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10 Best Harnesses for Basset Hounds – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

female basset hound with a harness sitting on grass

Once bred for their keen nose and short stature that made it easier for hunters without horses to keep up, the Basset Hound is a popular family dog. They’re loyal and affectionate but have never lost their determined hunting spirit. While this makes them great partners for search-and-rescue teams, it can make walks troublesome if they’re constantly slipping out of their collars in search of interesting scents.

The right harness can help keep your Basset Hound safe by reducing their tendency to pull, protecting their neck, and preventing them from getting loose. With their unique body shape, though, finding a sturdy harness that’s reliable but comfortable for your dog can be a challenge.

We listed 10 of our favorite harnesses for Basset Hounds in the following reviews to show you how many options there are and the styles that are best suited for your hound.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness
  • Padded straps to ensure comfort
  • Available in five sizes and nine colors
  • Two D-rings for your preferred leash attachment
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Frisco Nylon Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness Frisco Nylon Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness
  • Fully adjustable for a secure fit
  • Made with durable and fade-resistant material
  • Two D-rings to reduce strain on the buckle
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness
  • Made with breathable and waterproof material
  • Reflective chest strap and side panels
  • Customizable Velcro side panels
  • Best for Puppies
    Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness
  • Made with high-quality but lightweight mesh
  • Chest belt is adjustable to ensure a secure and comfortable fit
  • Five colors and sizes
  • Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness
  • Designed to prevent pulling without choking your dog
  • Padded chest straps to ensure comfort
  • Made with elasticized mesh to ensure freedom of movement
  • The 10 Best Harnesses for Basset Hounds

    1. Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness — Best Overall

    Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness

    Check Price on Chewy
    Harness Type: No-pull
    Material: Polyester
    Closure Type: Quick release
    Features: Reflective, dual clips, built-in handle

    Basset Hounds are renowned for getting excited over new scents, so a sturdy harness is essential for ensuring that you can keep control whenever they get distracted. The Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness is made with durable polyester and tough buckles to ensure that it’s up to the task of keeping your dog safe. The Chai’s Choice is the best overall harness for Basset Hounds.

    The harness is made with padded chest, belly, and back straps to ensure a comfortable fit, with reflective material for walks at night. It has two D-rings to attach a leash to, with one on the back panel and another on the chest to prevent pulling.

    All five sizes are available in nine colors and can be used for walks and for keeping your dog safe in the car. However, some dog owners have found the measurements for the Chai’s Choice harness to be smaller than average, so they needed to size up.

    Pros
    • Padded straps to ensure comfort
    • Available in five sizes and nine colors
    • Two D-rings for your preferred leash attachment
    • Features reflective material for nighttime walks
    • Suitable for walks and buckling your dog into the car
    Cons
    • The harness is on the small side

    2. Frisco Nylon Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness — Best Value

    Frisco Nylon Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness

    Harness Type: Step in
    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Buckle
    Features: Front clip

    One of the simplest and most affordable designs is the Frisco Nylon Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness. It’s an easy-to-use, step-in harness that can help prevent escape attempts if your Basset Hound is good at slipping out of their collar. Unlike bulkier options, the Frisco Nylon Step-In harness focuses on straps rather than wide panels to ensure that the design is breathable. The simplicity, sturdiness, and affordability make this the best harness for Basset Hounds for the money.

    There are four colors to choose from, and each is made with durable, fade-resistant nylon. The buckle is nestled between the two D-rings at the back of the harness to help prevent the clasp from breaking open under pressure.

    All the straps making up this harness are fully adjustable to suit Basset Hounds of all ages. The measurements are on the small side, though, so you might need to choose a larger option to ensure that it fits your Basset Hound correctly.

    Pros
    • Fully adjustable for a secure fit
    • Made with durable and fade-resistant material
    • Two D-rings to reduce strain on the buckle
    • The step-in design prevents dogs from slipping out of the harness
    • Simple, breathable design
    Cons
    • The measurements for the harness are on the small side

    3. Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness — Premium Choice

    Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness

    Harness Type: Over the head
    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Buckle
    Features: Reflective, built-in handle, removable side labels

    Many Basset Hounds are used in search-and-rescue teams and as service dogs, and they need a durable harness to work in. The Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness is designed to support the needs of working dogs and ordinary companion animals. It’s the most expensive option on this list but also enables you to fully customize the harness with Velcro side panels and seven different colors.

