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Best dog harnesses 2026, tried and tested
We've tested dog harnesses from popular brands such as Julius K-9, PerfectFit and Ruffwear to find the best options for dogs and their owners
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Taking your dog for a walk? Attaching a lead to a harness gives you more control over your pet than a traditional collar and reduces any strain on their neck.
Whether you're walking a placid pug or an excitable husky, it's important to be in control of your pooch. To help you choose the right dog harness, we've put popular brands such as Julius K-9, PerfectFit and Ruffwear to the test with the help of an eager panel of four-legged testers and their two-legged owners.
We tested harnesses priced from £15 to £80, assessing everything from adjustability and fit to water resistance. Two were good enough to be named Best Buys and we also have a Great Value option.
You'll also find advice on the key differences between back-clip and front-clip harnesses below, as well as tips from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on how to fit a harness properly.
How our tests find you the best
Ease of use
Wrestling an excited pup into a maze of straps is no walk in the park. We test how intuitive each harness is to adjust and buckle.
Dog comfort
Our panel of small, medium and large canine testers tried out each harness to find out if it stays centred and allows natural movement.
Water resistance
To save your hallway from puddles, we shower each harness to find out how much water it absorbs and how quickly it dries out.
We also...
inspect for loose threads and check to see if straps loosen on long walks.
The dog harnesses we tested
Only logged-in Which? members can view the dog harness test results.
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| Dog harness | Price | Score | Fit* | Ease of use** | Features | Water resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 84% | |||||
| 83% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 77% | ||||||
| 77% | ||||||
| 73% | ||||||
| 71% | ||||||
| 70% | ||||||
| 56% |
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Date tested: June 2026. Page last checked: July 2026. We're not able to show every retailer, and lower prices may be available. *Fit How well the harness stays centred, how secure it feels against pulling, how much it restricts the dog’s natural gait. **Ease of use How easy it is to fit the harness and adjust its straps and buckles.
All the dog harnesses we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best dog harnesses from our tests.
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BullyBillows Comfort Premium Harness
Available from BullyBillows (£52.99)
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 57cm to 131cm
EzyDog Chest Plate Harness
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 24cm to 134cm
Hounds of Eden Supaw Strong Harness
Available from Hounds of Eden (£38)
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip or front-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 27cm to 110cm
Julius K-9 IDC Powerharness
Type and attachment point Horizontal strap, back-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 29cm to 138cm
Kong Comfort Dog Harness
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 33cm to 84cm
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PerfectFit Dog Harness
Available from PerfectFit (£35-£54)
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip or front-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 24cm to 122cm
Pets at Home Chest Plate Dog Harness
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip or front-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 45cm to 91cm
Rabbitgoo Escape-Proof Dog Harness
Type and attachment point Three-strap, back-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 43cm to 110cm
Ruffwear Front Range Harness
Type and attachment point Y-strap, back-clip or front-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 33cm to 107cm
Ruffwear Web Master Harness
Type and attachment point Three-strap, back-clip or front-clip attachment
Sizes available Options for chest circumferences from 33cm to 107cm
How we test dog harnesses
We buy the bestselling dog harnesses and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers.
A dog harness has to work for both ends of the lead. It should be easy for you to use and comfortable for your dog to wear. We test each harness on real dogs to find out which ones are secure, well-made and suitable for everyday walks.
We regularly revisit the dog harnesses on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.
Ease of use
A harness that’s a faff to fit can make every walk harder than it needs to be. We recruit a panel of four-legged and two-legged testers – a small, medium and large dog and their owners – to test out each harness on a real walk and rate:
- How easy it is to adjust the straps to get a good fit
- How straightforward it is to put on and take off
- Whether the buckles are easy to fasten and undo
- How secure the buckles and straps feel before, during and after a walk.
Dog comfort and fit
No dog wants a harness that rubs, slips or gets in the way of a good sniff. Our panel looks at how well each harness fits during a normal walk and assesses:
- Whether it stays centred on the dog’s chest and back
- How secure it feels if the dog pulls or lunges
- Whether it allows a natural stride and full shoulder movement
- Which harness is their overall favourite
Features and build quality
We inspect each harness for the details that make a difference on daily walks, including:
- The quality of stitching, straps, clips and lead attachments
- Whether there are any loose threads, rough edges or flimsy parts
- Useful features such as reflective details, grab handles or multiple lead attachment points
Water resistance
Wet harnesses can be heavy, uncomfortable and slow to dry. To test water resistance, we:
- Weigh each harness while dry, then soak it in a shower for one minute to simulate heavy rain
- Weigh it again to see how much water it has absorbed, and time how long it takes to dry
The best harnesses don't soak up much water and dry quickly, so your dog isn't left wearing a soggy harness for long on damp days.
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Back-clip vs front-clip dog harnesses
A harness wraps around your dog's torso, so it doesn't put pressure on the animal's neck.
It can be a good alternative to a traditional collar, especially if your pet has a tendency to pull when on a lead. However, every dog is different, which is why choosing the right harness style is important.
If your dog doesn't have thick fur, for instance, a well-padded harness will be more comfortable. And if your pet loves burrowing in the undergrowth when you're out and about, you may want to avoid a mesh-design harness, as it's only going to get covered in thorns and twigs.
Back-clip dog harness
- At a glance You attach your lead to a hook positioned above your dog's back.
This is the most common type of dog harness. Unlike a traditional dog collar, a back-clip harness won't place any pressure on your pet's neck if it pulls when on a lead or if you suddenly need to take a tight hold of the lead. If you own a dog with a sensitive trachea, using a back-clip harness won't cause any discomfort, provided the front straps sit at the dog's chest rather than at the neck.
