Small Dog Harness Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have reviewed the 8 best harnesses for small dogs on the market, we will get to some common questions regarding this topic, with the first one being why do you need a different type of harness for a small dog.
Our answer is that the harnesses for big dogs are often designed for specific purposes, depending on the breed, weight, aggressiveness and more. Some may be designed for walking only, while some others would be designed for traveling with a big dog in a car.
Similarly, many harnesses for big dogs need to be strong around their neck part to prevent them from pulling and dragging their owner, although not as much as to choke them. Harnesses for the small dogs, however, need to be much gentler around the neck area, as they are usually not anywhere as aggressive when it comes to pulling.
Further, small dog harnesses ideally need to have more padding around the front area and should be overall softer than the ones designed for big dogs, as the former can get choked much more easily. Some dog owners also prefer a no-pull option, which might provide a snugger fit as compared to a traditional harness.
There are some other similar reasons too, but we are sure you get the idea, and we can move on to the other useful factors to consider.
Never Compromise On The Quality And Safety
For a small dog, nothing can be more important than the quality and safety of the harness. The harness must be strong enough not to break, even if your small furry buddy is too aggressive of a puller for their age. No-pull harnesses are an excellent choice for such little beasts.
However, at the same time, the sturdiness must not translate to a rough material that’s too hard on your dog’s skin. There have been some complaints from customers about some harnesses hurting a particular area of their dog’s body, which is not what you would want.
If your dog is very skilled at escaping from the harness, then it’s essential that you choose a harness that prevents escape. You wouldn’t want your dog escaping the harness at the wrong time and ending up in trouble.
A snug fit, too, is more important than you may think. The harness must hold securely around your dog, but not get too tight to make it uncomfortable for them.
If the harness remains loose around your dog, then you may always run the risk of your dog escaping it. Many sellers/manufacturers have detailed instructions on their product pages for helping you get the right size, so make sure you follow them well.
Typically, it’s recommended to go with the smaller size when in doubt between two sizes, so that your pup gets a snug fit.
Finally, a reflective material can be an important factor for those that tend to walk their dogs during the night or in low-light conditions, where the reflective material would help them with the visibility.
Don’t Forget the Comfort Too
Just because a harness is safe and offers a good fit doesn’t mean it will turn out to be comfortable enough for your pup. The comfort is particularly important for small dogs, as anything that causes even a bit of discomfort to them can give them a hard time.
The material is the most crucial factor here. It must be soft, comfortable, and ideally even breathable. A mesh material can be a good choice for dogs that are very small and delicate, though not necessary for bigger dogs.
The padding is another important factor to consider. The better the level of padding, the less friction the harness would cause against your dog’s skin.
If all else fails, you can always consider carrying your tiny pooch around in a carrier purse instead.
Other Nice-To-Have Features
There are some other useful features as well that you may want to consider. We will quickly walk you through them below.
- The harness should ideally be straightforward to put on and remove
- 2 leash attachment points (especially for heavy pullers)
- A handle that allows you to lift your pup easily when needed
- Multiple points of adjustment
- Lightweight (given you’re getting it for a small dog)
- LED Collar for added visibility at night
However, there are few harnesses that come with all these features. Now, if your harness doesn’t tick all the boxes here, it doesn’t mean that it’s a wrong product. In fact, for your budget, it may be a perfect fit.
That said, if your budget does allow, then you should go for our top pick.
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