If you want to make the dog walking experience a pleasure for you and your lab, then you must look for the best harnesses for Labradors. Talking about your Labrador is like trying to describe a bundle of joy. You’ll find that Labs are full of energy, enthusiasm, and eagerness. But taking your dog for a walk can be quite an exhaustive experience.
The market is full of Labrador harnesses, but you want to get nothing but the best for your canine companion. The idea is to get something that doesn’t put unnecessary pressure on your dog’s neck and makes it easy for you to control your pet too. And those are exactly the harnesses that you’ll find in our list below:
What Type of Harness do Labradors Need?
Labradors are medium-sized, athletic dogs with a never-ending spirit. They require high-quality foods and the best care. You’ll find that they tend to pull a lot because of it, which is why there’s a lot of debate on whether you should use a harness or collar for your lab. You can use a leash and collar to avoid the pulling, but it can be quite frustrating to get a better grip while walking.
Another option is to use a dog harness. It’ll be a smarter choice for your Labrador when it comes to their safety, comfort, and training. Not to mention, it’ll prove priceless for your peace of mind.
Looking for the best Labrador harness means you ensure that it is comfortable for your pet. Basically, the fit of the harness ought to be snug but not constricting. Also, you’ll be using the harness regularly. So, it’s vital to go for something durable. The aesthetics of a Lab harness isn’t paramount to your dog, but it’s features are. Nevertheless, you can opt for colorful harnesses to add to your dog’s good glamor.
How to Choose the Right Harness for Labradors?
There are many considerations to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing the best harness for your lovable Labrador, we’ve mentioned the most important characteristics for you.
Material
Nothing tops the comfort of your pet. It’s safe to say that the first thing to look out for in a harness for your Lab is the quality of the material. Talking about materials, several harnesses are made from polyester, nylon, or other, more breathable hybrid materials that aren’t stifling for your dog in the hot summer months.
Any harness gear worth its name will give optimal support to your dog. Simply put, your Lab should not feel too much pressure on the throat and neck. Ideal comfort for your canine means the force of the pull is distributed evenly throughout the body and chest.
You should be aware that even if your dog is trained not to pull, it’s likely to draw away from you every time it encounters someone or something that triggers its curiosity. To avoid that, you need to be on the lookout for a harness that guarantees sturdiness.
Strength
Even a pup of six weeks only can be quite a handful when you go out in public. You see, Labradors belong to the ‘gun dog’ breed, and they have a natural aptitude for swimming and training. That’s the primary reason why Labs are used as military dogs.
But, if you think that walking in the park is going to be a breeze when you haven’t given your dog any no-pull training, then you’re in for a shock. Your well-muscled, sturdy bag of vivacity can end up giving you a run for your money if not put under a harness. You’ll want to concentrate on getting a harness that includes extra-padding. Doing so will certainly increase your chances of landing the best harness for Labradors out there.
Finally, you need to be sure that any harness you buy includes robust safety features. And, that entails – reliability of the buckles and fasteners, the soundness of the stitch and material, as well as the overall resistance to regular pulling and tugging.
Size
As we mentioned earlier, Labs are medium-sized dogs, and they reach maturity by six months. But, there are no assurances that your dog won’t fill out even after maturity. When it comes to the size of the harness, opting for a harness that has adjustable straps is paramount. Also, if you have a Labrador retriever puppy, then you certainly need to keep room for growth.
You may wonder what harness size would be appropriate for a Lab puppy? At three months, a Lab pup is around 50 lbs, so you need flexibility in the harness you choose to buy. Remember that your friendly little Lab can continue growing until it’s two years of age.
If your pet has put on a few extra pounds, you don’t want the harness to be too restricting on your best bud. Under such circumstances, the best harness for a Labrador retriever would be one with flexible buckles, adjustable straps, and added padding.
Extra Features
We already discussed added padding and adjustable straps, but there are many other choices available to pet guardians when it comes to harnesses.
