7 best dog harnesses for 2023, approved by vets

Teaching a dog to heel is an important skill that can protect you and your pet from injury. However, some pups will instinctually lunge toward rabbits and squirrels, and others need time to develop “heel” skills. Using a harness can alleviate stress on pets’ necks and owners’  bodies, making walks safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Many options are available, but finding the perfect fit for your pet can get confusing. Unlike with leashes, you can’t just clip a harness on and go, and powerful and/or headstrong pets may not take to a harness right away. The best dog harness for your pet will depend on their size, leash-pulling tendencies, and personal preferences. We tested each option on this list on real dogs, using factors including fit, durability, and ease of use, to bring you an objective list of the best dog harnesses for your one-of-a-kind pet.

Why we recommend this dog harness

Of all the dog harness options out there, Rabbitgoo’s no-pull harness rises to the top. The fuss-free harness easily slips over your dog’s head, leaving no time for protests. Once on, your pup is unlikely to have complaints, as the padded chest makes it easy to move and breathe without pulling. More than 141,000 people have given it 4.5 stars out of five on Amazon, calling it a “miracle harness” that reigned in even the largest pups.

Features of the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Harness with 2 Leash Clips

• Sizes: Small, medium, large, and extra large. The harness fits dogs with neck girths of 13 to 35 inches and chest girths of 13 to 38 inches, depending on the size.
• Colors/Patterns: We tested the lemon yellow, but the harness comes in 14 colors, including cherry pink, passion red, and a more muted gray.
• Materials: Polyester and nylon
• Number in a package: One

How the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Harness fits

This low-maintenance harness has garnered significant praise for being easy to take on and off, courtesy of its two fast-release buckles. The process is literally as easy as one-two-three — slide it on, buckle it, and adjust it to your pet. That’s it. Simply fasten the leash to one of the clips, and you’re off to the races (or, more accurately, a calm walk).

One thing to note, the cherry pink color has slightly different measurements. Be sure to check the precise measurements of the harness you choose to ensure it’s correct for your pet.

Why we recommend this dog harness

It’s essential for senior pets to continue to get physical activity, and the Kurgo Dog Lifter Support Harness has several features that make that possible. A cushy chest with adjustable top and bottom straps provides optimal comfort. A handle allows you to help your pet when they’re having trouble moving up stairs or on a walk without scaring them or limiting their movement.

Features of Kurgo Dog Lifter Support Harness

• Sizes: This harness fits pups 40-80 lbs. with up to a 36” chest.
• Colors/Patterns: Gray and blue.
• Materials: Polyester and synthetic fabric
• Number in a package: One

How Kurgo Dog Lifter Support Harness fits

Perhaps the biggest perk of the Kurgo Dog Lifter Support Harness is its ergonomic design, which allows it to go easy on your senior or injured pet’s pain points. The padded chest feels as comfortable as a pillow, and the adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit to your dog’s size. It’s for pets mid-to-large-sized dogs between 40-80 lbs. with 36” chests.

Why we recommend this dog harness

The 3M reflective strips make the Blueberry Soft & Comfy Dog Harness Vest more than a pretty pink product. It allows your pet to remain visible during sunrise and sunset walks. The broad, padded chest provides optimal comfort for habitual pullers and dogs with aches and pains.

Features of the Blueberry Soft & Comfy Dog Harness Vest

• Sizes: Small, medium, and large. This harness fits dogs with chest girths of 16.5’-38.5”.
• Colors/Patterns: Pink.
• Materials: Polyester
• Number in a package: One

How Blueberry Soft & Comfy Dog Harness Vest fits

Don’t let the sweet pink color of the Blueberry Soft & Comfy Dog Harness Vest fool you — it fits medium and large dogs, too. The chest piece is wide but not adjustable, so you’ll want to ensure you’re getting the correct fit for your pup’s neck girth.

Why we recommend this dog harness

The PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness and Leash Set was technically designed for kitties, but our product reviewers loved it for their smaller dogs. The velcro features make it easy to get a wiggly little pup in and out of the harness, and the included leash makes it a bang for your buck at under $15.

Features of the PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness and Leash Set

• Sizes: Small, medium, large, and extra large. Double-check the inches, though, as the suggested sizes are based on cats.
• Colors/Patterns: The set comes in seven different colors/patterns, including a checked blue and black, and strawberry pink.
• Materials: Polyester and mesh
• Number in a package: One

How PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness and Leash Set fits

The PUPTECK Soft Mesh Cat Vest Harness and Leash Set fits on easily. Open the neck and chest closure, slip your pup’s head and front legs through, and fasten the harness. You can connect the leash to the two D-rings in the back.

