Are you looking for a puppy harness in 2023?
Then you are in the right place.
In several hours of research, comparing over 50 different products and customer reports, I have selected the 5 best models for you.
Among them is my personal test winner, the rabbitgoo No-Pull dog harness. The padded harness is adjustable, so you can always adjust it to the right size as your puppy grows.
My winner from the test does not necessarily have to be the ideal harness for your puppy. Therefore, I have selected four additional models for you and compared their advantages and disadvantages.
Have fun while reading!
My favorite puppy harnesses
Product Test – The Top 5 Puppy Harnesses
The test winner: rabbitgoo no-pull dog harness
With the rabbitgoo No-Pull dog harness, the pulling pressure is evenly distributed over the dog’s body. As a result, the arm muscles are not stressed as much and the dog’s head and neck area is relieved.
The harness is equipped with two fastening rings. This gives you the choice of whether you want to lead the dog on the back or on the chest. With strong pulling dogs, you can even attach one end to both rings with a double leash and thus have a better grip on the dog.
The puppy harness is breathable. As a result, it does not get hot underneath so quickly, even if he wears the harness for a long time. The bottom is also padded. It does not chafe on the puppy’s skin and unpleasant pressure points do not develop so quickly.
The flexible one: Julius-K9 power harness 3XY/Baby
The Julius-K9 power harness 3XY/Baby is designed for puppies from 1 to 3 kg. This makes it the ideal harness to get young dogs used to being on a leash and being led.
The harness is made of an anti-allergenic material and has a certified lining that is particularly kind to the skin. This will reduce the risk of open sores, even if your pup wears the harness for longer periods of time.
The puppy harness is equipped with a Y-belt and is attached with Velcro fasteners. This makes it easy to handle and quick to put on. In addition, the shape ensures optimal distribution of the force.
On the side, the harness still has an area with Velcro strips. This allows the lettering on the dog harness to be individually adapted.
The harness can be put on quickly and easily. Due to the simple assembly, the effort is low even for young dogs that are not used to a harness.
The simple one: Curli harness for puppies
The Curli harness for puppies does not have many buckles and straps, but is equipped with stretchable sides. As a result, you don’t have to adjust the harness individually to the size, it grows with you, up to the maximum size.
The stretchy material adapts ergonomically to the body shape. As a result, it always sits optimally on the chest and stomach, even under a load.
A breathable air mesh fabric ensures that your dog does not get too hot underneath. I particularly liked the extras on this harness, such as the integrated dog finder. Should it ever happen that your puppy escapes you, you can use it to find it again.
The harness also has reflective elements. This is especially important if you are walking a young dog at dusk or at night. In this way, he is seen better and pedestrians or cyclists can get out of the way more quickly.
Due to the flexible fabric, the puppy harness adapts perfectly to the body shape. As a result, it fits very well even in dogs with special body shapes.
The versatile one: SlowTon dog harness for every dog size
The SlowTon dog harness for dogs of all sizes, as it can be individually adjusted to the body shape thanks to the belt system. As a result, the harness grows with the dog and you no longer have to get him used to a different model.
The puppy harness also has a car seat belt. This allows you to offer your dog a high level of safety when driving the car and even use it as a travel harness
The harness is made of a latex mesh fabric that allows air to circulate better. This makes it more comfortable for the dog to wear.
What I particularly liked about this model was how versatile it is in terms of customization options. There are four different buttons so that you can adjust the harness optimally, which means that the harness fits the body optimally.
The included car safety belt makes it ideal if you often cover long distances in vehicles with your dog.
The Award Winner: Joytale – Puppy Harness
The Joytale puppy harness is made from an air mesh fabric. This makes it very breathable, which contributes to a comfortable fit for dogs.
What I particularly liked about this model from the test are the two side straps, each with an eyelet. They are joined to the leash at the back, which distributes the tensile load more evenly over the dog’s body.
The puppy harness is designed to distribute the load evenly across the chest and shoulder area. This reduces stress for your dog. The area around the trachea is not strained, so there is no risk of suffocation when strained.
The harness is equipped with several reflectors. As a result, puppies are clearly visible on the move, even at dusk or at night.
The price-performance ratio is ideal with this model, because it offers a lot of safety and comfort at a reasonable price.
Buyer’s Guide – Puppy Harness
Which variants are there for puppy harnesses?
The most common variant is the lead harness. These are harnesses that are designed in an H, Y or X shape. However, what they have in common is a collar and waist belt.
Most harnesses can be easily adjusted in size and often grow with the child. This allows them to be used longer, but they are often a bit awkward to use at first due to overhanging straps.
Another variant is the Norwegian tableware. This puppy harness consists only of a chest and a waist belt. The variant is ideal for young dogs who quickly feel cramped by other models, which causes them to become afraid.
The saddle harness is very similar to the Norwegian harness, but has an additional saddle on the back, which is good reinforcement for dogs that pull hard.
Saddle harnesses can be easily adjusted in size, but have the disadvantage that it gets hotter underneath due to the large contact surface.
The step-in harness is only conditionally suitable for puppies. However, it is suitable for slightly older puppies who have outgrown their first harness. With this variant, the dogs should already be familiar with the harness, as they should climb into the harness themselves.
A safety harness can also be used for particularly active puppies. In these models, the chest strap is reinforced or there is a second chest strap.
Which material is suitable for a puppy harness?
Whether it’s a short-haired Labrador or a long-haired retriever, the material should always be breathable. Otherwise, it can get very hot underneath, especially if your dog wears the harness for a long time.
Not only does this make even a short-haired Labrador uncomfortable, but it also makes it easier for chafing to occur at these points.
Different mesh fabrics are therefore often used for puppy harnesses. They have the advantage of allowing air to circulate better, but are also easy to clean as they can be machine washed.
What adjustment options should there be for puppy harnesses?
In order for a puppy harness with a leash to provide optimal safety when being led, it should be adapted to the body shape. As with any animal, dogs have individual body shapes, which is why the harness should be adjustable.
At least the harness should have an adjustable waist belt. Especially after eating, the body size also increases a little here, which you should take into account.
As the test has shown, there are very individual options for adapting puppy harnesses. It is important that the dog is securely in the harness and cannot slip out, but is not cramped as a result.
How long should a puppy harness be worn at a time?
In no case should a puppy wear a harness all day. To get him used to the harness, wearing it for just a few minutes may be enough at first. It is important that the puppy always associates something positive with the harness.
If you use a puppy harness with a leash, it is sufficient to only use it for walking, educational or dog games.
How do I find the optimal size for the puppy harness?
To find the optimal size for the puppy harness, measure around 5 – 10 cm behind the front legs around the chest and abdomen. Add 10% to this value, because the harness should also be comfortable to wear.
As a rule, manufacturers have size specifications for the puppy harnesses. However, even with adjustable models, always take into account the addition of 10% so that the harness does not cut into the dog.
Conclusion
The rabbitgoo No-Pull dog harness did very well in all areas and was therefore rightly the test winner. What is particularly positive about this model is the good padding and the good fit.
The puppies can be safely leashed without the risk of choking if inexperienced animals pull very hard.
The possibility of connecting the puppy harness to a leash both on the back and on the chest side also results in interesting possibilities for training young dogs.
You can not only use the puppy harness with a leash, but also with a seat belt in the car. This means that your dog is also well secured in the car.