A properly fitted dog harness can reduce the strain on your dog’s neck and spine caused by walking while on a leash. When walking, a dog in a harness is much easier to control because it reduces the dog’s tendency to pull on the leash. We put 23 dog harnesses through rigorous field testing with dogs of varying sizes and breeds. We sought for models with sturdy construction that can withstand the elements, vivid hues that stand out in a crowd, a wide range of customization options, and a leash attachment that can be used for effective training and management. While we did find some top picks, the best harness for your dog is the one that fits him or her snugly.
“Getting the right fit is key, so you should definitely measure your dog,” Alison Buehler, a CPDT-KA and CSAT of Brooklyn’s Dharma Dog NYC dog training, told The Spruce Pets. Taking your dog’s measurements ahead of time will help you narrow down your choices and ensure their comfort. Our team spent hundreds of hours testing many brands and models of dog harnesses before settling on the Ruffwear Front Range because it has multiple points of adjustment, comes in a wide variety of colors, and doesn’t irritate or restrict the dog’s movement. Other harnesses we adore may be an even better fit for your dog, though.
Best Dog Harness
Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness
A comfortable harness prevents your dog from falling out during walks. The Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness fits a range of canines with five sizes (xx-small to large/x-large) and four adjustment points. The overhead-style harness’s foam padding won’t annoy your dog. Even with their enthusiastic wiggles, our tester, a young and energetic Siberian Husky, required only a few minutes to put on and adjust the Ruffwear Front Range harness for walks.
The well-constructed harness has two leash attachment points: a sturdy metal V-ring on the back and a reinforced nylon loop on the chest to correct pulling. We recommend using this harness with leash-trained dogs who only need minimal correction. Daily walks, most outdoor activities, and easy cleaning make the harness suitable. The built-in 360-degree reflective piping makes your dog more visible to other humans during low-light outings. An ID pocket lets you store your contact information as a backup to their collar with tags.
Blue-9 Balance Harness
The Blue-9 Balance Harness’s simple design fits dogs well without interfering. It comes in five sizes and has six adjustment points to fit your dog’s mobility. The strap that needs to be face up on your dog’s back is always a different color webbing than the rest of the harness to guarantee proper fit. Its Y-neck front fits higher on your dog’s neck than a collar, so it doesn’t obstruct their front legs. For no-pull training and other leash manners, it features two leash attachment points in the back and front. Since it has a buckle for the neck portion of the harness, it’s good for nervous dogs too. Blue-9 kindly offers a 90-day chew warranty, where you can replace a chewed and broken harness for half price, but if your dog likes to chew, the thin but highly resilient nylon webbing may not hold up. The Balance Harness needs reflective features for low-light visibility.
Most Comfortable Dog Harness
Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness
The Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness has a padded design for comfort and two attachment points for a leash (back and front). The overhead-style harness comes in five sizes and fourteen colors, and it’s reasonably priced no matter what you choose. This Rabbitgo harness has four adjustment points so it can be tailored to fit most dogs, though the straps may be too wide for toy breeds. The harness is secured by two quick-release buckles on either side of the body, making it simple to put on and take off. The Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness is designed with your dog’s comfort in mind, so it’s adjustable to ensure a good fit and has a mesh lining for breathability, a top handle for when you need to keep your dog close, and luminous stitching for added visibility at night.
Best Dog Harness No Pull
Harness Lead No Pull Dog Harness
The strain is distributed evenly over your dog’s chest, not their neck, thanks to the innovative design of the Harness Lead No Pull Dog Harness. Thousands of pounds of pulling force won’t break the double-braided polyester it’s built from.
The dog’s neck goes through the loop, and the leash length runs around the dog’s front and back through a slot. You may now modify the length of the leash coming off your dog’s back by sliding rubber stoppers into different positions. If you leave your dog with a dog walker or at doggie daycare, it’s important that they know how to use the harness properly because it’s one continuous piece that takes a moment to understand.
The Harness Lead is a nice minimalist introduction to the concept of a harness, which performs an outstanding job of avoiding pressure areas and not hindering your dog’s natural motions, while a harness made of flat straps, with more points of adjustment, is more likely to assure your dog’s comfort. The Harness Lead comes in ten different colors, including several with reflective detailing, and two different sizes. It can be washed in a washing machine (hang dry) as well.
