What’s new in accessories for dogs?

The market for dog accessories is constantly growing and evolving. Rather than wearing old, worn leather collars and leashes, dogs can now look as individual as their owners. Additionally, the digital age brings exciting smart-technology opportunities.

Harnesses

Harnesses are becoming a more popular choice for walking dogs, resulting in a high growth rate in the harness market. Harnesses come in all shapes and sizes, with the main goal being to make the walk safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable for the dog and the owner.

Owners of puppies will often select the step-in style, where the paws are placed inside and the harness clipped over the top. For many, this is much more convenient, especially when the puppy/dog is less happy about having a traditional harness put over its head.

Greater control

H-style back-clip harnesses are currently dominating the adult dog market, accounting for 55% of the market according to Maximise Market Research. As double-ended leashes have become popular, these harnesses are seeing the addition of a second attachment point, on the chest strap. This may offer better control: reducing pulling on the lead, as well as reducing pressure on the neck area – which may arise from using a collar alone.

The top-selling harness on Amazon UK is the Julius K9 due to being so robust, easy to fit and offering a large handle to provide greater control. More recently, there has been an increase in sales of ‘anti-pull harnesses’. Unfortunately, however, many of these harnesses rely on adding pressure on the sensitive ‘squishy’ areas and may be looked on less favorably by some owners and trainers. In a recent study by Dr. Zink (WholeDog Journal), anti-pull harnesses were found to be detrimental to a dog’s posture and gait.

Collars

The sales of collars are predicted to continue to rise in the coming years, especially in the US, which is one of the world’s largest markets for collars. This predicted growth is not surprising as owners are opting for better identification, fashion, control and monitoring for their dogs. Amy Dyck of Homes Alive Pets writes in The Best Dog Collars Guide 2022: How to Choose the Right Dog Collar that nylon dog collars are the most prevalent ones. This suggests that traditional leather collars have fallen out of favor over the years, due in no small part to the ‘huge variety of patterns, colors, widths and qualities available within the dog collar category’.

Leashes

Leashes come in a range of types and sizes, with a standard leash most commonly measuring around 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. However, there is a plethora of retractable, elasticated, double-ended and longer leashes to help give the dog more freedom whilst maintaining an appropriate level of control for the environment.

Deciding factors

A number of factors can influence the decision for a particular product, such as comfort, strength, mechanics, aesthetics and the type of material:

• Safety and durability
When it comes to finding the right collar, leash and harness, the top consideration is safety, followed closely by durability. The collar is ultimately designed to help keep the owner’s dog secure when out and about. Safety factors to consider include escape-proofing and visibility. A collar should fit around the dog’s neck and/or body without pressure and allow an average adult to slide 2 fingers underneath.

•Strength, comfort and practicality
Whilst leather may traditionally be seen as the more durable, comfortable and stylish option, there is a downside when cleaning. Moreover, in line with growing consumer interest in vegan products for dogs (according to The Vegan Society, 2022), many consumers are turning to nylon, which offers various other advantages – including cost, style options, ease of washing and practicality.

• Versatility, flexibility and ease of use
Certain types of leashes help to make walks easier and more enjoyable. The retractable flexi-leash, invented in 1972, was welcomed for providing dogs with more freedom while owners retained some control over them. But despite their popularity with dog owners, over the past few years there has been growing concern in the dog industry about their safety due to mechanical failure and injuries. This has resulted in a variety of alternatives such as ‘long lines’ which can range from 3-12 meters (10-40 feet) or more.

• Aesthetics
The vast range of colors and styles of leashes, collars and harnesses on the market – from classic leather collars to colorful nylon and more modern biothane leashes – can help owners to create a personalized look for their dogs. Whereas collars traditionally served the purpose of restraint and protection, they are increasingly becoming an extension of the owner’s personality. 20% of pet owners in the UK spend at least £20 (€22.50/$24) per month on outfits for their pets (Geo Marts).

But it’s not only style that is important; ‘awareness’ leashes, collars and harnesses are another recent trend, in which yellow is often used to identify dogs who need space or are anxious (My Anxious Dog UK, 2023). Pet owners note that their own anxiety decreases when their dogs wear such accessories.

Innovative technologies

Smart technology has generated enormous opportunities in the dog market. As dog theft is becoming more common, there has been a rise in owners spending money on electronic collars to help track and monitor their dogs. Therefore, the GPS dog collar market is set to witness gradual growth during 2021-2031 (Fact.MR). Besides meeting the growing need for safety, technological advancements also help owners to monitor their dog’s health.