Dog Harness - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
You want the best for your four-legged friend. Buying her a harness is a definite step in the right direction.
While collars may be the de facto choice for dog walking, a harness is superior — unless your canine companion always walks perfectly on his leash, that is. In most scenarios, a harness offers more control. And when your dog pulls on the leash, the harness distributes the force across his chest so he's not vulnerable to pain or injury.
You might think that buying a dog harness is as simple as walking into a pet store and picking up what they have in stock. But it is more complex than that. A variety of factors, including your dog's size, shape, strength, and activity level, should play a crucial role in your decision.
Types of Dog Harness
Is your dog an avid shooter? Do you have an unusual shape that could affect the fit of your harness? Do you go on long walks together? Keep the answers to these questions in mind as you explore the different types of dog harnesses available to you.
- Harness with Back Clip
This is perhaps the most common type of harness available. Features a single D-ring on the back of the harness, between the dog's shoulders.
A harness with a back clip is best for small dogs and dogs that walk on a loose leash. If you have a strong dog who doesn't walk well on a leash, this type of harness may not be for you, as it basically allows him to drag you with the full force of his weight.
- Harness with Front Clip
A front clip harness has a D-ring in the middle of the dog's chest...
This type of harness gives you more control and prevents your dog from pulling you. It is also not uncomfortable for him, even if he tries to shoot. A front clip harness is perfect for training your dog to walk on a loose leash. It's also appropriate for anyone who needs to safely walk a strong dog.
Some harnesses have clips on both the front and back. This is ideal if you occasionally need extra control but are usually fine with just a clip on the back. The Ruffwear Front Range Harness in our product list, above, has this type of design.
- Bib Harness (Vest Harness)
A bib harness, also known as a vest harness, has a large front piece that covers almost the entire chest of the dog. It can include a front clamp, a rear clamp or a combination of both.
This type of harness is usually padded for comfort. It's a plus for people who take their dogs on long walks, as it could help prevent uncomfortable chafing and chafing.
- Mix & Match Harness
All dogs are beautiful, no matter their size or shape. But some are more difficult to fit into a harness than others. If your dog has a barrel chest or disproportionately broad shoulders, he may be able to get out of an average harness. You need something that fits you better than that.
Mix and match harnesses are sold separately “segments” that snap together. The advantage: you can tailor a harness to fit your unique dog. For example, you can order a small chest piece, a medium back piece, and a large girth piece to get the right fit.
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Dog Harness Features
Not all harnesses are the same; features vary from product to product. Some designs naturally suit your four-legged friend better than others.
Here's a look at some common dog harness features :
- Padded
We recommend that you choose a well-padded harness. Non-padded harnesses made strictly from cloth, leather, or mesh have a tendency to chafe, especially if your dog doesn't... walk perfectly on his leash. A good dog harness might be padded with neoprene, wool, or another material.
- D-rings and Clips
It's always wise to inspect your dog's harness clips and D-rings to make sure they're secure enough, especially if you have a large, strong dog. As explained above, it's best to choose a harness that has a D-ring on the front if your dog tends to pull on the leash.
- Handles
You may wonder why you need a handle on your dog's harness. If you occasionally need to get your dog out of trouble or out of the water, a handle can come in handy. Gives you more “close control” than a harness without a handle.
- Waterproof
Some harnesses are made from water-resistant or quick-drying materials. In many situations, this type of material may be unnecessary. But if your dog is an avid swimmer, a quick-dry harness can be a godsend.
- Reflective Strips
Crossing the street at night, when you and your dog are not clearly visible, can be dangerous. A product like the Expawlorer Big Dog No Pull Harness addresses this risk with reflective strips that allow drivers to spot you after the sun goes down. If you walk your dog at night or in the early morning, a harness with reflective strips is definitely a good decision.
- Colour
It may just be cosmetic, but there's no reason why you shouldn't care about the color of your dog's harness. Most of our top picks come in a variety of colors. For example, the Ruffwear Front Range Harness is available in Campfire Orange, Alpenglow Pink, Twilight Gray and Pacific Blue. However, some more utilitarian products may only come in black.
Harness vs. Collar : What's the Difference?
Some owners may wonder why they should buy a harness for their dog if he already has a collar. There are actually several reasons why a collar is not the best option for walking your dog:
A collar can strain your dog's neck in a way that a harness does not. If you've ever seen a collared dog wheezing and spluttering while pulling on his leash, you know what we're talking about. Dogsdon't necessarily realize that their discomfort is caused by them pulling on the collar&bite; and that could cause you to stop when walking on a loose leash.
A necklace can cause lasting damage to the body. Dogs have been known to suffer from a number of injuries and wounds; crushed trachea, severe bruising, whiplash, vertebrae fractures and injuries as a result of wearing a collar.
Aharness can give you more control over your dog than a collar alone.
Compared to a dog wearing a harness without pulling, harnessing can make less aggressive dogs feel less secure and more likely to lash out at other dogs.
A harness is much safer for dogs with short, flat noses (such as Pugs) or those with respiratory problems. The collar could further limit your breathing.
That said, all dogs must wear a collar with identification tags, even if they are microchipped and in harnesses. Wearing a tag collar increases your dog's chances of getting home safely in the event he gets lost.
Sizing and Adjustability
You'll find harnesses for dogs of all shapes and sizes, and most are adjustable so you can adjust the fit. But learning a little more about how to fit your dog for a harness will help you get the right size the first time.
With most harnesses, you only need to take one measurement to find the correct size for your dog. Often called the "girth" measurement, this is your dog's circumference around his rib cage. To get this measurement, you will need a soft cloth tape measure. Wrap it around your dog just behind his front legs, at the widest part of his rib cage, and make a note of the measurement. Next, check the product (or the manufacturer's website) to see which size your dog's measurement corresponds to.
Although the harness should be snug enough to prevent slipping, it should not be too tight, especially around the rib cage. A harness that is too tight could restrict your dog's breathing. It is also very uncomfortable.
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Questions to ask yourself
At this point, you will hopefully have a good idea of what type of harness to buy for your dog. Before making your final selection, we may suggest you ask yourself the following questions.
Que : Will I use it every day?
Ans : Hopefully the answer to this is “yes,” as all dogs need daily walks for optimal physical and mental health. If your harness is going to be used daily, it's definitely wise to go for at least a mid-range product to ensure it lasts a long time.
Que : Does my dog pull on the leash?
Ans : Some dogs are too excited by the mere concept of going for a walk to even consider walking on a loose leash. If your pup is a shooter, choose a front clip harness to make life easier and give your arm a break.
Que : Can it be machine washed?
Ans : We all know that a dog can appear “immaculate” one moment and be drenched in mud the next. Check that the harness you choose is machine washable. Most dog owners consider this a huge plus, if not a necessity.
Que : Am I going to go for long walks with my dog?
Ans : If you intend to walk your four-legged friend for hours on end, make sure you choose an extremely well-padded harness.
Did you know?
Some harnesses hook around the dog; others require the dog to step on them. The latter can be difficult for older dogs and those with poor joint mobility.
Many harnesses have great features for outdoor enthusiast pups. There are harnesses that support your dog's ribcage as you take him up the mountain and come with reflective inserts for when you're out for a run on the trail.
A harness that covers most of your dog's body and chest can cut down on cleanup time after an outdoor adventure.
If you regularly walk your dog at night, choose a harness with reflective strips to increase visibility.
Some harnesses are available with badges on them where owners can put messages like "I'm friendly" or "I need some space."
Make sure your harness doesn't... doesn't sit too high on your dog. If it doesn't fit you, or just doesn't fit your dog, it could still hurt or damage his neck from pulling.
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