Find the best dog harness for your canine companion — whether for daily strolls around town, intensive training sessions or adventurous hiking excursions. A dog harness can safely restrain your pooch and give you better control. It also allows for a great connection between you and your canine buddy.
While necessary for some circumstances, collars can cause uncomfortable pressure on your dog’s spine and trachea. They can also be especially harmful to dogs who tend to pull while on a leash. Compared to a traditional collar, a well-fitted harness provides improved comfort and safety for your dog.
We tested some of the top dog harnesses of the year to help guide your decision. Whether you’re looking for the performance and durability of our overall pick, the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness, or a budget-friendly option like the Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness, we have you covered.
Top Picks
Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness
Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness
This dog harness features soft, padded air mesh that keeps your dog cool during exercise and warm weather. Four adjustable straps provide a secure, customized fit, while abrasion-resistant nylon ensures durability against daily wear and outdoor conditions. Dual leash attachment points support effective no-pull training, and the sturdy top handle allows instant control when needed. It delivers solid performance at an affordable price. The only drawback is that the harness must be slipped over the dog’s head to put on or remove.
Ruffwear Omnijore
Voyager Step-In Air Dog Harness
Auroth Tactical Dog Training Harness
This harness is built with durable materials and a sturdy design, making it suitable for large, strong dogs. It features a front leash attachment point for effective no-pull training and includes a Velcro patch system for customizable style. However, the low front attachment point may cause smaller dogs to trip.
Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Harness
This dog harness is built for owners who want control without sacrificing durability. Its lightweight, quick-drying construction makes it suitable for daily walks and active use, while the chest attachment point is specifically designed to discourage pulling and improve leash control. Double-reinforced nylon straps add long-term strength and reliability, and the included lifetime warranty backs up the build quality. However, the metal hardware adds noticeable weight, which may be uncomfortable for very small dogs, and the price sits at the higher end of the market. This is a solid, performance-focused option for medium to large dogs where function matters more than cost.
Ruffwear Flag Line Dog Harness
This dog harness is designed to offer flexibility and comfort through a highly adjustable fit. Three leash attachment points allow owners to customize usage based on walking style or training needs. Padding on both the top and underside improves comfort during extended wear, while the wide size range helps accommodate many body types. That said, the fit may be less suitable for dogs with broader chests or waists. Additionally, the smaller rear D-ring may not be compatible with larger leash clips.
Additional recommendations
The Ruffwear Front Range Harness, a head-in harness that’s lightweight yet keeps its form, doesn’t twist or slip around on your dog’s body like other models we tested (an issue that can be caused by subpar design or low-quality materials). It’s lightly padded but not bulky and features safety extras like reflective stripes and an ID pocket to store your dog’s tags. There’s an aluminum V-ring leash attachment point on the back and a tough nylon loop leash attachment in the front, so walkers have the option of clipping on the front to mitigate pulling. This is a durable everyday dual-clip harness that we kept coming back to, especially for our wild, young Labrador tester.
The Coastal Pet K9 Explorer Reflective Dog Harness, a step-in, strap-style harness, is sleek and extremely easy to use—there’s even a tag depicting which part of the dog goes where. It has durable straps with reflective stripes woven in for safety and a padded chest piece that keeps force distributed, rather than focused at the neck. The simple step-in design is extremely easy to put on, which is hugely helpful if you’re wrangling a rambunctious dog. The leash attaches to double metal D rings over a single clip.
Puppies, toy dogs, and low-slung pooches may have trouble fitting in a standard harness. The Puppia Soft Harness, another longtime pick, is a head-in option that’s stretchy and breathable. The vest style has one simple adjustment point and a back leash attachment, which should be just fine for small dogs, but we think the material is a little thin for larger dogs and might wear out, especially if they’re pullers. Sizing can get tricky since Puppia’s vest design doesn’t have any give in the collar, so double-check your pup’s measurements before making a purchase. If you have an especially wiggly little dog that needs a little extra security, opt for our next pick instead.
No matter how strong of a grip you think you have on your 100-pound behemoth’s leash, there’s no planning for when they suddenly lunge at a squirrel darting across the street. The 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Harness was tested by a young golden retriever and a teenage Labrador, and it held up to the energy and size of these big dogs.
The design is minimal, with a belly strap behind the armpits and a horizontal attachment point along the lower chest rather than at the neck. That lower attachment point grants walkers greater control over their pets because if the dog pulls, they are guided to the side and unable to throw their entire weight into pulling you forward. Or, if you prefer, you can use the back attachment ring for a typical walking experience—the leash is less likely to get tangled when clipped to the top of the dog.
The front-clip metal D ring is a must for dogs that pull, although training is the way to truly stop pulling. And 2 Hounds also offers lifetime replacements of their Freedom No Pull harness—including for chewing damage—for a fee that averages a third of the purchase cost.