Dog Harness Guide: Factors to Consider when Choosing a Harness

If you’re the proud fur parent of an active dog, one very important doggie equipment you should invest in is a good harness. The right harness is not only well-fitting but should also keep your dog comfortable and safe from injuries while enjoying shared activities with you.

Your pup won’t be able to choose his own harness. The responsibility falls on your shoulder instead. When shopping for a good harness, there are specific factors you need to look into which we’ve compiled in the following dog harness guide:

1. Right for the activity

Before choosing a harness, consider the types of activities you expect to involve your pup with. Different harnesses are designed for different activities, so having a good grasp of what you intend to involve your pup with will make it easier to narrow down your options.

If your pup tends to pull hard on the lead and you want to involve him in activities like skiing, bicycling, or running, then a pulling harness would work best. This type of harness is also required for dog mushing. If your pup doesn’t pull that much and you only go for hikes and walks, then you’ll do well with an all-around dog harness. If you’d prefer your pup not to pull while you’re both out and about, there are harnesses that come with anti-pull attachment points. This can be incorporated into your pup’s leash training.

2. Ergonomic fit

The right dog harness should fit nicely, regardless of the types of activities you intend your pup to take part in. Ergonomic dog harnesses will ensure that your pup is not only comfortable the whole time, but that he is protected from injuries as well.

You’ll want to look into Y-shaped fronted harnesses. The design not only allows for free shoulder movement but also ensures that there will be minimal breathing restrictions for your dog.

3. Harness quality

It cannot be emphasized enough in this dog harness guide how important it is to invest in a quality dog harness. Choose a harness made of durable and strong materials. The last thing you want is for it to break when your dog suddenly decides to run after a critter while you’re out on one of your daily walks!

Also, investing in quality dog harnesses is not only practical, but it is more sustainable too. They will last longer, after all. While they may cost you a little more upfront, the fact that you won’t need to have to replace them every so often will make them the cheaper choice in the long run.

Below are the different types of harnesses you can equip your dog with depending on the types of activities they are engaged in.

Pulling harnesses

When shopping for a dog-pulling harness, make sure that the line’s attachment point sits at your pup’s tail and not on its mid-back. This prevents putting strain on his spine.

If you intend to let your dog take part in activities like skijoring, bikejoring, or canicross— where the pup’s line is connected to a bike or a hip belt— you need a harness with a pulling center that is over the dog. As such, you will specifically require a dog harness that is developed and shaped for a high pulling point. This harness is designed to make use of the pup’s anatomy to ensure his comfort while also improving performance.

A pulling harness with this exact design and function is the combined harness. On top of that, it also comes with additional pulk attachment points. There is an optional girth strap but if your up tends to slide out of his harness, this is one feature that will help prevent that.

For light weight training or dog mushing, a harness specifically designed for lower pulling points is the ideal option. You’ll want to look for a harness with an x-back design which is specifically intended for mushing. This type of harness aims to maximize the dog’s power while also ensuring his comfort.

The dog’s neck will usually have a straight section which ensures full shoulder movement. If your pup tends to pull to one side, this harness design will reduce strain. This is because the way that the back strap travels to its attachment point levels the dog with the harness.

A stick harness is also another option to consider for light weight training and dog mushing purposes. This aims to solve issues of hip and back strain that many rearmost digs tend to be susceptible to. This type of harness aims to minimize the amount of pressure on the pup’s hips in the case of a low pulling center thanks to its stick and elastic back piece.

Every day and hiking harness

If you have a dog that doesn’t pull much or you’d prefer that your pup does not pull at all, there are half harnesses that come with a leash connected to a point on the pup’s back. There are everyday and hiking harnesses that have an attachment point at the front which offers an average anti-pull control. It also comes with an attachment point under the chest where the tracking line is connected. Finding the right style shouldn’t be hard as there is usually a variety to choose from. More than style, however, our dog harness guide is focused on ergonomics so it will be perfect for your specific needs.

For a versatile, lightweight, and ergonomic harness, a line harness grip or a line harness that comes with a handle will do the job. These harnesses are specifically developed for canine tracking. However, they also work well for hiking, daily walks, as well as other day-to-day activities. They usually have several attachment points and are designed to ensure your pup’s comfort when worn.  

If high adjustability is what you’re looking for, consider getting a Rock harness or a Ramble harness. These harnesses are designed to be adjustable around the chest and the neck, which makes them ideal for stronger-build pups or growing puppies. You’ll get extra padding with the Ramble harness while the innovative breathable material of the Rock harness makes it ideal for summer and warmer days. Both come with three attachment points.

Why harness size matters

Once you have narrowed down the right harness to suit your specific needs, your next concern is to find one in the size that is perfect for your pup.

Thankfully, most harness sellers these days have a size finder that will make it easier for you to determine the correct size for your dog’s build. You’ll be asked to provide your dog’s measurement and a corresponding harness size will be suggested to you. These tools will also help whether you’re better off going a size up or down.

Do make sure that should the harness you bought not fit your dog, they will allow you to exchange it for the correct size.

Once you have determined the correct size for your pup, make sure to have it adjusted for the best fit. Remember that to maximize the harness and what it is designed for, it needs to properly fit its canine wearer. For instance, pulling harnesses should snugly fit around the neck. This way, it is prevented from sliding down toward the shoulder area as this can significantly limit your pup’s mobility.