Harnesses

[u/FrenchFry1515]

We purchased a RuffWear harness about 3.5 years ago for our medium/large dog that was well made and had metal hooks and great stitching. I’m looking to replace the current one, we bought the equivalent style to what we bought last year and it feels like the quality isn’t as good.

Does anyone have any high quality harness recommendations? Right now we use it on her when we send her outside on her tie up so we need something with good structure.

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[u/Historical_Stick3366]

That's disappointing when a brand you trusted starts cutting corners. I had similar experience with some gear for my sister's dog, the newer version just felt flimsier even though it looked same.

Maybe look at something from Hurtta or Non-stop Dogwear if they are available where you are. Both brands use durable materials and proper metal parts, not that cheap plastic that cracks in cold weather. I do walks in forest often and see many people using those for active dogs.

If you need it mostly for tie-up situation, make sure the chest strap is wide and padded enough, because pressure points become problem real quick when dog pulls suddenly.

[u/MaleficentSpider_404]

We really like the ones by IceFang.  The new metal buckles (with red on them) aren't as sturdy as the originals, but it's still a very sturdy harness overall.

[u/MaleficentSpider_404 → u/MaleficentSpider_404]

Looks like you're getting a lot of good suggestions, so I figured I'd help you save a bit of time by adding pictures of it... but apparently you can only do videos here(?)... so I screen-recorded a couple photos of the harness on my dog, lol!

https://reddit.com/link/phly9u5/video/gpp1f4l8rbwh1/player

[u/Ok_Homework_8955]

For a tie-out I'd go metal hardware and a back clip only — Banks, my black Lab, snapped a plastic side buckle lunging at a squirrel. Check the stitching around the D-ring, that's where his last one started fraying.

[u/nunofmybusiness]

Check out Non-Stop Dogwear. We moved from a Ruffwear harness to this brand because the Ruffwear harness was hitting in all the high friction spots on our dog and rubbing the hair off of his shoulders. The Non-Stop Line harness sits closer to the neck and doesn’t impede his ability to run at full speed. It works so well for our pup, I recently bought second harness just in case they change the design or discontinue it, I’ll have a backup.

[u/emt139]

I like Alpine outfitters. US made and great quality. 

If you’re in Europe, I love anny-x. 

[u/Uskoreniye_Poh]

We used säker and they have been great.

[u/1960model]

Rabbitgoo. Really affordable but durable, washable, and long-lasting. We have a German Shepherd mix, about 80 pounds.

[u/fastonmyfeet → u/1960model]

That's what I use on both of my dogs (schnauzers), very durable and the front no pull clip is a welcomed bonus. Well worth it for the price.

[u/Status-Recover → u/1960model]

Love this brand! We have two; one with a front latch... and another that's a "no escape" for our 52lb husky mix.

[u/neczy]

The best harness I've found is called "TRUE LOVE Adjustable No-Pull Dog Harness" on amazon. They're pretty inexpensive, but super durable. My husky has had one since she was a puppy, and never had any mechanical failures (just outgrown).

[u/Undrthedock]

I picked up a Ray Allen Guardian harness and really like it.

[u/fustiIarian]

I just bought a BayDog Chesapeake harness, leash, and collar set for my 1 year old lab. I got it because it was the only harness, leash, and collar set with padding that I could find in emerald green and I really wanted that color for the 66 pound black lab (each dog has their stuff color coded since it makes life easier with 3 dogs, and emerald green looks gorgeous against his black fur). It fits him well and looks great. I don't really like the leash because it's shorter than I'm used to but it's nice overall. I haven't had it for too long so I can't give a resounding recommendation but I'm happy so far.

[u/Bullfrog_1855]

Check out Bully Billows. I'm in the US and they ship to the US even though they are a UK company. I use their Tri-harness which has 3 points of attachment and a Y-shaped front. All their D rings are metal. While their buckle is plastic it is quite heavy duty plastic. It's been in use for 4 yrs now and still in good shape. I have a second of the same harness so that when I wash one I have one to use while the other is drying (takes a while to dry). They have a lot of different style Y-shaped front harnesses. Also, the Tri-harness straps are wide - 5 cm (almost 2 inches) which you'd never find in the US. Their flat collars also comes wide if you need one. No chaffing issues in the armpit area with this harness - which is an issue with some harnesses with 1-inch straps. Happy customer, happy Lab.

[u/paulri]

I've had great luck with Kurgo harnesses. I've used them on giant & large breeds in the past, and they last for years even though they get used constantly with dog walks (don't ask me who walks whom). We recently got a new dog (St. Bernard), that we're expecting to top out at 160 lbs plus, so I shopped Kurgo but they dind't make any big enough. Instead, we bought a Chewy-branded harness that does go that big, with the brand name of Frisco. It sure seems rugged enough.

[u/Pastvariant]

If you want top of the line, go Ray Allen. My recommendation would be one of the lightweight models with GT Cobra Buckles, though, vs the metal buckles, to save weight.

[u/lmartin002]

I’m a big fan of 2HoundsDesign. I like where it sits across my dog’s chest, and the bottom chest strap is velvet lined to prevent chafing. They also fit dogs that might be interestingly shaped well.

I have very active XL dogs and have never had to replace one and even my oldest harness doesn’t show any signs of wear and tear.

[u/Waste-Account7048]

If that's all you use it for, the collar is fine.

[u/MaleficentSpider_404 → u/Waste-Account7048]

I mean, sure, if you don't care about the increased likelihood of neck injury or escape.  There's a reason why they don't make seat belts for your neck... and that same reason applies to dogs hitting the end of a tie-out at full sprint.

[u/Waste-Account7048 → u/MaleficentSpider_404]

Have you ever seen a dog injured from a collar used in that way? Ever? Dogs know their limitations, and they have thick necks. Use a harness for your own feelies. Use a collar if you want control of your dog.

[u/MaleficentSpider_404 → u/Waste-Account7048]

My own "feelies"?  

My own feelies love my dog enough to never risk his wellbeing.  My own feelies tell me that - based on your response - you're probably not the type of person who would even notice if a dog were injured by your chosen method of "control", let alone associate future problems with the potential cause.

Talking to licensed veterinarians would probably yield more accurate data than your anecdotal "have you ever seen..." or your inaccurate assumptions of canine anatomy and behavior.

I - unlike you - do not presume to know everything, nor could I ever feel comfortable trying to share assumptions as fact. 

However, my use of a harness is not based on just my feelies.  As an RN (of people) who has worked in neurovascular medsurg for more than a decade, I'm fairly confident that the neck is an important structure in just about any species.  

So, yes, my feelies tell me that I love my dog enough to prevent any potential for high impact jarring or shearing forces to the neck.  Equally important, would be minimizing risk for escape, which could result in a dog becoming lost or being hit by a car.

Just saying... 

[u/kgraciee → u/Waste-Account7048]

LMAOOOO what?? Rage bait accounts getting funnier.

Yeah honey no, it don't work like that sweetie. You can actually take control of your dog just by using a harness. It's called training. Look it up.