Why we recommend this dog harness

The RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness adjusts at four different points, ensuring a perfect fit for almost any pet. It also lets dog owners seamlessly adjust it for another pup in the house. The harness gets bonus points for its ID pocket, allowing for safe tag storage.

Features of the RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness

• Sizes: Extra extra small, extra small, small, medium, and large/extra large. This harness fits dogs with chest girths of 13”-42”.
• Colors/Patterns: The harness comes in 10 colors, including Aurora Teal, which we tested.
• Materials: Fabric
• Number in a package: One

How RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness fits

The RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness has four points of adjustment for optimal customization. The foam-padded strips on the chest and torso equally distribute your dog’s load, protecting against injuries and keeping them comfy during adventures.

Why we recommend this dog harness

The Blueberry Pet Step-in Spring Scent Inspired Rose Print Dog Harness is ideal for the pet parent who would never be caught wearing slippers on a morning walk. The fresh, velvety texture and floral design make this harness stand out in a sea of more utilitarian looks.

Features of the Blueberry Pet Step-in Velvety Polka Dot Baby Pink Flocking Dog Harness

• Sizes: Small, medium, and large. This harness fits dogs with chest girths of 16.5”-39”.
• Colors/Patterns: The collar is pink with green polka dots.
• Materials: High-density polyester webbing with flocked polka dots
• Number in a package: One

How Blueberry Pet Step-in Velvety Polka Dot Baby Pink Flocking Dog Harness fits

The Blueberry Pet Step-in Velvety Polka Dot Baby Pink Flocking Dog Harness fits across the dog’s torso and under the front legs. The chest strap does not adjust, so you’ll want to ensure you purchase the correct size.

Why we recommend this dog harness

The Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Smart Harness boasts five points of adjustment. A well-cushioned chest limits the stress on your pup’s trachea. As a bonus, it’s machine washable — so no need to worry about messy excursions.

Features of the Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Smart Harness

• Sizes: Medium and extra large. This harness fits dogs 25 lbs.-50 lbs. And 80 lbs.-110 lbs.
• Colors/Patterns: Black.
• Materials: Ripstop fabric
• Number in a package: One

How Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Smart Harness fits

The Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Smart Harness is customizable for your mid-size or extra-large dog. Though the buckles and five-point harness can be challenging to get on your dog, it’s worth it. The end result is a harness that fits your dog like a glove.

Fit is essential for dog harnesses. One that’s too small will be uncomfortable and impossible to get on, and a size or two too big will allow the pet to escape. Chest and neck girths are usually needed, but measuring your dog can be difficult. Try these tips.

• Be sweet. Call your dog over and treat them to make them feel comfortable. Use positive reinforcement to help your dog get accustomed to their harness.
• Measure the chest girth. The chest girth measures the entire circumference of your dog’s chest. Praise them as you wrap them in an embrace with a tape measure in hand.
• Measure the neck girth. The neck girth measures your pet’s neck circumference at the collar. If it’s needed for your dog harness, put the tape measure at the base of the neck, right above the shoulders. Wrap the tape measure around the neck. Stroke their ears and praise them to make it more manageable.

Once you’ve found the perfect fit, you’ll want to consider a few other factors into consideration, including:

• Durability. Are you going to take your dog on hikes, swims, and runs? You’ll want a sturdy and potentially water-proof collar.
• Time of use. If you’ll be doing a ton of walks without daylight, opt for one with reflective strips for added visibility.
• Style. Not all harnesses are simply practical. Some have designs or come in multiple colors you can mix and match with a leash.

The betterpet lab developed a set of criteria and then put them to the test in real-world situations. Those factors included:

• Fit. We matched manufacturer sizing charts to dogs and then judged whether the sizing ran too small, too large, or fit as advertised.
• Features. We also looked at each dog harness’ particular features. Was it a challenge to put on the pet? Adjustable? Our testers evaluated how well the harness performed with those features in mind.
• Durability. We know pet parents expect gear that lasts. We determine how durable a harness is so that you can make an informed decision.
• Maintenance. Our testers also considered how easy it was to clean the dog harness. A simple matter of throwing it in the wash or permanently discolored after a splash in a mud puddle? While our testers may not be able to say if a stain will fade years later, we can let you know if this is a harness that your dog can only wear for show.

The writers, editors, and staff of betterpet are pet parents, and we know the value of accurate, trustworthy information. Because of this, the content we create is reviewed and approved by our vets. We tested these dog harnesses so that when we say a harness is best, it comes from firsthand experience.