How To Choose The Right Dog Harness | A Ruffwear Guide
A good dog harness offers solutions for everyday wear, training and lead pulling, no matter what or where the adventure. There are countless options out there, all built from a dog’s perspective and designed for comfort and practicality.
Whether you’ve never bought a dog harness before or just can’t decide which style to go for next, follow our handy guide from new brand Ruffwear to help you make the best decision for your pup’s needs.
1. Why Do I Even Need A Dog Harness?
A dog harness is a great piece of gear for assisting in training, providing support to elderly or disabled canines, handling working or service dogs, or keeping your best furry friend safe from the beginning to the end of your adventures.
Harnesses offer the ability to control and keep your dog safe when out on your daily walks. They also distribute pressure from a lead throughout the dog’s body, rather than through the dog’s airways, which is especially important if your dog is prone to pulling.
2. The Importance Of Quality And Fit
Choosing a comfortable yet reliable dog harness is key. Firstly, it’s important to select a harness which allows free front leg movement without rubbing the dog’s chest. A snug fit is the best fit – if you can slide a pinky finger between the harness and your dog’s body, you’ve got it spot on! Loose harnesses will rotate and shift during a walk, which not only causes chafing, but also means it’s easier for your dog to escape. Comfortable harnesses should offer a minimum of four adjustable straps for a perfect, snug fit.
3. Why Choose A Ruffwear Dog Harness?
“No-pull” harnesses have a low, horizontal strap across the front legs, which restricts movement of the legs. In contrast, a y-shaped harness goes through the front legs but sits above the shoulders, therefore avoiding that restriction of movement. Some harnesses also feature a chest loop attachment which sits at a higher point on the chest over the sternum. This allows dogs to have a full range of motion and enables them to move much more naturally, whilst you still have control over any pulling.
It’s important that your dog harness is of good quality, as it will accompany your dog on their many off-trail adventures. Whether they are crawling through bushes or climbing between rocks, your harness needs to be tough and withstand wear and tear. A harness that lasts years is also more sustainable and saves you money in the long run.
The quality of Ruffwear products is paramount. They choose fabrics and hardware that have been tested in the field, are environmentally friendly and last the test of time. Ruffwear are so confident in the quality of their gear that in the unlikely event that something does go wrong with your product, they will work to make it right by offering a guarantee against defects in materials and craftsmanship.
Ruffwear’s Trail Tested Promise
All Ruffwear products are tested by real dogs in real environments, doing everything dogs really do. They are held to strict standards because Ruffwear know that safety and comfort are the most important factors when it comes to your companion. You can find out more about their guarantee here.
4. Which Ruffwear Harness Is Right For My Dog?
Ruffwear Web Master Harness
A structured, multi-use harness with a handle and belly strap.
- Great for hiking
- Foam-padded construction
- Five points of adjustment and a belly strap
This dog harness is built for assisting dogs over obstacles while out trekking, or aiding with mobility issues. It’s comfortable and adjustable, which allows for all day use with an optimal fit.
Ruffwear Front Range Harness
A padded harness dogs can wear all day, every day.
- Great for explorers
- Multiple lead attachment points
- Side-release buckles
Providing a slightly less heavy duty construction, this harness is ideal for every day walks and adventures. It is also the perfect aid for mastering “no-pull” training, with reinforced chest webbing.
5. How To Measure And Fit Your Dog Harness
Do not underestimate the importance of correct fitting when buying a harness for your dog. If you try and guess your dog’s measurements, it could result in your harness being too tight or too big. This results in rubbing and chafing, causing a lot of discomfort for your dog.
To measure your pooch, take a tape measure and measure the widest part of their girth, which is the area slightly behind their front legs. Then, find the correct size on Ruffwear’s handy guide below. If your dog is at the upper end of the size brackets, it is always better to size up rather than down.
Our dogs are more than just pets; they’re part of the family. Ruffwear know how important they are and how much they mean to us. Check out their tribute to man’s best friend: