If your dog is best to walk in a harness rather than the lead attached to the collar, then you’ll need to track down one of the dog coats with harness hole. While the best dog coats are a handy accessory for wet, wild and windy walks, but they aren’t always totally compatible with your chosen form of leash. Fitting a harness over the dog coat is cumbersome, but a simple hole where the harness attaches solves the problem. The best dog harnesses have been growing in popularity since the 1990s, and thankfully, coat manufacturers recognise this, with many coats now featuring harness holes.
Alternatively, some dog coats feature built-in harnesses, with clips on the top to which you can attach a lead. However, you’ll still need a separate harness as unless you live in the Arctic Circle, it’s unlikely your dog will need to wear a coat on a daily basis! Furthermore, if you have a strong puller, one of the best dog harnesses for pulling – rather than a coat/harness hybrid – is a better option as the sewn-on rings are unlikely to be as hardwearing.
Best dog coats with harness holes
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Ctomche Winter Dog Coat
Sizes: XS–3L
Colours: Grey, green, pink, purple or red
Features a small opening on the upper back of the jacket for harness users.
This coat is designed for cold weather and includes a detachable hood for very chilly days. It is elasticated under the belly to keep the chest dry and warm without hampering movement. The lining is polyester fleece, while the exterior is waterproof with a reflective high-vis trim.
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Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket
Sizes: XS–XL
Colours: 8 options
Includes a zipper opening to wear with your dog’s favourite harness. This reversible jacket is an athletic fit that allows the dog to walk and run freely. It is made from durable ripstop material to prevent itchiness.
The “Loft” technology is designed to keep the dog warm without overheating, adding warmth not weight. It is water-resistant with insulation.
It features a reflective trim for visibility in the dark, and an adjustable hook and loop belly closure for custom fit.
Can be worn with the Kurgo Fleece Sweater – also with harness hole – on bitterly cold days.
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Henry Wag Waterproof Dog Coat
Sizes: XS–XXL
Colour: Blue/grey
This waterproof coat includes a lead and harness access slot with protective flap cover.
Designed to allow you and your dog to spend longer outside, and minimise the impact of dirt and water on your return home. Features a layer of insulation filling to give some protection from the cold. The materials include Hydro-Comfort Technology making the material breathable and waterproof for maximum comfort. It also includes a reflective stripe along the side of the coat for night-time visibility.
Adjustable collar for a snug fit, and an elastic head hole to ensure even broad-headed breeds can be easily dressed, as well as elastic leg straps to keep the coat in place.
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Geyecete Adjustable Jacket for Whippets, Lurchers and Greyhounds
Sizes: XS to XXL
Colours: red or yellow
This features a harness hole on the back of the neck, as well as reflective straps for visibility in poor light.
The breed of dog most likely to need a raincoat, even in milder temperatures, due to its minimal natural insulation also requires a differently shaped coat to most other breeds. This dog jacket is contoured specifically for greyhounds, lurchers and whippets. It is waterproof but lightweight and breathable, with mesh lining.
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Morezi Dog Jacket With Harness
Sizes: XS–XL, with different length options
Colours: Black, red, blue or orange
This jumpsuit style jacket features an integral harness, with a traction belt conjoined design. It is done up with a zipper on the back for easy dressing.
It has an elastic waterproof outer layer, with polar fleece lining for comfort and warmth. There is an adjustable extended neck to keep out cold draughts.
Includes high-vis reflective strips.
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Gooby Padded Cold Weather Vest
Sizes: XS–XL
Colours: Green, blue, pink, red, purple, solid blue or black
Features a double D-ring design allowing you to attach a lead securely to the top of the jacket, without the need for a harness underneath.
These jackets are designed to keep your dog warm, dry and comfy, being padded with a fleecy lining, and water-resistant. It’s lightweight, so doesn’t get soggy in the rain and snow.
The zip does up on the dog’s back making it easy to put on, with a “safe fur guard” to prevent fur being trapped. Or you can use the snap buttons if the dog is particularly excited about his walkies.
And it is cut away to ensure the dog doesn’t spray the vest when Mother Nature calls.
How we chose the best dog coats with harness holes
Not all dog coats are equal – and nor are our dogs’ needs. We’ve picked a variety to allow for different dog shapes – what fits a Rottie shape, even in the same size, will not fit a greyhound, for example.
Some people will be after a coat to keep their dog toasty warm, while others are after a simple waterproof. Some dogs will want their coat pitchside, standing around on a wintry day watching the kids’ footie and just need to be kept cosy. Others will need a more athletic fit, for instance if they’re out walking in the fells. Whatever your dogs’ requirements, there’s a coat to suit.
Is it better to use a harness or collar?
First of all, it is a legal requirement in the UK for a dog to wear a collar, with an ID tag. However, the lead does not need to be attached to the collar, which will then exert pressure directly on the delicate structures of the neck, the throat and trachea when the dog pulls – or you pull the dog. Instead, you can fit a harness, meaning that the pressure is distributed primarily on their chest, shoulders and upper back. Many dog trainers consider correctly fitted harnesses the most comfortable way to train a dog to walk on a lead.
But harnesses are not appropriate for all dogs. For example, gundogs need to be released quickly, and mustn’t be wearing anything on their body that might cause them to become on brambles or anything else in the thickets they are flushing. And the whole conformation of a show dog should be visible to the judge, and a harness would cover parts of the body up. But show and working dogs are usually highly trained, making neck injuries from pulling less likely.
How long can you leave a harness on?
Harnesses should not be left on 24/7. They are primarily designed for taking the dog out on a walk on a lead. Even when they are correctly fitted – and not causing any rubs particularly around the armpits – they are not intended to be worn all the time. A harness can easily snag on something in the or back yard when he is unsupervised – imagine the catastrophe of your dog accidentally pulling an item of furniture over as the harness gets caught on a drawer knob.
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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.
