A well-chosen harness for a dog is primarily about the comfort and convenience your pet experiences while wearing it. Choosing the right cut and size will allow your dog to enjoy walking and having fun outdoors.
As dog owners, we get to choose harnesses almost as often as collars. The choice of models, materials and colors available on the market is extremely impressive. When deciding on a particular type of harness, let your primary guide be the comfort of your pooch. A proper and comfortable harness should provide your dog with complete freedom of movement. You must choose a harness specifically for your pooch, it should feel as though it has been designed exclusively for him.
WHY IS IT WORTH CHOOSING A COMFORTABLE HARNESS FOR YOUR DOG?
Dog owners often face a dilemma around what will be more suitable for their pup –a collar or a comfortable harness? Both solutions have their pros and cons. Therefore, when making your decision, be guided by your conviction, and if you have any lingering questions, ask your vet for advice.
For some dog breeds, it is recommended (please remember that this is just a recommendation, not an absolute obligation) to choose a harness over a collar. Yorkies are such a breed because the delicate structure of their necks often causes them to feel exceptional discomfort while wearing a collar.
Dog harness are especially recommended for dogs with sporty spirits. Harnesses are perfect for common physical activities, such as running or cycling. A collar is not a good choice in such situations. There are many different types of dog harnesses available on the market, created to provide dogs who love sports and spending time actively with the optimum level of comfort.
When dealing with an exceptionally lively and active dog, for whom walking on a leash is an unpleasant duty, harnesses are a good solution. For dogs that tend to pull frequently on their leashes, wearing a collar can be both uncomfortable and dangerous. Dog harnesses allow you as the owner to exercise a little bit more control over your dog’s restless behaviour. They prevent your dog from dragging you in different directions or running away on his own.
TYPES OF DOG HARNESS
Before choosing the right harness for your pet, it’s worth getting acquainted with specifications of different models. There are several different types of harnesses available on the market. As such, you can easily find a harness that suits the activity level of your pooch.
SPORTY HARNESS
That kind of harnesses are geared towards dogs that are exceptionally physically active, and for which sport is an integral component of everyday life. Sporty harnesses are also perfect for dogs who are just starting to learn how to be active and engage in athletics. These harnesses are made of material that protects dogs from abrasion during periods of intense activity. They are also designed to maximize your dog’s comfort and ease of movement. Different models of sports harnesses are tailored for specific activities such as running or cycling. Each of these activities requires a slightly different fit of harness to ensure your dog’s comfort and convenience as he runs around beside you.
HARNESS FOR WALKING
The most common types of dog harnesses are ones used for walking. These harnesses are great for everyday use and are perfect for walking with your dog, common outings to the park, or short hiking trips. Harnesses such as this are direct alternatives to collars. Properly selected, they are perfect for everyday life with your pet. It is not recommended to use ordinary harnesses during sport activities with your dog.
SPECIALIST HARNESS
Among the many types of dog harnesses, we also find those that are designed for specific applications. One example is the car harness. Purpose of this harness type is to protect your dog from moving in the car while driving. The construction of these harnesses makes it possible for them to be attached to a seatbelt within your car. Another example of a specialized harness is the type designed for guide dogs or tracking dogs. These harnesses are definitely more extensive and are helpful for professional endeavours.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HARNESS FOR YOUR PUP
If you want your dog to enjoy long walks, make sure that his harnesses are well-chosen. When choosing the right harness, not only is the size of your dog important, but also his body structure and level of physical activity. Poorly chosen harnesses will make your dog feel uncomfortable while he moves, and used over a long period of time, may cause hair or skin damage. Things to pay attention to:
FITTED HARNESS CUT
Harnesses used for everyday use still differ from one another. Despite the same purposes design, differences in construction can impact the comfort level of your pup. Among others, we can choose from models that consist of straps, such as ACTIVE dog harnesses. This style allows a harness to adjust it evenly across your dog’s body.
Another popular model of dog harness consists of two parts: a lower abdomen piece and a breastplate. This style of harness is very easy to put on. It is also distinguished by extraordinary comfort and the freedom of movement it provides your dog with. With this kind of harness, we have an additional decision to make. Comfortable dog harnesses can be put on the head of your dog, like the CANDY model, or worn “by the feet”, like the DENIM and YETI models.
Choosing the right cut depends largely on the character of your pooch. It is possible that your dog will feel uncomfortable while wearing a harness with an abdomen piece. On the other hand, if your dog is exceptionally resistant to putting on suspenders, a harness that consists entirely of straps may make this task even more difficult.
RIGHT SIZE OF DOG HARNESS
When selecting an appropriate harness for a dog, there are three areas of his body that we should focus on:
Neck circumference – this dimension is determined by measuring the neck of your dog at its widest point
Chest circumference – just like the neck, with this measurement we determine the size of your dog’s chest at its widest point.
The length of his back – the length of the upper line of your dog’s body is measured from the point where we set the circumference of his neck to the point where we set the proportion of his chest.
For some harnesses, you will need additional measurements to select the correct size for your pooch. Manufacturers usually create a detailed measurement scheme to allow for easier harness size selection.
COLOUR AND MATERIAL OF DOG HARNESS
Harnesses are constantly in contact with your pooch. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the quality of material and workmanship that a harness possesses before you buy it. Comfortable dog harnesses should allow your dog’s skin to breathe freely. This will minimize the risk of a harness creating abrasions on your dog’s skin.
The colour and design of your dog’s harness is also important. If we can make our dog feel fashionable and stylish, shouldn’t we?
THE DOG HARNESS – A CRUCIAL ELEMENT OF EVERY WALK WITH YOUR DOG
Your dog wears his harness every day. For this reason, it is vital that you choose a harness properly, ensuring that it will allow your dog to move happily and freely. You do not have to worry that the size of harness you choose will be unsuitable for your pooch. Many models have a large size and a feature that allows them to be adjusted in width and length. The most important thing about any harness is that your dog feels comfortable in it, no matter where you go or what you do together.
