The best dog harness review

Walking your dog isn’t a choice. Your pet needs regular exercise to be healthy and happy. Taking him for a 15-20 minute walk everyday will do wonders for his health, and it’ll improve your health too. If you’re like me, and you live in the country where your dog can roam free all day, you’ll still need to take him on a leash sometimes. Whether you’re in a public place, traveling or going to the vet, the best dog harness can really be beneficial to every pet owner.

* Scroll down to watch our detailed VIDEO REVIEW of the #1 best harness for dogs pick.

I chose the Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Harness as my top choice for the best dog harness. This comfortable harness can be used as a training tool or for everyday use. My favorite thing about this pet harness for dogs is that it is super easy to put on my dog and customize the fit properly. Some dog harnesses are too complex to use, but this one from Ruffwear just takes two simple clasps to put on, and it has four easy adjustment points so you can get the perfect fit.

Compare TOP 10 Best Dog Harness Brands (reviewed below):

My best dog harness pick

I chose the Ruffwear Front Range Everday Harness as my top pick for an everyday harness that your dog can wear around comfortably for long periods of time. The padded chest and belly panel offer ideal load dispersion, meaning it won’t put unnecessary pressure on any area of your dog’s body. The four adjustment points allow you to find a customizable fit that will offer full range of motion without chafing your dog’s armpits.

I usually don’t care for products with plastic hardware, but in this case the plastic is thick and durable. The buckles are strong and the plastic adjusters slide easily and stay in place. You don’t have to worry about them sliding around while your dog is wearing the harness. Our chocolate Labrador wears this harness all day and we have never had to readjust the straps.

There are two leash attachments on this harness: one on the dog’s back and one on his chest. These dual attachments are perfect to use for dog training, especially leash training, with your pet. This harness from Ruffwear is made in Vietnam and comes in five sizes ranging from xx-small to x-large. They can fit dogs with a chest girth of 13-42 inches.

One thing I do need to mention about the sizing – you should size up if your dog is on the upper end of the size limit. I ordered a harness for Chloe, our boxer, and her chest girth is 31 inches. I am positive that I measured correctly as I followed the instructions on the company’s website, and I even measured three times just to be sure. I ordered a medium harness, which was supposed to fit a dog with measurements of 27-32 inches. Unfortunately it was too tight on Chloe, but it worked well for our lab, Saddie.

I love how easy it is to put this collar on my dogs. Two simple buckles and they are ready to go.

As I mentioned, you can adjust the straps to the correct size requirements of your dog the first time he wears it and you’ll never need to do it again – unless your dog gains or loses weight of course. It’s so easy to put this harness on your dog. It takes less than a minute for me to fashion it on my girls, and that is especially amazing when you have a super wiggly puppy.

All you have to do is slide the harness over your dog’s head and fasten both plastic buckles. It’s that easy! As you’ll see in my review, this best dog harness is also equipped with a hidden pocket to attach your dog’s ID tags to. There is a short attachment inside the pocket and you can quickly fix your dog’s tag to it and then stuff them into the hidden pocket.

I love this feature because it means our dog’s tags won’t get lost out in the woods or caught on anything while they’re exploring. There is also a tag on the inside of the panel that goes on your pet’s back. It has space for you to write your dog’s name and your telephone number. This is great if your dog gets lost, and it’s also nice just in case you take the harness off somewhere and forget it. Hopefully a good Samaritan would return it to you.

As you know we’re active with our dogs and often spend long days outside with them, so I always try to look for products with reflective qualities. The Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Harness has reflective strips on all sides. Your dog will be well seen at night or in dim lighting. This is always a concern for me in case our dogs get lost or they are outside at night and choose not to listen when it’s time to come inside.

Who else likes it?

Dog owners love this product. In fact, it’s one of the top selling dog harnesses on Amazon. The Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Harness was reviewed 989 times at the time this article was published and had a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. Professional dog trainers and handlers rave about this best dog harness and how easy it is to use. They compliment the harness’ design and are impressed with how comfortable it is for the dog to wear for long periods of time.

