Google Adsense—>
When it comes to choosing the best dog harness for my senior Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dexter, my priorities have evolved over the years. When I first started using harnesses with Dexter, I focused on having one that offered a no-pull, front-clip option to aid in teaching him to walk on a leash without pulling, even though Dexter has never really been much of a puller. I quickly went from attaching Dexter’s leash to the front ring (the no-pull part) to the top ring.
I’ve always been aware when using a no-pull harness that clips in the front can cause misalignment of a dog’s natural body and gait. If you choose to use a no-pull harness, it’s important to be aware of the safety risks and how to use them properly. A no-pull harness typically has a front ring on the chest and, when they pull, it steers their front toward you. And this is your training moment, to stop and refocus your dog. However, if you continue to walk, and the dog walks sideways, with that pressure, you can injure your dog. When using a front-clip harness, you want to make sure the front ring is positioned on or just above the chest bone and fits snugly but not tight. A no-pull harness should be part of a positive training program, and the dog should eventually be weaned off the front clip.
When I’m looking for a good harness for Dexter, his comfort and safety, especially given his age and health conditions, is my top priority. Ideally, I’m looking for a harness that doesn’t impede Dexter’s natural range of motion, doesn’t ride up in the front around his neck, and is lightweight. Since we enjoy car adventures to parks and other destinations, the harness must be comfortable for him when he’s resting in the car. Dexter has Chiari malformation, so I need to ensure the harness doesn’t press on any sensitive areas along his spine. For other Cavalier families dealing with Syringomyelia (SM), remember that each dog’s sensitive areas can vary, making it important to find a harness that meets their specific needs.
The thing about dog harnesses is that one size or design does not fit all. A harness that doesn’t fit Dexter perfectly might be ideal for your Cavalier or even better suited for a larger breed. The harnesses I reviewed are based on Dexter’s specific needs and fit. Just because a harness isn’t the perfect fit for Dexter doesn’t mean it isn’t the best choice for your dog. And Dexter is a very large Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The size of harnesses Dexter wears may not be the size for your dog. It’s always important to read the manufacturer’s sizing instructions.
A side note. I am not a veterinarian, canine rehabilitation professional, or anything like that. I’m just a dog mom, trying to make the best judgment for Dexter. I did have a nice conversation with my friend and hospital manager at Aggieland Animal Health Center, Lisa Davila, and she provided me insights into each harness and how it fit Dexter.
Some of the harnesses in today’s blog post were donated to Dexter. Others, I’ve had in Dexter’s back-up closet, and one I’ve been using for many years. The harnesses are not listed in any particular order, and my intention is not to rate them, rather just give my thoughts on the way they fit Dexter. I’m also including some short video clips of Dexter walking in each of the harnesses. Please note that Dexter’s gait is not due to any of the harnesses. That’s just the way my special needs boy moves.
Check out Dexter walking in each harness.
2 Hounds Design, Inc. Freedom No-Pull Dog Harness. This actually has been Dexter’s go-to harness for the past ten years. What I’ve always liked about this dog harness is that it has both a front clip and back clip option. In other words, you can attach your dog’s leash to the front to create a no-pull harness or to the back for a more traditional harness. 2 Hounds Design also offers a double leash that you can clip to the front and back.
Again, for the purpose of meeting Dexter’s needs, I’m going to focus on the fit and comfort for Dexter. With this harness, I have only attached to the back clip for almost all of Dexter’s use, avoiding the no-pull action of the harness. The Freedom No-Pull Dog Harness is lightweight, the small size weighing in at 88 grams.
The harness also features a velvet-lined chest strap to help prevent running and chafing behind the front legs. 2 Hounds Design’s website states the stainless steel hardware used will never rust or corrode, and the webbing can literally be used to tow cars. It will not break or fray. It comes in seven sizes, including a ⅝” or 1” width, making the ⅝” width ideal for Dexter. If designs and colors are your thing, there is no shortage in options!
The Freedom No-Pull harness has always been very comfortable for Dexter, allowing him full range of motion with his front legs and keeping his shoulders free from any straps. It may touch the top part of his scapula slightly, and it sits close to the back of his legs without causing any chafing. The front strap is narrow, fitting perfectly without hitting his front legs or neck. Order on Amazon or from their website.
