Dog harnesses are a great way to ensure your pet is not restricted and confined by their collar when going on walks, allowing them to run more freely and preventing any throat injuries. If you and your four-legged friend love to go on walks and outdoor adventures together, then we are sure you are already kitted out with a regular dog lead. But does your walking kit include a dog harness? We're here to find you the best dog harness to suit your pooch.
Perhaps, you're thinking: how do dog harnesses work? They work by evenly distributing the weight from the lead across your dog’s chest, allowing you more control over your pet. It also discourages them from pulling, as you can redirect your dog more easily. As some dog collars can restrict breathing and damage the tissues in your dog’s neck, especially if they pull too hard, harnesses are much less restrictive and allow more comfort and freedom for your pup.
Best dog harnesses at a glance:
If your dog likes to be in charge, then perhaps a lead designed for dogs that pull could help it stay at your heel. Similarly, a harness does the same thing. It keeps your dog bay and away from danger. So, the harness needs to fit your dog’s body snugly. But, how do I make sure my dog harness fits correctly? Well, as a general rule of thumb, to fit the harness to your dog, you need to allow for two fingers of space underneath the harness on all sides. This way, the harness will be safe for your pooch.
If you are looking for a more secure and comfortable walk with your dog, there are many different tools to try to keep your dog behaving. For example, retractable dog leads help you stay in control of your wandering pooch. However, they do not suit all dogs. Harnesses can be a great fit for some dogs. So, we've listed the best on the market. If you're still unsure about which harness is right for your dog, take a paw through the buyer's guide at the end of this article.
The best dog harnesses
Best overall dog harness
rabbitgoo/AmazonFirstly, we have the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness. This everyday hassle-free overhead harness is easy to put on and off your pet and comes with two fast-release buckles. The chest attachment clip stops your dog from pulling on walks. The breathable padded air mesh is also weather-proof and has reflective threads, so your pooch can stay visible in the dark.
With over 135,000 reviews and an average star rating of 4.5 out of five, the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness is a popular choice with customers on Amazon. They rate it highly for the overall fit and quality of it but make sure you check out the size guide before ordering because some had issues getting the right size for their pooch.
Pros
- Easy to put on and off
- Padded with a breathable mesh
Cons
- Some reviewers had issues finding the right size for their pooch so make sure you check the size guide before you order
| Sizes: | S-XL |
Best harness for strong dogs
ThinkPet/AmazonThis heavy-duty dog harness is perfect for keeping dogs comfortable and well-behaved in outdoor adventures. The ThinkPet Dog Harness' no-pull design means you will better control your dog by attaching the leash to the front clip which is made with a front ring, back lip, handle and adjustable straps to get the perfect fit. Your pup will also stay visible in the dark with reflective features and cool with a soft mesh harness.
Appreciation for the design, comfort and fit of the harness are all things that come up in the customer reviews time and time again. Though some say it's fiddly to put on and off.
Pros
- Adjustable straps for a good fit
- Reflective features to keep your pooch visible
Cons
- Some say it's fiddly to put on and off
| Sizes: | S-XXL |
Best harness for small dogs
Funkeen Pet House/AmazonLooking for a harness for a pup or small breed? Consider this Funkeen Pet House Harness. It includes a stainless steel D-ring leash attachment point on the back for a leash. They are also fully adjustable straps at the chest and neck (with two adjustable points) for a personalised fit for your four-legged friend. It's made from a lightweight and breathable mesh so it won't feel heavy for your pup to wear and it'll prevent them from overheating.
Customers say this harness is well-made and sturdy, and that the attachments are robust, too. There are limited size options available on this one so we'd only recommend it for puppies and small breeds.
Pros
- Fully adjustable and reflective straps
- Made from a lightweight and breathable mesh
Cons
- Limited sizing options
| Sizes: | XS-M |
Best dog harness for outdoor adventures
RUFFWEAR/AmazonDo you and your companion love to go on outdoor adventures together? If so, then this lightweight and robust RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness is equipped for your needs. The lead attachment features a reinforced webbing at the chest for added strength so it can withstand pulling which will give you added control. Additionally, it is designed with foam-padded strips across the chest and stomach to provide even weight distribution and support.