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness
The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness gave the leash-holder the most control over their dog. The PetSafe-patented Martingale loop on the front prevents your dog from pulling and twisting during training. The Easy Walk harness fits snugly without chafing and lets you lead your dog back toward you when they tug or misbehave. The webbing-constructed harness sits over a dog’s chest instead than around their throat, adding comfort that many no-pull harnesses lack.
The Easy Dog Harness’s colored belly strap lets you know it’s on properly. Nylon webbing makes the harness affordable and easy to clean. The PetSmart Easy Walk Harness is thin, so large and especially broader dogs may find it uncomfortably tight or uncontrollable. We propose the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness for big dogs.
Best Dog Harness to Stop Pulling
The Foggy Dog Harness
The Foggy Dog Dog Harness combines fashionable design with practical utility. Colors and patterns change seasonally, so you can always find something new to wear. The harnesses are made in America from strong nylon and finished with all-natural cotton, making them comfortable to wear despite their durability.
There are five different sizes of harnesses, and each one has four buckles that may be adjusted to fit the wearer’s size (two at the neck, one around the belly, and one at the chest). A gold D-ring is strategically placed on the back to disperse the weight of a leash. As soon as we started walking, our Pomeranian tester sped up, showing how at ease and confident they felt. Although more expensive than some of the other harnesses we considered, these are well-made and stylish enough to keep even the most pampered pooch happy.
Wild One Harness
The vest-like Wild One Dog Harness’s nylon webbing around the neck and body is adjustable to accommodate your dog’s distinctive shape, and its padded polyester composition helps avoid chafing. The lightweight, flexible harnesses come in a number of colors with matching leashes and poop bag carriers. Three coated carbon D-rings hold leashes. One is in front to prevent pulling, and two are in back, one near the neck and one mid-back. Our Daushand mix like the leash clipped to their back, but your dog may not. This harness is easy to clean and dries rapidly.
The harness is expensive yet well-made and comfortable for many dogs. Seasonal designer collaborations and limited-release colors are available in six iconic colors. To avoid dye transfer, hand wash and hang dry brightly colored harnesses on light-colored dogs. If your dog is between sizes, size up and pay attention to neck sizing. Some dogs have trouble getting used to the harness, which goes over the head and snaps around the torso.
Ruffwear Web Master Dog
The Ruffwear Web Master is made of weather-resistant polyester fabric and perforated foam for trail protection. The Ruffwear harness has five adjustment points for a perfect fit. The back has an aluminum v-ring for leash attachment, a robust padded handle to help your dog over obstacles, and a reinforced webbing loop to attach a light or GPS tracker. A Y-neck with adjustable sliders allows free front leg mobility, and adjustable straps support the body.
Best Dog Harness for Large Dogs
Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness and Leash
The 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness will help control your big dog’s powerful movements on walks. Designed for 250-pound dogs with 44-inch chests. The revolutionary design has two stainless steel D-rings for leash connection—one at the front to avoid the sensitive neck area and a Martingale loop at the top. The harness should be used with a double-connection training leash with two prongs to attach to both harness clips for maximum control. 2 Hounds Design Freedom You can buy a training leash independently or with a no-pull dog harness.
Our Bernadoodle tester gets aroused and lunges at squirrels. This harness helps the leash holder counteract abrupt powerful movements, especially from big dogs. The harness’s extra-strength strap around the abdomen from under the armpits to the lower chest gives the pulling dog a lot of control without causing discomfort. Rip-resistant, industrial-grade nylon with velvet lining makes the harness soft for dogs. Some dogs don’t like putting the harness on and off over their heads, but four adjustable buckles can help you find a comfortable fit. Leash-attached walks are also possible.
Best Dog Harness for Walking
EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness
The sturdy, padded EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness has two seat belt handles on the back. Its contoured and padded chest plate distributes tugging across your dog. Our testers chose it as their favorite dog car seat harness after testing a dozen others. For optimal safety, the EzyDog features hefty components, which can make it difficult to fit to your dog. After fitting the EzyDog to your dog, you may lock the strap configuration and use the magnetic clasp to take it off and put it on again.
The EzyDog can be used as a walking harness, but its complex fit, hefty straps, and cushioned front are designed to keep your dog secure in the car. Active dogs may find it uncomfortable. Australian Automotive Safety Engineering crash-tested the EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness.
