What Is the Best Dog Harness?

What Is a Dog Harness?

A dog harness is a piece of equipment that straps around your dog’s chest and belly. It’s designed to help you control your dog during walks and other activities.

Harnesses are often made from nylon webbing, which makes them lightweight and comfortable for dogs. It is an excellent alternative to a traditional dog collar and dog leash. These are especially useful for dogs who pull on the leash or have neck problems.

They’re also great for dogs who love to swim or need more protection in cold weather.

What Type of Harness Is Best for a Dog?

There are many different types of harnesses available today, but the most popular ones include:

  • No-Pull Dog Harnesses: No-pull harnesses are vest harnesses designed to help with pulling on the leash. They work by gently correcting your dog when he pulls ahead of you on walks, preventing him from pulling forward and allowing him the freedom to explore his surroundings.
  • Weight-Distribution Dog Harnesses: Weight-distribution harnesses are designed to evenly distribute your dog’s weight across its entire back instead of just around its neck. This is important for dogs with sensitive necks or backs because it reduces pressure on those areas and prevents them from getting injured.
  • Front-Clip Dog Harnesses: A front-clip harness has a clip located at the top of the harness that hooks onto the leash, while the rest of the harness wraps around your dog’s body as a standard harness would. The leash clips onto this clip instead of directly onto your dog’s collar or body.

What Are the Benefits of Harness for a Dog?

There are a lot of reasons to use a dog harness instead of a collar. Here are some of them.

  • Comfort: Dogs can become uncomfortable if they wear a collar for long periods. This happens especially if it’s hot outside or carrying something heavy in their mouth, like a bone or toy. The harness distributes the weight evenly across their body so that they don’t feel any pressure on their neck muscles, which makes them more comfortable.
  • Control: Harnesses give us better control over our dogs than collars because we can pull on their leash from different directions without hurting them or pulling them off balance by twisting their necks too much while walking on a leash. Collars only allow us to pull them from one direction (behind), so they have no choice but to follow our lead.
  • No Choking: Dogs sometimes try to escape from collars because they feel uncomfortable around their necks. A harness will prevent your pet from escaping by choking itself by pulling too hard on the leash.
  • Mobility: Harnesses help your dog move more freely than collars or leashes. This is especially beneficial if your dog has mobility issues due to age or injury.
  • Safety: Harnesses can also be helpful for dogs with hip dysplasia or dogs with arthritis. If your pet tends to jump out of cars, a dog harness may also be beneficial — it will prevent injury if you’re ever in an accident.

The Best Dog Harnesses Reviewed

A harness is a good option for dogs that pull on the leash, as it’s designed to distribute pressure across your dog’s body. Here are our top picks for the best dog harness product you can find on Amazon and Chewy.

rabbitgoo No Choke Soft Padded and Reflective Dog Vest Harness

Life Stage: Medium to Large Size

Price: $24.98

Size: Large

Color: Classic Black

Material: Polyester, Nylon

Summary: The rabbitgoo Dog Harness is a wearable dog harness with four points of adjustment to provide comfort, balance, and a secure fit for your dog.

The four adjustment points let you set the harness to the exact size needed for your dog. The soft material makes it comfortable for your dog to wear, but it also allows the harness to tighten when it pulls, providing control over their movement.

The harness comes in five sizes: S, M, L, and XL. Each size has different colors available to match your dog’s lifestyle. It’s made from a soft mesh material that won’t irritate your dog’s skin or cause chafing like other types of material can do.

Closure Type: Buckle

Padded: Yes. The product is padded with a soft cushion to protect your dog’s skin.

Non-Corrosive Hardware: N/A

Locking Mechanism: The product features 4 easy-adjusting straps around the body. The 2 neck and chest straps can be used to customize the fit. 

Front Clip or Back Clip: Front Clip

Reflective: Yes. This product has bright reflective strips which provide a secure stroll both during the day and at night.

Pros
  • Made of high-quality polyester and nylon material
  • Breathable and durable
  • Reflective straps increase visibility in dark
  • Adjustable straps provide a perfect fit
  • The leash attachment clip is easy to use and adjust.
Cons
  • Often out of stock on online retailers

Customer Review: This adjustable dog harness is one of the best-selling dog walking harnesses on Amazon. With over 100,000 positive reviews and an average rating of 4.5 stars, it’s easy to see that this harness is popular.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving rabbitgoo Dog Harness an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (10/10): The product is PERFECTLY suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (9/10): This product is made from premium materials and is highly safe for pets. It is also free from harmful chemicals.
  • Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The price of this product is perfectly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (9/10): Most of the customers’ reviews are positive. Reports about allergic reactions/inconveniences are less to none.
  • Product Variety (10/10): This product has an extremely wide variety of colors and sizes.
CBBPET Adjustable Tactical Dog Harness

Life Stage: All Lifestage

Price: $24.99

Size: Small (Neck:14.2 – 19.7;Chest:16.5 – 28.7)

Color: Black

Material: Oxford cloth

Summary: This durable, comfortable, and stylish front-range dog harness will keep your dog safe. It’s made of high-quality material that can last long without tearing or wearing out. The best part is that it comes in different sizes, so you are sure to find one that will fit your dog perfectly.

