Is A Dog Pulling Harness Essential For Your Dog?
Yes. A dog pulling harness is one of the most important safety items you can provide for your dog when moving heavy objects or if your dog likes to pull on heavy walks. This is because a dog pulling harness is an extremely specialized dog harness that distributes the weight of the object across various muscle groups of your dog.
To properly protect your dog from injuries when pulling a wagon, pulling weights, pulling a sled, or pulling a dog cart, it’s critical that your dog needs to wear a dog harness. Using a regular dog collar puts a significant amount of pressure on the dogs neck which radiates down the spine. A dog pulling harness helps distribute the weight to the legs of the dogs where they are the strongest.
In a rush? Here’s the Best Dog Pulling Harness for each category!
What should I use a Dog Pulling Harness for?
There are many reasons why you would want a dog pulling harness. Some of the most common reasons for a pulling harness for dogs is below:
- General walking. If your dog likes to pull, you should consider using a harness. Otherwise your dog will choke themselves or end up hurting themselves. A pulling harness allows them to pull without getting hurt.
- Sled dog owners. Sled dogs provide vital transportation services to their owners. You will need a weight pulling harness for your dog to keep your dog from getting hurt during this type of activity and to distribute the weight of you and various objects across their body.
- Dog weight training. Weight pulling harness for dogs are designed to pull heavy loads over short distances and strengthen your dog’s muscles. These types of dog harnesses are designed for maximum pulling power without compressing their hind legs. In addition, there is no pressure on the upper arm joints, so dog weight pulling harnesses keep your dog safe.
- Dog cart or wagon pulling or skijoring or bikejoring. Similar to a dog sled pulling harness, there are also harnesses for dog cart pulling or dog wagon pulling. These are “distance” pulling harnesses and are meant to be comfortable, durable, and versatile for your dog.
When you are purchasing your dog pulling harness, make sure that you know what type of harness you want as each harness has their own unique purposes. Below, we will review the best dog pulling harness that you can buy.
Best General Walking Harness: RUFFWEAR Everyday No Pull Dog Harness
Pros
Cons
- Great no-pull harness that is meant for the outdoors.
- Reinforced chest padding for extra comfort.
- Customizable fit that will fit your dog perfectly.
- Two different leash point attachments for extra control.
- None, this is a great harness!
This RUFFWEAR Dog Harness is one of the best pulling harnesses for everyday general walking. This dog harness is extremely durable, lightweight, and made for the outdoors. This is a good dog harness for pulling dogs as the chest pad is reinforced with foam to ensure that the load distribution is equal when running, walking, or hiking. This front range pull harness also has four different points of adjustment so it’s almost guaranteed to fit your dog perfectly — all you have to do is measure your dog’s girth. In addition, there is two different points of leash attachments (one in the front and one in back) to this pull dog harness so you can decide how you want to walk your dog. If you attach your leash to the front of this harness it encourages your dog to keep pace with their owner instead of pulling by redirecting their dog pulling force. If you want your dog to safely pull, you can attach your leash to the back of this harness.
My favorite aspect of this dog harness for pulling is that it is easy to put on and take off. There is an adjustable strap on the back on the harness that allows you to connect and disconnect the harness easily. With almost 5,000 reviews and over 4.5 stars on Amazon, you can’t really go wrong with this harness if your dog is a puller.
Pros
- The best weight pulling dog harness.
- Durable and strongly made of 50 mm nylon that can support up to 1,200 pounds of pulling.
- Comfortable padded straps in the front to ensure your dog's safety.
- Great for improving your dog's muscle strength and fitness levels.
Cons
- Not many size adjustments, make sure you order the correct size.
This is by far the best weight pulling harness for a dog that you can buy. Whether you’re training your dog to pull a cart, growing your dog’s muscles, or releasing your dog’s energy this is the dog pulling weight harness that you will want to buy. This harness is extremely durable made of thick 50 mm nylon which can support up to 1,200 pounds of pulling force. Simply put, this is a good dog harness for pulling that is safely constructed for your dog. The chest straps are extra padded to ensure that your dog won’t hurt themselves while pulling.
If you have a large dog like a Malamute, Husky, American Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, or Boxer this is the perfect weight pulling harness for your dog. The harness is easy to put on and designed with the standard X-back style that is meant for dog races and training. Lastly, this product also comes with a 100% quality guarantee or you will get your money back. You have nothing to lose by purchasing this dog harness.
Pros
- Modern looking dog pulling harness.
- Created with reinforced nylon and extra stitching to ensure durability.
- Comfortable fleece lining with extra thick padding on the chest guard area.
- Including a dog pulling leash that has an emergency release to ensure that your dog will remain safe.
Cons
- None, this harness is great!
The FrontPet Explorer Dog Pulling Harness is designed for a dog who likes to pull. Instead of letting your dog gag or choke themselves on a traditional collared harness, consider getting this dog pulling harness instead. It’s made of extremely durable nylon with reinforced stitching to ensure ultimate durability. In addition, there are three different metal D-rings to clip your leash so you can control your dog while they are pulling. There are also two adjustable straps on the sides of this dog harness to ensure that this harness will fit your dog regardless of your dog’s shape. Start training your dog without painfully yanking on their neck!
