The harness is designed with a flashlight holder that can accommodate various sizes of torches. It can be used in combination with the side bags.
The metal parts might corrode in wet conditions.
The Powerharnesses is the best fit not only for rescue dogs and service dogs but also for pups that require enhanced security. One of the most distinctive functions of this product is that it works as a visibility vest too.
Walking, Training
Back clip
Baby 1, Baby 2, Mini-mini, Mini, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
Outer: polyester
Lining: OEKO-TEX™ fabric
Padding: foam
Adjustable strap, Light-reflective stitching, Handle, Elastic torch holder and side bag fixing option (only sizes 0 - 4), Interchangeable hook loop patches
1 year
It has a no-pull design that will give you more control over your furry friends. All you have to do for that is just attach the leash to the front clip.
It's better to handwash this harness.
If you’d like to turn walks with your pup from torture to pure fun, the Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness is probably the best fit for you. With it, you’ll get immediate improvement, and your pup will get the maximum breathability and comfort.
Walking, Training
Front and back clips
S, M, L, XL
Outer: Oxford fabric
Lining: polyester mesh
Padding: foam
Adjustable strap, Light-reflective stitching, Handle
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The product comes with a convenient control handle that is great for many occasions. It can be helpful when your Fido flips out or when you need to lift him into a car.
The chest strap is lacking in adjustability.
The LIFEPUL puppy harness a great purchase for those individuals who only recently acquired a new family member. It’s a safe solution that will help you grow a happy, obedient dog.
Walking, Training
Back clip
S, M, L, XL
Outer: polyester
Lining: polyester mesh
Padding: foam
Adjustable strap, Light-reflective stitching, Quick-release buckles with locks, Handle
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The harness is made of high-quality and durable materials, and it can be washed in a washing machine (a delicate setting with cold water and minimum spin speed).
The strap around the neck has no slip ring for adjusting.
With this harness, you and your dog will certainly look stylish. The harness is ultimately comfortable and suitable for long walks. You can choose the matching colour for your dog from 12 available options.
Walking, Training
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Outer: polyester
Lining: polyester mesh
Padding: foam
Adjustable strap, Breathable soft paddings, Light-reflective logo, Handle
Unlike waistcoat-like styles, this harness is extremely thin and is easy to tolerate, particularly for dogs with plenty of fur. Made of light Nylon material, it’s very flexible and almost featherweight.
Stitching could be of higher quality.
The Ancol padded harness is a robust model that will be particularly suitable for those pets that can’t tolerate bulky vest-type harnesses. It’s almost unnoticeable but very comfortable and supportive.
Walking, Training
Back clip
XS, S, M, L, XL
Outer and lining: nylon
Padding: foam
Adjustable strap, Light-reflective stitching, Handle
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Maximum Security
JULIUS-K9 is one of the major manufacturers in the pet product industry that carefully craft dog harnesses from German materials. To be more precise, this very model is made from anti-allergenic OEKO-TEX material. This means, the harness is sustainably produced and has been tested for any harmful substances according to the highest Oeko-Tex criteria. Therefore, this product is maximum skin-friendly and breathable. So, if you have had problems before with harnesses rubbing under the neck or arms of your four-legged friends, the JULIUS-K9 will make them a thing of the past.
Also, it’s worth emphasizing that the harness in question has a water repellent cover. Plus, the buckles of the IDC-Powerharness are made from robust material that won’t break even in frosty weather during winter. And to be suitable for use in just about any conditions, it boasts reflective edges and chest strap. This way, your pup will be visible from a great distance when walking in the dark.
On top of that, the harness is designed with a flashlight holder that can accommodate various sizes of torches. It can be used in combination with the side bags that are available for 3L and 4L options.
Additional Info
Last updated price | £32.99 |
Stock | May be out of stock |
ASIN | B00A9XBMEG |
For Active Dogs
If you own a particularly active dog, the Rabbitgoo No Pull Adjustable Dog Harness can be the answer to your prayers. As the name suggests, it’s a harness with a no-pull design that will give you more control over your furry friends. All you have to do for that is just attach the leash to the front clip. And every next time your pup pulls, he or she will turn around rather than continuing their forward motion and pulling on the leash.
