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10 Best Dog Harnesses in Canada – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Chelsie Fraser

By Chelsie Fraser

Vet approved

Dr. Tabitha Henson  Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Tabitha Henson

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Short-coated Brown, White, and Black Dog Wearing Red Harness

Dog harnesses offer a great alternative to a collar for keeping your dog safe and secure. Harnesses are often the best choice for running, walking, hiking, and other adventures, but it can be hard to know what to choose with so many different types available. The best dog harness will offer safety and comfort and be adaptable to different activities.

These reviews feature the 10 best dog harnesses in Canada to help you find the best one for your adventures. There’s also a buyer’s guide that outlines the different types of harnesses, including type and style, for various outdoor activities.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Rogz Step-In Harness Rogz Step-In Harness
  • No-pull harness
  • Easy to take on and off
  • Numbered tags to help you put the harness on correctly
  • Best Value
    Second place
    PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness
  • Many sizes
  • Chew-proof guarantee
  • Easy to replace if defective
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
  • Foam inside for added comfort
  • Breathable webbing
  • Two leash attachment points
  • RC Pet Products Step in Cirque Dog Harness RC Pet Products Step in Cirque Dog Harness
  • Easy closure system
  • Step-in design
  • Good option for owners with limited hand mobility
  • Kurgo Tru-Fit Crash Tested Dog Harness Kurgo Tru-Fit Crash Tested Dog Harness
  • Dual-purpose for vehicle travel and walking
  • Chest plate for extra crash protection
  • Compatible with any vehicle seatbelt
  • The 10 Best Dog Harnesses in Canada

    1. Rogz Step-In Harness – Best Overall

    Rogz Step-In Harness

    Material: Nylon, plastic
    Closure Type: Buckle

    If you’re in need of a casual, everyday harness for your dog, Rogz Step-In Harness is the best one overall. This is a no-pull harness that is easy to take on and off for daily walks. Once you’ve adjusted it to your dog, you can use the back buckle to snap it closed behind your dog’s shoulder blades.

    If you’re new to using a harness, it can be slightly confusing to put one on at first. The Rogz harness comes with numbered tags that tell you the order to adjust buckles. As a bonus, this harness is reflective to keep your dog visible at night.

    Pros
    • No-pull harness
    • Easy to take on and off
    • Numbered tags to help you put the harness on correctly
    • Reflective for nighttime visibility
    Cons
    • Tricky to adjust the first time

    2. PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness – Best Value

    PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness

    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Snap

    You don’t have to break your budget to get a quality, versatile dog harness. The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is the best dog harness in Canada for the money because it exceeds quality expectations for its price point. This is a no-pull harness with a leash attachment at the front and a great option for everyday use. It takes only a few minutes to adjust, and you can remove it with a single back snap.

    If your dog likes to chew on things, you’ll like the PetSafe harness because it has a 1-year chew damage replacement. If your dog does happen to destroy it, you can get the harness replaced for free. The company will also replace it for broken buckles or tears in the fabric. There are eight different sizes of harnesses available and simple instructions to measure your dog for the right fit.

    Pros
    • Many sizes
    • Chew-proof guarantee
    • Easy to replace if defective
    • Simple to adjust
    • Inexpensive compared to other brands
    Cons
    • May not fully alleviate leash-pulling

    3. RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness – Premium Choice

    RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness

    Material: Nylon, aluminum
    Closure Type: Pull-on

    The RUFFWEAR Front Range Harness may be the most expensive dog harness on this list, but it has unique features that make it worth considering. The body of the harness is made from reinforced webbing to make it breathable and comfortable to wear. It is also lined with foam padding for extra cushioning. There are two leash attachment points, so you can choose to attach them to your dog’s back or chest.

    If you walk your dog in the dark, the RUFFWEAR harness has a light loop attachment where you can attach The RUFFWEAR Beacon, an LED light that illuminates your dog. There are also reflective accents on the harness itself to make your dog easy to spot. Unique to this harness is a pocket for ID tag storage so you can remove your dog’s collar while they’re wearing the harness.

    Some customers report that this harness is tough to put on and off, as it needs to be pulled over your dog’s head like a sweater. This process can be difficult for large dogs.