L. Fedorick: This is th best Dual point attachment harness on the market right now. You’ll love it. (September 18, 2014. Read full review.) “I am a professional dog trainer who specializes in positive dog training, canine fitness, and trick work. I have used all of the front attaching and dual attachment point harnesses currently on the market on a variety of dogs. This one is a dream. It fits comfortably and easily…”

Video: 7 Best Dog Harnesses 2016

fiia: Ready for action. (November 1, 2014. Read full review.) “…We’ve already put it through the ringer on multiple hikes and trails, and it holds up to all the pulling and running. Also seems to provide adequate back support for when my pup decides to kangaroo-hop…”

Jessica: Great investment!. (April 11, 2015. Read full review.) “…We received it the other day and our initial impressions of the quality and fit were fantastic! It is very easy to adjust (easier if adjustments are made while off the dog) and appears to be very comfortable for our big guy (we went with the L/XL size). The first time I put it on him, he acted as though it was the most natural thing in the world and immediately started trying to engage me to play and then laid down with it on :-)…”

Flaws but not deal breakers

As I’ve already stated, the sizing runs a bit small. If your dog is within the last 2 inches of the size recommendations for, say, a medium harness, you should definitely order the large. If you don’t, I can almost guarantee you’ll need to return it for another size.

You can find Ruffwear products in many pet stores, so if your local pet store carries these harnesses and you can bring your dog to the store to try one on I would highly recommend it. Nothing is more frustrating than having to return a product because it’s the wrong size. You’re so excited to use it, and then you find out it doesn’t fit. Ugh!

Another drawback to this harness is that it is strictly a walking harness. It’s not equipped to be used in the car. You’re not able to buckle your dog in with a seat belt using this harness. If you’ll be traveling with your pet you’ll still need another way to secure him while driving. I have an SUV and our girls ride in the back with a barrier when we’re going hiking so I don’t have to switch their harnesses.

The runner-up for the best dog harness

I know that many pet parents use their dog’s harness as a vehicle safety device as well, so my runner-up choice is the ClickIt Utility Dog Safety Harness from Sleepypod. This may just be the safest vehicle harness on the market. It has passed multiple safety tests and been put through the same crash testing that child safety seats are put through.

Restraining your dog while in the car is the safest thing for you, your dog and the other drivers on the road. Did you know that eight states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada) have all passed laws that require dog owners to kennel or tether their dog while traveling in a vehicle [12]? It won’t be long before it’s the law in every state.

The convenience of a 2-in-1 harness like this is amazing. You can load your dog in the car, buckle him in and when it’s time to get out simply attach his leash, unbuckle him and you’re ready to go. You don’t need to take the harness off or switch to a different harness. One harness, two jobs – it’s so easy!

Trust me, nothing is more embarrassing or scary than having your dog bolt out of the car in the middle of a parking lot. Having a harness that can go from car to leash in just a few seconds will save you from ever having to experience that.

Sleepypod’s patent pending design is almost the same as the three-point seat belt design that you’ll find in most vehicles. The wide structure across the chest ensures that the force of a car accident will be evenly distributed. This means that one area of your pet’s body won’t be taking all the force, thus reducing the chance of injury. The ClickIt Utility Dog Safety Harness is also equipped with two side straps that will stop your dog from moving laterally and keep him securely in place.

Video: Best Dog Harness In The World

In order to use this best dog harness properly your car needs to have the seat latches that come standard in most new vehicles. These are the ones that you would attach a child’s car seat to.

This dog harness from Sleepypod has been crash tested up to 75 pounds and was even given accolades by the Center for Pet Safety for being a top performer in their 2013 study of canine safety harnesses. Remember that if you don’t have the proper safety latches you will not be able to use this best dog harness, so be sure to check on the manufacturer’s website if you’re unsure.

Along with their specific instructions for hooking the harness into your vehicle, the company also has precise measurement specifications that you’ll want to look at before you select the appropriate size that you think will be suitable for your dog. The harness comes in multiple sizes and will fit dogs with a chest girth of 31-60 inches. As you can see, it’s made for medium and large breeds.

Unlike the plastic hardware that you’ll find on most canine harnesses, the ClickIt Utility Dog Safety Harness from Sleepypod uses forged high carbon steel. This harness is also made with ballistic nylon, automotive grade seatbelt webbing and neoprene. Consumers love that this harness is as comfortable for their dog as it is safe.

You can leave your pet buckled into your car and attach his leash to the strong metal D-ring located on the harness in the middle of his back. When you’re ready with a firm grip on the leash, you can unbuckle Fido so you’re prepared if he tries to bolt from the car. Even the mellowest dog may see a new place, new people or an exciting favorite place and decide to jump out of the vehicle in excitement. This harness allows you to be prepared for this type of occurrence.