Actually, this miraculous harness can turn your dog from a ‘power puller’ to a ‘side trotter’ in a matter of a few walks. Once you manage to tame your furry friend, you can use the back leash attachment and enjoy casual walking with no more pulling or choking.
Speaking about comfort, the harness has adjustable slide straps on the neck and chest area that let you customize the fit for your very dog. The straps have soft padding underneath that will give your dog a snug fit yet let the air circulate freely. All the materials are of premium quality, so your small friend will feel ultimately comfortable wearing it.
Last updated price | £18.69 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B01MA58881 |
Decent Harness with Nice Extras
The LIFEPUL No Pull Dog Vest Harness is another great model for those dogs that get excited when seeing other dogs. It offers a very human way to train your dogs to stop pulling without causing them discomfort.
To begin with, this harness has one distinctive feature - it comes with a convenient control handle. And the said handle is great for many occasions. For example, it can be helpful for those moments when your doggie flips out. You just can pick up your pet and regain control of him, moving him away from other dogs without hurting his neck, nose, or causing any other discomfort. The handle can also serve for pup training or for lifting dogs into a car. And to be completely travel-friendly, the product has a D-ring on the back that is perfect for attaching to a seat belt to keep your dog safe when driving.
The harness is extremely gentle on pet skin. It’s made of durable nylon material with soft padding underneath. It’s washable, long-lasting, and breathable. So, you are sure to have no worries about causing respiratory problems or applying too much pressure onto your dog’s neck.
Last updated price | $0.00 |
Stock | May be out of stock |
ASIN | B01KYYSQDY |
Harness as a Fashion Accessory
So far, we’ve put accent mostly on the usability features in this review, such as D-rings or materials. But this model wins it in terms of style.
In our opinion, this Puppia harness will look fabulous on just about any dog or cat. The key is that the chest part is covered with a wide polyester cloth leaving holes for neck and legs, somehow reminding briefs or a sleeveless shirt. With that, the soft paddings are very breathable and will feel comfortable in all weather conditions. Furthermore, there will be no strain on the neck and chest of your pet as the harness comes with adjustable straps and has a re-sizable belt. Besides, unlike many other harnesses, plastic clips don't go right under the pet's arms. The thing that distinguishes this model is that it's designed to be worn through the neck - the bottom strap goes around the chest behind front legs and then locked with a secure fastener. That way, the stress load from pulling is spread more evenly on the larger surface of the pet's body.
Overall, the harness is really soft and high-quality. It’s also washable, though you should treat it with care and wash it on a delicate cycle. To add, it's available in 12 colours, including plain black or brown as well as vibrant yellow, pink, and even camo. So, this harness is not only very comfortable to wear and use but also ultra stylish, making it a great choice for those who'd like to walk their dog with style.
Cheap Alternative to Collars
Are you looking for a cheap alternative to a collar ring? If so, you’re in the right place. The Ancol padded harness is a great entry-level model that won’t break the bank but will help your dog get accustomed to this type of security gear.
Unlike waistcoat-like styles, this harness is extremely thin and is easy to tolerate, particularly for dogs with plenty of fur. Made of light Nylon material, it’s very flexible and almost featherweight. Actually, it’s almost unnoticeable and doesn’t contract with the dog's movements. So, if you own a little devil that doesn’t like any sort of additions and clothing, this may be the best bet for you.
You can put it on by simply getting the pet to stand his front paws in the two large spaces between the straps. Then, you pull it up and close the clasp on the top. The whole process takes a couple of seconds. And afterwards, you can easily adjust it to your dog’s build. The model in question is suitable for small dogs from 46cm to 57cm. However, other options for medium and large breeds are also available (from XS to XL).
Despite being so thin and light, the harness is strong enough to let you lift the dog right off the ground. Most of the dog’s overall weight is supported by the strap beneath the waist.
Last updated price | $0.00 |
Stock | May be out of stock |
ASIN | B003676FBW |
What Is a Dog Harness?