This harness for dog pullers also comes with a leash that allows you to control your dog while doing outdoor activities like running or hiking. The leash and harness combination helps to relieve any pulling pressure and distributes it down their back and legs. The bungee leash is stretchable and has some stretch and pull to it which makes it less likely to be pulled out of your hand by your dog. The leash is 42 inches long when fully extended which ensures that your dog stays relatively close to your body. There is a side squeeze buckle that makes this harness easy to take off and put on.
Pros
- The best dog sled pulling harness available.
- Lightweight dog harness that is resistant to ice and moisture.
- Durable material that is woven in a web for maximum strength.
- X-back design style that is made for racing or general purpose sledding.
Cons
- There are many different sizes so you will have to measure your dog correctly.
This is by far the best dog sled pulling harness that you can buy. The top three aspects that you should look for with a sled pulling dog harness is comfort, functionality, and durability. This harness has all three aspects! It has extended foam along with the double chest straps, is designed with the popular X-back style, and is made of durable webbing that is ice and moisture resistant. You can also easily clip your leash to the back of this dog sled pulling harness.
This dog harness for sled pulling comes in 6 different sizes. All you have to do is measure your dog’s neck size to ensure that the fit is correct. The popular X-back style design ensures that this harness uses the pulling force and distributes it across your dog back and down their legs. This sled pulling harness will help to guarantee that your dog will pull the heaviest weight possible.
Pros
- Dog sled pulling harness designed for wolf shaped dogs.
- Harness made with durable polypropylene to ensure that it won't ever break.
- Padding along the neck, chest, and rib cage areas for comfort.
- Reflective inserts that make your dog clearly visible at night.
- Ideal for all outdoor activities like dog sledding, dog trekking, canicross, skijoring, and bikejoring.
Cons
- Meant for wolf shaped dogs.
The Neewa dog harness for sled pulling is created specifically for wolf shaped dogs such as the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute, and Greenland dogs. The X-back construction and design provides uniform weight distribution across your dog’s back and legs. In addition, since this dog sled pulling harness is made of polypropene it is extremely durable and won’t break. It also has padding all across the front of the harness including the rib cage, chest, and shoulder area to make sure that your dog is going to be comfortable while they are pulling.
This dog sled pulling harness is unique in that it contains reflective inserts on the harness that allows you to easily spot your dog at night with a little bit of light. It’s also made of non-allergenic materials which sets itself apart from all the other sled pulling dog harnesses. You will need to measure your dog’s neck size and estimate their weight in order to have this pulling harness fit correctly.
Pros
- 2x D-ring leash options that can support up to 1,000lbs of pulling force.
- Custom fit, no rubbing, and escape proof.
- This dog harness is stylish and practical.
- Comes with a durable handle so you can pick up your dog if necessary.
Cons
- None, this harness is fantastic.
This is a great everyday dog harness for pulling as it comes with two metal buckles that you can connect your leash too. If you connect your leash to the front of this pull harness it redirects your dog’s forward motion and prevents them from pulling. Attaching your leash to the back of this harness allows for an equal weight distribution when they are pulling. This pulling harness for a dog is tested up to 1,000 lbs so it’s unlikely to ever break while being used on your dog.
The best thing about this dog pulling harness is that you won’t have to put this harness over your dog’s head. Since it comes with two buckles, you can simply wrap it around your dog’s body and attach it to your dog. This is also a non-rubbing and escape-proof design that will fit well on your dog as long you measure your dog’s neck and chest correctly.
Pros
- Popular and well-known brand name.
- Useful for weight pulling, cart pulling, or sled pulling.
- X-back pulling harness design.
- Lightweight, durable, and comfortable for your dog.
Cons
- Slightly more expensive, but still very reasonably priced.
Dean and Tyler is the “brand name” weight pulling harness that is known across the various professional competitions of sledding, weight pulling, and even cart pulling. Even if your dog isn’t a professional, you can use this dog pulling harness for any working dog to train them and grow their muscles. Using a weight pulling dog harness is an absolutely great way to help release your dog’s energy.
You’ll see the Dean and Tyler on dog’s who’s owners want a durable and modern design. Not only is this dog weight pulling harness lightweight, but it is also constructed to pull heavy weights. If you’ve already decided that you are going to purchase a weight pulling harness, you can’t go wrong buying into the Dean and Tyler brand name. They are absolutely great quality harnesses.
Pros
- The best dog cart pulling harness.
- Optimal distribution of weight pulling force.
- Size adjustable dog harness.
- Does not limit the movement of your dog.
Cons
- Slightly more difficult to put on and take off.
The Fremotion Dog Cart Pulling Harness is great because it doesn’t limit the natural movements of your dog based on its design. This dog cart pulling harness also takes a significant amount of pressure off your dogs neck and can be easily used to pull carts, bikejoring, skijoring, or scootering with your dog. This harness is used by professionals and is one of the most durable and comfortable harnesses on the market today.
