Harness Recomendations for Lurcher

[Brodie982754]

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Hi everyone,

Our six month old lurcher puppy needs a new harness. The problem we are having is that he has slightly odd body proportions due to his mix (mainly a greyhound x beagle x foxhound + many other breeds) and his current harness fits in some areas but not others. Due to him being a lurcher we need a harness that will give him lots of movement but can be adjusted in different areas to fit him properly. I have seen some custom harnesses that look great. However, he is growing like a horse so I dont want to spend the money on a custom one if it will only fit him for a month!

Thanks so much for any suggestions

 

[JudyN]

I was going to suggest Perfect Fit harnesses, which get great reviews - but the fact that he's still growing might make that an expensive option. However, they seem to be really helpful, so if you sent them his current measurements and approximate adult measurements, they might be able to suggest something with enough adjustment so you wouldn't have to replace all the components as he grows. It might just be worth a try.

 

[sme4969]

Hi everyone,

Our six month old lurcher puppy needs a new harness. The problem we are having is that he has slightly odd body proportions due to his mix (mainly a greyhound x beagle x foxhound + many other breeds) and his current harness fits in some areas but not others. Due to him being a lurcher we need a harness that will give him lots of movement but can be adjusted in different areas to fit him properly. I have seen some custom harnesses that look great. However, he is growing like a horse so I dont want to spend the money on a custom one if it will only fit him for a month!

Thanks so much for any suggestions

your dog is a mongrel not a lurcher..
I have never used a harness as they are designed for animals to pull things..
just use a wide collar that is for long knocked dogs..
I use a Italian greyhound collar on our jack x Australian terrier because of the fact the neck is long

 

[JoanneF]

I have never used a harness as they are designed for animals to pull things..

Not necessarily. To be fair, it's training rather than tools that prevent pulling, but harnesses reduce the risk of damage to the throat in strong pullers.

 

[sme4969]

 

[Brodie982754]

your dog is a mongrel not a lurcher..
I have never used a harness as they are designed for animals to pull things..
just use a wide collar that is for long knocked dogs..
I use a Italian greyhound collar on our jack x Australian terrier because of the fact the neck is long

Thanks for your suggestion, we have used the thick collars but he does better on the harness as it eliminates pulling on the throat.

Our dog is classed as a lurcher cross by the rescue charity and our vet. A lurcher cross is defined as a sight hound crossed with another breed. He is 80% sight hound and the others breed make up the remaining 20%

 

[WorkingDogFan]

Thanks for your suggestion, we have used the thick collars but he does better on the harness as it eliminates pulling on the throat.

Our dog is classed as a lurcher cross by the rescue charity and our vet. A lurcher cross is defined as a sight hound crossed with another breed. He is 80% sight hound and the others breed make up the remaining 20%

From my experience with working dogs , a custom extra wide fit collar that is also thick enough will prevent neck and throat issues and is worth the expense.

I've personally not known a harness not to cause a dog to pull more and be aware a badly fitted/badly made harness or not wide enough and stiff enough can cause shoulder and chest issues .

Regards, Bradley.

 

[WorkingDogFan]

Thanks for your suggestion, we have used the thick collars but he does better on the harness as it eliminates pulling on the throat.

Our dog is classed as a lurcher cross by the rescue charity and our vet. A lurcher cross is defined as a sight hound crossed with another breed. He is 80% sight hound and the others breed make up the remaining 20%

I'm believe the comment you're replying to is refering to the fact any dog of unknown lineage/pedigree is a mutt/mongrol. Which is technically correct . I take it they are just being factual.

Having owned many mutt rescues and fostered even more. Just take it your dog is a one off and is special to you .

A dogs, breed is earned and for owners who pride themselves in bloodlines and being able to trace the lines back it's important not to call any dog with no proof of breeding that breeds name.

 

[Brodie982754]

Oh absolutely. To us, our dog is our own unique breed and that’s what makes him so amazing. Mongrel, mutt, lurcher, it doesn’t matter. To us, he’s just Otis. I just felt the comment came across a little unnecessary as his overall physique is that of a lurcher cross.

