5 Best Dog Harnesses (2023 Guide)

The best dog harness is the one that fits your pet’s individual needs and tendencies. Whether you’re looking for a way to prevent pulling, provide your dog with a seatbelt during car rides, or make walks more comfortable, there’s an option for every situation.

In this review, we’ll look at some of the best dog harnesses on the market so that you can find the perfect fit for your canine companion. Here are our top picks.

Top 5 Dog Harnesses

• Best for Hiking: Expawlorer No-Pull Dog Harness
• Best Padding: Rabbitgoo Padded Dog Harness with Easy Handle
• Best Reflective Harness: Noxgear LightHound Reflective Dog Harness
• Best Heavy-Duty: Icefang Tactical Dog Harness
• Best for Training: PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness

Best Dog Harness for Hiking

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes an adjustable buckle for added comfort
✔ Has a quick-release buckle for easy on and off
✔ Has a no-pull and no-choke design

✘ Is too large for small dogs
✘ Has limited color options

Good for: Dog owners who go hiking and walking in the woods frequently and want a heavy-duty product that won’t pull or choke. 

What Customers Are Saying

According to our research, customers who liked this dog harness said the material was durable, it worked well for dogs that pulled or lunged frequently, and the reflective design was easy to see. Some felt the harness could have more cushioning; others said it broke during use. 

Best Padded Harness

Pros and Cons

✔ Has two fast-release buckles that are easy to put on and take off
✔ Features four adjustable straps
✔ Has a front clip that prevents pulling

✘ Less sturdy than some other options
✘ Even largest size may not fit large dog breeds

Good for: Owners of small- to medium-sized dogs who take them out for regular walks in basic terrain and want various color choices.

What Customers Are Saying

Our team found that those who left positive reviews for this harness liked that it was adjustable, stylish, and easy to put on. Some customers felt it wasn’t as durable as expected, and others found it unideal for aggressive, pulling dogs. 

Best Reflective Dog Harness

Pros and Cons

✔ Can be seen from over a half-mile away
✔ Can last for up to 12 hours
✔ Has an adjustable design to best fit your pup

✘ Only comes in one color choice if you’re walking your dog during the day
✘ Has a high price point

Good for: Dog owners who walk their dogs in the evening or early morning hours, especially in highly- trafficked areas.

What Customers Are Saying

Our evaluation of verified buyer reviews indicated that customers loved this product’s various light settings, said it was easy to put on dogs, and liked the high brightness level. Some said the harness lacked padding, while others felt it wasn’t as sturdy as they’d expected.

Best Heavy-Duty Harness

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a durable handle sewn in so you can grab the harness quickly when needed
✔ Is made from sturdy, breathable mesh material
✔ Includes two heavy-duty metal buckles that can withstand up to 1,000 pounds

✘ Has a heavy design 
✘ Designed for tactical use rather than everyday use

Good for: People with service dogs or police dogs, or dog owners who want a heavy-duty leash for a pet that pulls or lunges aggressively.

What Customers Are Saying

We learned that customers who were satisfied with this harness liked that it fit larger dogs, was made with sturdy materials, and was useful for tracking. Some felt this harness was overly heavy, while others said it was too bulky for small dogs.

Best Training Harness

Pros and Cons

✔ Has quick-snap shoulder and belly straps to fit around your dog
✔ Comes in several color options 
✔ Comes in different sizes to best fit your dog

✘ May not be sturdy enough for heavy pullers
✘ Fur can sometimes get tangled in the harness 

Good for: Dog trainers or owners teaching their dogs to walk in a challenging area. It’s also ideal for light or medium pullers that don’t need to be aggressively constrained. 

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers liked this harness’ high-quality material and straightforward design. Several other customers noted that their dog did not slip despite slipping out in other harnesses. However, our team also learned that some felt the belt clip was sometimes hard to secure, and others said their dogs chewed through the material. 

Dog Harness Buying Guide

There are several important things to keep in mind to ensure your dog’s harness keeps it safe and secure. Here are some main factors to look for when shopping for the right harness.

Harness Type

There are several types of harnesses, including the following:

Back-Clip

Back-clip harnesses have metal D-rings attached to the back of the harness. These harnesses are good for dogs who don’t typically pull as they walk. 