    Made with a waterproof exterior and a breathable lining, the Julius-K9 harness is padded for comfort and has a thick reflective band on the chest strap for nighttime walks. Both the built-in handle and the D-ring are durable and secure enough for you to keep your dog close by.

    Unfortunately, this harness only has one place to attach the leash, on the back of the harness. This won’t prevent your Basset Hound from pulling if they sniff out a scent that they’re interested in.

    Pros
    • Made with breathable and waterproof material
    • Reflective chest strap and side panels
    • Customizable Velcro side panels
    • Sturdy design for working dogs and ordinary canines
    • Durable D-ring for a reliable leash attachment
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Isn’t designed to prevent pulling

    4. Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness — Best for Puppies

    Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness

    Harness Type: Back clip
    Material: Polyester
    Closure Type: Buckle
    Features: Quick-release chest belt

    Although it’s not as durable as some other harnesses, the Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness is a good choice for a Basset Hound puppy. It’s soft, lightweight, and made with a breathable, high-quality mesh material. It can also be machine washed if necessary. There are five colors and sizes available for a wide range of dogs.

    This design only has one adjustable strap around the chest, and the measurements for the neckpiece are on the small side. While this might suit your puppy, the Puppia harness might be too small for adult Basset Hounds, especially the neck piece, which can’t be adjusted. The lightweight material also might not hold up to adult Basset Hounds that frequently pull at the leash.

    Pros
    • Made with high-quality but lightweight mesh
    • Chest belt is adjustable to ensure a secure and comfortable fit
    • Five colors and sizes
    • Machine-washable material
    Cons
    • Opening for the head isn’t adjustable
    • Measurements on the small side
    • Not durable enough for adult Bassets

    5. Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness

    Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness

    Harness Type: Step in
    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Slip on
    Features: Back clip

    The Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness is designed to prevent pulling without choking your dog. Its unique, patented, and veterinarian-approved design puts gentle pressure on your dog’s chest when they pull on the leash. The chest piece is made with elasticized mesh for breathability and to ensure that your dog can move freely without escaping from the harness. Along with the soft mesh, the chest straps are padded to prevent chafing.

    Unlike some other harnesses that can be used to restrain your dog in a car, the Sporn Mesh is only suitable for leashed walks due to its design. Several owners have also found that the metal fastener on the back where the leash attaches will rub against the nylon straps, making them fray. The low durability of this option makes it better suited to younger or older Basset Hounds that don’t pull that much.

    Pros
    • Designed to prevent pulling without choking your dog
    • Padded chest straps to ensure comfort
    • Made with elasticized mesh to ensure freedom of movement
    • The patented design is veterinarian approved
    Cons
    • Not designed for use in a car
    • Doesn’t have a durable construction
    • Fastener on the back may shred the nylon

    6. Kurgo Journey Air Polyester Reflective No Pull Dog Harness

    Kurgo Journey Air Polyester Reflective No Pull Dog Harness

    Harness Type: No-pull
    Material: Polyester
    Closure Type: Buckle
    Features: Reflective, dual clips, built-in handle

    Featuring padded straps and a V-neck design, the Kurgo Journey Air Polyester Reflective No Pull Dog Harness is comfortable and reduces strain on your dog’s neck during walks. As a no-pull harness, it has two D-rings and can help prevent your Basset Hound from dragging you after scents without restricting their ability to move. It’s available in six colors and five sizes to help you find the right one for your Basset Hound.

    Several dog owners have had trouble matching the harness to their dog’s size due to the sizing chart being inaccurate. The design of the harness might also not be durable enough for long-term use, and it can be adjusted due to the adjustable straps slipping while the harness is worn.