The harness comes with a padded chest plate, making it very comfortable for your dog to wear, especially if you walk long distances. It also has a strong D-ring on the back for leash attachment and a quick-release buckle on the belly strap for easy on/off.

This tactical dog harness features reflective webbing so that it will be visible when walking at night or during poor visibility conditions.

Closure Type: Buckle

Padded: No

Non-Corrosive Hardware: Aluminum Metal

Locking Mechanism: The product has two metal leash connection points: a front clip for no-pull control or dog training, and a back clip for walking or jogging.

Front Clip or Back Clip: Front and Back Clip

Reflective: Yes. This product features a MOLLE system (strips of PVC Reflective Sewn) on both sides of the tactical dog vest which gives excellent night visibility. 

Pros
  • Adjustable to fit your dog’s body
  • It is made of strong nylon material
  • Works well for small and large dogs
  • Sturdy, durable, and perfect for dog training
  • Lightweight and comfortable design
Cons
  • Padding can be better on the chest area

Customer Review: With over 2000 positive reviews on Amazon, pet parents love this Tactical Dog Harness. They say it’s easy to put on and very comfortable for small and big dogs.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving CBBPET Adjustable Tactical Dog Harness an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (10/10): The product is PERFECTLY suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (10/10): This product is made from the highest-quality materials and is perfectly safe for pets. It is also eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and animal-friendly.
  • Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The price of this product is perfectly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (9/10): Most of the customers’ reviews are positive. Reports about allergic reactions/inconveniences are less to none.
  • Product Variety (9/10): This product has plenty of color and size varieties.

Pawtitas Training Dog Harness

Life Stage: Small Breed

Price: $13.15

Size: Small

Color: Teal, Purple Orchid, Pink

Material: Nylon

Summary: Pawtitas Training Dog Harness is an excellent tool for training small dogs. It is made of rip-stop nylon material, designed to provide comfort for small dogs like Jack Russell, Pug, chihuahua, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and puppies. The harness has two leash attachment points, allowing you to control your dog while training.

This harness for small dogs is padded with soft fabric that prevents rubbing and chafing. It also has a chest strap adjustment to fit any size dog comfortably.

If you are looking for a reliable product that will help you train your dog and make walks more enjoyable, Pawtitas Training Dog Harness is the perfect option for you.

Closure Type: Clip On

Padded: No

Non-Corrosive Hardware: N/A

Locking Mechanism: The harness is made of a single piece of rip-stop nylon to boost the tensile strength of the product.

Front Clip or Back Clip: Back Clip

Reflective: No

Pros
  • Easy to put on, remove and adjust
  • Comfortable for your dog to wear
  • Sturdy buckle closure system
  • Made in America
  • Durable nylon material
Cons
  • It doesn’t have padding for the chest area

Customer Review: Pet parents love this Training Dog Harness. They say it’s very comfortable and easy to use. The harness has two rings connection between your dog and you, so if your dog pulls on the leash, it will be easier to control them.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Pawtitas Training Dog Harness an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (8/10): The product is suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (9/10): This product is made from premium materials and is highly safe for pets. It is also free from harmful chemicals.
  • Cost Effectiveness (9/10): The price of this product is greatly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (9/10): Most of the customers’ reviews are positive. Reports about allergic reactions/inconveniences are less to none.
  • Product Variety (10/10): This product has an extremely wide variety of colors and sizes.

PHOEPET Reflective Front Clip Vest with Handle No Pull Dog Harness

Life Stage: All Lifestage

Price: $27.99

Size: Medium

Color: Orange

Material: Oxford Surface, Reflective Nylon Strap

Summary: This reflective dog harness is a durable, high-quality, and easy-to-use vest for your dog. It is designed for all types of dogs, especially those with short hair.

The vest is made of high-quality material, making it durable and comfortable for your beloved pet. It has an adjustable chest strap that helps you get the perfect fit for your dog. It also has a handle on the back, allowing you to carry your dog around easily. The reflective trim on this vest can be seen clearly at night, so you can see them from a long distance.

This vest comes in five different sizes, extra small, small, medium, large, and x-large, so you will find one that fits your pet perfectly.