A back-clip harness is also a good idea if your dog has a habit of wriggling out of its collar. Plus, as there are no straps fastened around the dog's neck, you can pull back on the lead in an emergency without harming your pet.
Be warned, though, if your dog abruptly pulls on a back-clip harness, you'll be pulled along behind, thanks to the 'sled dog effect'.
This type of harness isn't designed to improve the behaviour of a dog that doesn't walk to heel – front-clip harnesses, combined with the right training, are a better solution (see below).
Front-clip dog harness
- At a glance The lead attachment is found on the dog's chest.
This type of harness is popular with trainers because, paired with the right teaching methods, it can help to lessen a dog's desire to pull.
If you pull back on the lead on a walk, the position of the front clip will cause the dog to turn their head towards you. This is useful if you want to distract your four-legged friend from something they find scary, and you can steer them in a certain direction to avoid a hazard.
However, don't become too reliant on a front-clip harness. Pets charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home told us:
Ideally, you want to train your dog to pay attention to you and walk near you, rather than relying on equipment. Where some dogs may have already learnt to pull or are particularly strong, equipment with clips can help owners offset their dog’s balance just enough to gain their attention. These methods need to be used in conjunction with training, otherwise the dog will simply learn to pull against the new pressure.
Depending on your dog's personality and walking style, you may find their legs get tangled with your lead because of the clip position on the dog's chest. If that's the case, you may need to use a shorter lead.
All of the harnesses we've tested have back clips, but the Hounds of Eden Supaw Strong, PerfectFit, Pets at Home and Ruffwear Web Master and Front Range harnesses also have a front-clip attachment point that you can use instead.
Log in or join Which? to read our verdict on harnesses with both front and back-clip attachment points.
Dog harnesses to stop pulling
No-pull harnesses are a somewhat controversial choice, as they're designed to cause discomfort to force dogs to calm down.
We spoke with Woodgreen, a pet charity that also features in Channel 4's The Dog House, which told us: 'Non-pull harnesses put pressure under the dog's armpits, and they stop pulling because it's uncomfortable. We would advise owners to be careful and to ensure that the fit is appropriate.
'On some [non-pull harnesses], the belly strap sits beyond the rib cage, and this would be uncomfortable on the dog's soft tummy.'
Dog harnesses for puppies
Shopping for a puppy harness can be quite a process, as you'll want something that's both lightweight and secure. Sensible options are made of materials that easily adjust to your dog's shape, but won't weigh down the puppy with chunky plastic clasps and straps.
It's important that the harness you pick doesn't restrict the dog's movement, but it also needs to be secure enough to keep your puppy from wriggling out.
If you want to prevent pulling from a young age, choosing the right harness to pair with effective training methods can have a noticeable effect. Make sure the harness design doesn't tighten too much if the dog resists during a walk.
Except for the BullyBillows, Kong and Rabbitgoo models, all of the harnesses we've tested come in puppy sizes. For very young puppies or small and toy breeds, see the Julius-K9, PerfectFit and EzyDog models, which have ultra-small options.
Log in or join Which? to see our dog harness test results and reviews.
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How to put on a dog harness
- Loosen all the straps This will help you to easily place the harness on your dog, and it's important for the first fitting.
- Prepare your dog for a loud noise To get your dog used to wearing a harness, especially if the clasp makes a loud clicking noise, teach your dog to associate that sound with a treat. Try fastening the clasps close to your dog's ears (while the harness is off) and then reward your pet.
- Get your dog used to the loopholes Depending on the harness, your dog might need to pass its head through a loop. Hold a treat in your hand and pass it through the loop where your dog's head will go. Repeat this several times, gradually moving the loop closer to your dog's head. Once your dog associates the loop with something positive, encourage them to pass their head fully through it.
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home also gave us some tips on how to properly fit a harness:
You want a harness that fits snugly, leaving space for two fingers between your dog and the harness. It shouldn’t be so tight that it presses against or rubs your dog, but it shouldn’t be so loose that it moves around while they're walking or allows them to slip out of it. Rather than adjusting the harness while it’s on your dog, take it off to loosen or tighten it, then refit to avoid accidentally pulling on their fur or skin.
For more advice on how to get your dog comfortable with wearing a collar, lead or harness, see the charity's website or email dog.behaviour@battersea.org.uk for more tailored support.
How to measure a dog for a harness
To measure your dog for a harness, grab a soft tape measure and check the widest part of their chest, usually just behind the front legs. Keep the tape snug but not tight, leaving room for two fingers underneath so your dog can move comfortably.
You may also need to measure around their lower neck, where the harness will sit.
Once you have these measurements, compare them with the size guide for your chosen harness, as this can vary between brands.
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Car harnesses for dogs
A car harness works a bit like a seatbelt for your dog, clipping into the existing seatbelt buckle or an anchor point in the boot to keep your pet secure while you're driving. Not only does this stop your dog from clambering into the footwell or distracting you at the wheel, but it also reduces the risk of serious injury if you have to brake suddenly or are involved in a collision. Look for a harness that's been crash-tested to a recognised safety standard, as many cheaper options offer little more than a false sense of security.
When choosing a car harness, fit is important. It should be snug enough that your dog can't wriggle free, but not so tight that it stops them sitting or lying down comfortably on a longer journey. A padded chest plate spreads the force over a wider area if the harness is suddenly put under strain, rather than concentrating pressure on one spot.
It's worth introducing your dog to the harness at home first and letting them wear it for a while before you attach it in the car, so the first time they feel restrained isn't when you're driving.
We'd like to thank Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary and Woodgreen for helping us create this advice guide.