Dog harnesses are essential tools for dogs who love to run around. They provide safety and peace of mind for owners, in addition to looking stylish while enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking or walking. They distribute the weight evenly across your dog’s body instead of putting all the weight on his or her collar so it is a great choice to protect your dog’s neck from injury on a walk.
There are various types of dog harnesses available in the market. It’s important to purchase the best harness suited to you dog. Some are designed for running, some for walking, a dog that pulls, or a dog more trained to walking loose lead whilst wearing the harness. You should choose a dog harness according to your dog’s age, breed, and size. If you want to get the best dog harness, then you should consider buying from reputable brands. In this article, we have listed the best dog harnesses so you can find the right one for a price that suits you.
Different Types of harnesses
There are two main types of dog harnesses: back clip and front clip. Both styles offer benefits and drawbacks. A back clip harness, is as I’m sure you can guess, where the lead is clipped on the back of the dog. Many back harnesses have handles, which makes it easier to grab if you need to pull your dog out of harm’s way. However, a back clip harness may not fit properly around the neck if it is not adjustable, and it may cause discomfort if too small. On a front clip harness, the lead clips to the chest of the dog and can often be described as a no-pull harness. They can be less bulky, but are harder to grab onto if you need to pull your pup out of danger.
Why use a harness over a collar?
Back clip dog harness
Pros: A back clip harness is the most common type of harness as it is usually the easiest to put on. It doesn’t put any pressure on your dog’s neck, so it won’t cause any discomfort if you need to pull your dog back.They are great for dogs that like to run around and are designed to allow him to move freely without the worry of getting tangled in a lead. They come in a range of sizes and styles so you can find one that fits your dog perfectly.
Cons: Training is essential if you are purchasing a back clip harness. Your pup may pull and even small dogs can have some force behind them when wearing a back clip harness.
Front clip dog harness
Pros: A front clip harness is clipped on the front of the dogs chest, and is designed for use in positive reinforcement training techniques. The front clip harness teaches the dog not to pull on the lead as when he does, his weight is thrown off and turns a way he did not originally want to go.
Cons: As the lead is attached to the dogs chest, this may get tangled in the dogs legs whilst on walks. Some front clip harnesses can be tricky to put on and take off and some front harnesses can case slight chest discomfort if the dog if pulling whilst wearing the harness.
Our Favourite Dog Harnesses
We’ve hand picked and reviewed the best harnesses in the UK below.
1. Julius K9
Type: Back Clip
Price: £24.99
One click easy to fit. Great for dogs who are a bit wriggly when putting on the harness.
2. Embark Pets Adventure Dog Harness
Type: Back & Front Clip
Price: £29.99
Perfect for dogs training loose lead training as you have the option for both front and back clips. Includes adjustable straps for the perfect fit.
3. Poppy and Ted
Type: Back Clip
Price: £24.99
Come in a range of colours. Perfect for a pup looking to wear the latest styles and patterns. Also includes adjustable straps for a great fit.
4. Musonic No Pull Dog Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: £10.40
Study safety handle to lift your dog out of water or to get hold of them if needed and also comes in a wide range of colours
5. RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: £49.95
Lightweight and durable, with reflective material trim. Designed for adventurous dogs needing extended wear
6. Pets at Home Comfort Dog Harness
Type: Back & Front Clip
Price: £14.00 – £22.00
Lightweight padded material with reflective trim. Perfect for dogs with longer hair
7. Canada Pooch Everything Dog Harness
Type: Back & Front Clip
Price: £27.00
Has a Seatbelt Loop on the back of the harness, and if purchased in store, take full advantage of the Peta At Home fitting service.
8. Hounds Of Eden
Type: Back Clip
Price: From £24.99
Owned by a husband and wife team, Hounds of Eden have a wide variety of harnesses for dogs that are super soft, Quick Drying Neoprene with a breathable mesh lining. They’re machine washable too for dogs the love muddy puddles a bit too much.
9. Cocopup
Type: Back Clip
Price: From £25
Adjustable neck with an extensive range of super cute designs for everyday harness wearing.
10. Hurtta Weekend Warrior Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: From £35.99
A great durable harness for adventure seeking pups, along with over 60% of the materials used to make the harness being recycled. Reflective trim perfect for dogs at night time.