For example, the no-pull harness is an ideal fit for Labradors. Its design is such that it minimizes your dog’s ability to tug hard on their leads during walks. Most no-pull harnesses have two clips – front and back. The front clip gives you more control.
Another great extra feature for harnesses is reflective stripes. These are attached to the harness and work to keep your dog visible to other motorists after sundown. Also, most harnesses are available in a whole range of cool colors, and many are water-resistant as well as scratch-proof. And if that isn’t enough, you can always get a quick-snap clasp for easy removal, seat-belt tether, and no-choke design.
Best Harness for Labradors
It’s time to unveil our best harness for Labs compilation, and you had better hold on to your seats. This list contains something for every Lab parent out there. And you will, no doubt, find what you’re looking for before it’s over.
1. PetSafe Deluxe Easy Walk Harness
With 4 points of adjustments, padded surfaces for extra comfort, and reflective accents, the PetSafe Deluxe Easy Walk Harness offers 15 years of guaranteed trust. Designed to fit most large, medium, or small Labrador pups, this harness ensures no choking for your faithful companions.
The patented Martingale loop and front chest leash attachment can steer your pet in your direction with gentle pressure. And, the nylon harness with quick-snap shoulder and belly straps, they make it easy to put on and faster to remove.
Lastly, there’s the no-worry purchase policy that makes it convenient for pet owners to replace or resize.
2. Kurgo Tru-Fit Harness with Seatbelt
If you’ve been asking yourself – what is the best harness for a Labrador puppy – then look no further. The Kurgo Tru-Fit Harness comes equipped with 5 adjustment points. It’s superb for large, medium, or small dogs.
The item’s front D-ring for no pull works wonders as it gives you more control to keep your dog out of harm’s way. And, it provides extra comfort with its broad, padded chest plate.
The Kurgo harness offers a lifetime warranty. So, if you run into any problems after the purchase, rest assured they’ll be resolved with ease. The Kurgo is crash test certified with easy on and off buckles. But, what’s best is that the Kurgo Tru-Fit Harness is compatible with most car seat belt systems.
3. Petsafe SureFit Harness
It’s almost as if the PetSafe Store asked one of the Labs what a perfect halter harness should look like before they came up with this product of theirs. Because this harness includes everything from safety features to durability and maximum comfort for your pooch.
The harness’s quick-snap buckles make it extremely user-friendly, and its center strap is designed to fit your Lab’s chest to avoid placing pressure on its throat or neck.
It’s plain to see that PetSafe’s industry experience has been utilized well with this product. It’s safe for you and your canine to use, and its competitive pricing acts as the proverbial cherry on top.
4. Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness
When a company creates a pet product that’s available in 13 brilliant colors – you know they’re serious about what they do. The Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness certainly looks like one of the best harnesses we’ve seen, and its features are no less handsome.
Made to function for extended wear, this harness is perfectly lightweight, durable, and ideal for outdoor activities such as running, hiking, etc.
With two leash attachment points made of aluminum and reinforced webbing at the chest – the Ruffwear harness certainly stands up to its name. The foam-padded strips that run across the gear’s chest and belly area make for added comfort and equal distribution of pressure across your pet’s chest.
5. Rabbitgoo Dog Harness
Our award for the best no-pull harness for labrador goes to RabbitGoo’s No-Pull Pet Harness. This product is extremely suitable for medium to large-breed dogs such as Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Akitas, and obviously our very own, Labradors. Oh, and unlike other harnesses, this one is available only in classic black.
The No-Pull Pet Harness is specifically designed with two durable metal leash rings for extra safety. The leash ring at the front is perfect for training your Labrador and for walks in the park. Conversely, the ring at the back is ideal for strenuous activities such as hiking and jogging.
The harness includes four adjustable straps to promote an exemplary fit, along with a top handle that offers extra control.
6. Kurgo Dog Harness with Front D-Ring
Coming in at number six for the best harness for labs compilation is the Kurgo Dog Harness. This multi-purpose harness is quite an all-rounder, and it comes outfitted with some solid features.
