Whether you’re planning a dog walking adventure or have some training sessions in your sights, it’s important to make sure you’re well-equipped before heading out the door.
Dog breeds come in all shapes and sizes, which means their accessories do too and where your pooch’s comfort and safety are concerned, size really does matter.
So, if you have a small dog or toy breed, listen up because we’re here to make sure you’re never caught short without the essentials.
Keep reading for our expert tips on making sure you’ve got everything you need to treat your little fur baby like the great big bundle of love they truly are.
Dog walking and training essentials for small breeds
Whether you’re off on your travels with your teeny tiny pooch your just going for a stroll around the block, here are some things you’re going to need:
- Small dog harness
- Small dog lead
- Small dog collar
- Small dog coat
Let’s take a closer look at each one…
Small dog harnesses
Generally, it is believed to be safer and more comfortable for small dogs to wear a harness and lead rather than a collar and lead, or just a slip lead. This is because a harness distributes pressure more evenly without pulling on their more delicate neck and throat.
At BullyBillows, we stock a range of small dog harnesses suited for all breeds and sizes, including puppies and toy or miniature dogs.
All of our dog harnesses feature a convenient grab handle to give you added reassurance. They all come in a range of different sizes so there’s something for everyone, whether you’ve got a Chihuahua or a Great Dane.
Small dog lead
We have a whole host of different options in the BullyBillows lead hub, most of which will bring you benefits no matter what size or breed of dog you have. However, below are three recommendations you could consider for your small furry friend—but note that all of them are suitable for all dogs.
LIGHTER Swivel Combat Lead
Being 100g lighter than our regular Combat® leads, the LIGHTER Swivel is perfect for equally lightweight dogs that don’t require much exertion from you to control. The padded handle and anti-twist mechanism will keep you both comfy and happy on your adventures together.
This light but super durable design is currently the most popular BullyBillows lead we offer for good reason!
Multi-handle lead (AKA ladder lead)
This type of lead has multiple handles down the length of the line so you can grab it at whatever point you feel most comfortable with. This is particularly useful if you’ve got a pup that’s still growing and you want your lead to last.
Recall lead
This type of lead is a super long (10m) line designed to give your dog a sense of freedom while you still maintain control. If small dogs have poor recall and slip the lead or run off, they’re much harder to find than larger breeds—a recall lead will give you more peace of mind.
Small dog collar
Whether you choose to use a harness or not with your little pooch, you’re going to need a small dog collar to fit properly around their more narrow neck. This is because you’re also going to need an engraved dog ID tag to attach to it with your contact details on as this is now a legal requirement in the UK for dogs out in public.
The original BullyBillows 2.5cm Combat® Collar is the first of its kind in the world. It is equipped with triple-stitched nylon, a secure 4mm width Stainless Steel D Loop, and a specially crafted clip for quick lock and release.
Easily customise the size to fit your dog by threading the nylon through the metal adjuster to lengthen or shorten.
Small dog coat
Small dogs get colder than larger breeds much faster. In fact, even temperatures between -1°C and 4°C (which it can regularly be during winter in the UK) can pose a pretty serious risk for some small, miniature, and toy breeds.
Our Zip-Up Dog Fleece fits snugly to your pet’s body to keep their warmth in. Available in sizes from XXL right down to S, XS, and XXS. See measurements for the smaller sizes below or visit the product page for all size options:
- XXSmall | Chest Girth: 37cm-47cm - Neck Girth: 34cm-39cm
- XSmall | Chest Girth: 42cm-57cm - Neck Girth: 39cm-50.5cm
- Small | Chest Girth: 47cm-66.5cm - Neck Girth: 45cm-52cm
The soft, anti-allergenic material is suitable for sensitive skin and still allows for complete flexibility and freedom of movement. Reflective strips come as standard along both sides for ultimate sight and safety.
If it’s raining outside, we recommend having our Zip-Up Shower-Proof Dog Coat to hand. Durable, weather-resistant materials and a warm fleece panel are perfect for bad weather, and again, reflective strips come as standard for added safety.
See measurements for the smaller sizes below or visit the product page for more options:
- Size 1 | Chest Girth: 45cm-51cm - Neck Girth: 32cm-38cm
- Size 2 | Chest Girth: 53cm-59cm - Neck Girth: 37cm-43cm
- Size 3 | Chest Girth: 61cm-67cm - Neck Girth: 42cm-48cm
Some other small breed must-haves
Now that we’ve got all your small breed training and dog walking bases covered, here are some other essentials to tick off your to-buy list if you’re the proud owner of a small-scale canine or a miniature pup.
A harness seat belt safety strap
Not only is it a legal requirement for your pooch to be suitably restrained whilst you’re driving, but it’s also essential for their safety. This is especially true for small breeds that aren’t as sturdy or secure in vehicles as larger dogs.
Our robust Harness Seat Belt Safety Strap is suitable for all breeds, of all shapes and sizes and has an added front chest plate section for complete comfort and extra protection.
An uber-cosy dog blanket
As we mentioned above small dogs get colder much quicker than bigger breeds. Make sure you’ve got something warm to wrap them up in after walkies like our Luxury BullyBillows Blanket.
The added benefit of this blanket is that it is also slightly weighted, which will help calm and relax anxious or high-energy pooches.
A trusty dog walking bag
However large or small your four-legged friend is, don’t leave the house for training or walks without somewhere to keep your on-the-go essentials.
Our Unisex Luxury Dog Walking Bag has a spacious main compartment for treats, toys, clickers, car keys, mobile phone, etc., as well as a smaller zip-up bag so you can pull your BullyBillows biodegradable poop bags through with ease.
Get everything you need for your small breed at BullyBillows
We hope you’ve found our ultimate guide to dog must-haves for small breeds helpful. Ready to kit your pint-sized pooch out? Find everything you need, all in one place, right here at BullyBillows.
We stock a wide range of high-quality leads, collars, and other dog accessories, from comfortable safety muzzles to paw balm, so don’t leave without browsing our full selection.
For more news, advice and product buying guides check out the rest of our blog…
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training Must-Haves | Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds | The Most Intelligent Dog Breeds
