The Best Dog Harnesses

The best harness for dog is one that perfectly fits your dog, is comfortable to wear, looks good, and ensures both you and your dog enjoy your walk without getting hurt.

In this review, we’ll look at some of the best dog harnesses on the market. The best one depends on your dog’s size, and you and your dog’s needs when you go out.

Without further ado, here are our top nine picks for the best dog harness for man’s best friend.

Top 9 Best Dog Harness Brands

If you want an all-fit dog harness, the Rabbitgoo Dog Harness makes a great choice. Getting one that’s a suitable fit for your dog won’t be a problem thanks to the harness’ adjustable slide straps and the fact it comes in four sizes.

The harness is easy to wear and makes a comfortable fit for feisty dogs that like to pull. But its design also deters dogs from pulling, which makes for more enjoyable walks and hikes.

Its body consists of a breathable, padded material that doesn’t chafe and is covered with reflective straps to keep your dog visible even in low light conditions.

Key Features:

Aside from being a durable and good-looking harness, other features that make this product a top dog harness are:

• Easy-release side buckles
• A good deal for its price
• Has a leash attachment point on the back and front
• Available in four sizes for optimal comfort and a secure fit
• No-pull design

If your dog is still a puppy or is a puppy-sized dog, such as a Chihuahua or Pomeranian, the Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest is the best overall dog harness to go for. It’s high quality yet surprisingly affordable. It’s the most affordable harness we could find for small-dog owners.

Key Features:

Other features that make this a best-dog-harness option are:

• It’s available in four colors – pink, red, blue and black
• It has four reflective bands that keep your best friend visible in all lighting conditions
• Features a fast-release buckle and two D-rings for leash attachment
• The soft, breathable mesh material of the vest is easy to clean

Its user-friendly buckles and easy step-in design make wearing or taking it off a breeze. The soft, breathable fabric of the harness also protects your little guy or gal from chafing or overheating. You can get it in four sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large vests. Each features adjustable straps for the perfect fit and comfort.

We recommend this harness if your dog is an unrepentant puller or if you take your dog out a lot. The Ruffwear – Front Range Harness is a top-seller and highly-rated product with a padded chest and belly panel that keeps dogs comfortable, regardless of how long they stay in the harness.

We consider it the best no pull dog harness because of its front metal loop that safely restrains your dog from dragging you. It also features a lightweight design and sturdy back loop leash attachment for quick and hassle-free use.

Key Features:

Other features that set this product apart from the average dog harness are:

• Durable aluminum attachment rings with reinforced webbing mean this product will last for years
• Ideal for dogs in training as it offers handlers greater control
• The padded and lightweight material of the harness makes it comfortable and safe for frequent use and extended wear.
• Available in a variety of colors to match your dog’s style

If you want a dog harness that gives you optimal control when walking your dog or out on a wild outdoor adventure, this is it. On the downside, this harness may not be a good fit if your dog has a narrow waist and broad chest.

When taking your dog outdoors, you need a harness that lets you reel your friend in before curiosity or excitement causes trouble. Chai’s Choice Best Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness delivers with its sturdy back handle that enables you to pull back your dog quickly and with ease.

The sturdy material of the harness and its large-capacity bearing Duraflex buckle mean you won’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon, no matter how often you and your best pal go on adventures.

Key Features:

Other features we appreciate about this well-made harness are:

• Breathable padded lining
• Adjustable straps for the perfect fit
• Reflective material for improved night visibility
• More options and better control with front and back leash attachment clips
• Available in five sizes

The Oxford material of the harness is also scratch-resistant, which means you need not worry about it sustaining damage if your dog enjoys a bit of roughhousing.

As the name implies, this is the rig to go for if your dog is a big boy or girl. So, if you’ve got a Saint Bernard, Rottweiler, Labrador, or another large breed, a Big Dog Harness No Pull is the best choice for a suitable fit.

The harness is adjustable to fit dogs with a chest size of between 22 and 35 inches. The design of the vest takes into consideration how difficult reeling in a big dog can be, giving you an evenly distributed pull that allows you to halt your dog safely with minimal effort.

Key Features:

Other notable features are:

• Reflective straps for improved safety during low lighting
• It comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
• The material is highly durable and easy to clean
• Easy to wear and take off
• Tough buckles for maximum security and a sturdy D-ring leash attachment for efficient handling

If your dog is a service dog, this is one of the best tactical dog harnesses you can get. People with hunting dogs, police dogs, or emotional support dogs benefit from this tactical vest and no-rub harness with functional pockets and 100 percent escape-proof design.

It features a front clip that makes training your dog to walk at your side much easier. If your dog is a Husky or some other load-pulling dog, there are metal buckles around the shoulders of the vest for easy coupling.

