Granted, dog collars are a doddle to use since they’re dead easy to clip a leash to. However, research – and common logic – suggests a collar and leash isn’t always the best way to take your dog out for walkies. And if your dog happens to be one of those that just can't help pulling on the leash when you take them for a walk, then a harness can be a much, much more comfortable - and humane - option.
A dog-owner myself, I’ve been using a dog harness for the past year – and it’s revolutionised the daily walk; as it has for thousands of other dog owners. Holding the dog nearer your side rather than out in front, a harness feels more secure, and there’s very little chance of the dog wrestling out of it.
So, having called in five of the best-selling harnesses on the market, we thought it was time to highlight just how useful and confidence-inspiring a dog harness can be.
How to buy the best dog harness for your pooch
Why is a harness better than a collar?
Let’s start by asking whether you’d like to be towed around by the neck? No, didn’t think so. Using a collar can actually damage the tissues in a dog’s neck if it pulls too hard. It also restricts a dog’s breathing – you can clearly hear it. A lack of oxygen can cause a dog to become confused, rather like a climber suffering from altitude sickness.
Harnesses have a D-ring on the back near the dog’s shoulder blades and this means the dog’s torso is nearer to the owner’s legs rather than out front, which in turn makes it easier to get the animal to heel. Harnesses are also much safer to use, especially in busy traffic or anywhere a dog may become spooked. We’ve all been down that road when a dog suddenly slips its collar and you’re shouting in panic, invariably causing even more apprehension in the process.
Some dog harnesses are also fitted with a soft handle at the top, so you can easily grab the dog if it wants to get involved in a fight or is simply too keen to meet another pooch. Given that dogs will usually exit water at the same place they went in, these handles are also a godsend for helping dogs out of a rivers or lakes with steep banks.
What is the best style of harness?
There are plenty of different styles of harness on the market, but the most comfortable usually have a type of saddle on the back that helps the harness remain in better position without twisting.
What is the best type of harness for a tricky dog?
If you have a dog that pulls on the lead every time you go for a walk, consider a front-range harness with a leash ring on the chest strap. These are proven to work wonders at getting a dog to heel. If you have an especially powerful lead-puller then invest in a double-lead balance system such as the Mekuti, reviewed in this roundup.
How do I measure my dog for a new harness?
All harness manufacturer’s websites feature dog-sizing charts. In most instances, you simply need to measure a dog’s chest at the deepest part. Dog harnesses come in various sizes – some manufacturers even provide a breed list – and all are adjustable to a generous degree. Hence, you could buy a harness for your eight-month-old pooch, knowing it will likely still fit when it’s an adult.
The best dog harnesses to buy from £12.99
1. Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness: The best all-round dog harness
Price when reviewed: from £12.99 | Buy now from Amazon for £12.99
If you’re looking for a well made, extremely comfortable and lightweight harness that’s effortless to put on and take off, then this is the model to go for. Julius-K9 is a huge player in the pantheon of canine wear. The company started out in Hungary supplying harnesses for police and emergency rescue dogs and has applied some of its original designs to a wide range of new consumer pooch models.
This particular harness fits like a saddle: it has a soft, adjustable nylon lower-neck strap and another that attaches around the dog’s chest, just behind the pits of the forelegs. This ensures there is no rubbing or chaffing.
The IDC Powerharness is far and away the easiest of all models to fit and remove: simply slip the large opening over the dog’s head, clip in the chest strap, attach the lead to the top-mounted D-ring and go. Do bear in mind that a harness of this nature won’t necessarily prevent your dog from pulling; it’s simply a more convenient, safer and comfier alternative to walking with a dog collar and leash.
The thin padded saddle section moulds to the shape of the dog’s back, and it certainly looks super-comfortable. The IDC Powerharness also comes with a woven nylon handle on the back, which you can grab hold of when the dog is off the lead. Rather cleverly, the handle can also be clipped down so it doesn’t get caught on bushes and twigs while the dog’s doing its dog thing.
The IDC Powerharnesses comes in nine sizes – from Baby 1 (teacup dog) to Size 4 (Newfoundland) – and is available in over 40 colours, including a range emblazoned with a series of country flags. You can also replace the Velcroed side patch with a customized label of your choice. An excellent everyday option for top wags.
2. Ruffwear Front Range Harness: A seriously versatile dog harness
Price when reviewed: from £38 | Buy now from Amazon for £38.00
Ruffware produces some of the best dog wear on the market, from leads and collars to dog boots for rough terrain and snazzy coats for winter. The Ruffware Front Range harness is superbly designed and made from soft nylon padding that covers the chest area and a small area of the back. It also comes with a pouch for the dog’s ID tag. This harness is so comfy, it’s already become Juno the Labrador’s favourite beachwear outfit.
The Ruffware isn’t as quick to fit as the Julius-K9, but it’s hardly complicated. To use, slip the opening over the dog’s head, bring the chest pad beneath the torso and use the two clips. Rather handily, the rear strap section is elasticated for extra comfort. This is definitely the easiest harness to adjust while on the dog because its nylon straps are more supple and the latches are easier for making alterations on the fly.
