Best Harness for Your Dog
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A good harness is essential for both new and senior dogs, as they are often overlooked. There are numerous options available for various activities with dogs, and there are various types of harnesses available today.
These harnesses are essential for any type of dog activity, making them a valuable tool for any dog owner.
What is the Best Harnesses for Your Dog?
There are different types of harnesses to consider based on your lifestyle and dog, so it’s worth learning how to choose what’s best for you both.
Materials:
Collars and harnesses come in leather, nylon, and chain materials. Leather is comfortable and durable, while nylon is durable. Chain collars are long-lasting but not recommended for continuous wear due to potential skin and coat rubs.
Cost:
High-quality leather collars are expensive, while nylon and chain collars are easily accessible and affordable, unless specialized for training.
Comfort:
Leather and nylon collars are typically the most comfortable, but chain collars are not recommended for full-time wear.
Durability:
Chain collars are the most durable due to their metal construction, while leather and nylon collars are also durable.
Style:
Leather collars come in flat or rolled styles, while nylon collars come in various styles, and chain collars, often slip chains, are useful for training purposes.
Purpose:
A good leather or nylon collar is suitable for daily walks with your dog, while nylon is ideal for daily walks. Leather is preferred for large dogs, clicker training is recommended for comfortable nylon collars, and leash training can use either type.
Best Rated Dog Harness Dogs Reviewed
The overwhelming number of dog harnesses can be overwhelming, but we have compiled a list of our favorite options to simplify the process of choosing the best product.
rabbitgoo Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: No Pull, No Choke
- Adjustments: Adjustable harness features 4 easy adjusting straps around the body
- Price: Mid range price
- Style: Made of durable nylon oxford and padded with soft cushion
Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Crash tested for safe car rides
- Adjustments: Five adjustment types
- Price: High price range
- Style: Steel nesting buckles
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: No-pull chest attachment
- Adjustments: Four adjustment points
- Price: Mid price range
- Style: Chest strap prevents choking
Puppia Authentic RiteFit Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Buckle
- Adjustments: Back Clip
- Style: Polyester
- Price: Low price range
HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: No choke design
- Adjustments: Easy snap buckles
- Style: Reflective strip
- Price: Low price range
Ruffwear Front Range All-Day Adventure Harness for Dogs
Product Info
- Safety: Lightweight, durable, and made for all-day outdoor adventures
- Adjustments: 2 leash attachment points
- Price: Mid range price
- Style: Foam-padded strips across the chest and belly
Voyager Black Base Mesh Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Soft breathable and sturdy mesh fabric
- Adjustments: Double secure attachment
- Price: Low price range
- Style: Double D rings for leash attachment
Is a Harness Better than a Collar?
A dog harness is a safer option than a collar for hanging a dog’s ID, as it offers more control and prevents potential damage to the dog’s throat. Collars can create strain on the dog’s windpipe and spine, causing choking and hacking.
Harnesses distribute pressure across the body, making them more comfortable for some dogs. Large or strong dog breeds like pit bulls, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers do well walking on a harness, as it helps deter them from pulling and is safer for their body.
Small breeds like Chihuahuas, toy poodles, and Jack Russells find harnesses more comfortable on their small frame, and a handle makes it easier to pick up their pet if they get tired or need to be lifted out of danger. Some small dogs are more comfortable walking on a harness than with a collar, as they are prone to a condition called collapsing trachea.
Is a Harness Right for Your Dog?
You may be wondering whether you should buy a collar or harness for your dog. There are pros and cons for both collars and harnesses.
Harness Benefits for Dogs
• Provides comfort for some dogs.
• Difficult for dogs to slip out of.
• Ideal for puppies learning to walk on leashes.
• Helps avoid throat damage and injury for small dogs pulling at the leash.
• Prevents leash from wrapping around the dog’s legs.
• Discourages pulling with a front clip harness.
• Ideal for dogs with tracheal collapse.
• Good for dogs with back pain.
Harness Challenges and Benefits
• Harnesses may require more physical strength for larger dogs.
• Oversized harnesses may allow dogs to escape.
• Tight harnesses can be painful.
• Harnesses can be uncomfortable in hot weather.
• Back hooks can encourage pulling, an undesirable behavior.
Final Thoughts
To ensure your dog’s safety, consider using different harnesses for various activities. As your dog grows, they will need larger ones. Choose less expensive items while young and wait until they are adults to invest in more expensive items. Harnesses are suitable for small or pully dogs, while collars are better for larger dogs. Teaching your dog to walk politely, wearing a harness with a leash, is crucial for safety.
