How to Choose the Right Harness for Your Dog

Walking into a pet shop and staring down a wall of harnesses can be a bit overwhelming. Do you need padding? Where should the attachment points be? Does it matter if your dog is a wriggly puppy or a solid senior? The good news is that picking the right harness isn't complicated once you know what to look for. Here's how we'd break it down.

Step 1: Work Out What You Actually Need

Before you even start looking at shapes and sizes, it helps to think about what you want the harness to do for you and your dog. Ask yourself:

• Is comfort for long walks a priority? Look for soft, padded straps, especially around the chest and belly, to avoid chafing.
• Are you after extra visibility or safety features? Reflective stitching or bright colours are worth considering if you're often out on early mornings or evening walks.
• Do you need a handle on top? Handy for lifting your dog into the car, helping them over obstacles, or just having a bit of extra control in busy places.
• Is it independently strength tested? Always check that a harness has been through proper independent strength testing, not just marketing claims, so you know it's actually built to hold up.

Getting clear on your "must-haves" first makes it much easier to filter out harnesses that just aren't right for you, before you even start trying them on.

Step 2: Think About Your Dog's Age, Breed and Shape

Every dog is built differently, and a harness that's perfect for one might be completely wrong for another.

• Puppies are growing fast, so look for an adjustable harness that can grow with them, rather than investing in something they'll outgrow in a few weeks.
• Senior dogs often benefit from extra padding and support, particularly around the chest, to keep them comfortable if they have stiff joints or reduced mobility.
• Deep-chested breeds (like Greyhounds or Dobermans) usually need a harness cut differently to a broader, barrel-chested breed like a Bulldog or Labrador.
• Small or toy breeds often do best with a lightweight harness that won't feel heavy or restrictive on a small frame.
• Short-necked or flat-faced breeds (like Pugs or French Bulldogs) really benefit from a harness rather than a collar, since it takes pressure off their airways entirely.

If you're not sure what shape will suit your dog, it's always worth popping in and letting us take a look, or measuring their chest girth and neck size before you buy. It's also worth mentioning that if your dog is deep-chested (like a Greyhound or Doberman) or is an older dog who needs a bit more support, a 3-strap harness is often the better choice. These are longer in the body and chest panel, which gives better clearance around the armpits and more support if you need to help lift or steady your dog.

To make this easier, we've categorised our harnesses by use, so you can shop by exactly what you need — whether that's puppies, running and sports, or simple everyday walking.

Step 3: Match the Harness to Your Dog's Activities

Finally, think about what you and your dog actually get up to day-to-day, because a harness for a gentle daily stroll is very different from one built for hiking or running.

• Everyday walks: A simple, comfortable, well-fitted harness is usually all you need.
• Running or hiking: Look for something lightweight and with a low neck - Y shaped or canisports harnesses are ideal if your dog is a puller.
• Car travel: Some harnesses double up as a safety harness with a seatbelt attachment, which is worth considering if your dog travels with you often.
• Swimming or wet weather: Quick-drying, lightweight materials will be far more comfortable than a heavily padded harness that stays damp.

Don't Be Swayed by Buzzwords

It's easy to be drawn in by packaging that promises a "tough," "tactical," or "anti-pull" harness. In reality, these are marketing terms rather than a guarantee of quality or safety, and they won't tell you anything about how well a harness has actually been made or tested. What matters far more is whether the harness has been independently strength tested, fits well, and is genuinely comfortable and non-restrictive for your dog to wear.

We make this part easy: we only stock harnesses that are safe, comfortable and non-restrictive, and every one is independently strength tested as well as tested by us in-house. If we wouldn't put it on our own dogs, we don't put it on the shelf.

Avoid "Anti-Pull" entirely

This is a total myth. No piece of equipment is going to magically train your dog or stop them from pulling. Anything marketed as 'anti-pull' is a ploy to sell product and is totally misleading. This just leads to uncomfortable dogs and frustrated owners. What they don't tell you about these items is HOW they work and what this does to your dog. Usually relying on a degree of pain and discomfort or causing unnatural movement. This is they type of irresponsible marketing we'd love to wipe out - for the welfare of dogs and their owners. We're happy to provide advice on how to use any of our equipment in partnership with consistent training to help teach your dog how to walk nicely.

Bringing It All Together

Once you've thought through what you need, what shape suits your dog, and how you'll actually use it, choosing a harness becomes a lot less daunting. It's less about finding the "best" harness on the market and more about finding the best harness for your dog.

If you're ever unsure, come in and chat with us — we're always happy to help you find a fit that's safe, comfortable, and right for your dog's next adventure.