Unlike the Julius-K9, it comes with two lead attachments: one on the back portion (like most models) and another on the chest. In most instances you’ll use the back D-ring, but if your dogs pulls on the leash, then consider attaching it to the front loop, which will help prevent excessive pulling by angling the dog’s body towards you. If your dog continues to pull like a train, consider attaching a second lead or specialised double-ended lead to both D-rings.
Double-leads are more complicated to use but have been proven to provide better balance for an unruly dog and thereby reduce pulling. That said, the chest padding alone most certainly has an affect on how the dog responds when walking – just the tiniest tug of the leash will invariably have it walking to heel.
The Front Range is available in six colours and sizes and is the harness of choice for well-to-do pooches or any owner who just wants their tyke to stand out from the pack.
3. Hurtta Active Harness
Price when reviewed: from £27.46 | Buy now from Amazon for £27.46
Designed in Finland, this excellent harness is made using soft nylon straps and water-resistant neoprene. It’s quite similar in style to the Ruffware Front Range model and just as easy to fit. We tried it on our seven-month-old Drakeshead working Labrador and could see immediately that it fit like the proverbial glove; it offered good clearance between the lower chest area and the pits of the forelegs. As with all the models here, mobility isn’t restricted in any way, allowing the dog to do what it does best – run around like a hare on steroids.
The Hurtta is a bit heavier and less supple than the Ruffware or Julius-K9, but not uncomfortably so. While it’s fully adjustable, its strap locks aren’t as forgiving as those on the Ruffware, so you might need to make fine adjustments while off the dog.
Despite its lack of a front-mounted leash hook, the owner found that our gorgeous but inquisitive Labrador walked very well to heel with even the lightest of wrist input. She isn’t quite up to guide dog status yet, but this harness is certainly helping.
The Hurtta is available in five sizes and four colours, including Cherry and Juniper. It’s great value, too.
4. Mekuti Balance Harness & Lead Set: The best dog harness to stop pulling
Price when reviewed: from £25.30 | Buy now from Mekuti.co.uk
Few things are more tiring or frustrating than a dog that continually pulls on the leash; it just makes the owner look like they’ve lost control – which, let’s face it, they have. Mekuti is a specialist brand for just such owners. The company’s Balance Harness isn’t the quickest to fit, but there’s no threading the dog’s legs through any hoops, which is often the case with cheaper harnesses.
Despite the slightly more awkward fitting procedure, this is a very simple belt harness made from tough nylon webbing. There are no saddle pads on the back, so it doesn’t look as “cool” as the others here, but it’s well thought through and not at all bulky. However, we’d advise reading Mekuti’s informative website guides and looking at some of its instructional YouTube videos before using it.
The lightweight Mekuti comes with a double-ended leash and three lead attachments: one on the back and two near each shoulder. Standing on the dog’s left or right, attach one end of the leash to the rear D-ring and feed the other end through a hoop on the front of the dog’s neck and secure it to the outer shoulder ring.
There’s a learning curve for the owner – but, in essence, the harness helps keep the dog well balanced and easier to control by coaxing the animal into position without excessive force. The harness isn’t necessarily a cure for pulling on the leash – some dogs will always pull given the chance. However, it’s definitely the best, and most gentle, option here for making both your and your dog’s life a lot easier.
The Mekuti Balance Harness comes in five sizes (Mini to Extra Large) and is available in a wide range of colours. A top choice for obstreperous hounds.
5. Julius-K9 IDC Belt Harness: The best harness for large dogs
Price when reviewed: from £31.75 | Buy now from Amazon for £31.75
This belt harness is a good option for larger and wider breeds of dog. It’s extremely easy to fit: just slide the large loop over the dog’s head and clip it on.
The Belt Harness comes with a metal back hoop for lead attachment and an ultra-tough nylon handle for easy control of the dog when off the lead. This handle is also a godsend for helping a dog out of water, if it’s struggling to get up a steep river bank. Rather cleverly, the handle can be compressed against a piece of Velcro so it doesn’t snag on any undergrowth.
The Julius-K9 provides a reassuringly snug fit that doesn’t get in the way of the dog’s movements; the lower chest strap sits just behind the forelegs and doesn’t rub against the elbows. However, it does seem a bit over-engineered. The chest webbing on the Size 1 model we tested is about 5cm in width and strong enough to pull a train. It’s also difficult to adjust.
The heavy-duty plastic clips are seriously large and we wonder if this combination of wide webbing and large clips is the reason the whole harness tends to shift over to one side after a few minutes wear. That said, at no time did the dog – an elderly Labrador – appear to be in discomfort. We suspect the smaller sizes use narrower, thinner and more supple webbing, which should ensure the harness remains in better position.
If you have a wide-girth breed such as a Rottweiler, Bulldog, Staff or Mastiff then this harness will do the trick, but we’d suggest Julius-K9’s figure-hugging IDC Powerharness for slender breeds.
