Choosing the right dog walking harness is essential to your dog’s comfort and safety. But not all harnesses are created equal. As well as significant variations in design (which can impact your dog’s well-being), certain harnesses have different functions. This article looks specifically at the dog walking harness, as opposed to travel harnesses.
To find out more on dog car harnesses, we have created the best reviews and comparisons for you below:
If you’re in a hurry, here is our choice for the best dog walking harnesses and best puppy harness in the UK:
- STOPS PULLING: the Halti Front Control Harness steers the dog from the chest and shoulders, ensuring...
- KIND & HUMANE: the lightweight design and neoprene padding on the shoulder straps ensures maximum...
- PERFECT FIT: the Halti Front Control Harness is easily adjustable offering a comfortable solution...
Why chose a dog walking harness over a collar?
In a nutshell, the reasons for choosing a dog harness or a puppy harness include:
- No pressure on the dog’s windpipe. Dogs have very little sense when it comes to pulling on a collar. Many dogs will faint rather than stopping pulling. Not good. Not good at all.
- Flat-faced dogs: Those adorable squish-faced dogs such as pugs and pekes, also have large, but shallowly placed eyes… Pulling hard on a collar can increase pressure and possibly pop an eye out of its socket.
- Better Control: A harness can encourage the dog to walk beside you, rather than surging ahead. Clever placement of the D-rings helps with this.
- More Secure: Ever had your dog slip their collar? Terrifying isn’t it! A good harness is much more secure and means pooch stays attached to your wrist.
- Canine Comfort: Modern harness are made from light, breathable materials and are surprisingly comfortable to wear.
Of course, fit is crucial. The best dog walking harness for your puppy or adult dog but in the wrong size is not going to work for anyone. Additionally, you want to find one that is the most comfortable harness. Trying to figure out how to put on a harness on your pooch? We’ve got you covered! Check out our dedicated article on How to Put on a Dog Harness.
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Pet Love Padded No Pull Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
 | Julius K-9 Power Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
Best Seller  | Best Seller Musonic No Pull Dog Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
 | Raffaelo Vest Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
 | Blueberry Pet Step In Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
 | LSW Pet Design Mesh Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
 | Company of Animals No Pull Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
Top Rated  | Top Rated Company of Animals Halti Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
 | ThinkPet Comfort Harness
|
| Check on Amazon |
Pet Love No Pull Padded Harness
This dog walking harness comes in a wide range of sizes from XXXS to XXL. In practical terms this ranges from a chest measurement of a diminutive 41cm up to an impressive 122cm. This harness can work for puppies, medium dogs, and large dogs.
It is easy to put on and take off, even the wriggliest of dogs. Simply slip the harness over the dog’s head and click-closed around the chest. There’s no fiddling around trying to fit legs through holes, or snap shut multiple fastenings.
There are five colour options including black, bright green, orange, red, and classic camouflage. Stitched into the harness straps is a double layer of reflective stitching, to help with visibility on those walks in dark winter nights.
The fabric of this Pet Love harness is strong but lightweight, with a padded chest strap. The manufacturer’s tell us the fabric improves in strength under tension, meaning it holds a pulling dog securely.
Likes
There’s an great grab handle centered over the back of the harness. This gives the owner great control if their medium or large dog decides to tank off after a squirrel at an inopportune time.
Dislikes
Although there’s plenty of adjustment in the harness, purchasing the right size initially is crucial. Don’t rely on your instinct when choosing a size, as some owners found a ‘small’ way too big for their puppy. Instead, measure the chest circumference and select the size accordingly.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
Further plus points to consider include that this is an almost escape proof dog walking harness. One pet parent of a Jack Russell with a history of slipping out of harnesses, told us this one was the answer and they wished they’d discovered it long ago.
Another satisfied pet parent told how their nervous rescue dog quickly got used, and accepted, wearing the Pet Lover harness. This is an important consideration, as even the safest harness is a non-starter if your dog hates wearing it.Yes, you can have great quality and function at little cost. As one of the best dog walking harnesses for pullers, the inexpensive purchase price makes it a no-brainer for those wanting to try their dog on a harness for the first time.
Julius K-9 Power-House Harness
There’s a hint in the name that this harness is a serious contender for those with large dogs that are strong pullers. The Power-House harness from Julius K-9 is to canine equipment what an army backpack is to hiking.
That said, it comes in a wide range of sizes to fit a Chihuahua or puppy up to a giant dog. This particular style is available in a wide range of colours from black through to pink, camo, and pastel shades.
Originally designed for working rescue dogs, Julius harnesses are all about function and safety. The high-quality fabrics include features such as a scratch-resistant surface and a breathable inner lining. There’s also a reflective strip stitched into the breast strap for all-important visibility.