    Pros
    • Foam inside for added comfort
    • Breathable webbing
    • Two leash attachment points
    • Beacon loop attachment
    • Reflective accents
    • ID tag storage pocket
    Cons
    • Difficult to put on and off

    4. RC Pet Products Step in Cirque Dog Harness

    RC Pet Products Step in Cirque Dog Harness

    Material: Mesh
    Closure Type: Hook and loop

    RC Pet Products Step in Cirque Dog Harness has an easy access system for dogs that aren’t comfortable with a harness being pulled over their head. It has breathable mesh fabric to avoid overheating and an adjustable hook-and-loop closure system. If you have difficulty with small buckles and adjustments, you’ll appreciate the easy adjustment system of this harness.

    While the Velcro closure system makes the harness easy to use, it does have limitations. The Cirque harness was designed with small dogs in mind. While it comes in sizes made for large dogs, the closure is unlikely to stand up to forceful pulling.

    Pros
    • Easy closure system
    • Step-in design
    • Good option for owners with limited hand mobility
    Cons
    • Velcro doesn’t stand up to leash-pulling

    5. Kurgo Tru-Fit Crash Tested Dog Harness

    Kurgo Tru-Fit Crash Tested Dog Harness

    Material: Nylon, steel
    Closure Type: Zipper

    The Kurgo Tru-Fit Crash Tested Dog Harness is a double-duty harness that works for walking your dog on a leash and for buckling them into the car. This harness has been crash-tested on dogs up to 75 pounds and has a padded chest plate for protection. The seat belt loop is compatible with any vehicle seatbelt, and there are no extra attachments required.

    The Kurgo dog harness has both a back and front D-ring leash attachment for walks and adventures. The harness has five adjustment points to ensure a snug and comfortable fit.

    The only downside with this dog harness is that the steel buckles rust over time. Very small dogs may also have trouble sitting comfortably in the car with this harness on, as the chest plate can push on their neck.

    Pros
    • Dual-purpose for vehicle travel and walking
    • Chest plate for extra crash protection
    • Compatible with any vehicle seatbelt
    • Two options for leash placement
    • Five adjustment points
    Cons
    • Buckles rust over time
    • Small dogs may have discomfort sitting with the chest plate

    6. Hurtta Active Dazzle Dog Harness

    Hurtta Active Dazzle Dog Harness

    Material: Nylon, Lycra
    Closure Type: Buckle

    For a highly visible harness made for active dogs, the Hurtta Active Dazzle Dog Harness has you covered. While this harness can be used for casual walking, it’s designed for hikers, bikers, and joggers who need a harness that stretches and moves with their dogs. It’s double-stitched for durability and contains Lycra to avoid developing pinch points. This dog harness is also machine washable, so you won’t have to worry about keeping it clean and fresh-smelling.

    There is only one back leash attachment on this Hurtta dog harness, so it’s best used for dogs that are trained to walk on a loose leash. You’ll need to check the sizing carefully before ordering, as there isn’t much adjustment room within a single size.

    Pros
    • Reflective
    • Stretches to avoid pinching
    • Machine washable
    • Double stitched for durability
    Cons
    • Not for dogs that pull
    • Must measure carefully for a good fit

    7. Canada Pooch Everything Dog Harness

    Canada Pooch Everything Dog Harness

    Material: Mesh
    Closure Type: Double ring

    The Canada Pooch Everything Dog Harness is a dual-purpose harness that can be used for exercise or for security in the car. It has two leash attachment points to meet your specific needs and a seatbelt loop to buckle in your dog. The neck and girth of this harness are adjustable, and the exterior is water-resistant.

    The sizing on this harness is a bit off, though, and most users report that it fits small. Ordering a size up seems to work well, but it makes the process frustrating if you’ve measured your dog for the perfect fit. Aside from the sizing issue, it is a durable, comfortable harness that works well for almost any activity.

    Pros
    • Two leash attachments
    • Dual-purpose activity harness and car safety harness
    • Adjustable neck and girth
    Cons
    • Fits small

    8. Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

    Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

    Material: Mesh, cotton
    Closure Type: Buckle

    The Rabbitgoo Dog Harness is made for medium-sized to large dogs that like to pull on the leash and risk choking themselves. It has both a neck and back D-ring leash attachment and a large chest piece to secure your dog. If you find that you have trouble keeping hold of your dog on walks, this harness is a great choice to give you added leverage and control. It adjusts easily and can be taken on and off with a single buckle.

    This dog harness is hand wash only, which can be a bit of a pain if you use it daily. It does, however, stand up to heavy use and abuse from large dogs, so this may be worth putting up with for the value that this harness offers.

