harness brands

[lucyandbella]

I am not really looking for a training tool but didn't know where else to put this. I am looking for a comfortable back clip harness for dogs, the current brand I am using is a no pull harness but the only reason I got it was that it was padded. It still rubs at their under arms though, and the harness wears down fast, I have had to replace it for both dogs after less than a year. I want a back clip harness because when we go on hikes the dogs are put on a 30 ft lead and I want it to clip to the back not front. Also when we run I like it to clip in the back because I think the front clip ones, at least the ones I have seen, restrain movement. They don't have to be no-pull harnesses, just a comfortable harness to wear while hiking or running. But I also need a breathable harness, some of the more comfortable-looking ones I have seen seem to take up a lot of surface area and are pretty thick, even have fabric over the front of the chest. Both my dogs are mostly black, and the one who is almost solid black also has an extremely fluffy coat and it gets hot in my area so I don't want a harness that traps heat. Does anyone know of good harness brands?

[ladybug1802]

are you in UK or USA?

[lucyandbella]

USA

[ladybug1802]

Ah no idea in that case Im afraid....the ones I knwo are good in the Uk I am not sure whether are available in USA or not.

[Erica]

I use a Webmaster harness, from Ruffwear, with my GSD. She's got a different shape from most dogs, so normal harnesses don't fit her well. I liked this one because it's lightweight, padded well, and adjustable at many different points, so it fits really well. It does have solid fabric on the back, but even in a large it's not too much. I haven't noticed it trapping heat in with Opal. It has a back clip, a handle, and another thin little loop that you can attach the leash to; that one is useful as some of the leashes I have access to won't clip on the normal ring, which is differently shaped than most clips.

Marble's harness (currently shipped off to be repaired, since someone left it on her unattended :/ ) is from Premier, though I can't find it on their website! It's got a back clip, a front clip, and is shaped like an Easy Walk harness but with a strap between the front legs as well. It's pretty nice - fits well, and is just nylon straps so won't trap heat much. The strap that goes under her arms is covered in a velvet-like material, so it doesn't rub as much as others might.

Premier's Sure Fit harness might be a good match for what you're looking for. It's just a pretty standard harness with a back clip.

[ClareMarsh]

Remind me what "brand" of dogs you have

I use Puppia (have tried 3 different styles) on my long haired chi so I also have long hair to content with. I have never seen any evidence of them rubbing him and they are largely mesh so would breathe (as much as any material can truly do so). They only used to do them for very small dogs but they do much much larger sizes now. All are back clip, if you can find some to try on your dogs it might be worth considering.

[Erica]

I would try the Puppia on before purchasing, if possible - on Marble, it would press into her throat if she pulled, which is what harnesses are meant to prevent. I have seen it fit better on other dogs, and when it does fit it's a great harness! That's true for most harnesses, though - dogs come in so many different shapes that it's impossible to find one that works for every dog!

[lucyandbella]

I have a "German shepherd"/whippet mix. I don't think she has German shepherd in her, I think she might have cattle dog or some other herding breed. She is 36 pounds and does have a reasonably deep chest but most things fit her. I also have an English shepherd around 40 pounds, who might try to back out of a harness so I am starting to think I should buy one for her that prevents backing out.

Thanks for the brands, I'll start looking into them.

[Erica]

Yeah, Opal has a deep chest (though not quite whippet-deep), and the Webmaster works really well. It has a strap around the belly, just in front of the hind legs, which would probably be tough to wriggle out of.

[marie estey]

I use Lupine, because they have a chew, torn or any other damage policy. http://lupinepet.com/ i swear by lupine and my dogs wear it.

[minkee]

If you don't mind me muscling in on your thread here I was just about to come and make one but may as well tag along here.

Can anyone recommend a make of harness that is front fastening? I'm having a really hard time finding ANY online, let along in the UK, let alone in a shop near me that I can try out! I recommended them to a friend who has a german shepherd (she's on a choke chain right now ) and I'd love to find one locally that I could point them towards.

PS! I really like the EZdog harness that I got for Scout. It's a bit of a sports / flyball type harness (ie. she can put all her weight into pulling in it if she wanted to) but it's nice in that it just pops over the head and clips up. No 'step in' required. Hers is the same as the one on the bulldog on the front page http://www.ezydoguk.co.uk/

[jacksdad]

I like the walkeez harness. Particularly for small dogs. But noobs (a member here) had good luck with it on her lab/pit mix. It doesn't have a front clip so you will need to be really willing to train a loose lead walk.

For us in the US, it's an import I believe, and I have only been able to find it online at a couple places. here is two, the other site seems to be down right now.

http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fusea ... ct_id=1699
http://oregonpetsupply.com/x_harnesses.php

Grisha of BAT fame, calls the Freedom no pull the "The Ferrari of Dog Walking Harnesses"

http://www.wiggleswagswhiskers.com/news ... arness.htm

I don't have any personal experience with this one, I use the Walkeez with my dog, but if I was to buy another harness I would give this one a serious look. One of the people in my dog group uses this one on her bully breed mix and seems to really like it.

[Erica]

Ah, I think the Freedom is the one Marble has - or she had an exact knock-off with the same warranty - but it is quite a nice harness. I wonder why I thought it was Premier? Anyways.