The ease of use, quality and comfort of the harness is what customers love most about this harness. Opinions are mixed on whether this harness has helped with pulling, some reviewers say this harness moves about and twists with lead pressure but others say this had aided their hound with stopping pulling.
Pros
- Made from reinforced webbing for added strength
- Padded straps across the chest and stomach to provide even weight distribution and support
Cons
- Some reviewers say this harness moves about and twists with lead pressure
| Sizes: | XXS-XL |
Best for control
Julius K-9/AmazonJulius K-9 is one of the most popular brands when it comes to dog harnesses and there are over 42,000 reviews on Amazon to prove it. There shouldn't be any struggle when it comes to putting it on and off your pooch as it's designed to just clip into place with one shatterproof buckle. The straps are also adjustable so once you've fitted it to your pooch to begin with, getting ready for every walk afterwards will be a no-fuss affair.
The handle on top of this harness is a feature that's appreciated by customers in the review. They say it comes in handy for those situations where you need a bit more control over your pooch, such as being in busier, built-up areas or in dangerous situations, like oncoming traffic or other dogs approaching. We have mentioned that Julius K-9 harnesses have been loved by dog owners for years but some of the more loyal customers aren't happy to see that the fastenings, buckles and d-rings that were once metal have now been changed to plastic in updated designs.
Pros
- Comes with a handle at the top to give you more control
- Adjustable straps and one clip fastening to make it easy to put on and take off
Cons
- Some customers who have bought Julius K-9 harnesses before aren't happy that the buckles and D-rings have changed to plastic from metal
| Sizes: | 3XS-3XL |
Best reflective harness
Suredoo/AmazonIf you like to take your pooch for a walk in the evenings, the Suredoo Adjustable Dog Harness will keep them visible and safe. It's designed with reflective stripes that are made to reflect ambient light in low light conditions, like nighttime or in fog, to provide maximum visibility for your hound. No matter what time of day you walk your pup, they'll stay comfy as the harness is padded with soft cushion and it's made with breathable mesh to keep them cool too.
Although some reviewers had issues with the straps loosening, most customers love the fit of this harness, saying it fits securely and is easy to clip shut.
Pros
- Very reflective to keep dogs seen in low light
- Padded so it's comfortable for pups to wear
Cons
- Some reviewers had issues with the straps loosening
| Sizes: | XS-L |
Best for style
HEELE/AmazonWith a no pull, no choke design, the HEELE Dog Harness will keep your dog safe and comfortable. It's made of a durable Nylon fabric and it's padded too so it feels nice and soft against your pup's skin. The adjustable straps at the chest and neck mean you can tailor the fit to suit your pooch and the snap buckles ensure you can put it on quickly too with no faff.
This harness is available in an impressive amount of colours, 21 to be exact, so you can choose one to match their lead and collar or one that reflects your pup's personality. The colour choice and the fact it looks nice and well-designed are factors that customers are pleased with in the reviews. Some reviewers say the harness was a little stiff to begin with but this should loosen over time.
Pros
- Nice and soft against your pup's skin as it's padded
- Adjustable chest and neck straps
Cons
- Some reviewers report the harness was a little stiff to begin with
| Sizes: | XS-XL |
How we chose the best dog harnesses
All of these dog harnesses have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered fit, durability and style in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching harnesses for dogs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
FAQs
What to consider when looking for a dog harness?
There are various types of dog harnesses to choose from, but you need to make sure you pick the right one for your dog. Here are the different types of harnesses.
Front-clip dog harnesses: These offer more control over your dog and help stop your pet from pulling on the leash as much.
Back-clip harnesses: These are easier to fix on your dog and helpful for smaller breeds who have delicate necks. However, they are not the best option if you have a super active dog that pulls a lot.
Multi-clip dog harnesses: This kind of harness is becoming increasingly popular, as they offer the perks of both options. These harnesses will also have a handle in the middle for direct control. This is the best kind of harness to pick, in our opinion.
And, if you want to make sure your pup's look is fully coordinated as well as practical for walkies, shop for a dog lead and harness set.
Are harnesses safe for dogs?
Yes, dog harnesses are safe to use as long as it fits your pet properly, as you don't want it to be restrictive around their neck or other parts of their body. Make sure your dog's legs are entirely free to move so they can play around freely.
Ellen Kinsey is a previous contributor for Take a Break. She has now left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.