Best Harness for Your Dog In 2024

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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.

Best Overall

rabbitgoo Dog Harness

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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

The Rabbitgoo No-Pull Harness is an affordable pet accessory that offers pet parents a variety of colors and sizes to choose from. It features four adjustable straps for dog security, with two leash connection points for easy use. The buckles are sturdy and easy to use, ensuring your dog doesn't slip out of it during walks, running, or traveling. The harness also features easy-release side buckles and reflective strips for visibility, making it suitable for early-morning or late-night walks. A back handle allows for easy hand-grabbing to prevent lunging.

Best for Large Dogs

Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness

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Product Info

Safety: Crash tested for safe car rides
Adjustments: Five adjustment types
Price: High price range
Style: Steel nesting buckles

The easy-on harness is a popular choice for dogs due to its five adjustable points, providing a secure fit for all body shapes. The thick and durable material, made with seatbelt webbing, is appreciated by Lab analysts. The harness also prevents dogs from pulling their owners around the block, especially with the front leash attachment. The harness comes in sizes XS, S, M, L, and XL, and is made of polyester seat belt webbing. The seatbelt attachment is a favorite among consumer testers, who enjoyed it. The harness is available in sizes XS, S, M, L, and XL, and is made of seatbelt webbing.

Best for Daily Use

PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness

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Product Info

Safety: No-pull chest attachment
Adjustments: Four adjustment points
Price: Mid price range
Style: Chest strap prevents choking

The Easy Walk Harness is a popular, easy-to-adjust harness with a front loop to prevent pulling and a no-frills style. It comes with four adjustment points, a video tutorial, and email and phone support. As one of the original anti-pulling harnesses, it's known for its affordability, ease of use, and immediate improvement in dog-walking. It comes in a larger range of sizes than any other harness on our list, suitable for nearly any dog. The main material is nylon.

Best Small Breed Harness

Puppia Authentic RiteFit Harness

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Product Info

Safety: Buckle
Adjustments: Back Clip
Style: Polyester
Price: Low price range

Puppia, a cult-like brand, is known for its soft, polyester mesh dog harness designed for smaller dogs. It comes in large sizes and is particularly popular with small or sensitive-skinned dogs as it rubs and chafes less than regular harness straps. It is affordable and suitable for dogs that have rejected other types of harnesses. The harness comes in various sizes and colors, and can be machine-washed in cold water and hung to dry. The design connects to a leash at the back, making it best for dogs that don't pull too much. The harness comes in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL, and is made of polyester mesh.

Best No Pull Harness

HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness

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Product Info

Safety: No choke design
Adjustments: Easy snap buckles
Style: Reflective strip
Price: Low price range

HDP Big Dog No-Pull harness is particularly suitable for growing dogs, as it uses a cord lock instead of buckles or clips. The sizing chart is based on neck size, length, height, and width, rather than chest girth. Although it clips in the back, the tightening harness effectively teaches dogs not to pull. When the dog starts pulling, the harness tightens around their chest to signal them to stop. The mesh panel is soft and non-irritating. Available in sizes XS, S, M, and L/XL, the harness is made of nylon.

Best for Hiking

Ruffwear Front Range All-Day Adventure Harness for Dogs

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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

This harness is designed for long walks or hikes, featuring padded front and back panels for comfort. It features a sturdy front loop leash attachment to prevent pulling and a back metal loop for easygoing dogs. Available in over a dozen colors with reflective trim, it has four adjustment points for easy fit without hindering mobility. Made with recycled materials and available in sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, and XL, it is made of polyester.

Best Budget Harness

Voyager Black Base Mesh Dog Harness

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Product Info

Safety: Soft breathable and sturdy mesh fabric
Adjustments: Double secure attachment
Price: Low price range
Style: Double D rings for leash attachment

The Voyager Step In Air Dog Harness is a vest-style harness that secures even the smallest dogs by adjusting to the back of the neck. It features three layers of fasteners to keep small escape artists in place. The harness allows dogs to walk into it with their front legs, attach a leash, and go. Its strong closure and heavy-duty metal D-rings ensure the dog stays securely by your side, eliminating the worry of them wiggling out of the harness during walks. This vest-style harness is available in sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, and XL.

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.