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The best dog harnesses in 2024 come in various designs, materials, thickness of straps, and have different levels of breathability. The expert DogGear team of vets, dog lovers, researchers, medical doctors, and professional dog handlers have dedicated hundred of hours to determine the right ones for you and your dog to feel comfortable and enjoy […]
A dog harness is a welcome alternative to collars. Ideal for excitable dogs and puppies in training, a dog harness makes it easier to keep your dog safe, secure, and comfortable on a leash.
There’s a variety of dog harnesses to choose from, and each type is designed to fit and function in different ways. We know that the wrong fit may do more harm than good, so we’ve come up with this simple guide to help you pick the right harness for your dog.
Prior to getting a dog harness, there are a few things to know to make sure you’re getting the best for your dog.
Firstly, keep in mind that different materials factor into how harnesses function and how durable, comfortable, and secure they can be for your dog.
Nylon is the most popular material used to make harnesses. It’s light to wear, durable, and chew-proof to boot. Nylon harnesses are easy enough to clean and let dry too. If you have a service dog, you need to make sure you buy a material that can be ironed on for service patches.
Leather is also optimal, especially for bigger breeds. Leather harnesses prove extremely sturdy and provide ample cushion, making them suitable for shorter-haired dogs.
Whatever the material of the harness, make sure you purchase the appropriate size and fit for your dog, picking harnesses that can be adjusted to accommodate weight changes or growing puppies.
With this in mind, you’re ready to choose the best type of dog harness. See more information about different types of harnesses below.
There are several types of harnesses. One of our top picks, the Rabbitgoo Dog Harness, is fully adjustable and has fast-release buckles for your convenience. Another favorite, the Voyager Dog Harness, is lightweight and breathable for your dog’s comfort.
What you end up choosing should cater to what you and your dog usually do. Does your dog need further training, or do you have a well-behaved dog who’s used to walking on a leash?
Firstly, you’ll need to consider where you can attach a leash to the harness. Take a look at these different attachment types, to start with.
Some harnesses have front hooks, others have back hooks, while some are hybrid types that provide two attachment points.
A front hook allows you to attach a leash to the center of the dog’s chest area. It’s ideal if you want to lead the way when you’re out on a walk, especially if your dog is prone to pulling or jumping. Take note, though, that dogs can easily chew on the leash given its position, and rambunctious dogs can get tangled in the leash, too. This attachment type is best suited for shorter leashes, in general.
A back hook keeps your leash attached to the dog’s upper back. It’s ideal if you walk or run alongside your dog. It’s easy to put on a leash given this attachment type, and it’s easy for dogs to get used to it, too. However, this leash placement may not provide as much control for bigger or aggressive dogs, and it doesn’t offer directional steering.
The hybrid type of dog harness has a front and back hook, with some variations that offer multiple attachment points. This type is useful if you need to switch between the front and back hooks for when you’re training your dog, or if you need something suitable for a wide range of activities.
Once you’ve figured out which attachment type is best for your dog, consider the various fits available.
Aside from attachment types, harnesses come in three types of fit.
Webbed harnesses consist of straps that fit over your dog’s chest and upper back area. They’re ideal in hot weather. Webbed harnesses are more secure than a dog collar, but they may not be suitable for big, strong dogs who tend to pull on their leash.
The vest-type harness, as the name might imply, fits like a vest around the dog’s chest and upper back area. These harnesses offer optimum support and security, able as they are to distribute force over a larger surface area. However, they may not be suitable in hot and humid climates.
The head halter has a unique look to it and is best suited for reactive or stronger dogs. It’s a wonderful alternative to anti-pull harnesses. While it may look like a muzzle, it doesn’t restrict your dog in any way. However, some dogs might not respond well to this unique configuration, and it may take them several days or weeks to get used to it.
That’s all of the harness types you need to know about.
With myriad options, choosing a harness can be daunting, so you can start by narrowing down your choices to a harness that fits your dog correctly, meets your needs, and works well with your leash.
