Comfy and cosy bed? Check. Regular flea and worm treatments? Check. Quality dog food to fuel your pup’s activities? Check. Lead and collar? Check. But hang about - what about a harness?

Although traditionally dogs wear collars (here’s looking at you Pluto), some pup parents use harnesses. Harnesses are suitable for certain breeds and can also be great for training new puppies and for older or mobility-affected dogs. Oh, and although some dog harnesses are labelled as ‘anti-pull’, it’s important to know that harnesses should be used more as a management tool, rather than a training one. It’s only through properly training your dog to walk on a lead that they’ll learn to not yank or pull on it.

Read to find out more about dog harnesses and how to choose the right fit.

A dog harness is a bit like a vest. It fits over the back and under the chest of your dog. The lead then fixes to the harness. So, rather than a lead that connects to your dog’s collar which can put stress and pressure on their neck, especially if they pull or strain on their lead, a harness distributes this pressure over a larger area of their body. This means your dog can walk more safely and comfortably. Read more on how to stop your dog pulling on the lead.

But, why would you use a dog harness rather than a collar and vice versa? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each and which dog breeds best suit a collar or harness.

Harnesses are a good choice for dogs that:

• Are a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, like Pugs or French Bulldogs. These dogs tend to have respiratory issues that can be better managed with a harness.
• Have a history of tracheal collapse. Using a collar can apply further pressure on your dog’s trachea.
• Are at risk of spinal problems, like long-bodied breeds like Dachshunds. Harnesses can take the pressure off their neck and back and help prevent spinal injuries.
• Are older or have mobility problems. Older dogs can find it harder to get up, so a harness can help you support them up.

There are a range of dog harnesses available. To choose the right one for your pup, think about:

• • The length of walks you’ll be doing.
  • The type of terrain you’ll be covering.
  • Your dog’s breed, girth, weight, height and length.
  • Whether your dog pulls or yanks on the lead. If they do, a front clip harness is a good choice.

The types of harnesses we’ve outlined below can come as quick / easy fit or step-in harnesses. Quick-fit dog harnesses tend to have minimal clips and fasteners so you’re good to go without too much fiddling. A step-in dog harness is a little more fiddly as you need to pop your dog’s legs through the straps.

Classic harness
A classic harness is pretty simple - some sturdy webbing goes around your dog’s chest and back. It’s usually fixed by plastic or metal fasteners and the lead is normally connected to a clip on your dog’s back. Some classic harnesses feature a bigger chest plate for comfort, as this distributes the pressure more evenly like this EzyDog Chest Plate Harness.

Front clip harness
Rather than the lead clipping to their back, it clips to their front like the Beau Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness Black and the Halti Harness. This gives you more control and allows you to guide your dog more, making them a good choice for dogs that pull on their lead.

Soft or padded vest dog harness
These harnesses are softer and more flexible, which means they can be more comfortable for your pup. As the lead tends to clip to the back of a soft vest harness, they won’t be very helpful if you’ve got a dog that yanks on their lead.

Car harness
If you travel in a car a lot with your dog, keeping them safe is simple with a dog car harness. Dog car harnesses have a seat belt loop that can attach to any seat belt. This keeps your pup secure while you’re driving and ensures you’re distraction-free.

Older or mobility-affected harness
As dogs age, they can find it harder to get up and down and especially into the car for adventures. Some dog harnesses are designed to allow you to lift them up. They’re padded for your dog’s comfort and feature a strong, sturdy handle like the Kurgo Up & About Dog Lifter.

If you’re still not sure which dog harness is the right one for your pup, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.