    Pros
    • Dual leash attachments
    • Large chest piece offers control
    • No-choke harness
    • Easy to adjust
    Cons
    • Hand wash only

    9. Lupine Step-in Harness

    Lupine Step-in Harness

    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Buckle

    The Lupine Step-in Harness is a front-pull, wraparound style that requires you to put your dog’s paw through each opening in the harness before buckling it up. This is more of an everyday walking harness, but it’s quite durable. Since Lupine backs all its products with a replacement guarantee, you can return damaged harnesses for new ones, even if your dog chews them up. This guarantee lasts for life, which is something that other brands don’t offer.

    There is no padding on the inside of this harness, so it’s prone to creating pressure points on your dog if it’s not fitted correctly. It also fits looser than other harnesses, which enables some dogs to escape from it.

    Pros
    • Simple design
    • Suitable for everyday wear
    • Lifetime replacement guarantee
    Cons
    • Loose fitting
    • Lack of padding can create pressure points

    10. Puppia International Harness

    Puppia International Harness

    Material: Polyester
    Closure Type: Buckle

    The Puppia International Harness is 100% polyester breathable mesh with an adjustable chest belt. The comfortable padded neck ring means it won’t put pressure on your dog during wear, and the product is machine washable for easy cleaning. Putting this harness on requires pulling it over your dog’s head, so it isn’t suitable for all dogs.

    The quick-release buckle on this harness is made from plastic and can break with excessive use. Fit is another concern, as the harness must fit your dog perfectly to use. There are few adjustment points on the harness to adjust the size.

    Pros
    • Machine washable
    • Breathable mesh
    • Padded neck
    Cons
    • Buckle may break
    • Hard to fit

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Harness in Canada

    Is a Dog Harness Better Than a Collar?

    There isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer to this question, as it depends on what activity you are using the gear for. Harnesses offer a more secure fit than collars and avoid placing pressure on your dog’s neck from the leash. This is beneficial for dogs that pull on the leash, and many harnesses are designed specifically to address this issue.

    That said, harnesses are more expensive than collars and can’t be worn full-time. You will still need to outfit your dog with a collar for holding identification and registration tags.

    So, if you don’t know whether to choose a harness or a collar, consider how you want to use the gear to determine the most effective one for your dog. Dogs that can walk on loose leashes will be perfectly safe outfitted with just a collar. Dogs that lunge, pull, or quickly change directions on a leash can sustain damage to their neck and throat in a collar.

    Dogs that participate in adventures that require them to wear or carry gear like backpacks, life jackets, or cooling vests will benefit from wearing a harness. Harnesses are also beneficial for escape artists, as it is much harder for your dog to get out of a harness than a collar.

    To summarize, here is a short list of the pros and cons of dog harnesses.

    Pros
    • Reduces pulling
    • Prevents damage to your dog’s neck and throat
    • Secure
    Cons
    • Not that convenient to put on and off
    • No way to attach ID tags
    • Can be uncomfortable

    Features to Look for in a Dog Harness

    Let’s look at the different styles and features of dog harnesses that you should consider when making a purchase.

    Where the leash attaches to a dog harness indicates how it will function. Standard dog harnesses connect at the back. Harnesses designed to stop your dog from pulling on the leash will connect at the front. Some harnesses have both connection points to accommodate two-touch training.

    Any harness that you choose should meet adjustability, comfort, and sizing criteria.

    Dog Breeds That Benefit From a Harness

    While any breed can benefit from a well-fitted harness, some breeds should absolutely be walked in a harness rather than a collar.

    Brachycephalic breeds

    Dogs with flat faces like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs can have respiratory issues due to the shape of their nose. Harnesses are usually a safer choice than a collar for walking these dogs.

    Tracheal collapse

    If your dog has suffered from a tracheal collapse that makes it hard to breathe, they should be outfitted with a harness for walking. Using a collar can worsen the condition.

    Spinal problems

    Long-bodied dogs like Dachshunds can suffer from spinal injuries like slipped discs or intervertebral disc disease. Removing pressure from their neck helps prevent further damage.

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    Conclusion

    The Rogz Step-In Harness is the best overall dog harness in Canada because of its versatility and durability. It is adjustable, easy to put on, and comfortable for your dog to wear daily. The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is the best value for the money. This harness provides everything that a no-pull harness should, including easy adjustments and easy cleaning.

    It even has a chew-proof guarantee, and it is available at a lower price than many other harness brands.


    Featured Photo Credit: James Frid, Pexels

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