Why a Frenchie should walk on a harness, not a collar
That flat face is the whole story. Frenchies are brachycephalic: narrow nostrils, a long soft palate and a smaller airway, the combination vets call BOAS. A collar that tightens with every pull presses on a throat that is already working hard, and for a breed with a delicate spine and eyes that sit a bit proud, pressure on the neck is the last thing they need. A harness moves all of it onto that big broad chest instead.
Ours is step-in, which suits the Frenchie build. You lay it flat, they step in, and the neck and chest clip closed, so nothing has to go over that big square head or fold back the bat ears. Both straps adjust, which matters for a dog who keeps filling out until around their first birthday.
For walking, put the lead on the harness. It clips at the back, so nothing pulls on the neck. The collar is for their tag and the engraved charm with their name. And on warm days, walk early or after sunset: a Frenchie can't pant as efficiently as a longer-nosed dog, so they overheat fast.
Want the full story on life with a Frenchie, from the Nottingham lace workshops to the snoring? Read A Pupstyler's Guide to the French Bulldog.