The lead attaches to a strong D-ring on the centre back of the harness. Of course, it wouldn’t be right to discuss Julius products without mentioning the grab handle. This is sufficiently strong to be able to lift your dog by it, should the need arise. If this sounds a strange thing to do, remember, this design is used in service dogs to lift them out of sticky situations.
Likes
Each harness comes with a detachable hook-and-loop patch. This is customizable with a message such as ‘Nervous’ or the dog’s name.
Dislikes
For some dogs the location of the breast strap may fall across their shoulder joints. This could restrict full extension of the dog’s forelegs and place them at a disadvantage when running or exercising hard.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
This is very much the harness that sets the standard for others of a similar design. Why go for imitation when you can have the real thing?
Musonic No Pull Harness
Looking for a safe, comfortable, and durable harness for your pet? Look no further than the Musonic No Pull Dog Harness! This harness features dual neck and chest straps that are adjustable to ensure a perfect fit, as well as soft, no-chafing sleeves that will keep your pet comfortable.
The harness is also made from breathable and soft fabric, making it ideal for long walks or hikes. Plus, the reflective threads sewn all around the harness ensure your pet’s safety during nighttime walks. Best of all, the harness is easy to put on and take off – simply clip it on and go!
Likes
This is a great puppy harness as it is available in small sizes and also in the larger sizes, suitable for large breeds. .
Dislikes
If your dog is a strong puller, the clips and the harness may need constant tightening. Also be sure to check sizing appropriately as some people have had issues of the harness being too large.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
A good harness harness that’s washable and comfortable. Also, the price is very reasonable too!
Raffaelo Vest Harness
A change of style now with this vest harness from Raffaelo. If you associate soft harnesses with toy dogs or puppies then think again. This vest harness combines comfort and practicality for heavy pullers of medium to large size.
The Raffaello is made from waterproof webbing with a breathable lining, plus nylon strapping. It has adjustable neck and chest straps. To put the harness on simply slip it over the dog’s head and clip the chest straps closed.
This is a comfortable lightweight product, with the advantage of a front leash attachment. This is a boon for heavy pullers, since the dog’s own momentum turns them around toward the ower. Thus, pulling is pointless and the dog soon learns that walking on a slack lead means faster progress.
Likes
This is a comfortable lightweight dog walking harness for large breeds. The front lead attachment point gives the owner extra control over a dog that pulls.
Dislikes
The D-rings are made from heavy duty plastic. Whilst they are tough, we can’t help feeling a metal attachment point would be more secure.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
A durable no-frills harness that’s washable and comfortable. If your priority is comfort for a bigger dog and you don’t want to spend big, then the Raffaela is a good choice…
Blueberry Pet Step-In Harness
Not every dog likes having a harness pulled over their head. If your dog is nervous or head shy, then consider a step-in harness. As the name suggests, the Blueberry Pet product, once adjusted to your dog’s size, just requires them to step into it.
The Blueberry Pet harness comes in a pleasing rainbow of colours, from royal blue through citrus yellow and into sea green. It comes in three sizes, spanning a chest size of 42 – 98 cm. Thus, be sure to measure both your pet’s neck and chest size before ordering, to ensure an accurate fit.
Made from good quality webbing, the design lacks some of the large ‘saddle’ shaped pieces of other harnesses. This is a boon in hot weather, as it’s more like wearing shorts than long trousers.
Likes
Available in super-colourful choices, this harness is pleasing on the eye. The lightweight design is ideal in hot weather.
Dislikes
Sizing can be an issue. Get the size wrong and the lack of padding means there’s potential to chafe the dog’s skin.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
A great alternative for the head shy dog. It comes in a range of cheerful colours, is well made, and good quality. This harness may not be for everyone, but for those it does suit…it does an excellent job.
LSW Pet Design Mesh Harness
Everyone has to start somewhere. We’ve chosen this LSW Pet Design harness as a great first harness for you little bundle of loveliness.
Available in five sizes, it spans the range from a tiny teacup pup to that of a miniature schnauzer adult. There are five colourways, in a playful polka dot design. Made from soft, breathable cotton, this is as close to a hug as a harness can get.
Likes
Comfy and cosy this dog walking harness is a great option for introducing a puppy to the idea of wearing a equipment.
Dislikes
Not escape proof! Supervise at all times since a wriggly worm of a pup may be able to escape
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
This soft harness has a niche market for the smaller dog or puppies. Whilst the design and materials mean it’s not ideal for all dogs, it is a great purchase for some.
Company of Animals No Pull Harness
The Company of Animals was established by eminent dog behaviourist Roger Mugford. The company’s aim is to produce products that are sympathetic to dog behaviour and dog psychology.
As the best dog walking harness for pullers his no-pull product has a unique design. The idea is that when the dog pulls, the pulley arrangement of the straps tightens around the dog’s chest. This has the effect of pressing on their sides and raising them off the ground – both of which deter pulling.