The Wolfgang GoodDog Comfort Dog Harness also fits Dexter nicely, with an identical fit to the Freedom harness. Dexter has full range of motion and seems very comfortable wearing it. His shoulders are free from the webbing, and it rests slightly on the top part of his scapula and close to the back of his front legs. The medium GoodDog Comfort Harness is lightweight, weighing just 75 grams.
Wolfgang states that the GoodDog Comfort Harness is made with highly durable and abrasion-resistant polyester webbing. The box-and-cross stitch construction with tapered seams creates a smooth transition between layers, making it extremely durable. The reinforced nylon side-release buckle is curved to match the contour of Dexter’s back. Additionally, the dual powder-coated steel D-rings with welded seams provide exceptional strength.
This GoodDog comfort harness comes in four sizes, including a ⅝” or 1” width. Since Dexter is a small breed dog, having a ⅝” width option is ideal. They offer a variety of colors and prints to choose from. Order on Amazon of from their website.
Howling Dog Enterprises Distance Harness. This multi-use harness is actually marketed to canine athletes. Although the harness is geared toward dogs that enjoy skijoring, bikejoring, scootering, canicross, and hiking, I was drawn by its design. The Distance Harness comes highly recommended by Wes Rau, a top canine physical therapist, so I wanted to see if it would be a good fit for Dexter.
The Distance Harness gave Dexter full range of motion. It also left his shoulders and scapula free from any straps. I love how wide that space is for his legs. The front chest is a little wider than Dexter is used to, but still narrow enough not to rub his front legs. The back of his front legs would have more room if the harness didn’t slide up on Dexter when walking. That’s probably due to the fact that Dexter doesn’t pull and there isn’t any tension on the leash to keep the harness pulled back to the ideal position. This also led to the harness riding up the front of his neck more.
This Distance Harness is made out of 1 1/4 inch wide durable webbing featuring an attractive, eye-catching pattern. A reflective thread is woven into the edges of the webbing for increased nighttime visibility. The Distance Harness is fully padded. The harness comes in eight sizes and five prints. This harness is very substantial, and the XS weighs in at 193 grams. Overall, it was just a bit too bulky for Dexter; the harness is not ideal for his proportions. Order on their website.
ComfortFlex Sport Harness. The ComfortFlex Sport Harness was the most restrictive of the harnesses I tried. It does hit parts of his shoulder and scapula. There is no center front strap, so there is no worry about underarm irritation or chafing. It did not ride up on his neck, causing any discomfort. Like most of the harnesses today, the strap does come close to Dexter’s back leg, but it is fully padded. The padding was soft and comfortable for Dexter.
The ComfortFlex Sport Harness is a fully padded nylon construction with reflective strapping across the chest with an incredibly simple-to-put-on-and-take-off design with Velcro and safety snap closure. It’s not too heavy with the small being 113 grams. Order on Amazon or their website.
The CosyDogs Fleece Dog Harness was tucked away in Dexter’s backup clothes drawer, but I decided to pull it out for a review. This harness fits Dexter really well, giving him full range of motion and keeping him comfortable while walking. His shoulders and scapula aren’t constrained by any straps. The center strap is wider than he’s accustomed to, but it curves around his legs without causing any chafing or affecting his natural gait. It doesn’t ride up to his neck it does sit right behind his front legs, but the fleece prevents any chafing. It’s lightweight too, with his size 3 weighing just 79 grams.
The strong webbing has a soft fleece underside to prevent rubbing. It’s fully adjustable on both sides with non-slip adjusters. The CosyDogs Fleece Dog Harness comes in ten sizes and offers a variety of colors and prints to choose from. Order on their website.
The verdict.
I’m pleased with all the dog harnesses Dexter tried. I’m really happy I found Dexter’s CosyDogs fleece dog harness, as this is now the one I’m using with him. After looking through all the photos, I felt it had the best fit for Dexter, was lightweight, and gave his front legs and shoulders the most range of motion.
Some people may wonder why I’m still pro-harness, when there are so many things to consider with fitting and range of motion. I still feel they are safer on a dog vs. gagging from a collar or the potential for whiplash from a head collar. As I’ve said before, each dog and each situation is different. This is just what works for Dexter and what I feel comfortable with…today.
Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
Are you looking for even more ways to stay up to date with Raising Your Pets Naturally? Sign up for the newsletter for more tips and promotions. Don’t forget to be social and Like, Follow and Subscribe.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram YouTube
 |
Check out our shop! |
Google Adsense—>