Prior to getting a harness, you’ll need to get your dog’s measurements. Keep in mind their age and breed. If you’re getting a harness for a younger dog, remember that some of them can quickly outgrow their harness.
Padding is especially helpful if you have a dog with short hair. The padding protects your dog against excess friction, which can cause irritation. The padding can also keep your dog from hurting itself if it tends to pull on the leash.
When it comes to your dog’s harness, don’t skimp on quality. Select a harness made of high-quality materials that won’t wear out quickly. Look at the stitching as well to ensure quality of construction.
These are all you need to primarily consider when selecting a harness.
A collar is usually the go-to for most dog owners. But with a harness, you can prevent injuries while keeping your dog under control.
Whether you have a large dog or a small one, there’s a dog harness to fit your varying needs. There’s no one style or type required here for harnesses, but remember to include your dog in every stage of the harness selection process.
The Rabbitgoo Dog Harness is hassle-free and made to be easy to take on and off with its fast-release buckles. It’s also lightweight and easy to clean.
This dog harness includes a sturdy top handle, making it easy to control the dog. The is constructed with padded air mesh, making it lightweight and breathable to ensure pets stay comfortable even on warm days. The sizing is off and it can be a bit loose around the neck for some dogs.
The Embark Pets No-Pull Urban Dog Harness is the perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality. When you embark on urban adventures with your furry friend, this dog harness is a must. Engineered in a way that prevents dogs from pulling on the leash, this harness provides optimal control without compromising your dog’s comfort. The ergonomic structure of this harness distributes pressure evenly across the chest, which reduces strain on the neck while promoting a safer and more enjoyable walking experience.
Crafted with durable materials and reinforced stitching, this dog harness ensures longevity and resilience, even for the most active pups. Last but not least, the adjustable straps guarantee a customized fit and the reflective accents highlight your dog’s visibility in low-light conditions.
The Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness includes all-weather mesh material, which is water-resistant and breathable. Its safety features add an extra layer of security.
The reflective bands on the harness make dogs easy to spot outdoors. It delivers a comfortable fit to prevent rashes or chafing as the pet moves. The clasp can be difficult to open and tends to get stuck, requiring a bit of strength and patience.
BABYLTRL even distributes pressure when dogs pull at it, which ensures it’s comfortable and doesn’t lead to strain on pets.
The red locking button is easy to use and locate on the harness. It includes quick-snap buckles and fully adjustable straps for a custom and comfortable fit. The soft sponge padding plate reduces potential injury and makes it more comfortable for pets. However, smaller dogs are capable of getting out of the harness.
Made for outdoor adventures, this RUFFWEAR harness is lightweight and durable. It includes four convenient points of adjustment for a full range of motion.
This harness is easy to see day and night with its bright fabric and reflective trim. The front leash attachment encourages dogs to keep pace with their owners and allows owners to keep them in control. The waist straps can slip and owners should check it occasionally to see if it needs to be retightened.
The Copatchy No Pull Reflective Adjustable Dog Harness with Handle offers a comfortable anti-pull effect to prevent choking or stress on a dog’s neck.
This harness is easy to put on and take off with the use of a clip around the pet’s neck and chest. An extra handle is conveniently placed on the back of the harness to ensure owners can quickly control the dog when necessary. However, it may slip a little when walking one’s pet.
The PAWABOO Dog Safety Vest Harness prevents dogs from jumping out of car windows and prevents drivers from becoming distracted.
This harness is lightweight, comfortable, and constructed from Oxford fabric. The stainless steel snap hook is electroplated for durability and abrasion resistance. However, the straps on the harness have difficulty staying put and can move around at times.
Designed for maximum comfort and safety, the PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness is padded and features a comfortable handle. Pulling pressure is evenly distributed and the material is flexible.
This harness includes three-way adjustable straps, ensuring it fits securely and comfortably on pets. It can continue to be adjusted as a dog grows. One of the most convenient and unique features is the mesh pocket included on the outside, which can be used to place the dog’s name card and your contact information. The front restraint doesn’t always stay fastened and can begin to become loose, making it easy for a dog to slip out.