The harness itself is light and airy. There are a mesh breastplate and fleece lined sides pieces for the dog’s comfort. To put the harness on requires it to be placed over the dog’s head and then step into the leg pieces. There’s a special toggle that locks to prevent the harness tightening too much if the dog does pull hard.
Likes
The design allows for totally unrestricted movement of the shoulder joint. This makes it ideal for active dogs with a long stride length
Dislikes
There are possibly some issues with product quality, as we found several owners whose No Pull Harness fell apart after just a few uses.Also, one pet parent reported how their dog learnt how to reverse out the harness and run free!
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
The harness is well made with comfortable fleece ‘sleeves’ over the strapping to prevent chafing. Very much a love-it or loathe-it product. When it works well, it works very well, but not everyone is a fan.
Company of Animals Halti Harness
Sticking with the Company of Animals we look at another of their innovative products, the Halti dog walking harness. The name ‘Halti’ may be familiar to you from their head harness, which controls the dog by controlling their head. If you want the control of a Halti but worry about your dog’s neck, then the Halti Harness may be just the ticket.
The design is super simple which is why its one of the best dog walking harness for pullers. It comprises of a hoop of nylon webbing that goes around the dog’s chest, and a semi-circle of webbing that sits across the brisket. The cleverness of the design is the placement of the D-rings: one in the centre of the brisket and the other over the back.
With the lead attached to the chest D-ring, when the dog pulls, they are steered around to face you. This halts their forward movement and makes pulling pointless. For extra control use a Halti Training Lead with it’s double ended clips.
Likes
When it works the Halti dog walking harness really works. It turns nightmares pullers into well-mannered happy walkers.
An additional safety clip is included that attached to the dog’s collar. This gives extra security if you are concerned about the dog slipping out of the harness.
Dislikes
For some narrow chested dogs the front chest piece can be too big. This cancels out the effectiveness of the front D-ring.
Finding the correct size can be a bit of a battle. One owner of a German shepherd found their dog was swamped by a large, switched to a medium and found even this too big.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
Finding the correct size for your dog tends to hold this product back. When it fits well then it works well. However, some dogs don’t seem to be the right shape which means it loses its dynamic pulling power.
ThinkPet Comfort Harness
If your dog is a sweetie that walks well on the lead, then all they need is a comfortable harness that looks good. Enter the ThinkPet Comfort Harness, a small dog walking harness.
Available in small and medium and is suitable for chest girth measuring 25 to 55 cm in diameter. Choose from three colourways: Pink, purple, and black. Made from durable nylon webbing, it is well made with reinforced stitching and metal fixings
Likes
Safe and comfortable! A well made functional harness that looks good.
It’s easy to put on at the dog merely steps into the leg holes and a single buckle over the back secures them in place.
Dislikes
Only available for smaller dogs.
OVERALL VALUE
SUMMARY
If your dog is well-behaved then don’t reinvent the wheel! This small dog walking harness is designed to last and comfortable to wear. If you like it…buy it!
Related:
And Finally…
Remember a dog harness is in contact with your dog’s fur and skin. Be sure to clean the harness after muddy walks, as mud can irritate the skin and cause infection.
Also, safety is paramount. If your dog chews the harness or the stitching starts to fail, don’t take any risks. Better to invest a few pounds in a new harness than risk the unthinkable and the dog escaping by a main road.
Happy waggy walks, pet people!
FAQs
Are harnesses bad for dogs’ shoulders?
The good news is that harnesses are not likely to cause any problems for your dog’s shoulders, as long as they are fitted properly. Harnesses distribute the force of the dog’s pull evenly across their body, which helps to avoid any potential injuries. If your dog pulls a lot, a harness will be better than a leash. However some harnesses can restrict shoulder movement, so it is important to get a properly fitted and designed harness. If you have any doubts, it is always best to consult your vet.
What is a no pull harness?
A no pull harness is a dog harness that is designed to prevent a dog from pulling on their leash. There are a variety of no pull harnesses available on the market, and they all work to some degree. However, it’s important to choose the right harness for your dog, as not all harnesses will work for all dogs. Some no pull harnesses have a front clip that attaches to the dog’s chest, which prevents them from being able to pull the leash. Other no pull harnesses have a back clip that attaches to the dog’s back, which allows them to still move freely while preventing them from pulling on the leash. Whichever type of no pull harness you choose, be sure to properly fit it to your dog to ensure that it is comfortable and effective.
How old should a puppy be to wear a harness?
In general, it’s best to wait until your puppy is at least four months old before introducing them to a harness. At this age, they should have all their vaccinations and be big enough to handle the extra weight and bulk of a harness. Additionally, four-month-old puppies are typically more mature and less likely to try to wriggle out of their harnesses. Note however that every pup is different, and some may be ready to start wearing a harness at an earlier age than others.