- The best dog harnesses are ones that make walks and other adventures with your dog easy while keeping them comfortable, secure, and pain-free.
- As a professional dog trainer who has tested harnesses on hundreds of dogs, I've found different harnesses work best for dogs of different sizes, needs, and abilities.
- For leash pulling, for example, a no-pull harness with a front clip is likely your best bet, whereas small dogs often benefit from a vest-style harness.
- Our pick for the best dog harness overall is the PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness. It's a versatile, affordable harness that fits well without restricting movement.
Of all the commitments you made to your dog when you agreed to be their guardian, daily walks are among the most important. Walks aren't just essential to your dog's physical and mental health; for most, it's the only opportunity they have to explore their world.
For us humans, though, walks can be among the more complicated tasks our dogs require of us. Just figuring out what equipment to use is a challenge. Harnesses, as opposed to collars, are the best option for walking a dog safely and comfortably. Walking a dog on even the softest collar can cause choking and poses even greater risks.
"As a general rule, I don't like anything that puts too much pressure on the neck," Dr. Carlo Siracusa, DVM, associate professor of clinical animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, told Insider Picks. "Pressure to the neck can cause problems to the trachea and to the bone structure of the neck, itself." Studies even suggest that too much pressure on the neck can cause eye problems, including glaucoma.
Selecting which harness to use isn't simple, though. A style that works well on a 4-pound apple-headed Chihuahua may be a terrible fit for a long-legged, barrel-chested Great Dane. Nor does finding the right harness depend solely on fit. The best harness for your dog is the one that makes walks and other adventures easy while keeping them comfortable, secure, and pain-free. Dogs that pull on leash, for example, need something different than older or injured dogs with limited mobility.
Dog harnesses generally fall into three major categories:
- Front clip: Harnesses that clip to a leash at the front of the chest are anti-pull. They slow your dog down by putting your control ahead of them instead of at their back.
- Back clip: Harnesses that clip to a leash at the back are for dogs that don't pull, no matter whether they're super-active or couch potato.
- Front and back clip: These harnesses have both options, providing versatility for dogs and people whose needs change over time.
As a certified professional dog trainer, I have 10 years of experience testing harnesses on hundreds of dogs of all types - from tiny floofs to big bruisers, from the most reserved to the overly friendly.
After consulting with other dog professionals, including Erika Slovikoski, a certified professional dog trainer with more than a decade of experience, and Michelle Sanchez, a pet care provider, rescue maven, and member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, I've narrowed down a crowded field of more than two dozen options to find the six best harnesses for dogs of different sizes, needs, and abilities.
Here are the best dog harnesses you can buy:
- Best dog harness overall: PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness
- Best harness for small dogs: Puppia RiteFit Harness
- Best harness for large dogs: Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Harness
- Best harness for dogs that pull: Blue-9 Pet Products Balance Harness
- Best harness for active dogs: Hurtta Weekend Warrior Harness
- Best harness for injured or senior dogs: Ruffwear Web Master Harness
Updated 1/07/2020 by Shoshi Parks: Updated categories, products, and text.
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