Studies show that for many dogs a dog harness is a better alternative to a collar. A dog collar puts pressure on the dog’s throat, which can lead to coughing fits, breathing difficulty, and problems with the spinal cord. In certain breeds such as pugs, pulling on a dog collar puts pressure on the eyes and can lead to eye problems and even blindness. A good leather dog harness and leash put no pressure on your dog’s neck, concentrating all the pressure on the chest instead. Leather dog harnesses have proven to be better training tools than collars because they allow for better control, discouraging pulling and jumping. They also help distracted dogs focus on the task at hand. Most dog harnesses do not have a loop for ID tags however, so getting your dog both a harness for walking and a collar for identification is ideal.
There are several types of dog harnesses available on the market, the two most popular being the back clip harness and the front clip harness. The back clip harness is by far the most comfortable for both pet and owner, but it doesn’t offer as much control. This harness is best for dogs who don’t pull on the leash during walks. The front clip harness is intended more as a training tool, as it allows the owner to deter pulling behavior and direct the dog with a small tug of the leash. It isn’t as comfortable for walks, and dogs can sometimes get their legs tangled in the leash if it is too loose, but it is a great choice for puppies and dogs that need to be taught how to take a walk properly.
Top 5 Leather Dog Harnesses – Best Leather Dog Harness Comparison
#1 Best Leather Dog Harnesses: Dogs Kingdom 24″- 32″ Soft Leather Dog Harness & leash Set (Budget)
This leather dog harness and leash set made it to the top of the list for several reasons. First, its price: for just $28.99, you get a sturdy, genuine leather dog harness and leash. The leather is strong but pliable and extremely durable.
This leather dog harness features nickel plated hardware and a strong loop for leash attachment. The five adjustable straps means it will fit most medium dogs and will allow for ease of movement.
This dog harness is lightweight, making it comfortable for your dog to wear. Being secured by straps instead of clips means that your dog will not easily be able to slip out of it, making it a safe alternative to nylon harnesses that close with plastic clips. The leash is over 27 inches long and sports a genuine leather handle that is comfortable to hold. This is a back clip harness.
#2 Best Leather Dog Harnesses: Beirui 1” Width Genuine Leather Soft and Padded Dog Harness (Premium)
The Beirui 1” Width Genuine Leather dog harness is one of the best on the market right now. It is a back clip harness made of strong, flexible leather that is padded on the inside for your dog’s ultimate comfort. Its all natural materials mean that this leather dog harness will not irritate your dog’s skin or otherwise affect his or her coat (one of the main reasons why it’s better to go with leather).
The 1 inch straps make this dog harness light and allow for full range of movement while still letting the owner control pulling and other unwanted behaviors. This leather dog harness is easy to slip on and features adjustable straps for the best fit. It comes in medium and large sizes, so it is suitable for dogs with chest sizes between 30.5 and 36 inches. The large harness retails for $44.99 and the medium sized one for $39.99.
#3 Best Leather Dog Harnesses: Genuine Leather Dog Harness Large (Premium)
This leather dog harness is as sturdy as they come. This harness is intended for bulky breeds with strong chests and shoulders such as bulldogs and pit bulls. You can use the five adjustable straps to create a snug fit for dogs with chest circumference between 28 and 35 inches.
The strap eyelets are metal enforced for added durability and strength. What this study likes best about this leather harness is that it is padded on the inside with soft suede, which makes it comfortable to wear.
It also features a large breast plate for added comfort and control. The high grade leather results in a light dog harness that lets dogs move naturally and without hindrance. This dog leather harness retails for $49.90 and is a great choice for training or walks.
#4 Best Leather Dog Harnesses: Brown Genuine Leather Dog Harness (Premium)
This leather dog harness is one of the sturdiest on the market, yet still flexible enough to ensure a comfortable and safe fit. Its light weight makes it easy for your dog to get used to it. The harness features four adjustable straps that can be adjusted to fit chests from 25 to 30 inches.
This dog harness’ generous breast plate is designed for comfort and maximum control. It is a back clip harness fitted with nickle plated hardware, metal lined eyelets and a heavy duty D-ring.