We use the harness on long walks when we use the long line as it means if it he runs away quickly we won’t be yanking his neck. But for short/calm walks, we use a thick collar that’s especially for sighthounds

 

[sme4969]

you wrote

Thanks for your suggestion, we have used the thick collars but he does better on the harness as it eliminates pulling on the throat.

Our dog is classed as a lurcher cross by the rescue charity and our vet. A lurcher cross is defined as a sight hound crossed with another breed. He is 80% sight hound and the others breed make up the remaining 20%

you said it is lurcher pup not lurcher cross.
so I stated it is a mongrel for that reason.. ie as you have now stated it is a lurcher cross. and even then it may not be a lurcher cross it maybe a Longdog cross. lurcher and long dogs are 2 different types under the same banner..
A lurcher is a cross between a sighthound breed and a non sighthound breed. The most common lurcher crosses are Greyhounds x a Bull breed or a terrier breed or a shepherd breed. These types of Lurchers have a long history in Britain as a poachers/hunters dog to catch rabbits, hares and foxes.

A longdog is a cross between two different breeds of Sighthound. The most common longdog crosses are Greyhounds x Scottish Deerhounds and Whippets.
having owned and worked my dogs I know what I have said...
so if your dog is lurcher or longdog cross has anything other than thw above it will be a mongrel..
if I saw you out I would still accost your dog and ask you what crosses are in it because I love dogs..
ps:most charities know little about the dogs make up and tend to put any rubbish because of the forementioned..

 

[JoanneF]

I've edited a couple of words out of your post @sme4969 - we are a family friendly forum

 

[RGC]

Dear, oh dear! There’s always an expert ¿Verdad? From what I’ve read a lurcher is a sighthound cross. As for the rationale for using a harness we discovered from the very start that our rescued whippet could get out of the traditional sighthound collar as well as a martingale. Having tried various types of harness we were recommended ’Perfect Fit’ which come in three components, sensibly denying that one size fits all. Brodie, enjoy your lurcher and thank you, JoanneF.

 

[Whippylove]

I also think ruffwear webmaster is a really good harness

 

[RGC]

I also think ruffwear webmaster is a really good harness

I agree. In her early ‘angst ridden’ weeks with us the Ruffwear harness was irreplaceable. She couldn’t houdini her way out of it and it was useful to be able lift her using the handle if she played up crossing roads. I appreciate that this was undignified for her but it was safe and expedient and gave motorists a chuckle. Not a cheap item but essential under those circumstances.

 

[Scarlatti]

I love the Houdini mention... ohhh how I know... we had a rescue Korat cat Nikki,,, the name Houdini was written on her character we thought... also our Whippets were Houdini's.... all going on we learned so now we, I mean I have a 3 point harnas for TrumpetKing as he as 'GREYHOUND' also showed his Houdini capacity when a wanna be JackieX motordriver wanted to show how MANLY he was by accellerating like a madman... I still don't know how I have been able to keep him with me as I only had him a few weeks then and he was used to RURAL.... when I finally had calmed him down I walked steaming to the culprit who was now 'talking' to neighbors... well I gave him a pound of flesh, I was FURIOUS OUT OF MYSELF! We were in the middle of 'our' street, a 'cul de sac' , my dog STILL reacts to that roaring sound....

 

[Scarlatti]

Dear, oh dear! There’s always an expert ¿Verdad? From what I’ve read a lurcher is a sighthound cross. As for the rationale for using a harness we discovered from the very start that our rescued whippet could get out of the traditional sighthound collar as well as a martingale. Having tried various types of harness we were recommended ’Perfect Fit’ which come in three components, sensibly denying that one size fits all. Brodie, enjoy your lurcher and thank you, JoanneF.

Where can I find that Perfect Fit? Princessa has very tender armpits and with a harnas on it damages her skin. So I hope to find out what I can do to protect her skin... thanks in advance!

 

[RGC]

You could try PerfectFit Harness

 

[Brodie982754]

We ended up getting a perfect fit harness and we love it! I recommend emailing over your dogs measurements and pictures and they are so so helpful!

 

[RGC]

Yes, they’re lovely people and very accommodating if you need to change any parts.