Best dog harnesses

Taking your dog for a walk? Attaching a lead to a dog harness gives you more control over your pet than a traditional collar, and it reduces any strain on the animal's neck.

Whether you're walking a placid pug or an excitable husky, being in control of your pooch is important. To help you choose the right dog harness, we've teamed up with Blue Cross, the animal welfare charity, to offer tips on how to choose and fit a harness. Plus, we've highlighted some popular harness brands to consider.

Discover the key differences between the types of harness available and how to pick the perfect option for your pet.

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Back clip vs front clip dog harnesses

A harness wraps around your dog's torso, which means it doesn't place any pressure on the animal's neck. 

It can be a good alternative to a traditional collar, especially if your pet has a tendency to pull when on a lead. However, every dog is different, which is why choosing the right style of harness is important.

If your dog doesn't have thick fur, for instance, a well-padded harness will be more comfortable. And if your pet loves burrowing in the undergrowth when you're out and about, you may want to avoid a harness with a mesh design, as it's only going to get covered in thorns and twigs.

A typical price for a back clip or front clip dog harness is between £20-40.

Back clip dog harness

• At a glance: you attach your lead to a hook positioned above your dog's back.

This is the most common type of dog harness. Unlike a traditional dog collar, a back clip harness won't place any pressure on your pet's neck if it pulls when on a lead or if you suddenly need to take a tight hold of the lead. If you own a dog with a sensitive trachea, using a back clip harness won't cause any discomfort, provided the front straps sit at the dog's chest rather than at the neck.

A back clip harness is also a good idea if your dog has a habit of wriggling out of its collar. Plus, as there are no straps fastened around the dog's neck, you can pull back on the lead in an emergency without harming your pet.

Be warned, though – if your dog abruptly pulls on a back clip harness, you'll be pulled along behind, thanks to the 'sled dog effect'.

This type of harness isn't designed to improve the behaviour of a dog that doesn't walk to heel – front clip harnesses, combined with the right training, are a better solution (see below).

Front clip dog harness

• At a glance: the lead attachment is found on the dog's chest.

This type of harness is popular with trainers because, paired with the right teaching methods, it can help to lessen a dog's desire to pull.

If you pull back on the lead on a walk, the position of the front clip will cause the dog to turn their head towards you. This is useful if you want to distract your four-legged friend from something they find scary, and you can steer them in a certain direction to avoid a hazard.

Depending on your dog's personality and walking style, you may find their legs get tangled with your lead because of the clip position on the dog's chest. If that's the case, you may need to use a shorter lead.

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Dog harnesses to stop pulling

No-pull harnesses are a somewhat controversial choice, as they're designed to cause discomfort to force dogs to calm down.

We caught up with Woodgreen, a pets charity that also features in Channel 4's 'The Dog House', who told us: 'Non-pull harnesses put pressure under the dog's armpits, and they stop pulling because it's uncomfortable. We would advise owners to be careful and to ensure the fit is appropriate.

'On some [non-pull harnesses], the belly strap sits beyond the rib cage, and this would be uncomfortable on the dog's soft tummy.'

Dog harnesses for puppies

Shopping for a harness suitable for a puppy can be quite a process, as you'll want something that's both light and secure. Sensible options are made of material that can easily adjust to the shape of your dog, but won't weigh down the puppy with chunky plastic clasps and straps.

It's important that the harness you pick doesn't restrict the dog's movement, but it also needs to be secure enough to stop your puppy from wriggling out of it.

If you want to stop any pulling from a young age, picking the right harness to partner with effective training methods can have a noticeable effect. Remember to make sure the design of the harness doesn't tighten too much if the dog resists on a walk.

Online research can go a long way. Woodgreen says that Facebook groups can be a handy source of information – find a group made up of owners of your dog's breed, and you'll be able to share advice.

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Popular dog harnesses

We haven't reviewed and tested dog harnesses recently. However, below, we've pulled together models from popular brands, based on analysis of web searches in the UK, along with some spec info, to help you get started.

Julius-K9 Power harness

This harness has a customisable design – it comes with a velcro pad on each side that says Julius-K9, but you can order a personalised name or message to attach instead. It uses plastic clasps to keep your dog secure.

As this is a back clip harness, you attach your lead to a metal hoop on the top. It comes in a range of sizes to suit small and large breeds. This harness doesn't have a fleece lining.

According to the brand's website, this harness is available in various sizes, from a small puppy with a chest circumference of 29-36cm (Baby 1) to a large dog that measures 96-138cm around the chest (Size 4). There should be something suitable for young chihuahuas, as well as adult Great Danes and Leonbergers.

This dog harness is also available on the Julius-K9 website and Pets at Home.

Perfect Fit Harness

A modular design means every part of the Perfect Fit harness can be resized to fit your dog – we suggest checking the Perfect Fit size calculator on the brand's website if you're interested.

This back clip harness doesn't need to go over your dog's head, which is handy if you're dealing with a nervous or anxious dog. A fleece lining should help to prevent rubbing on your dog's joints.

This dog harness is available from the Perfect Fit website.

