Best Dog Harness for 2020

Perhaps the most famous (and consistently voted the best) dog harness around the world, used by police dogs, search and rescue dogs, trainers and now thousands of ordinary dog owners.

The chest strap ensures that controlling them is an easy job, and it is velcro so can be adjusted to give a comfortable yet secure and perfect fit.

The reflective patches are interchangeable, so you can keep the reflective branded patches on there or get some which display their job, country of origin, name or something a bit more fun such as Hot-Dog, Mad Dog or Girl Power.

The personalisation doesn’t stop there, either. You can purchase front control belts of you need a front lead clip, or a chest pad if pulling is an issue or you have a very muscly dog. Scrap the reflective patches altogether and instead velcro some small padded bags on there so the poo bags, water bottles and treats can be carries by your dog if you want to remain bag and pocket-free.

To round it off, a huge choice of colours and sizes means this harness is truly one for all pets and owners out there.

Dogs usually pull when being walked. They can be overexcited, they can take a while to understand that their four little legs can make them go further than your two, and they can get a whiff of absolutely anything at a moments notice causing them to dart off.

But when you’re trying to ensure they don’t do this, and instead stay by your side, you will need a dog harness which makes it effortless for you to hold them back yet is comfortable for them. There is a large padded area which sits on their chest, two zinc alloy rings which sit on their chest and back, and there are reflective linings on the straps.

Nylon webbing and a breathable mesh lining will help to keep them cool when needed, and won’t be too restrictive on them.

If your dog is great at walking off the lead but needs the occasional restraint if there are other dogs around, or they need some help getting into the car, then a handle on their harness could really help.

It would allow you to hold them still and secure without constantly taking their lead on and off, and ensure it is safe for them again. It could also help with energetic strong dogs who need some encouragement to stay close.

The handle on this design is quite large, and always there to grab at a moments notice unlike some other designs which have them fastened down with velcro as to not look unsightly or catch on anything.

Five points of adjustment mean you can get the fit just right, and a lead clip at the back and front gives extra security and control. As it is from Halti, it can be used with the headcollar or training lead.

It is extremely easy to put on, and there is a size to suit every breed.

A walk around the block won’t do. You are off on a daily hike up mountains, around lakes and through the woods with your pooch every day – so you need the equipment to match up to it all.

Supportive, this Ruffwear dog harness is designed to help you manoeuvre dogs up and over obstacles, with the ability to help them out a little bit if needed. Thin foam lining gives support and padding, without restricting their movement.

Importantly, it is very secure, which can be vital if you are far away from home but your pooch is a bit of a Houdini. You can adjust it with five points of tightness, and the hook for their leash is one of the most secure of the lot, so it won’t accidentally clip off or come loose.

The preferred harness for many mountain rescue and service dog handlers who need something comfortable yet will keep them scrambling. A light loop adds the finishing touch, for visibility even when dark.

When the weather gets a bit colder or it is drizzling outside, your dog likely needs a coat. But combining their harness with a coat can be tricky, so why not buy an all-in-one? It will make your life easier when getting them ready, and they will be much more comfortable.

This jacket-harness combination is rugged with a weather-resistant shell and polyester fleece lining to keep them warm and dry. Two leash attachment points at the front and back can give you a choice on how to control them, or you can have two leads for extra security if you are far away from home.

Two zip pockets either side will allow you to place your valuables in there without having to carry a bag, and they are low-profile to keep them secure. Reflective trim helps in low-light conditions and there is a dedicated loop where you can attach a light.

It is a pricey pick, but from a top brand and will really come in handy if you love to explore with your pooch.

The Halti is loved by professional dog trainers. They have a range of products designed to help train your dog to walk well, but the mix of stop pull lifting action and front control with this harness will have them walking by your side in no time.

The unique pull lift mechanism means they can walk normally and comfortably at all other times, but when they pull, the harness will tighten. Your dog will soon realise that this is not as pleasant as when it is loose and will learn to stay closer to you to prevent the lifting.

A clip both at the front and back will give you a choice of where to attach the lead, or you can buy the dedicated Halti Training Lead to clip it onto both rings for extra control. It can also be combined with the Halti Headcollar.

Bear in mind that no harness is a failsafe resolution to pulling, however – you will also need to use a combination of treats and vocal commands to ensure they know what is going on.

You are at your wit’s end trying to be the walker as opposed to the one being walked. The dog doesn’t listen to what you say, and nothing seems to work.

When this dog harness is on, your pet will find it harder to pull you or defy orders. The lead attaches to the side, which can be confusing for them at first, so they are more likely to give you their attention.

Using this with a combination of a calm approach, treats and praise and stopping occasionally for them to walk by your side, and you could have a completely different dog within a few weeks.

It is nice and easy to get on with a simple buckle clip fastening around their belly. As a bonus, it comes with a DVD tutorial so you can get some much-needed tips on how to use it fully.

With attachment hooks on the chest and back for extra control and a handle on the back for when you need to hold them close, this is a good harness for any active dogs.

It is strong, with double stitching and high load capacity buckles. Soft padding on the chest and belly gives comfort, especially if you have to pull them back. The ergonomic design means it won’t rub on their joints and is really easy to take on and off.

But the best part? There are over 10 colour choices, in sizes XS to XL.

Just because your dog is small doesn’t mean they can’t give you a hard time when it comes to controlling them, and they can be the best escape artists too.

This one will keep your little prince or princess perfectly safe when out and about on walks. Specifically designed for toy dogs, it is fully adjustable to get the perfect fit, and the mesh material is breathable so they will be comfortable.

It dries very quickly which is good if they love to go for a doggy paddle in the river, and there are two lead rings on the back so you can have a bit of extra security or even fasten two dogs together so they both walk nicely alongside one another.

Made from robust leather which is top-grain bridle quality, this is not only a strong harness for dogs with more muscle than a champion weightlifter, but it is also likely to last throughout their entire life.

Bull-type dogs can really pull when they want to, which makes it both hard and uncomfortable for you to walk them until they are fully trained. Even angelic dogs can occasionally pull towards a cat or lampost. The strong leather combined with the perfect shape to fit around their wide-shoulder bodies could be the answer.

The fittings are all solid brass so won’t wear away in bad weather or with the use of the leads, and a handcrafted finish rounds it all off. The price may be a bit on the upper side but for a product which can last a lifetime, it is a great investment.