    Pros
    • Allows freedom of movement for walking, hiking, and running
    • Rust-proof buckles
    • Front and back D-rings for leash attachment
    • V-neck design reduces strain on your dog’s neck
    Cons
    • Not as durable as some other designs
    • Sizing chart is inaccurate
    • Adjustable straps are difficult to use

    7. EliteField Padded Reflective No-Pull Dog Harness

    EliteField Padded Reflective No-Pull Dog Harness

    Harness Type: No-pull
    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Quick release
    Features: Reflective, dual clips, built-in handle

    This harness is one of the best options when it comes to preventing your Basset Hound from pulling. The EliteField Padded Reflective No-Pull Dog Harness uses a typical no-pull design to keep your Basset Hound close during your walks, with two D-rings for leash attachment.

    It has a sturdy, built-in handle with a rubber grip for extra control. The harness also has fully adjustable straps and is available in four sizes to suit a range of dogs. There is reflective piping included on the material for nighttime walks.

    Despite the sturdy appearance of the EliteField, some owners have found that the straps break after only a few months of use. People have also had issues matching the harness to their dog’s measurements due to issues with the sizing chart and the collar loosening when the harness is worn.

    Pros
    • Fully adjustable straps
    • Reflective piping to increase visibility
    • Two D-rings for leash attachment
    • Built-in handle with a rubber grip for extra control
    Cons
    • Collar adjustment loosens under pressure
    • Non-durable design
    • Harness sizes smaller than the chart suggests

    8. 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Nylon Dog Harness & Leash

    2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Nylon Dog Harness & Leash

    Harness Type: No-pull
    Material: Nylon
    Closure Type: Quick release
    Features: Double-connection training leash, dual clip

    Most harnesses require you to buy the leash separately, but the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull Nylon Dog Harness & Leash is a complete set. The included leash has two connections, so you can attach it to both D-rings on the harness at once.

    While many other harnesses only have one or two adjustment points, all four straps making up this design are adjustable, enabling you to ensure that it fits your dog properly. It also has two quick-release buckles to make it easy to put on your dog.

    Although the straps are padded with Swiss velvet to prevent chafing, dogs with sensitive skin may still suffer from sore spots due to the rough nylon material. For the price, this harness is not one of the most durable and frays easily or gets broken due to chewing. The adjustable straps can also be difficult to use.

    Pros
    • Training leash with two connection points is included
    • Swiss velvet padding prevents chafing
    • All four straps are fully adjustable
    • Designed to prevent pulling
    Cons
    • Nylon straps can be rough on sensitive skin
    • Non-durable design
    • Adjustable straps can be difficult to use
    • Expensive

    9. Frisco Big Dog Harness

    Frisco Big Dog Harness

    Harness Type: Over the head
    Material: Polyester
    Closure Type: Buckle
    Features: No-choke design, built-in handle, reflective piping

    The Frisco Big Dog Harness is an affordable alternative to many other harnesses. Although it lacks the customizable Velcro patches featured on other harnesses of the same style, it does have two mini D-rings for storing poop bags and other essentials. Both straps are adjustable, extra wide, and padded to ensure that your Basset Hound is as comfortable as possible.

    There’s a built-in handle to allow for close control of your dog if necessary and a large stainless-steel D-ring to attach the leash to. The harness also has reflective piping at the edges to increase visibility.

    While it’s designed to prevent choking your dog if they pull, it’s not a no-pull harness and won’t stop inquisitive Basset Hounds from yanking at the leash. Some dogs have also been known to squirm free. It isn’t the sturdiest option when faced with constant pulling due to its limited durability, particularly regarding the straps. A few users have also had issues adjusting the neck strap due to the proximity to the buckles.