One of the best benefits of this dog cart pulling harness is that it is size adjustable via to straps on the sides of the harness. All you have to do is measure the length and width of your dog’s back and this dog harness for cart pulling should fit perfectly. Due to its adjustability, the dog pulling harness also does not compress the respiratory tracts of your dog and allows a natural walking or running motion. This allows your dog to feel comfortable while wearing the harness.
Dog Harness For Pulling – Safety And Comfort
Safety is extremely important when choosing a dog harness for pulling. First, you should not allow your dog to pull on a dog harness if it doesn’t fit properly. The reason for this is because your dog can easily get hurt. For instance, if you are the owner of a small dog, then you can easily find that the dog harness does not fit it well and adds extra pressure on your dogs joints or weaker sensitive areas. You have to pay attention to all these aspects to make sure that you will be able to keep your dog safe and comfortable while pulling.
The second you should think about when choosing a dog harness for pulling is the weight of the object you wish to pull. The weight of the object that your dog is pulling significantly impacts the type of material of the harness. In short, you’ll need a more durable dog harness for pulling if you wish to pull heavier objects. The straps should also be made of material that is sturdy enough. You do not want a dog harness that will break while your dog is pulling something. I’ve seen several dog harnesses that are made of cheap materials.
Lastly, the dog harness should also be easy to use. It is often the case that people fail to use dog harnesses for pulling because they are very difficult to use. I’ve seen several dog owners who fail to put on the dog harnesses properly because they are difficult to use. Using a dog harness that pulls heavy objects improperly could injure your dog.
As a side note, make sure that you always follow the instructions that come with your dog harness when you are using it. The instructions that come with the harness may tell you how to properly use the harness and how to use it. Just make sure that you follow the instructions properly in order to further prevent injury.
If you are thinking about buying a dog harness for pulling, then you need to consider all the aspects mentioned above. This will help you get a better choice of harness that will be of better quality. Make sure that you buy the harness from a reliable company that we reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What harness is best for sled dogs?
We Love Doodles adds that to properly protect your dog from injuries when pulling a wagon, pulling weights, pulling a sled, or pulling a dog-cart, it’s critical that your dog needs to wear a dog harness.
You should look at several factors, such as the size and breed of the dog, the type of sledding you will be doing, and your personal preference.
However, some popular choices for harnesses used by sled dog teams include the Ruffwear Pulling harness and the Pet Artist Weight Pulling Harness.
Ultimately, choosing a harness that is comfortable for your dogs and will allow them to move freely and safely is essential.
Is sled pulling goods for dogs?
There is no definitive answer to this question since every dog is different, and some may enjoy sled pulling while others may not. Ultimately, it is up to the owner to decide if sled pulling is something their dog would enjoy and be good at.
If you choose to have your dog participate in sled pulling, ensure they are properly trained. We Love Doodles explains that using a regular dog collar puts significant pressure on the dog’s neck, which radiates down the spine, so you should use a high-quality dog sledding harness.
Does Cesar Millan recommend a harness?
Cesar Millan does not specifically recommend any harness but says it is essential to find a harness that is comfortable for your dog and fits well. A few Cesar Millan harnesses are available for purchase, but you may also find other brands that work well for your dog. Always supervise your dog while wearing a harness, and ensure to adjust the fit properly.
What dog can pull the most weight?
Delbert, a 150-pound Alaskan Malamute from Cascade Kennel, currently holds the dog weight pulling record at 5,400 pounds pulled to the finish line. The AKC adds that the following breeds are best for sled pulling:
- Samoyed
- Alaskan Malamute
- Siberian Husky
- Chinook
They also explain that many breeds were developed to pull heavy loads to assist their owners and add that many dogs enjoy the sport of weight pull, which enables dogs to put on a special harness and pull a cart loaded with weight, often bags of dog food.
The sport of weight pulling is based on traditional sled dog racing, where teams of dogs would pull a sled loaded with supplies or people across snow-covered terrain.
In modern weight-pulling competitions, dogs are instead asked to pull a heavy sled or cart a distance. These events are held indoors and outdoors year-round, and dogs of all shapes and sizes can compete.
While there is no definitive answer to which dog can pull the most weight, breeds that are typically strong and have a lot of muscle mass, such as the Alaskan Malamute or the Siberian Husky, are usually the top contenders. However, any dog in good physical condition and has a strong drive to pull can be successful in the sport of weight pulling.
Conclusion for Best Dog Pulling Harness
Since many dog breeds are working breeds, there are several different reasons why would need a dog pulling harness including walking, sledding, weight pulling, cart pulling, or wagon pulling. It’s absolutely essential for your dogs safety that you use a dog pulling harness rather than a dog collar to prevent injury. Using a dog pulling harness helps distribute that weight of the load across your dogs body, particularly to their legs where they are the strongest. It’s important that you buy a dog pulling harness that is not only good quality such as nylon, but also fits your dog well. This will help to guarantee that your dog is safe and comfortable when pulling heavy objects.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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