Buying a harness for your dog can be almost as difficult as buying jeans for yourself. The selection is huge, and the designs are varied. So what should you actually look for?

We have set out to investigate this and have asked:
veterinary nurse, Betina Nygaard Bæk from Dyrekassen Danmark , dog trainer, animal assistant/souvenir manager, Bettina Kjærgaard from Foderboxen and dog physiotherapist, Helle Hoffmann on what is important when you need to buy a harness for your dog.

Below you can see the three videos, each of which explains what is important when choosing a harness for your dog.

What is important when choosing a harness?

• The front legs should be free of the harness so that the dog has full mobility and there is nothing bothering the armpit.
• The shoulder joint must be completely free and must not hit the belt in front or on the side.
• The harness must not press on the neck, but must have pressure on the chest.
• The harness should lie well back on the back, preferably with a wide middle section, so that the pull is better distributed over the dog's body.
• The harness should lie firmly on the dog and should not twist too much to the sides.
• It is advisable to choose a harness that can be fastened in several places so that it can be better adjusted.
• The harness should fit snugly, but not too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers in (this also applies to collars).
• Padded harnesses are more comfortable for dogs and cause less wear on the coat.
• Many dogs prefer harnesses that the dog has to step into, as most dogs don't like having anything over their heads.
• Take into account whether your dog walks in front of or behind you when choosing a model: For example, some models are easier for a dog to jump out of if they tend to walk behind you.

What should you avoid when choosing a harness?

• Harnesses where everything is gathered around the dog's neck: This does not provide a good pull and is usually also uncomfortable for the dog to wear.
• Harnesses that put pressure on the neck and thus close off the dog's windpipe.
• Harnesses where the dog does not have full mobility in the front legs either because the front piece is too large or because the harness goes down over the shoulder joint.
• Harnesses that go over your head if your dog doesn't like to be put on anything.
• Harnesses with a large back piece if you have a long-haired dog, as these can cause the fur to tangle.

REMEMBER!

Always take your dog with you when you buy a harness, as harnesses fit differently on dogs. What fits one dog may not fit another, and getting used to the harness is important so that the dog does not see it as an assault. Read more about getting used to the harness here.

Although harnesses are especially important in the dog's young years, when it tends to pull outward more, and where a collar has a greater risk of causing injuries, a harness is not an excuse for not teaching the dog to walk properly.
Dogs still get injuries, now they just sit high up in the back where the pull on the harness is.