Harness. Which? Why? How long?

[Mad Murphy]

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So, which harness? Why that choice and how long do they last under what kind of treatment?

I ask because Murphy has just got a new one, a truelove . Why? Front and back clip and because it fitted but didn't go baggy in the wet.
How long? Just over a year walking about 10km per day over heath and woodland running ,chasing , getting wet, muddy, sandy and going swimming in both fresh and salt water. So it had to be washed fairly often.
The stitching around the front ring is now wearing and one of the loops had started to come away.

For the price I don't mind replacing it yearly but am I missing something.?

 

[JoanneF]

Timber has the Perfect Fit. He has had it for a few years, it has lasted well but he isn't a swimmer. Because you buy the three separate parts, you get (erm, obviously) a perfect fit; he is S, S, and XS. It also has front and rear rings, it is fleece lined and the position of the straps don't interfere with his elbows. He has soft hair and it doesn't matt it. And it has the advantage that if the one part deteriorated like at the stitching, you don't have to replace the whole thing.

 

[Buddy1]

Which?
Also, Perfect Fit

Why?
It had good reviews and it had back and front clips for attaching lead. Not that we use the front clip very much, but it comes in useful e.g. the other day when we were at a fair and had to walk past the stall displaying the exhibits of the cake competition!

How Long?
A couple of years, but it is generally only used for pavement walks or when we are going somewhere the dog won’t be allowed off-lead. Our off-lead walks invariably involve lots of water, mud and the dog clambering through brambles in search of any lost tennis balls. I would imagine the harness would survive all this (they look very well made), but I think the extra padding might act like a sponge in water and mud and I am too lazy to keep washing it.

 

[Ari_RR]

Hurtta casual padded Y-harness is our favorite for now, and we have tried many different kinds over the years. Fits well, inexpensive, and has reflective stitching.

The drawback is that it doesn't have a front clip, but that's often the case with Y harnesses, and anything other than Y seems quite uncomfortable. However it has a solid O-ring in the front, and it's easy enough to think of a way of attaching the leash to the O-ring.

We use it mainly for long line walks, and Baby Miles wears it when we walk after sunset even if he is on the short leash attached to the collar (reflective stitching).

We also have Kurgo harness. Not great for leash walking, but is has front and top points of attachment for GoPro camera. We haven't done this yet with Miles, but one day we'll let him roam the woods with the camera on, and then will watch the world through his eyes

 

[JoanneF]

it doesn't have a front clip [....] However it has a solid O-ring in the front

Oops, I may have misunderstood your question @Mad Murphy. The Perfect Fit doesn't have a front clip either, it has a D ring on the front.

 

[Buddy1]

Oops, I may have misunderstood your question @Mad Murphy. The Perfect Fit doesn't have a front clip either, it has a D ring on the front.

Sorry, I think the confusion was my fault as I said it had a ‘front clip’.

 

[Mad Murphy]

Its ok, front clip front ring . two attachement points is what I meant ..These days I have to try to translate my thoughs before writing!

I was just curious as to the type people use and how long they expect them to last..
Good and bad points etc

 

[Caro Perry]

One of these Ancol Pet Products Limited

Had it 18 months now, it's used twice a day for around 6 miles of walking + car travel. Still in perfect condition and gets chucked in the washing machine every so often. Harri is not a swimmer but does like to lie in shallow water when he's hot.

His first one was the same but now outgrown is now 2 years old and in daily use by my friend's dog. Also like new.

 

[Whippylove]

I use Indidog harness it has the extra strap behind the chest which is great for my whippets no wriggling out! It also has the extra front clip which I use. Had it for over a year now and it's still great.