Closure Type: Buckle

Padded: Yes. The product has a padded cushion alongside in order to protect the dog’s skin.

Non-Corrosive Hardware: Aluminum Metal

Locking Mechanism: This dog harness features three buckles: two on the chest and a lockable one on the neck.

Front Clip or Back Clip: Front and Back Clip

Reflective: Yes. The reflective strap shines brightly so that drivers can see them easily from a distance.

Pros
  • The vest has a handle at the back
  • Three-snap buckles for easy on and off
  • Great for all weather conditions
  • Adjustable straps for optimal fit
  • Soft padded chest plate for maximum comfort
Cons
  • Might cut into your dog’s skin if too tightly fitted

Customer Review: With over 8,000 positive reviews on Amazon, dog owners love this easy-walk dog harness. They say it’s a great tool for teaching their dog to walk properly on a leash and that the front hook makes it easy to control your pup when he gets excited.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving PHOEPET Reflective Front Clip Vest with Handle Dog Harness an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (10/10): The product is PERFECTLY suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (10/10): This product is made from the highest-quality materials and is perfectly safe for pets. It is also eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and animal-friendly.
  • Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The price of this product is perfectly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (10/10): All customer reviews are positive. No allergic reactions/inconveniences were reported against the product.
  • Product Variety (10/10): This product has an extremely wide variety of colors and sizes.

AMTOR Dog Harness with Leash Set for Extra-Small-Small Dogs

Life Stage: All Lifestage

Price: $10.99

Size: Small

Color: Light Green

Material: Mesh

Summary: If you need a lightweight and durable harness for long-term use, go for this. This dog harness has a padded vest that provides extra comfort for your dog. It is adjustable so that you can fit it on your dog by yourself without the help of others. It comes in different sizes, so you can choose the one that fits your pet perfectly.

The leash clips are made from metal to reduce rusting or breaking down over time. The reflective webbing makes it visible at night so drivers can see you and your dog during walks or runs.

This harness is also reflective on both sides of the vest, making it an ideal choice to ensure that your pet stays safe while running in the dark or early morning hours when little light is available.

Closure Type: Loop, Snap, Buckle

Padded: Yes. The product features a padded design to reduce tugging and pulling on the dog’s neck.

Non-Corrosive Hardware: Stainless Steel

Locking Mechanism: The AMTOR dog harness has three layers of security to safeguard your pet: Magic Tape, a buckle, and double D-rings.

Front Clip or Back Clip: Back Clip

Reflective: Yes. The 360° highly reflective stripes offer good nighttime visibility.

Pros
  • Available in many sizes
  • No pull design
  • Double D-rings
  • Reflective strips
  • Velcro closure
Cons
  • Sizes run small

Customer Review: Dog parents love this mesh dog harness. With over 1,500 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s easy to see why. The dog harness has a padded vest that goes under your dog’s belly, which helps distribute pressure evenly while providing some padding against the leash. The harness is made with high-quality nylon webbing and comes in seven sizes, from extra small to large.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving AMTOR Adjustable Reflective Dog Harness with Padded Vest an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (10/10): The product is PERFECTLY suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (10/10): This product is made from the highest-quality materials and is perfectly safe for pets. It is also eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and animal-friendly.
  • Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The price of this product is perfectly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (10/10): All customer reviews are positive. No allergic reactions/inconveniences were reported against the product.
  • Product Variety (9/10): This product has plenty of color and size varieties.

Voyager Step-in All Weather Mesh Dog Harness for Small Dogs

Life Stage: Small to Medium

Price: $14.99

Size: Small

Color: Fuchsia (Matching Trim)

Material: Mesh

Summary: The Voyager All Weather Dog Harness is an adjustable, lightweight, and comfortable dog harness. Made from quality nylon mesh, the Voyager features an ergonomic design that fits dogs of all shapes and sizes. The harness also features a padded chest plate to prevent rubbing and chafing and a quick-release buckle for easy on/off.

The harness has a side release buckle that makes it very easy to put on, take off and adjust around the chest area. This harness is made from nylon mesh fabric and is designed for all-weather use, including wet conditions or hot, humid days.

Closure Type: Clip On

Padded: No

Non-Corrosive Hardware: Stainless Steel

Locking Mechanism: Your pet is secured three times over with a hook and loop fastener, buckle, and twin D-rings.

Front Clip or Back Clip: Back Clip

Reflective: Yes. This harness has two reflective bands on the sides to make your pet more visible during those early morning and late night strolls.