Dual-Clip

Dual-clip harnesses have both front- and back-clip options, allowing you to switch between the two depending on your environment and your dog’s behavior. 

Front-Clip

Front-clip harnesses, also known as “no-pull” harnesses, have a D-ring (tie-down rings that anchor the harness in place) attached to the front. This helps to prevent your dog from pulling as you walk.

Step-In 

Step-in harnesses are good for anxious pups who don’t like a harness being pulled over their head. These harnesses allow you to place your dog’s front legs into the harness, then pull it up over its chest and back. 

Size

Choosing a properly sized harness goes a long way in ensuring it will feel comfortable around your dog’s waist as it walks. Harnesses that are too big risk the dog getting loose from it, while harnesses that are too small will be uncomfortable and constrict its breathing.

Measure your dog’s chest and neck before buying a harness to make sure you’re buying the proper size. 

Material

Harnesses can be made from a wide range of materials, but they should all be durable and prevent the material from ripping or your dog from chewing through it. Most harnesses use either nylon or polyester as the primary material. 

Many harnesses also include padding or webbing, which makes it more comfortable on dogs’ skin as they walk and helps prevent chafing. 

Design

The harness’ design and color are mostly stylistic choices, but many harnesses come in various colors.

If you are dog walking at night or in areas that aren’t well-lit, a brighter harness with a color like yellow, orange, or red may be ideal. Some harnesses also come with lights that make them easier to see in the dark.

How To Keep Your Dog Safe While Outside

Dogs need to go outside to use the bathroom, get fresh air, play, and explore. However, if you don’t have a fenced-in yard for them to roam around, you need to exercise caution when taking your dog outside your home. Using a dog harness is a great way to keep your dog under better control without restricting breathing.

Here are other useful tips for keeping your dog safe: 

• Make sure your dog has access to water, especially if you’re going on long walks or hikes. 
• If you’re walking in hot temperatures, limit your exposure to short walks to ensure your dog doesn’t suffer from heat exhaustion. 
• If you’re walking in the cold, give your dog a sweater, jacket, and mittens on its paws to combat the frigid temperatures, especially if it’s little or has short hair.  
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you’re walking on a busy street, be aware of traffic and other pedestrians and stay as far away from the road as possible. 
• When walking at night, wear bright or reflective clothing so you can be seen by passing cars or other walkers. A reflective safety vest is a good choice, or you can equip your dog with a light-up or reflective trim harness. If you don’t have any reflective clothes, bring a flashlight. 
• Be careful around other dogs. Even if your dog is friendly, you can’t know how the other animal will react to their presence. Ask the other dog owner if it’s okay before letting your dog approach. 
• Watch carefully what your dog is smelling or eating. For example, if you’re walking in the woods, make sure they don’t get into poisonous plants. If you’re walking near garbage, be sure they aren’t getting into any potentially toxic items like chocolate or chemicals. 
• Plan your walk ahead of time and know your route. This will help ensure you don’t get lost and can easily make it back home when you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Harnesses

Is using a dog harness better than a collar?

Dog harnesses are better options for dogs than collars because they allow for more control and are a more comfortable option on a dog’s neck.

How do I know if a harness will fit?

Measure your dog’s body before buying a harness to see what size will be the perfect fit. Then, look at the suggested width the brand recommends to make sure the harness fits. Most harnesses come in multiple sizes, so you can fit any type of dog, whether you have a small pooch like a chihuahua or a big dog terrier or retriever.

For more in-depth information about fitting your dog for a harness, we recommend visiting the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) harness and collar advice page.

How much do dog harnesses cost?

Dog harnesses range significantly in cost depending on the size, material, and extra features such as lights. Standard dog harnesses cost $10–$25. Tactical or light-up harnesses will cost more, sometimes exceeding $50.

What are the best dog harness brands?

Thousands of brands make dog harnesses, and the majority of them will work great for your pup. Some of the most popular dog harness brands include Krugo, 2 Hounds, Expawlorer, Rabitgoo, Puppia, Blue-9, PetSafe, Ruffwear, Wild One, Hurtta, and Noxgear. 

How We Selected the Best Harnesses

To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of harnesses with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

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