As I have mentioned before, the safety and comfort of your dog is of the utmost importance.
When choosing your harness you will be taking into account the breed, the size, how much hair he or she has, the body type, the personality and which type of harness they require.
If your dog is a flat faced breed such as a Pug (see Medium Sized Dogs in the guide) you will need to take into consideration the design needs to protect your loved one from excess pressure on the neck and chest. An easy walk harness is handy for a Dog that pulls and a front clip harness is best for bigger dogs. There certainly is a huge market for harnesses and many different designs.
So, when purchasing your harness one of the most important things to consider is getting the right size. If you are buying online and you are unsure of the size there are many adjustable harnesses that are available. There are many choices at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Below you will find a few tips on sizing to help you in your choice.
Remember, snug and comfort fit
Very much like the collars a two finger snug fit is a good measure of comfort. Also, measure your pooch with a piece of string or a soft tape measure.
The GIRTH is measured as the widest part of your dog’s chest.
XX SMALL (Up to 2.5 Kg)
Common Breeds, Chihuahua and Teacup terrier
Girth 20 – 25 Cms
Recommeneded Lead Width 8 mm
X SMALL (2.5 – 5 Kg)
Common Breeds, Miniature Dachshund, Pomeranian Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle
Girth 23 – 40 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 10 mm
SMALL (5-11 Kg)
Common Breeds, Pekingese, Miniature Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, Pug
Girth 33 – 60 Cms
Recommeneded Lead Width 16 mm
MEDIUM (Up to 25 Kg)
Common Breeds, Border Collie, Beagle, English and French Bulldogs
Girth 45 – 75 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 19 mm
LARGE (Up to 35 Kg)
Common Breeds, Dalmation, Boxer, Labrador, Weimaraner, Golden Retriever
Girth 55 – 100 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 25 mm and 2 ply for extra strength
X-Large (35 Kg +)
Common Breeds, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Great Dane
Girth 70 – 115 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 38 mm and 2 ply for extra strength
Conclusion
So just like Leads and Collars there is more to buying a Harness than just looking for the prettiest thing hanging in a pet shop. As always comfort and safety are paramount.
If you have any comments or feedback please feel free to drop me a line.
David