The 7 Best Dog Harnesses For Golden Retrievers
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The Golden Retriever is a large sized dog breed that is known for being highly intelligent. Despite its size, it is the friendliest and easy-going breed, being loved and adored by owners all over the world.
Golden Retrievers make wonderful companions, as they are incredibly social, loving, and affectionate.
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How Do I Ensure The Best Fit For My Labrador Retriever
First, you cant go by weight alone. You should also measure your Labs chest and neck before you purchase a harness.
For the best fit, measure your dogs chest at its widest point and add two inches in case your pooch gains any weight or has a heavy winter coat .
While not all harnesses use neck measurements, its a good idea to know how big your dogs neck is in case the harness fits over the head.
If you have no idea how much your Lab weighs, you can try stepping on the scale with him, then weigh yourself and take the difference. Or call your vet.
After fastening all the clips and making adjustments, check to see how tight it is by trying to fit two fingers under the straps. If you cant fit two fingers, then the harness is too tight and is probably uncomfortable for your dog.
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Front Range Harness By Ruffwear
This is a really versatile harness great for everyday walks, but durable for more active outings.
Its a non-restrictive harness, ensuring great range of motion for the shoulders and elbows, and eliminating pressure on the neck.
The Front Range Harness has soft padding on the straps, so its a bit more substantial than some of the others on this list, but still light and comfortable for your dog.
It offers four points of adjustment so you can get a proper fit for your Golden Retriever.
It also has two points of connection for the leash: one at the back of the shoulders, and one in front of the chest for dogs that pull.
To put the harness on, slip it over their head and then buckle each side of the girth strap at the back of their shoulders that means your dog doesnt have to step into the harness.
This harness has a couple of cool safety features as well.
Reflective trim helps keep your dog visible and there is a small loop where you can attach a light.
It also comes in a whopping 16 different colors!
Also Check: How Much Are Golden Retrievers Worth
How To Fit Your Dog For A Harness
No two dogs are alike, so it’s important to adjust their harness properly to get the right fit. Start by selecting the correct size. Most harnesses are sized according to a dog’s chest circumference or girth. To figure out your dog’s chest circumference, have them stand in a relaxed position, then wrap a flexible cloth tape measure around the widest part of their chest, just behind the armpits. Compare their girth to the available sizes and choose the harness that will fit them best.
Once you have the right size harness, you can fit it to your dog’s proportions. Begin by putting the harness on their body loosely. Adjust the straps around the chest, leaving two-fingers-width of space between their body and the strap. When secure, adjust the strap around the neck and/or any other straps on the harness, following the two-finger rule.
Give your dog the opportunity to move around in the harness both off leash and on, watching for any gaping or rubbing against the body. Loosen or tighten the straps as needed.
The Durable Comfortable Ruffwear Web Master Harnesshas A Padded Handle For Easy Lifting When Your Dog Needs Extra Support
Pros: Padded handle, comfortable, five sizes, durable material and hardware, reflective trim
Cons: Only three colors
- Good for: Senior, disabled, or injured dogs dogs that dont pull
- Available sizes: XXS to large/XL
- Available colors: Blue, red, gray
- Warranty: Limited warranty
Its never more obvious that not all dog harnesses are created equal than when you have an injured or aging pet. Regular activities like going up the stairs or climbing into the car may require an enormous effort. If your dog needs a little extra support to live their best life, can make all the difference.
The Ruffwear Web Master is made for comfortable everyday wear for dogs of all abilities with foam padding sewn into the panel that rests on your dogs spine and on two of the adjustable straps. Reflective material lines the edges of the harness, and the leash clips to a sturdy aluminum ring on top.
The flexible and lightweight harness can be easily adjusted in five places to accommodate all ranges of mobility. But its the reinforced, padded handle at the top that really makes a difference for pups with special needs. Its an excellent harness for rehab from injuries, according to Slovikoski. It fits so well and has that great support handle on the back.
While this is the most expensive harness on our list and the color options are limited, the Ruffwear Web Master can help you maintain your dogs quality of life, no matter what stage they are in.