Kurgo Dog Harness | Pet Walking Harness | Car Harness for Dogs | Front D-Ring for No Pull Training | Includes Dog Seat Belt Tether | Tru-Fit Smart Harness | For Small, Medium, & Large Dogs
The Kurgo Dog Harness keeps dogs safe in the car and prevents them from escaping when the door is opened. It features sturdy quick-release buckles that work well with the rock-solid seatbelt tether. The design could be improved with more padding on the chest and underside.
BWOGUE 2 Packs Dog Cat Safety Seat Belt Strap Car Headrest Restraint Adjustable Nylon Fabric Dog Restraints Vehicle Seatbelts Harness
This easy-to-use seat belt is very practical as it can multifunction as a traditional hand-held leash as well. It has an easy installation but is, however, not durable and gets worn out in a few months.
Vastar 2 Packs Adjustable Pet Dog Cat Car Seat Belt Safety Leads Vehicle Seatbelt Harness
This belt is easy to use and makes the safety of your dog less complicated. But it’s not suitable for the smarter dogs with big and heavy paws as some of them figure out how to unbuckle themselves.
URPOWER Upgraded Dog Seat Belt 2 Pack Dog Car Seatbelts Adjustable Pet Seat Belt for Vehicle Nylon Pet Safety Seat Belts Heavy Duty & Elastic & Durable Car Seat Belt for Dogs, Cats and Pets
While this seat belt is sturdy and adjustable, it isn’t ideal for big dogs who are smart enough to unbuckle the seatbelt from the car’s latch.
Natural Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food. The red on the polyester will fade from the oils in your dog’s coat, and other than that, the only other downside is that it will attract lint. For durability and comfort, there’s nothing about it that we wouldn’t recommend for your pup.
Ranging from sizes of x-small to xx-large, you’ll find one that fits your dachshund hound, no matter what their size is. The comfortable polyester construction stays flush against their fur without causing chafing or irritation. This is extremely inexpensive, but also comes with its flaws.
Glycobalance Dry (7.7 lb) Dog Food. Mesh is more likely to tear than polyester, but still a viable and sturdy choice for light to medium-grade use. If your dog is wild on their runs, then this might not be the harness for you. However, you’ll be able to pick this up for an insanely inexpensive price point.
The last thing you want to do is tug on your dog’s harness and hurt them, which is why this unit focuses on their front (where most of the power in their tugging is), and helps you stop their center of gravity when they get rowdy, while completely preventing damage to your dog. This is designed for smaller dachshunds, based on the mesh construction of the vest.
OneTigris Dog Pack Hound Travel Camping Hiking Backpack Saddle Bag Rucksack for Medium & Large Dog with 16″-26″ Neck Girth and 30″-42″ Chest Girth
The OneTigris dog backpack features semi-open pockets to hold waste bags, treats, water, and more. This can be used daily and is great for hiking, camping, and long walks. It comes in several great colors. The straps might be too long and drag on the ground.
Kurgo Dog Saddlebag Backpack | Back Pack Dog Harness | Hiking Pack for Dogs | Packs for Pets to Wear | Camping & Travel Vest Harness | Reflective | Lightweight | Baxter Pack | For Medium & Large Pets.
The Kurgo dog backpack has a padded handle for enhanced comfort. It’s equipped with an attached D-ring that can be used as a bottle opener. There’s a reflective trim to make your pup visible in the dark. It comes with a lifetime warranty. The straps can be difficult to adjust to fit your pup, depending on their size.
RUFFWEAR – Approach Dog Pack, Backpack for Hiking and Camping. However, the straps aren’t padded, which can rub against your baby and cause discomfort.
The RUFFWEAR dog backpack comes in a variety of great colors to suit any pup’s personality. The reflective trim keeps your dog safe, even in low-light situations. It comes equipped with five points of adjustment to ensure the best fit. It comes with a comfortable, padded handle.
