Mary Allen
There are not only many different types of leashes, but it is also important to distinguish between different harnesses. Many dog owners are often not sure which dog harness suits their four-legged friend best. You can find out what types there are and what specific advantages and disadvantages they have here.
The Harness
The harness (also known as “H-harness”) is one of the most popular models of all. It consists of a back bar to which two loops are attached (one goes around the neck, one around the chest) and a strap that connects the two loops between the front legs.
Benefits
The biggest advantage of the harness is that it is highly adjustable in size. So it can also accompany growing dogs in the long term: The resulting good fit is of course another advantage, which means that the harness can also be used for sporting activities: jogging, cycling or trailing is easily possible with the harness.
Disadvantage
Even classics have weaknesses: the harness must be ideally adjusted so that it fits well. This usually works well due to the many adjustment options, but if the back bridge is too short, that doesn’t help either. Make sure the webbing is wide enough. Otherwise, it can press painfully on the larynx or sternum under load and thus lead to injuries.
The Y Harness
This type of dog harness is a modification of the lead harness, except that the chest area is shaped into a (usually thickly padded) Y and is not connected by a ring or similar construction. Due to this construction, it usually lies more or less directly on the shoulder blades and also fits closely to the dog’s armpit.
Benefits
Because the Y-harness is designed a little “tighter” than the lead harness, slipping out is almost impossible. Nevertheless, it is easy to put on without the dog having to lift its paws: simply put the head strap over it, pass the lower part between the front legs and then close the fasteners on the chest, but this is only possible if there are fasteners on both sides.
Disadvantage
Due to the fact that the harness is “tight” and the straps are tight – a good fit is also extremely important here – dogs can quickly feel restricted in the movement of their front limbs. In addition, it can also chafe with the wrong material, even if it theoretically fits well: The result is bald patches of skin or, in the worst case, even eczema.
The Norwegian Crockery
Norwegian tableware is now also one of the most popular types. In principle, it has a very simple design: It consists of a horizontal chest strap that is attached on both sides to the torso strap, which runs around the chest behind the front legs. There is usually a loop on the dog’s back that you can use to hold your four-legged friend.
Benefits
The main benefit of this harness design is that all pressure is directed to the dog’s chest; sensitive areas such as the larynx are not stressed at all. Another positive aspect is that it can be put on and taken off so easily and quickly: you pull it over your head and fasten the chest strap – that’s it. As there is no strap between the front legs, it is also suitable for sensitive dogs that quickly feel restricted. Finally, it is a good alternative to normal harnesses if the dog cannot wear them due to health problems, such as fresh surgical scars.
Disadvantage
Due to the “simple” shape, there are often too few adjustment options, so it is not suitable for every dog figure shape: For example, the wearing comfort suffers if the chest strap sits directly on the shoulder blades or the waist strap sits too far forward. In addition, due to the low body contact, it quickly slips if it does not fit perfectly. It’s also less suitable for anxious or fidgety dogs, as they could wriggle out of the harness with relative ease.
The “Step In” Harness
This dog harness is less common because it is only suitable for daily use by a few types of dogs. It basically consists of two loops that are pulled up like “pants” over the dog’s front legs and connected over the shoulders.
Benefits
The biggest advantage here is that it doesn’t have to be pulled over the head: perfect for head-shy dogs. In addition, it does not put any pressure on the sensitive areas in the chest and neck area, which is particularly important for growing, impetuous puppies and young dogs.
Disadvantage
In general, it is more suitable for small, light dogs: large and heavy animals or breeds with a deep chest would be able to escape the harness in no time at all. It can also quickly restrict freedom of movement, even if it fits well in theory. This often leads to chafing behind the armpits. In addition, dressing and undressing is always an undertaking – especially if the dogs are not yet used to it or are generally rather fidgety conspecifics.
Saddle harness
Most people probably know these harnesses from Julius K9, who made this type of dog harness famous. They are similar in structure to Norwegian harnesses, except that they have a wider backplate on the shoulders. They therefore also have similar advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits
Similar to the Norwegian, the benefits here are pressure relief, little restriction of movement, and ease of donning. In addition, they are often very robust because they were also designed for hiking, lifting the dog, or sports activities.
Disadvantage
Due to the greater mass of this type of harness, they often appear too clumsy for small dogs and, depending on the weather, warmth or moisture can accumulate under the saddle in an unpleasant way.
Dog Harness for Special Needs
Finally, something about types of harness that one encounters more rarely, for example, the safety harness. This is especially useful for dogs that wriggle out of other harnesses due to fear, temper, aggression, or just plain cunning. A third strap is also attached to the extended back piece, which you close behind the chest. Since the waist is narrower than the chest, the dog cannot slip out here.
The harness, on the other hand, is designed for dogs that pull loads of any kind: strong breeds such as Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, or sled dogs are particularly predestined for this. So if your dogs are pulling sleds, small wagons, or other loads, they need such a pulling harness.
Finally, there are dog harnesses that are specially adapted to the needs of individual breeds. Pug harnesses, therefore, have a particularly short back piece, Chow Chow harnesses are specially designed for the broad chest of these dogs, and Greyhound harnesses are adapted to the narrow waists of these dogs.