Key Features:

Features that set this apart from other top dog harnesses are:

• Pockets for carrying gear for you and your dog
• Military 1050D nylon material gives this harness a super durable quality
• Excellent for control and comfort while out with your dog

If straps and buckles are too much work for you and your dog, the Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness makes for a great alternative to other great dog harnesses on our list. Place it on your dog, seal the Velcro, and you are good to go.

If your dog is feisty, this set-up also features a buckle closure for added security. Its breathable mesh fabric is super lightweight and weatherproof, which makes it a comfy vest for your dog regardless of the weather outside. There are also reflective strips for improved visibility during night outings.

Key Features:

Other features that make this harness a great buy are:

• Very affordable price
• Available in various sizes and colors for perfect comfort and style fit
• Heavy-duty metal D-rings for secure leash attachment
• Step-in design, which makes wearing easy

Most people consider this the best dog car harness because its five adjustable points make it easy to wear and customize for a perfect fit. We like it for a different reason. Unlike other rigs on our list, the unique design of the Kurgo Dog Harness features a seatbelt attachment.

That’s right! With this harness, you can strap your dog to a seatbelt, keeping it from jumping around during drives. No more dangerous distractions while you are driving with your dog in the car.

Key Features:

Other features that make this an excellent buy when looking for the best car dog harness are:

• Available in various sizes. Each size has further adjustment settings for a better fit for your dog
• The front leash attachment is great for keeping dogs of multiple sizes, especially large, strong dogs in check
• Optimal comfort thanks to a padded chest plate and wide straps

Even though its design optimizes safety, the Kurgo Dog Harness is still super comfortable to wear, be it during a car ride or while taking a long walk.

PetSafe is another pretty good dog harness for unrepentant pullers. Being one of the pioneers of no-pull dog harnesses, PetSafe has had years to perfect its harnesses, which is apparent in the ease of use and effectiveness of this product.

Even though its design and four adjustment points are simple and easy to use, PetSafe takes no chances and provides a video tutorial on how to wear the harness. There’s also customer support waiting if you need extra assistance with figuring how to make the best use of this harness.

You’d expect all of these product’s accompaniments to cost extra, but the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is surprisingly affordable.

Key Features:

Aside from being a top-quality product that’s affordable, we also like the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness for being:

• Super easy and quick to put on thanks to quick-snap buckles
• Robust and highly durable material that’s easy to clean
• Adjustable and comfortable thanks to its evenly distributed straps that minimize pressure on a dog’s chest and belly.

You may also like best dog leash buying guide.

What to Look for in a Dog Harness

Harnesses are far better than dog collars. A collar around the throat restricts breathing, especially if the dog is a puller. A harness fits around the body, freeing the throat and giving you better control over your dog’s movement. But the most effective and comfortable harness for you and your dog depends on a variety of factors.

To help you select right dog harness for you and your best bud, here’s what to look out for.

Type of Harness – There’s more than one type of harness, and each one is designed to fulfill a specific purpose. For instance, a standard harness is ideal for dogs that aren’t aggressive pullers while a tightening harness is better-suited for aggressive pullers because the discomfort it causes a dog when it pulls forces it to stop straining.

By knowing exactly what you expect of a harness, you’ll be better able to pick a type that satisfies your needs and best fits your dog.

Material – The material of the harness affects a lot of things, such as its safety, comfort, durability, and ease of cleaning. It’s best to go for a harness that’s made of a top-quality material so your dog is more comfortable wearing it and you have less trouble maintaining it.

Harnesses made from nylon or leather are good options, although leather harnesses tend to cost more than nylon ones.

Style – Harnesses come in a variety of styles. Some strap on with Velcro while others use buckles. Some have pockets, and some don’t. Some have padded chest plates, while others have padding all over to avoid chafing. Some have leash clips on the back, others have it on the front, and others have it on both sides.

The style of a harness determines how you use it and what purpose it serves. While the color of a harness is part of its style, you should pick a harness more for its utility than for its aesthetics. If not, it may fail to satisfy your unique needs.

Cost – As the quality of dog harnesses varies, so do prices. While we advise that you always go for the harness that you can afford, avoid compromising quality for low cost. A cheap and inferior harness will likely not only be uncomfortable for you and your dog, but it’ll probably also fall apart within a short time.

Size and Adjustability – A too-tight harness is just as bad as one that’s too big. Tight ones can be painful and stifling, and oversized ones can lead to avoidable accidents, such as losing control of your dog in public.

Make sure to verify a harness is your dog’s size before purchasing it. Also, the vest should have adjustable features so that it can be customized as necessary to fit you and your dog’s changing needs better.

Features – Certain features come standard with dog harnesses. But for the most comfort and secure harness, choose one that includes padding, a tough and well-centered D-ring for the leash, a handle for close control, reflective strips, and water resistance.