Wellver Dog Backpack Saddle Bag Travel Packs for Hiking Walking Camping
The Wellver dog backpack is compact, yet spacious with two roomy pockets. The buckles make this backpack easy to put on and take off. It comes in several great colors and sizes to fit most dogs. The backpack might tilt more to one side.
Harness Lead Escape Resistant, Reduce Pull, Dog Harness. The easy hold handle provides a slip-free grip but the texture can get a bit rough and can rub a bit if your dog starts to lunge or pull.
The durable materials and woven cord design provides added stability and strength for your walking needs. It is designed to be secure but safe and won’t hurt your dog if they pull and try to run.
Gooby – Escape Free Easy Fit Harness, Small Dog Step-in Harness for Dogs That Like to Escape Their Harness. With the solid mesh chest piece, the harness can only be adjusted so far and can’t fit on larger breeds.
The step-in design and secure chest harness design keeps your dog comfortable and safe during a walk. The clasps are easy to adjust and are designed to be secure and to hold fast at all times.
Eagloo Dog Harness No Pull, Walking Pet Harness with 2 Metal Rings and Handle Adjustable Reflective Breathable Oxford Soft Vest Easy Control Front Clip Harness for Small Medium Large Dogs.
The Eagloo Dog Harness is sturdy and made with high-quality materials that hold up well even with larger dogs and can prevent a dog from pulling or tugging too hard. The soft straps are easy to adjust and are comfortable for a dog to make contact with. However, it can be difficult to fit stockier dogs due to their rounded chests.
Soft Front Dog Harness. Walking your dog at night is a peaceful bonding experience for you and your small dog. But with the featured reflective material and bright colors for this no-pull harness, you will definitely catch unwanted but friendly attention from other dog lovers. The upside is, in case your small dog breaks free from your grasp, you will have an easy time finding your dog due to the striking colors of the harness. This brand of no-pull harness is not versatile as it can only be used for the front control of your small dog, and not at the back. But the strength of the product highly compensates for the lack of back control, and the front harness is quite enough to handle a small dog.
We love that this harness is made of Oxford material for extreme durability. We also like the handy seatbelt attachment feature that will help to keep your pooch safe on car rides. On the downside, some users said that they had a hard time getting it on and taking it off, so it might not be a good choice for dogs that tend to get super excited before a walk. Your small dog will often have the tendency to pull while walking with a harness, as it is a dog’s natural nature to do so. However, the process can cause a strain to the neck. But thanks to JUXZH, you can now have better control over your pet, and this harness can relieve any neck and body pain from pulling. This no-pull harness is specially created for small dogs with the chest size of 17 to 22 inches. And if your small furry companion does not fit the requirements, then this harness is not suitable for your dog.
Mountainsmith K-9 Dog Pack. However, it doesn’t have as much mesh as other brands.
The harness is easily adjusted and convenient. The placement of the padding is exactly where it needs to be for the protection of sensitive areas.
Outward Hound, Lightweight Dog Backpack, Hiking Gear for Dogs. Additional padding may be necessary for an extra cushion on extensive use.
This dog pack doesn’t have the bulkiness other brands do. The perfectly placed mesh makes it ideal for warmer days. This helps prevent chafing.
Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harnesses. It’s also very useful for helping dogs up and down stairs. Be sure to measure your dog to ensure you get the appropriate size and also know that some dogs just don’t like the feeling of something around their stomach, even if it is intended to help them.
It’s available in a range of sizes, and you’ll need to make sure you pick the right gender for the product – as it can otherwise be a little uncomfortable downstairs for male dogs! We love that this harness doesn’t slip around dogs’ stomachs and that it allows us to help our dogs out after years of the dog being there for us.
Dog Lift Harness. It is not as padded as some of the competition, and if your dog is very furry, you might have to clean the Velcro occasionally.
This option is quite easy to adjust and can be a great relief for your back since you won’t have to bend over to help your pup.
Dog Support Harness. On the downside, it can be challenging to find the correct fit because the material is a bit stiff.
The easy adjustability of the handles means you don’t have to worry about your own back. We love this harness for its ease of use and the customer service provided by this company.