It is easy to put on and off and distributes the pressure evenly between your dog’s chest and shoulders. It retails for a reasonable $36.40 and is extremely durable. This dog harness combines sturdiness and elegance in the most efficient way.
#5 Best Leather Dog Harnesses: Beirui Genuine Leather Dog Harness (Budget)
Beirui is making this study’s list twice thanks to this quality genuine leather dog harness. It comes in three sizes (12.5 inches to 20.5 inches, 16 to 24 inches and 16 to 30 inches), and is handmade and made of genuine soft and durable leather. It features three adjustable straps for a snug, comfortable fit that allows for the relaxed movement of muscles.
The main reason this is one of the best dog harnesses out there is that the D-ring for leash attachment can be situated either on the front or the back of the harness, making it the perfect training tool and walking tool at once. This flexible leash attachment feature makes it a one of a kind leather dog harness, and its price tag of $27.99 (for the largest of the three sizes) cannot be beat for this kind of quality and versatility. Beirui also offers a 30 day money back guaranteed or free replacement if you don’t like the product or if it gets damaged for any reason.
Criteria used in this study’s product selection
- Safety: Safety is always the first concern in selecting items like leather dog harnesses and leashes. All items in this list are safe and trustworthy and have many features that help ensure that no harm comes to the dogs who wear them, such as large breastplates, a snug fit, padded interiors and durability. When used properly, all dog harnesses in this list provide the highest level of safety in and of themselves, and also help keep dogs safe by not letting them wriggle out of the harness or chew their way to freedom.
- Effectiveness: This study took into account testimonials, product reviews and customer satisfaction ratings to ascertain that all leather dog harnesses in this list work as well as the seller claims they do, either as training harnesses or walking tools. All of these dog harnesses help gain better control over the dog’s movements and direction and can be instrumental in correcting unwanted behaviors like pulling, tugging, jumping and heeling.
- Price efficiency: All of the leather dog harnesses and leashes provided by this study are the most cost efficient in their categories, based on their construction, durability, attributes and function. Dog harnesses and leashes retailing for more than $35 were deemed premium products based on the price paid by the average customer for leather harnesses and leashes.
How to properly choose your leather dog harness
- Assess your dog’s breed and size. Not all leather harnesses will fit any dog, nor will just any harness work with your dog’s personality. It is important to get a harness that is designed for your dog’s breed, as not all dog harnesses offer the same support based on a dog’s shape. Bulldogs, for example, are barrel chested, while greyhounds have much more slender, elongated chests. Also, for dogs that pull a lot, you may consider other alternatives as a temporary training measure, such as pringe collars. (If pringe collars are used correctly, they are entirely harmless for your dog. Dogs actually like the gentle pinching of the neck by the collar which mimicks the feeling of a dog’s mother gently pinching the neck.)
- Think of your dog’s temperament and age. Boisterous puppies with a lot of energy and little training will require a more controlling leather dog harness, preferably one with a front clip attachment, which allows the owner to change directions and turn their puppy towards them for further instruction. Puppies also get bigger, so it is important to get a harness that can grow with your puppy for as long as possible before buying a larger dog harness once the puppy has reached adulthood. Not all dogs take well to harnesses, especially older dogs who are used to a collar. Lighter, thinner and soft padded dog harnesses are best for these types of dogs, as they are more comfortable and don’t hinder movement. Be aware that some dogs will never feel truly comfortable wearing a dog harness no matter how good it is. Always be aware of your dog’s comportment and be ready to go back to a regular collar if the harness is making him or her anxious, depressed or uncomfortable.
Measure well. Statistics show that the number one cause of dissatisfaction in dog owners who purchase dog harnesses is that the harness they ordered is either too big or too small for their dog. Most companies who sell dog harnesses warn about taking the time to correctly measure a dog’s chest before ordering.
Give specific measurements for their various sizes. Most are also happy to replace the harness if it doesn’t fit, but the majority of the time, it is the dog owner who did not measure their dog accurately. Get a good soft tape measure and measure your dog’s chest while it is standing up. Measuring your dog’s chest while it is sitting or laying on its side will give you a false measurement and could result in you ordering the wrong harness size.
