Studies have shown that a dog harness can prevent damage to the neck, throat and even the cervical bones of a dog. Dogs have an instinctive tendency to pull on leashes to try and break free of them and in doing so they can choke themselves, can cause themselves pain, and even cause permanent nerve, muscle, or structural damage. Over 90% of dogs injured on leashes, in fact, hurt their necks by yanking or pulling on them. Also, owners can inadvertently hurt their beloved dogs by pulling too hard on the leash or by pulling at the same instance that a dog is lunging another way. No matter how it happens, the neck damage can be extremely harmful and permanent, and can lead to posture issues and other degenerative neck disorders.
This study was conducted to find the best small dog harness on the market, so you can safely walk your small dog or puppy, at least until they are leash trained. You see, a harness for small dogs is important for dog owners, not just of small breeds, but for puppies as well. Puppies must be trained on a leash, and a harness can help get them used to the unnatural feeling of being led or guided around, and also, harnesses are a safer way through adult hood to guide or lead your dog. Training with the help of a harness helps to prevent even accidental neck damage or painful wear and tear over time.
1: Best Small Dog Harness (Premium): Gooby Trekking Memory Foam Harness & Comfort for Dogs
This small dog harness has memory foam designed to maximize comfort for your dog.
Description: This fleece lined harness for small dogs is designed for complete comfort. The fleece lining and memory foam technology make this an extremely comfortable small dog harness. The small dog harness comes in 5 different sized so there is an ideal fit for small dogs from 3 to 35 pounds in weight. The harness has easy to fasten plastic latches and hardened plastic rings.
Cost:The Gooby Trekking Memory Foam Harness & Comfort for Dogs, the best small dog harness identified in this study,costs $45.61.
Walking Benefits: TheGooby Trekking Memory Foam Harness & Comfort for Dogs is a small dog harness designed with safety and comfort in mind. The complete fleece lining and the memory foam conforms to fit your dog perfectly, providing comfort, warmth, and a safe harness for long walks.
General Customer Sentiment:Customers tend to love this product for its softness and durability. The hard plastic rings are designed to withstand dogs that lunge and pull. Most reviews recommended getting a harness one size up for your dog, as the memory foam settles as the harness is used by your dog.
2: Best Small Dog Harness (Budget): Blueberry Pet Soft & Comfortable 3M Reflective Multi-colored Stripe Mesh Padded Dog Harness Vest, Matching Collar & Leash Available Separately
This small dog harness is made of soft reflective mesh.
Description: This durable one piece small dog harness is made of lightweight, soft mesh (oxford and polyester with reflective stripes). The hardened plastic buckles are green friendly and the harness itself is held to the leash by a strong metal coated ring. The unit comes in 8 sizes to find a perfect fit for all small dogs and is machine washable. This harness for small dogs also has a matching leash and collar that are sold separately (or for $62.97 altogether).
Cost: The Blueberry Pet Soft & Comfortable 3M Reflective Multi-colored Stripe Mesh Padded Dog Harness Vestcosts an affordable $24.99.
Walking Benefits: The one piece unit is durable and easy to put on your dog, with an emblem that shows you the small dog harness is perfectly aligned for maximum comfort and safety. While the mesh is soft and flexible allowing great mobility, it is strong and has a metal ring for strength to hold the leash. Also the reflective stripes provide added safety when lighting is an issue.
General Customer Sentiment: The online reviews rave about the reflective soft materials and the ease of use and cleaning.
3: Best Small Dog Harness (Premium): Ruffwear – Front Range All-Day Adventure Harness for Dogs
The Ruffwear – Front Range All-Day Adventure Harness for Small Dogshas leash attachment points in the front (for training and dogs that pull) and the back (for more relaxed dogs) of the harness. This Front Range harness for small dogs simply slides over their heads and fastens with an easy to buckle and unbuckle side fastening system. There is a padded chest and even a belly panel for extra comfort and support, and the unit durably attaches to the leash with a strong aluminum ring supported with webbing. There is even a built in pocket so ID tags can be secured for walks. The Ruffwear – Front Range All-Day Adventure Harness for Small Dogs is a premium harness for small dogs and has a cost of $39.95.
