The 5 Best Harness For Small Dogs
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Small dogs come with big personalities and can be a lot to handle on a leash. They actually have less muscle strength than large dogs but are more likely to be injured by walking with a collar.
A harness is a great way to reduce the risk of injury if your small dog tends to pull. The force is spread across the chest and shoulders instead of putting pressure on the neck.
With so many choices, how do you find the right harness? Here is a breakdown of harnesses for small dogs and what they are best for.
Compare Best Harness For Small Dogs
Safety Reflective stitching | Safety Over the head design | Safety Soft breathable and sturdy mesh fabric | Safety Trademarked Bucklebone clip | Safety Soft breathable mesh fabric |
Adjustments Quick release buckles | Adjustments Multi -clip design | Adjustments Double secure attachment | Adjustments Strong side-release buckles | Adjustments Over-head design |
Style Detachable car restraint | Style 2 fast release buckles | Style Double D rings for leash attachment | Style Made from durable, premium-quality nylon webbing | Style Adjustable slide on the stomach strap |
Price Mid/high price range | Price Low price range | Price Low price range | Price Low price range | Price Low price range |
How We Tested
- We purchased five of the best harness for small dogs
- We spent a few hours testing these harnesses
- These products were purchased with our own money, not in exchange for a favorable review
Harness Considerations for Small Dogs
- Safety: A crash-tested harness that restrains your dog in the car in case of a sudden stop or impact is the safest kind. Some attach easily to your car’s seat belt system and are also walking harnesses.
- Durability: There are many durable materials used in the construction of dog harnesses, but rip-stop nylon, canvas, and denim are some of the more durable.
- Material: Harnesses are made from leather, plastic, nylon, and other types of fabric. If your dog tends to get wet while on walks, consider something that dries quickly. If your dog chews, then you will need a sturdy harness.
- Adjustments: A harness should have many points of adjustment in order to fit dogs of all shapes and sizes. A harness with at least four adjustment points is ideal to find your dog’s perfect fit.
- Comfort: Harnesses should be made from comfortable materials to prevent chaffing. Soft mesh and plush fabrics can help provide adequate comfort around nylon, if well designed.
- Cost: A good harness is a small investment. There are many quality harnesses at reasonable prices, depending on your needs.
- Style: There are many harness styles, and the best choice will depend on your dog’s personality and size. Some styles are no-pull, standard, step-through, dual strap, etc.
- Visibility: If you walk your dog in low-light conditions or hike in wooded areas, you may want a high-visibility harness. Some include reflective material or tiny LED lights to make sure your dog can be seen.
The 5 Best Harness For Small Dogs Reviewed
OVERALL BEST
1.
EzyDog Chest Plate Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Reflective stitching
- Adjustments: Quick release buckles
- Style: Detachable car restraint
- Price: Mid/high price range
Pros
- Easy to adjust straps
- EVA foam chest plate
- Distributes weight evenly
Cons
- Can be difficult to get on
- Chest plate comes up too high on some dogs
- Chest plate is too narrow on some dogs
The EzyDog Chest Plate Dog Harness provides the ultimate control and comfort for your small dog. The ergonomic foam chest plate helps distribute the load across the chest instead of the throat. This makes it easier to handle a small dog that tends to tug and pull. It also conforms to your dog’s chest for a comfortable and custom fit.
The quick-release buckle closures and adjustable straps keep the harness snug but also make it easy to put on and take off. For nighttime walks, the EzyDog Chest Plate Dog Harness has light-reflective stitching that helps increase visibility. This harness also includes a car restraint attachment to keep your little pup safe in the car.
The quick-release buckle closures and adjustable straps keep the harness snug but also make it easy to put on and take off. For nighttime walks, the EzyDog Chest Plate Dog Harness has light-reflective stitching that helps increase visibility. This harness also includes a car restraint attachment to keep your little pup safe in the car.
BEST NO-PULLT
2.
Frisco Padded Front Lead Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Over the head design
- Adjustments: Multi -clip design
- Style: 2 fast release buckles
- Price: Low price range
Pros
- Comes in several sizes and colors
- Adjustable in 3 places
- Padded chest piece
Cons
- Chest padding shifts
- Not as sturdy as other brands
The Frisco Padded Front Lead Dog Harness is a great option for small dog owners who are looking for a comfortable harness that will provide additional control on their walks. It is made with high-quality nylon webbing for durability and a padded mesh chest piece, making sure that your pup is both secure and comfortable.
The O-ring leash attachment on the front of the chest piece discourages pulling by naturally redirecting your dog’s attention back to you without causing neck strain. It is great for dogs in training or dogs that need a little extra encouragement to walk on a leash. The over-the-head style harness features two fast-release buckles on either side of the belly strap, which makes it easy to get on and off.
