7 Best Dog Harnesses for Havanese in 2023

Due to their small, cuddly size and fun personality, Havanese dogs are the perfect companions. Havanese earned the nickname “velcro dog” because they stick so closely to their owners’ side. Originating from Cuba, Havanese are social creatures and thrive on interacting with people, especially their owners.

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Havanese are also smart and trainable. With their playful demeanor, high trainability and strong social skills, it’s no wonder the Havenese is one of the fastest-growing breeds in the US.

Bouncy, happy little dogs, Havanese can be quite energetic when walking them, which makes them more likely to pull on the leash and put pressure on their tiny necks. That’s why a traditional collar may not be the best solution for your Havanese dog. Harnesses offer more support and more safely cradle the force of a leash.

While a traditional collar applies more force to your dog’s neck when you’re holding the leash, a harness distributes that force to your canine’s body. This gives you greater control of your Havanese as it increases the stability and leverage you place on your canine companion.

Choosing the right harness for your furry friend is crucial to his overall comfort and safety. A harness that’s too small can cause discomfort. On the other hand, your Havanese may experience chafing and rashes if the harness is too loose. Different styles have different fits. In this post, we’ll share our top picks so that you can make the best decision for your Havanese.

Here are the seven best harnesses we recommend for your Havanese:

Different Types of Dog Harnesses for Havanese

As we mentioned earlier, there are many types of dog harnesses available on the market. The type that you choose will depend on how much your Havanese pulls on the leash and how much control you need. There are three main types of dog harnesses: back-clip harnesses, front-clip harnesses and dual-clip harnesses.

Back-clip harnesses are just what the name suggests. They have an attachment on the back of the dog where you hook your leash. These are the most common types of harnesses as they’re comfortable for most dogs.

Back-clip harnesses are especially useful for small breed dogs with delicate throats like Havanese. One disadvantage of back-clip harnesses is that they provide less control and don’t discourage pulling. So if your Havanese has a habit of lunging or prefers to take you for a walk, one of the other harness types may be a better fit.

Front-clip harnesses offer more control, which makes them an excellent option for dogs that pull. The leash attachment is positioned at the front, which creates tension that pulls your dog towards you instead of forward. The downside of front-clip harnesses is that they’re more likely to get tangled around a dog’s legs, making it less comfortable for some dogs.

There are even harnesses available that have three or more attachment points and are thus called multi-clip harnesses. You can use the rear clip to guide your Havanese on normal walks and the front clip when you need more control in case your pup starts pulling or jumping. When you use a dual-clip harness, you can apply pressure more evenly, on multiple points, which offers more comfort and prevents injuries.

How Do I Ensure the Best Fit for My Havanese?

Havanese dogs are peaceful and gentle with everyone, which makes them a joy to be around. They also respond well to training that includes food rewards, and they love learning new tricks. Even though Havanese tend to be healthy and sturdy, they’re still delicate dogs due to their small size. Finding the right size harness is paramount to ensuring your canine’s safety during walks.

To choose the right size harness for your Havanese, you should take a few different measurements: the chest, neck and weight. To measure your dog’s chest, place a flexible tape measure around the broadest part of his body. Start at the bottom of the rib cage and pull the measuring tape over his back.

When measuring your Havanese’s neck, take the tape measure and loop it around the base of the neck where he usually wears a collar. The AKC recommends that you position the tape measure from your pet’s withers–the ridge between the shoulder blades–to the top of his chest.

Because your Havanese is small enough to lift, and you can hold him still for a few seconds, you can weigh him on your bathroom scale.

Make sure you’re weighing him on a hard and flat surface, like the floor. The scale works best this way. Plus, you can prevent injury from your dog falling from a high surface, such as a countertop.

Even though chest and neck measurements are the most accurate ways to fit a dog for a harness, some brands use weight to guide sizing.

Look for harnesses that are about two inches larger than the measurements you took. If your pet is within the weight range on the harnesses’ package, that’s ideal. Place your chosen harness on your dog and adjust it as needed.

A harness that’s too loose on your Havanese can irritate his delicate skin and cause chafing. However, a too-tight harness can cause the rolls of skin around your pup’s neck and shoulders to bunch up and can leave indentions on the fur. If you can snugly fit two fingers under each of the harness’ straps, it’s a good fit.

Overall Best Dog Harness for Havanese

Our top pick of the best dog harness for Havanese is the Noxgear LightHound Reflective Dog Harness.

Noxgear LightHound LED Illuminated & Reflective Dog Harness

If you work long hours and most of your free time is probably at night, you don’t have to worry about night safety with the Noxgear Reflective Dog Harness. This harness lights up with 14 selectable colors and can be seen from a great distance. It’s made of reflective, high-visibility military-grade Cordura fabric.

The rechargeable LED lights last up to 12 hours, and you can easily remove them for cleaning. The Noxgear Reflective Harness is an excellent choice for Havanese because they’re so small that it can be difficult to see them at night. Plus, it’s easy to put on and adjustable for a comfortable fit.

6 More Highly Rated Dog Harnesses for Havanese

Here are a few more of our recommendations for the best dog harnesses for Havanese.

EzyDog Quick Fit Dog Harness

The EzyDog Quick Fit Dog Harness fits dogs of all sizes. It’s a lightweight one-click, back-clip harness that you can put on your pup in seconds. This harness comes with an ID tag holder, which replaces the need for a collar.

The EzyDog harness’ lightweight delicate material and adjustable straps help minimize pinching or chafing. This harness has reflective stitching, providing enhanced nighttime visibility for late walks.