11. Ancol nylon padded
Type: Back Clip
Price: £17.13
Made with durable nylon this step in harness is perfect for larger dogs.
12. PetSafe Easy Walk Deluxe Harness
Type: Front Clip
Price: From £15.75
Helps teach better lead manners with patented front D ring loop design.
13. Barbour Classic Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: £32.95
A classic timeless style made with 100% Cotton tartan outer. Coordinate with the matching Barbour tartan dog lead and blanket.
14. Fauna Comfort Harness
Type: Front & Back Clip
Price: From £16.99
Reflective stitching and webbing with padded durable material. A great all rounder.
15. Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness
Type: Front & Back Clip
Price: From £24.60
A perfect harness for a dog that has a slightly unique body shape. This harness has 5 adjustment points to ensure the perfect fit, and also comes with a lifetime warranty!
16. Puppia Soft Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: From £18
The perfect harness for a puppy. With super soft padded material for extra comfort, this is a great first harness for your puppy.
17. Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: From £20.51
Ranging from XXXS to XL, if you have a tiny dog this is the harness for you. Simply step in, clip and go! Perfect for pups who wriggle around when putting on their harness.
18. Mokcci Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness
Type: Back & Front Clip
Price: From £18.99
A very sturdy training harness with two leash attachment points. Perfect for stubborn dogs who need loose leash training.
19. Nobleza Dog Vest Harness
Type: Back & Front Clip
Price: From £12.74
A great harness at an affordable price with a reflective chest strap.
20. Petzmotion No-Pull Safety Dog Harness
Type: Back Clip
Price: From £13.99
Another great all rounder at a great price. Includes reflective stitching for those doggos that love a night time walk.
Puppy Harnesses
Puppy harnesses should be lightweight and adjustable, so they can adjust as your pup grows. Some puppies prefer soft materials like cotton, while others enjoy leather or nylon.
A harness should not restrict the dog’s movement. It should fit well and be comfortable for the dog. A harness should also be safe and secure. You need to make sure it won’t tighten around the dog’s neck when he pulls. Harnesses come in different designs and materials.
Click out our blog on the best harness for Puppies
Which harness is best for my dog UK?
The best harness for your dog depends on what kind of dog you have, it’s size and activity levels. If he wants to run around and play fetch, then a fully adjustable colourful back clip harness is perfect. However, if you want to walk your dog at night, then a harness with reflective material is ideal. Take a look at the best harnesses in the UK.
What’s the best harness for a dog that pulls?
Harnesses come in different sizes depending on how much weight the dog pulls. The best harnesses are made from nylon webbing, which is strong and durable. Front clip harnesses, paired with positive reinforcement training is great to stop a dog that pulls. If you’re looking for a harness that fits well, check out our selection here.
What’s the best thing to stop a dog pulling?
The best way to stop a dog from pulling is to teach him not to pull through positive reinforcement training and rewarding accordingly. A front clip harness can also be used to reduce the dog from pulling on the lead.
Emma Wally is the founder of thedoggeeks.com, a website for dog owners in the UK and the rest of the world. Emma has a lifelong love of dogs and has devoted years to learning and training dogs of various kinds and ages.
Emma’s Experience
Emma’s love for dogs and animals started as a child with looking after many different pets from fish, to dogs and even sheep. This love for animals led her into the world of dog training; with a real passion in positive reinforcement techniques.
Dog training specialist
Emma has completed multiple certifications in dog training, focussing on positive reinforcement techniques.
Puppy socialisation group
Emma is also the founder of 'Stony Stratford Puppy and Dog Group'. This growing community of dog enthusiasts provides weekly socialistion for new puppies and dogs wanting to integrate into socialisation, as well as giving specialist training advice for dog owners wanting to address problems... Or just wanting to give their pup the best life they can!
Meet Kobe!
Kobe is Emma's current fluffy best friend. Being a Tibetan Terrier she can be stubborn at times but has the biggest personality for such a small dog.
Passionate about Dogs
Emma Wally is more than just a dog trainer; she is a mentor, a guide, and a friend to all dog owners seeking to build a better relationship with their furry companions. Her commitment to enhancing the lives of dogs and their owners is evident in every piece of advice she shares, making her a trusted and respected figure in the dog training community. Trust Emma, and you trust a true dog geek.