If my other picks aren’t available

If you’re looking for the best dog harness for your canine companion and you’ve yet to find it on this list, don’t worry. There are plenty of great dog harnesses on the market and I’m going to tell you about a few more before I’m done. Remember that you need to choose a dog harness that meets your needs and is comfortable for your dog to wear.

A lot of pet owners leave their dog home during the day and return at night to a dog with a lot of energy and a full bladder. What’s the best way to relieve both of those issues? Take your dog for a walk of course. If you’re one of the many dog owners that have to walk your dog at night, you’ll want to invest in the PetSafe Easy Walk Reflective Dog Harness.

Although it’s known for its reflective qualities, this is also a great no-pull harness. The leash attaches to the front of this harness, which allows you to steer your dog to the side or redirect his attention toward you if he begins to get distracted. It’s a great training tool and an excellent leash for everyday use. This harness has four adjustment points so you can obtain the perfect fit.

Of course, as its name suggests, this best dog harness from PetSafe features reflective strips sewn into the nylon to make your dog easier to see at night. The company claims that your dog is visible up to 1,000 feet away while wearing this harness. When you purchase this harness you’ll also get a matching reflective leash, and the martingale loop on the chest strap prevents it from twisting.

If the car harness from Sleepypod wasn’t what you’re looking for, try the Solvit Deluxe Car Safety Harness. This is a similar product that will restrain your dog and keep him from distracting you while you drive. It has also been put through rigorous crash testing in a DOT-certified facility and has been stress-tested to more than 3000 pounds.

Your dog will be safe, secure and comfortable in this harness from Solvit. The chest and back plates are fully padded, but they are also equipped with a breathable liner to keep your dog from overheating. The harness integrates with your vehicles seat belt system, and the company says that it will work with any vehicle. Animal protection laws are getting more and more strict, and some states already require dogs to be restrained while riding in a vehicle [13].

This best dog harness is available in four sizes and fits pets ranging from 6 to 120 pounds. It’s also covered by the company’s lifetime warranty against workmanship and defects in the material.

Like the Sleepypod harness, you can attach this harness to the safety seat anchors made for children’s car seats, but you’ll have to buy an optional 3-point attachment accessory to do so. This is actually a good thing, because you can use this harness with or without the seat anchors, unlike the Sleepypod which cannot be used without the anchors.

We’ve already discussed how dogs that pull can be a danger to their owner and to themselves. If your dog won’t stop pulling on his leash no matter how much leash training you do, you need to invest in a no-pull harness. Chai’s Choice Best Front Range No-Pull Dog Harness is an excellent choice. Consumers love it, and there are many reviews from dog trainers that say they only use this no-pull harness when training dogs.

The scratch-resistant outer layer is durable and stylish. It’s also ergonomically designed to be comfortable for your pet and easy for you to get on and off of him. This best dog harness from Chai’s Choice is equipped with soft, sponge-like padding and a lightweight mesh lining on the belly and chest plates.

There are four easy to adjust straps and two leash attachment points. You can either hook your leash to the zinc-alloy D-ring on the back of the harness or the webbing with a zinc-alloy O-ring on the chest. This leash has an easy seat belt attachment and is also covered with 3M reflective material for visibility at night. Consumers were impressed with the durability of this dog harness.

One of the top selling dog harnesses on the market for dogs of any size is the Puppia Soft Dog Harness. It is made from 100% soft polyester air mesh – a lightweight material that is breathable and very soft to the touch. If your dog enjoys being fashion forward, you’ll love all the options that are available with this harness. Unlike similar products, it is available in a large variety of colors (12 to be exact) and comes in six sizes.

This harness from Puppia is equipped with an adjustable chest strap and a simple buckle that allows you to put the harness on and take it off your dog quickly and easily. The D-ring on the back of the harness also lets you attach any standard leash to the harness in seconds. You can purchase this harness in six sizes ranging from extra-small to XX-large, and it will fit dogs with a neck size of 7.5-19 inches and chest girth of 9-39 inches.

I could not believe how soft this dog harness is. I knew that it was going to be extremely comfortable for my dog!

Many pet parents love the fact that this harness is machine washable. Although that’s true, the company does recommend hand washing and air drying instead. Still, it’s nice to have a dog harness that is easy to clean. Another thing that consumers mentioned was that the sizing instructions for these harnesses are extremely precise, so you need to be sure to measure your dog’s neck and chest girth before ordering.

