Dog harness

How to choose a comfortable harness for your dog

Choosing the right harness for your dog should be done carefully and with the right information. A harness moves with your dog throughout every walk, so its shape, positioning and adjustment have a direct impact on comfort. Its design directly affects how pressure is distributed across the dog's body. It must therefore provide your dog with support, comfort and freedom of movement.

Here are a few guidelines to help you choose the most suitable harness for your dog and, above all, check whether it is right for them.

Freedom of the shoulders: an important factor to consider

With every stride, your dog's front legs and shoulders are in motion. The position of the straps at the front of the harness therefore deserves particular attention. Ideally, look for a design that allows the shoulders to move as freely as possible. This is one of the benefits of a correctly fitted Y-shaped harness: viewed from the front, the straps run down either side of the neck and meet at the chest rather than running horizontally across the front of the shoulders.

A good harness should not put pressure on the trachea

When the dog pulls, the harness should not put pressure on the trachea: pressure should be applied around the manubrium of the sternum, on the chest. It should also fit around the ribcage without compressing it, so that it does not restrict the movements involved in breathing.

A harness that is too tight can restrict breathing movements, interfere with muscular movement, particularly that of the latissimus dorsi, and encourage irritation or injuries caused by rubbing. Conversely, a harness that is too loose may twist, rub and distribute pressure less effectively.

Watch out for straps positioned too close to the front legs

If positioned too close behind the shoulder, the straps may rub with every stride. This issue may not be noticeable during a quick fitting but can become apparent during a proper, longer walk. This is particularly important for long-haired dogs, whose coat can hide areas of contact.

Y-shaped, H-shaped, T-shaped or vest harness: how do you choose?

The different names mainly describe the arrangement of the straps.

When prioritising freedom of movement, designs that leave the front of the shoulders clear are particularly interesting.

How to adjust your dog's harness correctly

Your dog's weight and size provide an initial indication of which harness size to choose, but this is rarely enough. Two dogs of the same breed and size can have very different body shapes. Always refer to the measurements requested by the manufacturer, particularly the chest circumference, then take a few minutes to adjust the harness once your dog is wearing it.

Then check that:

• the harness does not compress the dog;
• it does not ride up excessively towards the throat when the lead becomes taut;
• the straps do not rub directly behind the front legs;
• the harness remains stable;
• the dog maintains a natural gait.

A harness that is too tight can become uncomfortable and cause rubbing; if it is too loose, it may move around more and lose stability. The aim is therefore to achieve a fit that sits close enough to the body without compressing the dog.

For a puppy or young dog, remember to repeat these checks regularly as they grow.

Which harness should you choose for a dog that pulls?

For a dog that pulls on the lead regularly, or even constantly, harness stability and pressure distribution become particularly important.

Some models feature a front attachment point on the chest, often described as an anti-pull attachment. This can help redirect the dog when they pull against the lead and can be a useful tool in certain situations. However, it should not be considered a solution on its own: learning to walk on a loose lead remains complementary to choosing the right equipment.

If you take part in a genuine pulling activity, such as canicross or bikejoring, the demands are different from those of a standard walk: in this case, it is better to choose a harness specifically designed for pulling.

Why order your dog harness from Waf & Co?

There are now many different types of dog harnesses, from the simplest to the most technical. Our selection will continue to evolve and expand with different models and designs. But whatever harness you choose, the best indicator will always be your dog: suitable equipment should allow them to enjoy their walk naturally, without constantly drawing their attention or changing the way they move.