Walks with your dog should be comfortable and safe for both of you. Leashes with collars will allow you to control your pet’s behaviour when it’s necessary. For example, in places with lots of people, moving cars or during vet visits. However, the same vets lately have been advising using a dog harness instead of a collar. When a dog suddenly pulls the leash, the collar has a traumatizing effect on the dog’s neck muscles, trachea and the spine. Without a doubt, it may lead to pain with aggression on the part of the dog. Therefore, we want to recommend getting a harness for your four-legged friend. It evenly spreads the stress load on the body, leaves the door open for breathing, and gives the dog freedom to move around with you still in control during the whole walk. We've tried to find out what types of harnesses can be the best for your friend. Moreover, we've made a review of the 5 best dog harnesses that we really liked.
We also recommend taking a look at our review of the best dog leashes. We've thoroughly examined different models, so we are almost 100% sure you’ll find the one to your own liking.
You might also want to check out our pick of the best dog beds to provide your pet with a comfy place for sleep.
What Features to Compare
Types of Activity
First of all, consider what you are going to do together with your pet. There are harnesses that target different types of activity with your dog. Let’s take a closer look.
- Walking and training harnesses have become very popular lately. They are designed for safe, tireless daily strolls with your pet, as well as for training sessions. We've picked the harnesses exactly from this category for this review.
- Sled harnesses are the original models that were designed for dogs to pull sleds in the snow for long distances with humans or cargo on them. Remember Jack London’s stories about Klondike and you’ll get the idea.
- Weight pulling harnesses. The name is self-explanatory. They are used mostly for training a dog to be fit and have bigger muscles.
- Assistance harnesses are for dogs that help visually impaired people. Usually, such harnesses come with a long handle so that people can more readily reach it and hold the dog.
- Medical harnesses were created for dogs with troubled mobility. You can help the pet walk around by lifting the front or back side of such harness via the handle on its back.
- Warming harnesses are worn on cold days. They usually cover the upper part and sometimes the back of a dog like a jacket.
Fastening
D-ring position for fastening a leash can be either on the front part of a harness or on the back. The back-clip is easy to fasten and provides a dog with maximum freedom of movement. However, you get the ability to readily turn your dog around by fastening a leash on the front side. Such control might be required to suppress the aggressive manners of constantly pulling a leash or to break a bad habit of a dog to pick up some stuff from the ground.
Size
Of course, it’s important to choose the right size. As a rule, you have to measure the breast and neck girth, then compare them to the sizes of the harness. We want to note that buying the wrong garment will not only decrease the efficiency of the weight distribution but will also be uncomfortable for a dog and might lead up to deformation of the legs! But worry not. It's fairly easy to find the right one. And most of the straps can usually be adjusted with a slip ring.
Materials
Materials directly influence the outlook and longevity of a harness. The leather one, despite the cool look, can stretch out when it's wet under the rain. After leather dries out, it stays sturdy like this. Bit by bit, it wears out which leads to tears or breaks. That’s why we recommend synthetic fabrics or cotton as the main material.
Extra Stuff
Look for extra stuff that adds to usability. Fasteners with locks will drastically decrease chances of your dog breaking free during training sessions. Rings should be sturdy and preferably welded. This is critically relevant to large dogs. Light reflectors are required if you like walking with your dog early mornings or late evenings. They allow drivers and passers-by to see your pet from afar.
Does your dog have sensitive skin? No sweat! Many models feature soft paddings or elastic materials that decrease the pressure on the skin even further.
Overall, buying a harness is not a rocket science. But you might be interested in the number of features, that you can find here. So let's get started.
Sources:
1. Kate Barrington Pros And Cons: The Collar Vs. Harness Debate, PetGuide. November 11, 2014.
2. Chrissie Klinger Features to Look For in the Best Dog Harness, Hill's.
3. Laurie Darroch Five Reasons to Use a Dog Harness, Canidae. March 25, 2014.
4. Hope Harnesses - Makes and Models Explained, HubPages. October 13, 2014.
5. Choosing Dog Collars, Harnesses and Halters, That Pet Place. 2015.
6. Dog Harness Materials, DoItYourself. May 25, 2012.
7. Dog Harness, Wikipedia. February 26, 2016.
8. Dog Collars and Harnesses, DogTime.