A pick for easily excitable dogs

There is a proper way to walk a dog. That’s obvious to anyone who has seen a well behaved pooch strolling happily next to his owner through the dog park. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are overly excitable dogs that refuse to walk properly on a leash [14]. They may do well for a short time, but as soon as they see another dog or a human walking toward them the pulling, lunging and jumping begins and there is nothing you can do about it.

Maybe your dog is a puppy and he just needs a bit of training or maybe you’ve adopted an older dog or let the situation go for too long and you now have an unruly adult dog. Either way, it’s never too late to get the control back. It will certainly take a lot more time, patience and energy to train an older dog, but it can be done [15], and the Holt Total Control Dog Harnessfrom Coastal Pet Products is a great tool to use.

This humane dog harness helps you gain control while walking an excitable pet without causing any kind of physical harm. It applies an even amount of pressure underneath the dog’s chest instead of pulling on his neck, and it has a simple one-piece design that is much easier to put on your dog than other similar products. This best dog harness is made from soft, braided nylon, so it’s comfortable for your dog as well.

It may not look very durable, but this harness has been proven to stop the pulling of the most excitable large breeds. The simplistic design applies gentle pressure to correct the dog when he begins to jump, lunge or pull on his lead.

This dog harness from Coastal Pet Products doesn’t have buckles or clasps like the other harnesses on this list. You simply slip it over your dog’s head and then adjust the sturdy metal hardware for a customized fit. As you can see, there really isn’t much to this harness. You may be wondering how it works so well if it has so much less material than other traditional dog harnesses.

The simple design is actually this harnesses biggest advantage. Consumers love how easy it is to put on their dog and use. It may not have all the fancy features of many of the other harnesses I’ve mentioned, but that’s reflected in the price. You can pick this harness up on Amazon for less than $12!

Full list of top ten best dog harnesses

1. Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Harness
2. ClickIt Utility Dog Safety Harness
3. Freedom No-Pull Harness Training Package
4. Guardian Gear Lift and Lead 4-in-1 Harness
5. Kurgo Wander Dog Backpack
6. PetSafe Easy Walk Reflective Dog Harness
7. Solvit Deluxe Car Safety Harness
8. Chai’s Choice Best Front Range No-Pull Dog Harness
9. Puppia Soft Dog Harness
10. Holt Total Control Dog Harness

What to look forward to

Dog owners have to walk their dogs, and they always will. Yes, it’s true that there are canine treadmills, and you could hire someone to walk your dog for you but no matter what the situation, you’ll be required to walk your dog yourself many times over the course of his life. The amount of walking the two of you do together will greatly depend on your dog and how much exercise he needs [16], but it will have to happen at some point.

Like all other necessary activities, there are bound to continue to be advancements in the products that we use to make these activities easier. When it comes to dog walking, a harness is the number one tool that will make things easier for you and your dog. We can definitely expect to see some new variations of the traditional harness and more convenient features added to the harnesses that are already on pet store shelves.

Wrapping it up

Most people think of dog walking as a way to help their pet get some much needed exercise. You shouldn’t think of it like that at all. Think of it as a bonding experience that you can do with your pet that will benefit the overall health and well-being of both of you. Your dog loves to go for walks and even if you don’t, it should still make you happy that you’re able to do something with your pet that gives him so much joy.

You’re going to dislike walking your pet a whole lot more if you don’t have the right tools. You need a good leash with a comfortable handle and a comfy pair of walking shoes. If your dog is well behaved you can certainly use a collar to walk him, but a harness will be much more comfortable for him and it will give you more control. The best dog harness isn’t just a benefit to the dog- it meets the owners’ needs as well.

References and further readings

1. The Pros and Cons of Using a Dog Harness
2. Which Types of Collars and Harnesses are Safe for Your Dog?
3. Collars vs. Harnesses
4. Restraining Your Dog in Your Vehicle
5. Crashworthiness Analysis of Canine Automotive Restraints
6. The Physical and Psychological Dangers of Jerking on the Leash
7. Is It Harmful to Attach a Leash to Your Dog’s Neck
8. Options for Leash Walking
9. Pulling On a Leash
10. The Good and The Bad of Dog Harnesses
11. How to Select a Harness
12. Driving with Pets – Restraining Your Dog in the Car
13. Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America and Canada
14. The Proper Way to Walk Your Dog on a Leash: Pack Walks
15. Disobedient, Unruly and Excitable Dogs
16. How Often Do You Really Need to Walk Your Dog?

Photos of the Ruffwear Front Range Everyday Harness and the video review of best dog harness by Samantha Randall © Top Dog Tips. All rights are reserved.

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