Types of Dog Harness

As we earlier mentioned, there’s more than one type of harness. Knowing the features of each type helps you determine which is the best harness for you and your dog.

The most common types of dog harness are:

Standard harness – The standard harness is as vanilla as its name sounds. Like every other harness, it protects the dog’s neck and distributes force evenly against the dog’s chest and back. If your dog is obedient and gentle, it’s a good and comfortable harness for walks. But if your dog is an aggressive puller, this harness isn’t ideal because it has no features that deter the dog from pulling.

Tightening harness – Unlike a standard harness, a tightening harness has features that deter a dog from pulling. When the dog pulls, and you pull back, the vest tightens around its body. The discomfort discourages the dog from further pulling.

The pressure a dog experiences when pulling in a tightening harness isn’t dangerous or harmful, just a bit uncomfortable.

No-pull harness or front-pull harness – Like a tightening harness, a no-pull harness dissuades dogs from pulling. But unlike the tightening harness, it doesn’t tighten uncomfortably when the dog pulls. Instead, the dog feels some force under its front armpits. The discomfort forces the dog to stop pulling.

Head harness – This type of harness gives you greater control over a dog because it goes over the head instead of the dog’s body. With this harness type, which is very similar to a horse bridle, you can easily control a dog’s head movement, the direction it’s going, and you can pull a dog back.

However, note that this harness type isn’t comfortable for a lot of dogs, especially those with short muzzles or breathing problems.

Regardless of the type of harness you choose, it will have either a back clip or a front clip. A back clip harness has a D-ring at its back for attaching a leash, while a front clip harness has its D-ring on the front in the middle of the chest. Some rigs have both front and back clips.

Front-clip harnesses are better suited for controlling aggressive pullers, while back-clip harnesses are okay if your dog is well-behaved.

What is the best harness for a dog that pulls

There are different types of harnesses designed to deter a dog from pulling. These include tightening harnesses and no-pull harnesses.

Unlike a tightening harness, no-pull harnesses don’t constrict a dog’s sides to deter pulling. Instead, it makes the dog uncomfortable in the front armpits when it pulls. Both are effective at discouraging pulling. It’s up to you to pick which works best for you and your dog. We prefer a no-pull harness.

Some of the best no-pull dog harnesses on the market are PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness No-Pull Dog Harness, RUFFWEAR – Front Range Everyday No Pull Dog Harness with Front Clip, and the Rabbitgoo Dog Harness No-Pull Pet Harness

How to measure a dog for a harness

Without proper measurement, you are going to end up with a harness that’s too tight or loose. A bad fit is highly uncomfortable for your pooch, not to mention possibly injurious.

Some recommend that the best way to measure your dog for a harness is to use your dog’s weight. But this recommendation is flawed because different breeds have different bodies at the same weight. For instance, a 30-pound Rottweiler and a 30-pound greyhound require different size harnesses.

To accurately measure your dog for a harness, use the following steps:

• First, you need a measuring tape
• Use the measuring tape to measure the widest part of your dog’s torso. Do this by wrapping the tape around the dog’s chest from beneath the front-leg armpits to the dog’s back.
• Because the harness will also sit on the dog’s lower neck, measure here as well by wrapping the tape around the neck – from the front of the front legs to the back.

For the best measurement, leave enough space for two fingers between the measuring tape and your dog’s body.

How to put on a dog harness

The best way to put on a dog harness depends on the design of the harness. For instance, how to wear step-in harnesses differs from how to wear harnesses that go over the head.

For a standard dog harness, use the following steps:

1. Have your dog sit, and position yourself behind the canine.
2. Place the harness over your dog’s head. If the harness is a back clip, you must position the D-ring on the harness at your dog’s back. For a front clip, the D-ring should be at the front, squarely at your dog’s chest
3. Put your dog’s legs through the harness’s right and left leg holes.
4. Depending on the harness’ design, buckle the harness or seal the Velcro. If the buckle or Velcro doesn’t close, adjust the straps.
5. Adjust the straps as needed to make sure the harness is a proper fit. You should be able to slip two fingers beneath the vest and its straps.
6. Make sure the harness is secure by attempting pulling it over your dog’s head.

For a step-in harness, use the following steps:

1. Place the open harness on the ground with its insides facing upwards.
2. Place your dog over the harness and his/her front legs through the two triangles/sleeve holes of the vest.
3. Raise the harness and clip its two ends together behind your dog.
4. Adjust the straps as needed and try pulling off the harness to see if it’s properly fitted.

Remember that harnesses shouldn’t be on the dog all day, regardless of how well fitted or comfy they are. It will become uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to skin infections, irritation, or other discomforts. Take off the harness when it isn’t needed or when it’s time for your buddy to sleep.