Pros
  • Breathable and quality material
  • Soft mesh for extra comfort
  • Hook and loop fastener for security
  • Double D-rings add security
  • With reflective bands
Cons
  • Some customers find the harness to run a bit small

Customer Review: With over 35,000 positive reviews on Amazon, dog parents love and recommend this dog harness. They say it’s a great harness for active dogs who need to be on a leash but also want to roam freely. The mesh design is breathable and lightweight, so it won’t make your pup too hot or bulky.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Voyager All Weather Mesh Step-in Air Dog Harness an overall 9/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (8/10): The product is suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (10/10): This product is made from the highest-quality materials and is perfectly safe for pets. It is also eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and animal-friendly.
  • Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The price of this product is perfectly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (10/10): All customer reviews are positive. No allergic reactions/inconveniences were reported against the product.
  • Product Variety (10/10): This product has an extremely wide variety of colors and sizes.

AUROTH Adjustable Tactical Dog Harness

Life Stage: Small to Medium

Price: $29.99

Size: Small

Color: Desert Camo

Material: 900D Nylon

Summary: This dog harness is made of high-quality nylon material and metal buckles. The vest has adjustable straps that can be adjusted to fit your dog. It’s very convenient to put it on and take it off. The vest is lightweight and comfortable, which will not make your dog feel tired. And it’s also reflective, which can help your dog see better at night so that he will not get lost easily.

The vest is not only a walking harness but also a safety vest for your pet in the dark or at night. It will protect your beloved pet from getting lost when walking outside in the evening or at night!

Closure Type: Buckle

Padded: Yes. Every pressure load point is adequately padded to safeguard your dog’s skin.

Non-Corrosive Hardware: N/A

Locking Mechanism: The product has two metal leash attachment points: one on the front for no-pull control or dog training, and one on the back for jogging or casual walking.

Front Clip or Back Clip: Front and Back Clip

Reflective: Yes. The product features fluorescent edge night line,

Pros
  • Reflective for night visibility
  • 4 adjustable straps
  • Metal leash attachments and strap adjustments
  • Extended shoulder pads
  • Velcro panels on both sides
Cons
  • Plastic buckles

Customer Review: With over 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon and a global rating of 4.6 stars out of 5, this is a pet parents’ favorite. They say it’s “great” for dogs of all sizes, including service dogs, pit bulls, and other breeds that tend to pull hard on the leash. It’s also worth every penny.

Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Auroth Adjustable Reflective Tactical Dog Harness an overall 10/10 star rating. A breakdown of our rating is listed below:

  • Pet Suitability (10/10): The product is PERFECTLY suitable, age-appropriate, and breed-fit for pets.
  • Material Quality (10/10): This product is made from the highest-quality materials and is perfectly safe for pets. It is also eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and animal-friendly.
  • Cost Effectiveness (10/10): The price of this product is perfectly aligned with its quality.
  • Customer Feedback (10/10): All customer reviews are positive. No allergic reactions/inconveniences were reported against the product.
  • Product Variety (10/10): This product has an extremely wide variety of colors and sizes.

What Should I Look for in a Dog Harness?

When buying a dog harness, consider the following features:

  • Proper Fit: A properly fit harness is important to guarantee comfort and safety for your pet. Make sure there’s enough room for two fingers between the harness and your dog’s neck. Also, ensure there’s enough room on the chest plate so that it doesn’t rub against your dog’s armpits too much when he pulls hard on the leash.
  • Comfort: Another thing to consider is how comfortable your dog will be with the harness. Make sure it fits properly and doesn’t cause any chafing or rubbing. This is especially important if your dog has long fur that could get tangled up in the harness material.
  • Material: Materials like nylon are lightweight, easy to clean, and comfortable for most dogs to wear all day long during training sessions or walks through town. Leather is durable but may be too hot in warm or cold weather if not lined with fleece or other fabrics that keep your pet warm without adding bulkiness to his coat or body shape.”
  • Durability: Your dog will wear her harness every day, so it needs to be durable enough to stand up to wear and tear over time. Look for strong fabric that won’t fray or rip easily and sturdy buckles that won’t break off after repeated use.
  • Ease of Use: Dogs don’t always understand why we put things on them — especially if they’re not used to wearing them — so it’s important that your harness is easy enough to put on without much fuss or confusion!

How do You Know What Size Harness to Get for Your Dog?

Harnesses come in different sizes. In general, you should choose a size based on your dog’s girth: the circumference of his body behind his front legs. If your dog is well-muscled or growing quickly, we recommend choosing one of the larger sizes available.

If a professional trainer or veterinarian has measured your dog, please use this measurement to determine which harness will fit him best.

If you’re looking at buying a back-clip leash, then measuring their back length will help determine which product would be best suited for them.

The harness should be snug but not tight. If it’s too loose, your dog could wriggle out of it; if it’s too tight, he could hurt himself trying to escape.