If you’ve had trouble with harnesses that were too thick, a hassle to put on and weren’t made of breathable fabric, then the EzyDog Quick Fit Dog Harness may be the solution for you.

Harness Lead Dog Harness

The Harness Lead Dog Harness is an all-in-one harness that functions as a collar, harness and leash. If you want to leash train your Havanese, this harness is an excellent option because it gently tightens around your dog’s torso when he pulls and relaxes once your pup stops pulling.

Plus, the harness has a soft texture and doesn’t have hard edges or buckles, which means it’ll go easy on your pup’s skin and won’t cause irritation. The harness comes with movable rubber stops that allow you to adjust the harness to any size and prevent tightening around your Havanese’s fragile neck.

Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Dog Harness

The Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Dog Harness is a back-clip harness that’s perfect for small breeds like Havanese. Each size is determined by a dog’s chest girth, which makes for a more customizable fit. If your pup overheats easily during walks, then this harness is a great choice as it’s made with a soft, breathable mesh to keep your Havanese cool and comfy.

This harness also has four reflective bands on the front and sides, which boosts night-time visibility from each angle. If your Havanese is an escape artist and has successfully wiggled his way out of previous harnesses, then you’ll love this harness’ secure fit. It has a hook and loop patch, a buckle clip and a pair of metal rings that provide three points of security and peace of mind during walks.

Chai’s Choice 3M Reflective Dog Harness

Chai’s Choice Reflective Dog Harness is a dual-clip reflective harness that comes in a variety of sizes and colors. This harness was designed to keep the pressure off your dog’s neck and disperse that pressure evenly to the rest of his body with padded chest and belly straps. This feature is especially beneficial for Havanese, because, like many small breeds, they can be prone to tracheal collapse. Excessive pulling on the neck can worsen this condition.

One unique feature of this harness is that it comes with a built-in handle on the top that allows you to buckle your pooch into the car, which makes for safer and easier road trips. This harness comes with an O-ring in the front where you can attach your leash. So if your pup pulls a lot while you’re walking him, you can use the front clip to discourage him.

Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness

The Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness comes in a wide range of sizes, from XS to XL. This back-clip harness was made from a soft and breathable mesh fabric that’s perfect for letting air flow through on warm days.

If your Havanese hates putting harnesses over his head, then you don’t have to worry when using the Voyager Dog Harness. It’s made with an effortless step-in style. You can also adjust the harness using the fastener strap located in the back.

The Voyager Dog Harness eliminates throat pulling caused by a traditional collar by applying a controlled force to your Havanese’s chest, allowing for easier handling of your pooch during walks.

Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness with Steel Nesting Buckles Enhanced Strength

The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness has a unique design because its all-steel Nesting Buckle System is similar to harnesses used by rock climbers and linesmen. This design not only ensures safety, but it also provides strength, which prevents your Havanese from escaping the harness.

This multi-clip harness has five adjustment points, making it easy to get a near-custom fit for any size dog. The Kurgo Tru-Fit Harness features a chest pad that takes pressure off the trachea and sternum. It’s also been crash-tested to keep your pup safe while riding in the car.

Best Harness for a Havanese Puppy

If your Havanese is a puppy, the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is our top pick.

PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness

The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is an ideal choice for puppies. Using this front-clip harness, you can leash train your Havanese pup while he’s still young. It comes with a martingale loop at the chest, which prevents twisting and tangling.

The harness also has four adjustment points for maximum comfort and a reliable fit. The chest strap rests across your Havanese puppy’s neck, which eliminates pressure on his delicate throat.

Tips for Getting Your Havanese Accustomed to Using a Harness

Eager and excitable Havanese tend to pull on the leash, especially when they’re young pups. So wearing a collar can be uncomfortable because, as your Havanese pulls, it can put too much pressure on his little neck.

That’s why veterinarians and dog trainers recommend harnesses specifically for these eager beavers. Refer to the following tips to get your stubborn Havanese accustomed to using a harness:

  1. Allow your pup to smell the harness.
  2. Put a treat on the harness and allow your dog to eat the treat off of it.
  3. Touch your dog with the harness. Show praise by patting him on the head or rubbing his belly each time the harness makes contact.
  4. If the harness has a buckle, open and close it. Give your pooch a treat each time it clicks.
  5. Let your Havanese wear the harness around the house. Make sure you give him a treat and lots of praise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Best Way to Fit a Havanese Puppy for a Harness?

You should measure your Havanese puppy in the same way you’d measure an adult Havanese for a harness. Measure his neck and chest. Then, take his weight. Your Havanese puppy would likely be smaller than an adult dog, so be sure to pick a harness that matches his measurements to achieve the right fit.

Also, make sure the harness isn’t too tight around the ribcage as this can hinder proper development in that area, especially if using the harness regularly.

What Type of Harness Is Appropriate for the Temperament and Activity Level of a Havanese?

A front-clip harness is probably the most appropriate for a Havanese as it provides more control. Because Havanese are eager and tend to bark a lot, they’re more likely to pull on the leash and lunge forward.

Are Harnesses Better Than Collars for Havanese Dogs?

It’s ideal to keep your dog’s collar on at all times because it allows you to display your dog’s ID tag. However, harnesses are generally safer for walking your dog, especially for a smaller breed like Havanese. Plus, some harnesses come with an ID tag holder, which eliminates the need to wear a collar.

Conclusion

There are multiple benefits to harnessing your Havanese, including better comfort, protection, control and visibility. Using a harness, you can ensure your Havanese’s fragile neck is protected in case he’s an avid puller.

Our recommended picks are highly-rated by pet owners like you want to keep their pups safe and secure during walks and car rides.

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