The Company of Animals Halti Harness

The Halti harness is designed as a training tool and is an option for dogs prone to pulling on the lead. It comes with two harness attachment points – one by the dog's chest and another on its back – which makes it easier to steer your four-legged friend.

If you want a Halti harness, note that you only have three sizes to choose from. The small size (neck measurement 26-36cm) is suitable for Boston terriers and standard daschunds, the medium (34-56cm) works well for boxers and bulldogs, and the large (48-66cm) is recommended for larger breeds, including golden retrievers and labradoodles.

Your dog needs to wear a traditional collar as well, as the components connect together.

This dog harness is also available from Company of Animals and Pets at Home.

Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness

This is a stylish back clip harness, designed to reduce the strain on your pet's neck if they pull while on a walk. This harness is available in a range of colours, including a vibrant red, and comes in sizes XXS (chest circumference 33-43cm) up to L/XL (81-107cm).

To fit the Ruffwear harness, you'll have to pass your dog's head through the straps. The chest section of the harness will tighten when your dog sits down, so remember this when you're sizing it for the first time.

This dog harness is also available from the Ruffwear website.

Bunty Adjustable Nylon Dog Harness

This budget-friendly harness from Bunty comes with several adjustable straps and is straightforward to remove – unclick around the belly and thread your pet's head through the loop.

The brand says its harness is made from a 'strong and durable nylon' that is machine washable. It comes in three sizes, ranging from small (waist 34-60cm, neck 28-50cm) to large (waist 48-84cm, neck 42-66cm). Carefully take measurements of your pet to avoid having to return the harness.

This dog harness is also available from the Bunty website.

Where to buy a dog harness

Dog harnesses come in all shapes and sizes and you’ll have no trouble finding a harness online, whatever breed you own. Most brands provide size charts, so measure your pooch before you buy.

Before you part with your money, though, make sure you check the retailer’s returns policy. If you try the harness on your dog and it doesn’t fit perfectly, you’ll probably want to get a refund for the product or swap it for a different size.

Popular online retailers that stock dog harnesses include:

• Amazon sells hundreds of dog harnesses. One of the better-known brands on the site is Julius-K9, and its K9 Power harness costs £15-42 depending on size.
• Argos has a small selection of harnesses, most of which are from Petface. Prices start at around £7.
• Julius-K9 offers harnesses for dogs big and small. One of its popular picks is the IDC Power harness, which comes in a wide range of colours and patterns.
• Pets at Home stocks options from various brands including Julius-K9, Trixie, Ruffwear and Halti. The retailer’s own range of dog harnesses start at around £10.
• Ruffwear provides padded harnesses for training dogs or dealing with pets that pull on their lead. The brand's Front Range Dog Harness costs around £45-55 depending on size.
  

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Buying a dog harness online

If you're buying online, you need to know your dog's measurements. Specialist online stores usually have a guide on where to measure your dog and how to apply those measurements to the harnesses they stock. If in doubt, get in touch and ask.

When you buy goods online, you have the right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations to cancel an order at any time from the point you buy the goods and up to 14 days after. To cancel, notify the retailer within this period. After that's taken care of, you have a further 14 days to return your goods for a full refund.

It's best not to take your dog on a proper walk to see if its new harness fits. Even if it's a dry day and your dog's usually well-behaved, you can guarantee this will be the day it decides to roll in something it shouldn't. Instead, try it out indoors or in a dry garden.

Buying a dog harness in-store

Some pet shops might let you take your dog inside for a quick fitting – ask if this is OK.

Trying harnesses on your dog in-store will ensure the best fit for their size and breed. However, if your dog has never worn a harness before and is nervous, attempting this in a busy, unfamiliar environment might not go smoothly.

You could buy a harness to try on at home, but the store doesn't have to let you return it simply because it doesn't fit. Check its returns policy before you buy. If the harness is faulty, you're entitled to a refund. The harness should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. If it's not, you have the right to get a full refund from the retailer within 30 days.

How to fit a dog harness

1. Loosen all the straps. This will help you to easily place the harness on your dog and it's important for the first fitting.
2. Prepare your dog for a loud noise. To get your dog used to wearing a harness, especially if the clasp makes a loud clicking noise, teach your dog to associate that sound with a treat. Try fastening the clasps close to your dog's ears (while the harness is off) and then reward your pet. 
3. Get your dog used to the loopholes. Depending on the harness, your dog might need to pass its head through a loop. Hold a treat in your hand and pass it through the loop where your dog's head will go. Repeat this several times, gradually moving the loop closer to your dog's head. Once your dog associates the loop with something positive, encourage them to pass their head fully through it.
4. Ensure a perfect fit. When your dog is familiar with the harness, you're in a better position to attach it fully. When fitting the harness, make sure there's enough room under each of the straps for you to fit two fingers. If you make the harness too tight, the straps will rub against the dog's joints and cause problems. Take your dog to a pet shop if you're unsure your harness is correctly fastened.

We'd like to thank Blue Cross, Woodgreen and Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary for helping us create this advice guide.