2H03H3Y West highland white terrier in dog harness stading on a rock high up and looking back with beautiful panorama with forest and sky in the background
Harness or collar? That’s the question for dog owners as they decide how they want to attach a lead and head out for walkies. The best dog harnesses should be more comfortable for your dog, as they can help avoid throat or neck injury, especially for dogs that have not learned to walk nicely on a lead. Some harnesses can actually discourage pulling, too, although training is always more productive on this front.
For the Houdinis out there, a well-fitting harness is typically harder for a dog to wriggle out of than a collar. But the downside of this is that more the secure harnesses tend to be rather harder to put on and remove. It’s really important, as with a collar, to get the right fit for your dog. You’ll find some brands of harness fit your dog’s shape better than others. You should be able to fit one or two fingers in between the dog’s coat and the harness straps all round. Good harness brands should have a wide range of sizes to ensure the perfect fit.
The best dog harnesses for you and your dog will also depend on your own needs. If you want to run with your dog, then you’ll be after a harness that actually encourages him to pull, whereas if you’re prioritising manners there are harnesses that are designed to help stop dogs pulling. Or you might be after a car harness to keep your dog strapped in on the move. If you’re heading out in the rain, dog harnesses can be worn with dog coats with harness holes.
Best dog harnesses: what’s the choice?
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Non-Stop Dogwear Line Harness 5.0
Size: 10 sizes
Colours: Six colours
Lead attachment: Back and chest and front
RRP: From £49.99
A best-selling harness made by a Norwegian dogwear brand and developed for activities such as hiking and tracking. It can also be used for canicross, bikejoring and skijoring, although this is not recommended if you have a very strong puller. We love the versatility of the three attachment points (for sizes three to eight) depending on where you want the lead to sit, or the sort of exercise you are doing.
We tried a size four on H&H’s resident tester Fidget, who is a hard-pulling (albeit lightweight) springer spaniel when we’re out running or biking, and this harness was ideal both in fit and function. The Y-shape design allowed him to move with his customary exuberance, without constraining his breathing in any way or causing any rubs. It wouldn’t be the first choice as an anti-pull harness, but that’s not what it’s designed for. It’s ideal for sport; being secure, lightweight, ergonomic, unrestrictive and comfortable, made in a soft, padded fabric. It’s also easy to put on, slipping snugly over the head, and clipping together with two buckles.
This is Julius K-9’s flagship harness and is extremely popular thanks to its quality, water-repellent durable material, and ease of fitting. The straps fit around the front and under the tummy. It features adjustable straps and a robust control handle, and is available in a huge range of colours and sizes. It features interchangeable patches which you can swap according to your dog’s mood! Particularly suitable for urban walking, in parks and on streets.
Colours: Army green, black, blue camo, desert camo, grape camo, grey, pink camo or woodland camo
Lead attachment: Chest and back
RRP: From £24.99
This robust harness is designed to stop dogs pulling. It has two D-shaped rings on the chest and back. When your dog rushes forward, you can pull the front ring to control it, while the ring on the back can be used to provide less stress on its neck.
It is easy to put on and remove with four buckles. You can adjust the elasticity with the four-way adjustment straps on the neck and chest.
The sandwich mesh lining is breathable and comfortable, while the outer layer is made of durable Oxford material which is easy to clean.
Colours: Neon pink, green, orange, yellow or light blue
Lead attachment: Back
RRP: £53.95
This is designed as a pulling dog harness for sports such as canicross, skijoring and biking. It ensures even pressure distribution, stabilises, supports and protects the back. The free-lying shoulders guarantee freedom of movement, while the side-free chest area promotes unobstructed breathing.
It suits most breeds (not just Huskies), and is light, durable, robust and tear-resistant. It has breathable padding to ensure heat dissipation, and and extra padded chest area with smooth and water-repellent surface to protect fur and skin. No buckles mean no pressure points.
This is designed as a no-pull solution for most dogs, with both a lifting action and front control steering. It’s a great design for flat-nosed dogs who cannot wear a headcollar.
The lightweight design allows for full range of movement, and the padded chest and leg straps keep your dog comfortable.
This is an enhanced strength car harness which has been crash tested at a facility using a test procedure for pet safety harness restraint systems, which always maintains safety standards for child restraint systems.
It has five adjustment points for customisable fit and a broad, padded chest plate for extra protection and comfort. Dog seat belt loop tether with carabiner is included. It is compatible with any car seat belt system.
A great harness for escapologist dogs as it features three adjusting straps around the body to create a perfect fit, with no worries about slipping or choking.
Designed for very active dogs who love the outdoors, it has a breathable and flexible foam chest panel. Features a padded back handle to aid dog over obstacles or for increased control.
Dog owners have different requirements when selecting a harness. Some will want a harness designed to stop dogs pulling, others want their dogs to pull! For example, if you’re competing in cani-cross, running for fun, or for any kind of drafting dog. Some dogs (and their owners) are extremely active and need a harness that will stand up to the elements without chafing, so will have completely opposing needs to a quieter partnership who need a secure and comfortable fit for heading down to the dog park.
And of course, there are car harnesses to enable your dog to be safely strapped in while out on the roads. We’ve selected great harnesses covering all needs, and most of them are adjustable to provide the perfect fit.
What’s the difference between a harness and a collar?
A harness fits around the dog’s body, going around the chest and neck, spreading the pressure over a wider surface area rather than focusing on the neck as a collar does. By attaching a lead to a collar, when the dog pulls – or the owner pulls the dog – all the force goes on the throat and neck. The harness lead attaches either to a ring on the dog’s back, between its shoulder blades, or to its chest.
Some trainers love harnesses for training dogs not to pull, but this is not unanimous. For cani-cross and other sports where the dog is expected to pull, a harness is essential, as it would be harmful to the throat and neck to have all the pressure on this delicate area.
Harnesses are more difficult to escape from than a collar as they do up around the front legs, the body and the neck, whereas a dog can slip out of a collar more easily if it is too loose.
However, it is a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar with an ID tag when out in public, but you can choose whether you attach the lead to this or to a harness.
Which is the best type of harness?
Deciding which harness is the best choice completely depends on what you and your dog are doing.
If you love outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, you’ll need one of the more sporty harnesses which prioritise comfort, durability, freedom of movement and ergonomic fit. If you want to train your dog not to pull, then an anti-pull harness could be a handy tool to get your heel-walking on track.
Some harnesses are more complicated to put on than others, so if you lack dexterity, then a harness that is very simple to slip on is ideal – some need a bit more manhandling than others!
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
