This front-range, no-pull dog harness by Ruffwear is made of tougher stuff. Not only is it designed to prevent your dog from dragging you all over the neighborhood, but it’s also made out of durable material that’s designed to withstand plenty of use and abuse from large and extra-large breed dogs. However, it’s also very versatile and is available in a wide range of size options, so you can use it for toy, small, medium, large, and extra-large breeds. This model is also rated for all-day use, due to its heavily padded design that will prevent skin irritation, sores, and chafing.
Overview and Features
Most harnesses are not designed for extended wear, like collars are, which can be a drawback for some pet owners. However, this harness is. It’s durable, lightweight, ergonomic design is perfect for all-day wear, so, if you’re looking for a harness your pup can wear on your next outdoor adventure, this is it. Aside from its ergonomic fit, it can also be worn by breeds of all sizes ranging from toy up to extra-large. Well-built and designed with safety in mind, this best-selling harness scored high in a variety of areas.
If you’re looking for more information on training and how to deal with a stubborn younger pup, make sure you read my article on my dog won’t let me brush his teeth.
Our Rating:
- Designed for all-day wear
- Four adjustment points
- Two leash attachment options
- Heavily padded
- Versatile
- Reflective trim
Padding
If you’ve tried a standard harness in the past, then you may be hesitant to give another one a shot, but this is hands down the best no-pull dog harness on the market. Its simple design combined with the foam strip padding across the belly and chest makes it incredibly comfortable for your dog, so he or she can wear it all day long without the fear of chafing or general skin irritation. This model is a great choice if you have a dog with sensitive skin.
Adjustability
The highly adjustable straps allows you to get the perfect fit. A harness that’s too tight can rub against a dog’s skin, causing sores or chafing. If the harness is too loose, then you’ll run the risk of your dog slipping out of his harness if he gets too excited when he sees the neighbor’s cat. The ability to adjust the straps for a custom fit is a huge selling point for this model. The harness offers a total of four points of adjustment, which will allow for a full range of motion.
Safety
If you normally take your dog for a walk early in the morning or late at night, then you need a harness that will make your dog highly visible to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. This model features reflective trim, so your dog will easily stand out in low light conditions.
Leash Attachments
This model allows you to use the back leash point attachment or the one located on the chest. If your dog is well-trained, then you can use the attachment on the back. If your dog constantly tugs, pulls and drags you, then you’ll need to use the leash point attachment on the chest. Most dog owners aren’t aware of the differences these two attachment options offer. When you attach the leash to the point on the back, you’re allowing your dog to use all their power in their chest and shoulders, which can lead to them dragging you, if they’re not leash trained.
By attaching the leash to the point located on the chest, you’re taking the power back. Now, instead, of your dog using their upper body strength, once you feel your dog start to pull, firmly pull back on the leash. This will cause the upper body to lift slightly off the ground, causing them to turn toward you. Most dogs will quickly get the picture and immediately stop pulling on the leash, which will make it much easier for you to walk your dog.
Not only does this no-pull harness make walking your dog simple, but gaining this type of control is also safer if you have a dog that is dog, people, or animal aggressive. This is especially true for large breed or very muscular dogs.
Why it Works
As you can see, the ability to instantly stop your dog from pulling will be invaluable and will definitely take the stress out of the situation, especially if your dog is very difficult to control. This type of harness is a more humane option compared to both choke chains and prong collars, and even basic collars because it will not apply pressure to the throat.
Many dogs will continue to pull even if their oxygen supply is impaired, or if a collar is causing pain. If you have a particularly stubborn dog, then choke chains and prong collars will not be effective. If your dog continues to drag you while wearing one of these collars it can lead to soft tissue damage or serious trachea damage. This is a common problem for toy and small breed dogs. In fact, most veterinarians do not recommend using a collar on smaller breeds at all since they’re so prone to trachea injuries. Additionally, a choke chain or prong collar is not going to do much for a muscular, large, or extra-large breed dog, who can still end up pulling and dragging you.
Sizing Options
This harness is designed for toy, small, medium, large, and extra-large breeds. Before you buy, carefully measure your dog’s neck girth and chest girth, then consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart. Remember, just because your dog wore a size large for one brand of harness does not mean another brand’s size large is going to fit. Because of this, it’s very important that you view the sizing chart before you order. If your dog is in between sizes, order one size larger. You can then use the four points of adjustment to make the harness smaller for the perfect fit.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Durable
- Reflective trim
- Low price
- Easy to use
- Four adjustment points
- Two leash attachment points
Cons
- Does not include mesh paneling
- Elasticity of the material can cause a dog to slip the harness if you don’t choose the correct size
Ruffwear Versus ICEFANG Tactical No-Pull Dog Harness
The competing harness by Icefang is designed for large breed dogs only, so it’s lacking the type of versatility you’ll get with the Ruffwear brand. However, it’s considered an escape-proof harness that’s designed specifically for muscular, large breed dogs. This new level of durability is a must if you normally struggle to control your dog during a walk.
The included no-pull front leash attachment will prevent your dog from pulling your arm out of its socket as you try to regain control of your dog. This model also comes equipped with some serious storage space, so you can store dog food and treats, water bottles, keys, and more, making it a great option if you’re looking for a no-pull harness that’s built tough and perfect for a day of hiking. I’d recommend the competing model for large-breed dog owners who are searching for a harness that’s specifically designed to handle muscular dogs. This model by Ruffwear is still a great buy, but can’t quite measure up to the type of durability that the Icefang harness offers.
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
This Ruffwear harness is built-tough, features four points of adjustment for the perfect fit, and can fit dogs ranging from toy up to extra-large. It also comes equipped with reflective strips, which will make your dog highly visible in low light conditions. The two leash attachment options will allow you to choose how to use the harness based on your dog’s training.
If your dog tends to pull you, use the chest attachment, which prevents your dog from using their strength to keep going forward. The back attachment can be used for dogs that are already leash trained. The heavy padding and highly adjustable design make this model appropriate for all-day use, which is a huge plus for the outdoors enthusiast. This model earned a rating of four and a half stars out of five.