This is a Front Rangesmall dog harness, for safety and comfort.
4: Best Small Dog Harness (Budget): JUXZH Soft Front Dog Harness
This small dog harness is put on from the front and is designed to eliminate potentially harmful pulling effects. The harness for small dogs is strengthened with nylon webbing and has reflective material for safe use late in the day or early in the evening.There is a leash attachment point in the front and back, for training and relaxed walking, and the leash rings are made of tough stainless steel. The JUXZH Soft Front Dog Harnesscosts an affordable $26.89
This extra soft front small dog harness features a no-pull harness with 2 leash attachments.
5: Best Small Dog Harness (Budget): Best Front Range No-Pull Dog Harness 3M Reflective Outdoor Adventure Pet Vest with Handle
This excellent budget brand harness for small dogs comes in 5 different sizes for small dogs and 3 different colors. The small dog harness is made of scratch resistant strong Oxford with a mesh lining and a foam lined chest, for maximum comfort, support and durability. Aluminum V-rings with webbing reinforcement hold the leash to the harness, and there is reflective material for nighttime safety. The Best Front Range No-Pull Dog Harness 3M Reflective Outdoor Adventure Pet Vest with Handle retails for only $23.95 for small size.
This excellent budget brand small dog harness comes in 5 different sizes and 3 colors, with extra padding and mesh for support and comfort.
Concerning the data used and factors analyzed in this qualitative study on the best small dog harness:
This qualitative study conducted research to identify the best small dog harness available for use for small dogs and also puppies. Finding the right harness for a small dog is important for their safety, health and welfare. This study gathered data taken from countless hours of research, from publicly available sites found online, from articles, websites and blogs, from customer reviews, comments and testimonials, from pet professional endorsed websites, and from other studies and publicly available sources of information. Furthermore, a short, anonymous phone survey was taken from dog kennels, groomers and trainers in a handful of cities in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The questions asked included:
- What is the best brand of small dog harness on the market?
- What do you look for in a harness for small dogs?
- What is the safest small dog harness?
- What brand and model of small dog harness do you usually use?
- What is the best material for a harness and what is the most durable type of small dog harness?
To score the comparison in this study to identify the best small dog harness, each category considered, safety, ease of use, durability, added benefits and features and materials used, all of the research and data gathered was given a weighted score. The small dog harnesses that had the highest combined scores made this consumer reference study, then, as one of the top 5 small dog harnesses available, based on this criteria set forth herein.
While cost is referenced in this research study for the best small dog harness for sale, it was not a determining factor. The cost notation was simply a reference point for consumers when they are ready to make a final decision to buy a small dog harness for their dogs. Therefore the cost factor was further broken down into two categories, though no harness for small dogs was excluded or included because of cost. Value, safety, comfort, durability, ease of use and benefits for the dog while walking were the determining factors compared in this study in an effort to identify the best harness for small dogs. The cost factor, for reference, was therefore broken down into 2 price points, as follows:
- Premium: Premium brands were designated at a price point of $30 apiece and up.
- Budget: Budget brands were designated at a price point of $30 apiece and under.
Tips for best use of a small dog harness for leash training your puppy:
- Find a front loading harness, specifically one with a ring for a leash attachment at the front of the harness, as this allows for more control over a puppy and is safer for puppies until they learn not to yank on the leash and harness. If you purchase a harness with multiple leash attachment points, this is even better for leash training. As the puppy calms down and gets used to using the leash, you can take more relaxed walks using the freer back attachment, praising and rewarding the puppy as you walk.
- Choose a harness that is strong and durable. Make sure that the harness is comfortable, with foam or padding to protect your puppy while pulling against the leash, but make sure the leach attachment ring is made of strong, durable materials like hardened plastic, aluminum or steel. Look for things like mesh webbing at buckle and attachment points that reinforce the small dog harness and provide extra strength. As your puppy learns to stop pulling, the extra support will not hurt; it just means that the harness itself is built to last. As always, make sure that the dog is comfortable with the harness, as each dog is unique, with unique bodies and sizes, and not every brand of harness will be a perfect fit.
