that accommodates their shape and won't slip or pinch.
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Safety: Greyhounds are fast runners. A well-fitting harness ensures they can't slip out while running or walking. Their sleek shape also allows them to slip out of conventional harnesses. A properly fitting harness ensures they are safe and controlled.
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Comfort and protection: Due to their typically short coats and thin undercoat, standard harnesses can cause chafing and cuts in greyhounds. Some greyhounds have sensitive skin and a thin undercoat. A special greyhound harness is padded to provide maximum comfort and minimize chafing and skin irritation.
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Health: An improperly fitting harness can strain the dog's back and muscles, as well as restrict shoulder movement. A harness specifically designed for greyhounds distributes pressure evenly and provides maximum freedom of movement.
A greyhound harness is an indispensable accessory for every greyhound owner who has the well-being and safety of their four-legged friend in mind.
2. Special features of greyhound harnesses
2.1. Adaptation to the body shape
Greyhounds are characterized by a distinctive body shape that sets them apart from many other dog breeds. This uniqueness requires special consideration when choosing a harness.
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Slender build: Greyhounds have a strikingly slim and elongated build. This means that conventional harnesses often don't fit well and can easily slip. A greyhound harness is designed to fit snugly and stay in place, even when the dog is moving.
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Deep chest: Another characteristic of greyhounds is their deep and narrow chest. This can cause regular harnesses to fit too tightly around the chest and restrict the dog's breathing. Greyhound harnesses are designed to enclose the chest area without restriction.
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Freedom of movement: Despite their slender stature, greyhounds are agile and fast runners. A harness specifically designed for their body shape allows them full freedom of movement without feeling restricted.
Overall, adapting to the greyhound's body shape is not only a matter of comfort, but also of its safety and health. A properly fitting harness ensures that the dog can move freely without the risk of injury or discomfort.
2.2. Padding and comfort
When it comes to greyhound harnesses , special attention should be paid to padding and comfort to meet the specific needs of this breed.
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Padding: Soft padding protects against friction and localized cuts.
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Pressure distribution: Proportionately wide straps and all-round padding ensure even pressure distribution, which is especially important when the dog pulls on the leash. For this reason, the webbing should not be too narrow, but rather fit the dog's body size.
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Materials: Well-designed harnesses often use breathable materials that provide extra comfort and prevent overheating in warmer months.
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Design: In addition to functionality, good manufacturers also value the aesthetic design of greyhound harnesses. Elegant colors and small details reflect the grace and elegance of greyhounds, making the harness a fashionable and thoroughly practical accessory.
3. Difference between collar and greyhound harness
3.1. Advantages of the dishes
While many dog owners traditionally use collars, a greyhound harness offers a number of benefits that make it a superior choice for greyhounds.
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Pressure distribution: A harness distributes pressure evenly across the greyhound's chest and shoulder area. This prevents excessive pressure on the neck, which can lead to injuries in greyhounds with their slender necks.
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Preventing choking: If a greyhound suddenly pulls or jumps, a collar can cause choking. A harness prevents this risk and protects the dog's sensitive throat.
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Better control: A harness gives the owner better control over the dog, especially if it tends to pull or jump.
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Safety: Harnesses are often safer because they're harder to remove. This is especially important for greyhounds, as some have a tendency to slip out of collars.
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Comfort: Harnesses are often more comfortable for the dog because they don't rub against the neck and prevent chafing. Furthermore , most collars are far too narrow for the long necks of greyhounds .
Overall, greyhound harnesses offer a safer, more comfortable, and healthier alternative to traditional collars. Special greyhound collars are an exception , as these are usually much wider and padded like a pillow . This allows the collar to rest gently on the neck and distribute the pulling force as widely as possible across the entire area.
3.2. Training with a greyhound harness
Training a greyhound can be challenging, especially when it comes to rescued greyhounds who have suffered a terrible fate. A harness specifically designed for greyhounds can be a valuable tool in this regard.
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Control and guidance: A harness provides the owner with greater control over the dog. This is especially useful if the dog tends to pull or suddenly sprint in one direction. A harness allows the owner to gently guide the dog in the desired direction without putting pressure on the neck.