There are adjustable slides on the belly strap and both sides of the shoulder straps, so that you can make sure the harness fits just right. There is also an additional leash attachment D-ring on the back of the harness, so it can be used like a traditional dog harness as well. This harness comes in many sizes and colors.
The O-ring leash attachment on the front of the chest piece discourages pulling by naturally redirecting your dog’s attention back to you without causing neck strain. It is great for dogs in training or dogs that need a little extra encouragement to walk on a leash. The over-the-head style harness features two fast-release buckles on either side of the belly strap, which makes it easy to get on and off.
There are adjustable slides on the belly strap and both sides of the shoulder straps, so that you can make sure the harness fits just right. There is also an additional leash attachment D-ring on the back of the harness, so it can be used like a traditional dog harness as well. This harness comes in many sizes and colors.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
3.
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
Pros
- Step in style
- Double secure closure on top side
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Available in many sizes and colors
Cons
- D rings only located on top
- A little flimsy
The Voyager Black Base Mesh Dog Harness is a simple, easy-to-use harness that is extremely comfortable for your small dog for all kinds or runs. It is made from soft, breathable, lightweight mesh, that allows moisture to escape, keeping your pup cool as he walks. The fabric is gentle against the skin and hugs your dogs’s torso to provide a secure fit. The Voyager Mesh Dog Harness has a fuzzy fastener closure and quick-release buckle for fast and easy adjustments before a run. There are two D-rings for attaching a leash on the top of the harness. This harness comes in a range of sizes from extra-small to extra-large, with several color choices.
BEST FOR DAILY USE
4.
Red Dingo Classic Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Trademarked Bucklebone clip
- Adjustments: Strong side-release buckles
- Price: Low price range
- Style: Made from durable, premium-quality nylon webbing
Pros
- Soft, abrasion-resistant material
- Edging is double sewn
- Machine washable
- Available in many sizes and colors
Cons
- D rings only located on top
- Sizes may run small
Red Dingo Classic Dog Harness is just that, classic and perfect for small dogs. This harness is available in a wide range of bright, primary colors, and made from premium-quality nylon webbing with sewn seams for maximum strength and to ensure no fraying. The soft, abrasion-resistant material provides long-lasting comfort while the trademarked Bucklebone clip is among the strongest side-release buckles in the industry. For added safety, the solid stainless steel D-ring on top, ensures a secure connection to both his leash and ID tag.
BEST FOR TRAINED DOGS
5.
Frisco Soft Mesh Dog Harness
Product Info
- Safety: Soft breathable mesh fabric
- Adjustments: Over-head design
- Price: Low price range
- Style: Adjustable slide on the stomach strap
Pros
- Step in over head style
- Fast release buckle
- Lightweight
- Available in many sizes and colors
Cons
- D ring only located on top
- Sizes run small
- Sits high on neck
The Frisco Soft Mesh Dog Harness provides you, the dog owner, with a soft, easy-to-use harness. It is made from breathable mesh material, keeping your small dog comfy and cool while out on a daily walk. The over-the-head design and fast-release buckle make it easy to get on and off, while the adjustable slide on the belly strap ensures that you get the perfect fit to keep your pup secure.
The D-ring at the back of the harness is secured using durable nylon fabric for you to attach your leash to, so you will always feel in control. This soft mesh dog harness comes in sizes from small to extra-large, and in four different colors; pink, red, blue and black.
The D-ring at the back of the harness is secured using durable nylon fabric for you to attach your leash to, so you will always feel in control. This soft mesh dog harness comes in sizes from small to extra-large, and in four different colors; pink, red, blue and black.
Harness Features
- LED: An LED dog harness is usually constructed from lightweight materials and comes with a variety of useful features, such as adjustable light modes, reflective strips, and rechargeable batteries for hours of use.
- Back Clip: Back-clip harnesses attach on top of a dog’s back or shoulders. These are best for smaller, calm, or well-trained dogs.
- Front Clip: Front-clip harnesses have a leash attachment on the chest. This gives the owner more control and stops the dog from pulling. These are best for larger dogs or dogs that pull.
- Multi-Clip: Some harnesses come with attachments on both the front and back. This gives you the option to use it as a front or back clip when walking your dog.
- Reflective: A reflective harness is a necessity if you walk your dog at night or in low-light situations. This keeps your dog from harm and makes him easier to see.
- No Pull: No-pull harnesses are a simple way to discourage your dog from pulling. They usually have a front clip attachment, and some have front and top controls for dual control. There are usually straps that cross above the dog’s shoulders and behind their front legs.
- Step-through: A step-through harness means your dog puts his front legs between two loops to get into the harness. Once the dog’s legs are in position, a single buckle attaches behind their front legs.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to determining how far to walk your small dog, consider his age and health first. Start with short distances and watch for signs of fatigue like lying down or limping. When it comes to safety and training, when walking your small dog, your best bet is to start with the right harness.