    Pros
    • Two mini D-rings for storage
    • Wide padded straps for comfort
    • Heavy-duty D-ring for leash attachment
    • Designed with reflective piping for visibility
    Cons
    • Difficult to adjust
    • Some dogs can slip out of the harness
    • Doesn’t prevent pulling
    • Straps can break under pressure

    10. Mighty Paw Padded Sports Reflective No-Pull Dog Harness

    Mighty Paw Padded Sports Reflective No-Pull Dog Harness

    Harness Type: No-pull
    Material: Polyester
    Closure Type: Quick release
    Features: Reflective, dual clips, built-in handle

    Designed to provide a sturdy, reliable way to prevent pulling, the Mighty Paw Padded Sports Reflective No-Pull Dog Harness is durable with two leash attachment points. Made with weatherproof material for long-lasting durability, the Mighty Paw is constructed to provide freedom of movement without enabling your dog to pull at the leash. It also has a built-in handle for extra control when you need it.

    Some dog owners have had issues with the leash attachment ring being too far back on the harness, making it difficult to have full control. They’ve also had difficulty using the buckles due to how stiff the plastic is. Although the chest strap has two buckles and is fully adjustable, there is no way to adjust the neck strap. There’s also no padding for dogs with sensitive skin.

    Pros
    • Made with weather-proof material
    • Built-in handle allows for extra control if necessary
    • Adjustable straps and quick-release buckles for easy use
    • Enables freedom of movement
    Cons
    • No way to adjust the neck strap
    • Leash attachment is too far back
    • No padding
    • Buckles are stiff and difficult to use

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    Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Harnesses for Basset Hounds

    Does Your Basset Hound Need a Harness?

    A harness is a sturdy and safe alternative to attaching a leash directly to your dog’s collar. As scent-oriented dogs with a high prey drive, Basset Hounds are well-known for pulling on the leash, which can put unnecessary strain on their neck. A harness will reduce the chances of injury and prevent them from getting loose by restricting their ability to slip out of their collar.

    Whether you want to use a harness and the style that you choose comes down to personal preference and how your dog behaves on a walk.

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    What to Look For in Harnesses for Basset Hounds

    Choosing a harness isn’t as simple as finding a snazzy collar to hold your Basset Hound’s ID tag. Since it needs to keep your dog safe, you need to choose an option that fits your dog, is comfortable, and does what you need it to. For Basset Hounds, there are a few criteria to consider.

    No-Pull

    Basset Hounds were bred to help hunters track down prey by following scents. While they’ve since become family dogs, their noses are still impressive, and they have a strong prey drive. Due to this, many Basset Hounds are known to pull on the leash whenever they catch the scent of something.

    No-pull harnesses are designed to prevent dogs from pulling without choking them. It does this by enabling you to attach the leash to the front of the harness, and when your dog pulls, the leash is pulled to the side—directing your dog back toward you—rather than straight back as an ordinary leash attachment does.

    Most no-pull harnesses have two leash attachments: one on the chest and one on the back. While the D-ring on the chest works the best for preventing pulling, you can use one or the other or both if you have a double-ended leash.

    basset hound with harness on a bridge
    Image Credit: Daniel Myjones, Shutterstock

    Reflective Material

    Walking your Basset Hound during daylight hours is always preferable but not always possible. If you get home from work late, especially during the latter part of the year, your evening walk is bound to be a bit dim, even if you live in a city.

    Most harnesses are designed with reflective material for this reason. It helps people see your dog in the dark and keeps them safe even if you drop the leash.

    Wide Straps

    Since Basset Hounds are notorious for pulling, you need a harness that distributes the pressure of the harness rather than focusing it in one area. The best harnesses have wide straps that don’t cut into your dog’s skin when they move or pull at the leash. Thin straps are more uncomfortable and more likely to dig into your dog’s skin.

    While you can get simple harnesses primarily made out of wide nylon or polyester straps, most are constructed with a wide strap of padding to ensure that the harness is comfortable and doesn’t chafe when your dog moves.

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    Final Thoughts

    These reviews explored the best harnesses for Basset Hounds, starting with our overall favorite, Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness. It combines a sturdy, durable design with a no-pull D-ring on the front of the harness to help you train your dog to walk politely. If your budget is tight, the Frisco Nylon Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness is a simple but effective alternative.

    The Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness is one of the most expensive options, but it’s sturdy and reliable, and the Velcro straps can be fully customizable to suit your needs.


    Featured Image Credit: Alan Budman, Shutterstock

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