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Positive reinforcement: When training with a harness, the owner can use positive reinforcement techniques. If the dog doesn't pull and behaves well, he can be rewarded with treats or praise. This encourages good leash behavior.
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Avoiding negative experiences: A sudden jerk from the wrong collar can be painful for the dog and lead to a negative association with walking on a leash. A harness prevents such negative experiences.
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Recall training: A harness can also be useful for recall training. A long leash allows the owner to safely let the dog walk and then call him back. If the dog doesn't respond immediately, the owner can use the leash to gently pull the dog back.
4. Different types of greyhound harnesses
Special greyhound harnesses and safety harnesses for greyhounds are designed to meet the needs of this breed.
4.1. Greyhound harnesses
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Anatomically designed: These harnesses are specifically designed for the lean and athletic build of greyhounds. They take into account their deep chest and narrow body to ensure an optimal fit.
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Padding: Greyhound harnesses are usually made with soft materials and padding to provide maximum comfort and prevent chafing.
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Design: In addition to functionality, aesthetic design is also important. Elegant and subtle colors not only reflect your greyhound's grace, but also offer countless combination possibilities. The darker the shade, the less visible dirt will be.
4.2. Safety harnesses for greyhounds
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Escape-proof: These harnesses are designed to be even harder to pull off than "standard" greyhound harnesses. This is especially important for greyhounds who tend to slip out of conventional harnesses.
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Multiple attachment points: Many safety harnesses have multiple attachment points for the leash, which gives the owner better control over the dog and promotes leash training.
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Quiet elegance: Here, too, great importance should be placed on aesthetic design alongside functionality. Of course, personal taste is paramount. Keep in mind that the more minimalist and understated the colors, the higher the likelihood that you'll still like the design next year.
Important: Conventional harnesses are not suitable for greyhounds, as they usually do not fit well and can constantly slip. It is therefore essential to choose a harness specifically designed for greyhounds.
5. Advantages and disadvantages of greyhound harnesses
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| ✔︎ Optimal fit | X Entry prices are higher than conventional harnesses |
| ✔︎ Stress-free walks and excursions | X Refusal of the harness, e.g. for dogs in pain |
| ✔︎ Maximum security | |
| ✔︎ Uncompromising comfort | |
| ✔︎ Health-supporting |
6. Purchase criteria for greyhound harnesses
It is recommended to purchase from a manufacturer that specializes in greyhounds, as they have the necessary expertise for this breed. When choosing a greyhound harness, consider the following criteria:
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Fit: Special greyhound harnesses offer a perfect fit as they are designed precisely for the distinctive proportions.
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Material: Look for padded and breathable materials to ensure comfort and prevent unpleasant experiences.
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Design: Harnesses are available in various colors and designs, including metal or plastic buckles.
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Features: Small details make the difference and show whether a design is well thought out.
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Reviews: Customer reviews provide information about quality and functionality.
7. Most well-known manufacturers of greyhound harnesses
While there are many dog harness manufacturers, there is one that specializes in harnesses for greyhounds. The most well-known manufacturer in this field is elmorio® .
elmorio® greyhound harnesses
elmorio® has made a name for itself by producing high-quality harnesses for Whippets, Galgos, Podencos, Greyhounds, but also sighthound-like breeds that are both functional and visually appealing.
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Stress-free everyday life: No slipping, no tugging. The harness stays where it should, and you can focus on spending quality time with your dog.
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Quality and craftsmanship: Every elmorio® tableware item is manufactured in Germany with the utmost care and attention to detail. The materials are of the highest quality, ensuring longevity and durability.
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Design: elmorio® places great importance on the design of its products. The harnesses are not only functional but also fashionable, with a variety of colors that complement the elegant look of greyhounds.
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Fit: elmorio® harnesses are specifically designed for the unique body shape of greyhounds and greyhound-like breeds. They offer an optimal fit, ensuring excellent comfort and maximum safety.
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Customer reviews: Many greyhound owners swear by elmorio® harnesses and praise the fit, quality, functionality and stylish design.
If you are looking for a reliable and stylish harness for your greyhound, elmorio® is an excellent choice.
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