Read Also: How To Groom A Golden Retriever
The Best Time To Start Using A Harness
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyones individual physiology and preferences are different. However, many experts suggest starting to use a harness as early as possible, ideally when your dog is a puppy. This is because a harness distributes the pulling force across the dogs chest and back, as opposed to just the neck, which can cause pain and other health problems.When selecting a harness for your dog, its important to choose one that is comfortable and fits well. There are a variety of different harnesses on the market, so its important to do your research to find the best one for your dogs size and breed.If you have a young or active dog, a harness can be a great way to keep them safe and comfortable when youre out and about. Harnesses are also a good option for dogs who are susceptible to pulling on the leash, as they can help to prevent
The Best Harness For Injured Or Senior Dogs
The durable, comfortable Ruffwear Web Master Harness has a padded handle for easy lifting when your dog needs extra support.
Pros: Padded handle, comfortable, five sizes, durable material and hardware, reflective trim
Cons: Only three colors
- Good for: Senior, disabled, or injured dogs dogs that don’t pull
- Available sizes: XXS to large/XL
- Available colors: Blue, red, gray
- Warranty: Limited warranty
It’s never more obvious that not all dog harnesses are created equal than when you have an injured or aging pet. Regular activities like going up the stairs or climbing into the car may require an enormous effort. If your dog needs a little extra support to live their best life, Ruffwear’s Web Master Harness can make all the difference.
The Ruffwear Web Master is made for comfortable everyday wear for dogs of all abilities with foam padding sewn into the panel that rests on your dog’s spine and on two of the adjustable straps. Reflective material lines the edges of the harness, and the leash clips to a sturdy aluminum ring on top.
The flexible and lightweight harness can be easily adjusted in five places to accommodate all ranges of mobility. But it’s the reinforced, padded handle at the top that really makes a difference for pups with special needs. “It’s an excellent harness for rehab from injuries,” according to Slovikoski. “It fits so well and has that great support handle on the back.”
Also Check: How Many Hairs On A Golden Retriever
Tips For Getting Your Golden Retriever Accustomed To A Harness
Early training of your Golden Retriever puppy is important for helping them develop into a well-mannered adult. Its imperative that you expose them to new situations, such as wearing a harness, as young as possible. Even if you have a newly adopted adult Golden, its never too late to get them used to the concept of using a harness. Follow these tips to ensure a smooth transition when getting your Golden Retriever accustomed to a harness.
Best Harness For A Golden Retriever Reviewed
Below, you will find reviews of the top 10 Golden Retriever harnesses available on the market. Ive included pros, cons, and key features of each model to help you decide what is the best kind of dog harness for a Golden Retriever.
The Noxgear LightHound Reflective Dog Harness is made from lightweight but durable materials that are ideal for active Golden Retrievers.
Key Features
- Sturdy leash attachment
- Rechargeable LED lights
Designed to increase a dogs visibility, this harness is an excellent choice for late evening walks. It is very easy to put on and take off, and its lightweight design allows for a free range of motion.
Pros
- Comes in many sizes and different colors
- Made from sturdy and durable materials
- Easily adjustable for the perfect fit
Cons
- LED lights can stop working after some time
Overall, the Noxgear LightHound Reflective Dog Harness is a sound investment if you are looking for a comfortable Golden Retriever harness that will make your dog more visible.
- Reflective stripes for better visibility in low light
- Available in sizes to fit golden retriever puppies and adult dogs
Durable and comfortable, the PetSafe padded dog harness offers a great fit. The no-pull martingale design means its easy to head out for a walk at a moments notice just clip on your favorite leash and go!
Pros
Cons
- Might be difficult to put on very wiggly dogs
Cons
- Pouches are sold separately
Recommended Reading: Golden Retriever Apartment
Best Adventure Harness: Embark Active Dog Harness
This rugged adventure dog harness is lightweight and durable, made from no-rip nylon with comfortable padding. It is one of the best harnesses for Golden Retrievers thanks to its several points of adjustment for a secure fit, and two attachment points to suit your walking needs. Its perfect for going on long hikes and trail walks, whether you live in the countryside or have gone on an explorers weekend!
Golden Retriever owner review: My golden retriever looks cool wearing the harness, and she loves it too. I really like the foam padding, and its super easy to put on.
Ensure Your Pup Is Safe And Comfortable On Your Next Trek
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Harnesses are a great option for taking dogs who like to pull on a walk and can be helpful for training. They not only help prevent an excited walker from straining their neck by spreading the load over your pups shoulder and chest instead but also give you a much better angle and more control.
You might even be surprised to find that youre able to walk your dog on a loose leash while using a harness. Harnesses can be pretty stylish too, coming in many different colors and textures, plus sizes suitable for every breed of dog. A well-fit harness should be comfortable enough on your dog’s shoulders and chest to be worn for hours.
Here are the best dog harnesses.
The Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness is made with versatility in mind. The soft, padded harness has a place to clip a leash on both the front, for correcting dogs who like to pull, and the back, for taking jogs, hikes, or runs with dogs that are already leash trained. There are a several points where you can adjust the fit to make sure the harness sits just right across your dog’s chest and back.
Also Check: Golden Retriever Do They Shed
Golden Retriever Harness Buyers Guide
Before you buy a dog harness for your Golden Retriever, there are a number of things to consider. Golden Retrievers love to pull, so if you are trying to snap your older Golden out of a bad pulling habit, youll want to look at no-pull dog harnesses. If you are starting from puppyhood, you can start with a more comfortable option. Age plays a factor, as does the type, adjustability, comfort, safety, durability, and lastly cost. Lets jump in and learn more about the types of harnesses, followed by the remaining factors youll want to consider.
Read Also: When Will My Golden Retriever Calm Down
Different Types Of Dog Harnesses For Golden Retrievers
There are four basic harness styles that you can find for large breeds, such as Golden Retrievers. The first, and most common, is a back-clip harness. This harness fits the same as most harnesses, covering their chest, going around their front legs, and fastening in the back.
A back-clip harness has a D-ring on their back that you can use to attach the leash. While this is a common harness option, it is not the best Golden Retriever harness, unless your dog is already trained and well-behaved.
The next best option may be more suited for a high energy large breed, such as a young Golden Retriever. That is the front-clip harness. It is exactly the same as the previous option in every aspect, except the metal D-ring is located on their chest. A front-clip harness is better for large breeds because it will give you more control over their tendency to pull.
If youre uncertain which you should choose, you could opt for the front and back-clip harness. It merely combines these two options so you can clip the leash on the front or back, depending on your preference based on your dogs personality.
The last harness option is the head-halter harness. It is a fantastic choice if you have an extremely high energy or unruly dog. The head-halter harness will discourage pulling and lunging in a pain-free way. Many people are trying these over traditional choke-collars or pronged collars because they dont cause as much discomfort or irritability.
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Why Trust The Spruce
This roundup was written by Anne Fritz, who has been researching pet products for The Spruce for more than two years. Before writing this article, she gathered information from customer reviews, third-party articles, and brand websites’ details. She has a fetching Awoo Roam Harness for her 10-year old mixed breed who is past his pulling days.
How To Train Your Golden Retriever To Love Wearing Their Harness
Once youve decided which of these top harnesses is the best match for your Golden Retriever and what size to get, its important to introduce the harness to them in a positive way.
Rather than simply slapping the harness on them and heading out for a walk, spend a little time getting them used to it using positive reinforcement training.
This excellent video by trainer Chirag Patel shows how you can build a positive association with the harness and get your dog to cooperate with putting it on.
With some patience and good treats, your dog will be happy to put the harness on while holding still.
The harness will also become associated with going outside on walks, so that will build positive feelings about the harness, too.
Ultimately, a harness is a tool to help you and your dog enjoy life together with more ease and comfort.
So whether your pup likes leisurely neighborhood strolls, or they love long, adventurous hikes, a non-restrictive harness can be a great option for your Golden Retriever.
Have any questions about which harness to get for your Golden?
Let me know down in the comments!
P.S. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook!
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For Tiny Dogs: Puppia Soft Harness
The Puppia Soft Harness is a soft, adjustable vest made to keep a toy-sized dog safe. Since these dogs can be squirmy or have low-slung bodies, a more-flexible fabric construction can stay in place better than nylon straps or a universal design like that of the Kurgo Tru-Fit vest. The Puppia is available in sizes small enough for use on a dog with a 9-inch chest, such as a 3½-pound Chihuahua.
The vest shape keeps the harness snug without putting pressure on your small pups delicate neck, and it works with a variety of dog body shapes thanks to its flexible materials and adjustable chest loop. This design is especially good if your dog is an escape artist and might slip one leg out from under a nylon harness strap and hightail it three blocks in a flash. But since the Puppia harness has no give in the neck area, finding a proper fit can be challenging. We recommend double-checking your pups measurements before purchasing the Puppia the manufacturer advises adding ¼ to ½ inch to the neck measurement and measuring at the base of the neck for a proper fit.
The Puppia harness is easy to wash and comes in a wide variety of colors. Even though the harness fits dogs with chests from 9 to 41 inchessay, from a 3½-pound Chihuahua to a 60-pound Labwe dont recommend using it for non-toy breeds due to its lack of a front attachment.