For one thing, the Kurgo Dog Harness is crash-tested certified at Calspan’s with a test procedure for pet safety restraint systems. It truly is one of the more comfortable harnesses available on the market. With its padded chest plate, no-pull D ring, and five adjustment points – this harness is definitely a keeper.
7. Barkbay No Pull Dog Harness
The Barkbay No-Pull Dog Harness not only features on the Amazon’s Choice list, but it’s also the final selection for our best harnesses for Labs compilation.
Made from durable no-rip nylon fabric, this harness also offers the advantage of anti-chafe mesh material padding. Aside from that, it also has four adjustment points and an ID tag pocket for your pet’s added safety.
With 3M reflective strips, two incredibly sturdy metal leash rings, and a top handle – the Barkbay Harness promises to exceed your expectations.
Harnesses for Labradors – FAQs
We know that as a pet-parent your concerns about your Lab’s safety can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive FAQ section for your perusal. Take a moment to go through these questions. You won’t regret it, we promise!
One of the best ways to stop your dog from pulling on the leash is to employ the loose leash walking method. The mechanics of this method are simple – you have to train and reward your dog for keeping the leash relaxed. Simply stop each time your canine pulls on its leash and wait until it walks back to you.
When your pet reaches where you’re standing, throw it a treat, and then walk in the opposite direction to repeat the process. Do this enough times, and your dog will understand what you want it to do.
Dog leashes are available in many variations. However, the best leashes are the ones that are made of nylon, leather, or a chain because they’re highly durable and give you more control. You’ll also want a leash with a sturdy leash clip or ring so that your doggy escape artist can’t pull a fast one on you.
Additionally, if your pet is the canine equivalent of Jaws, then you might want to look at chew-proof options as well.
You can train your Labrador to walk beside you by applying the ‘heel’ method that experts recommend. Start by getting yourself the best no-pull harness for Labrador retrievers you can get your hands on.
Next, take your Lab out for a short walk, while making them walk next to you. You’ll want to avoid exciting your dog too much before you head out, though. As soon as your Lab starts pulling away, state the word ‘heel’ in a loud, firm voice. You don’t want to scream or scare your pet. You only need to get their attention. Remember to state the command only once.
Once you’ve issued your “heel”, stay still. Your dog may move around a bit, but once it notices you aren’t moving, it’ll come back to you to check what’s going on. When your Lab walks over to you, hand it a treat and some verbal appreciation. It may take some time, but once your pet understands the intent behind the exercise – you’ll be all set.
Teaching your dog to walk to heel will require some yummy treats, a clicker, and lots of patience. Also, you can try out this method with or without a leash.
Once your doggo is trailing behind you, call out its name and point to the side you want it to walk on. Be sure to remember to hold the treat in your hand, but keep it covered so it doesn’t distract your furry friend. Once your dog gets on the side you’ve indicated, hit the clicker, and say ‘yes’ out loud. Then proceed to hand out a treat. Repeat this process several times until your dog is following your commands seamlessly.
Ideally, Labradors require an hour’s worth of exercise every day. However, based on your pet’s energy level, you can increase or decrease that time-frame.
But before doing so, remember to consult your vet to avoid any health hazards. Also, getting your pet the best harness for Labrador retriever dogs won’t hurt either.
When you’re trying to decide what size harness for lab puppy dogs is appropriate, it’s best to remember that all puppies are different. Some puppies are healthier than others, and that’s why it’s a good idea to measure your pup’s girth.
Once you have the measurements down, remember to compare it with the size specifications each harness has. Also, always go for a harness with adjustable straps because they tend to last longer when your pup hits its growth spurt.
We’ve reached the end of our quest to find the one harness (well, seven to be exact) to beat them all, and truth be told, we had fun (I hope you did, too). Dogs are adorable animals, and they deserve only the best. Hopefully, our top seven harness selections and FAQs have helped you in taking care of your Lab. However, before we sign off, we’d like to offer one final piece of advice:
When it comes to retailing, the rule of ‘caveat emptor’ reigns supreme. That’s why we advise you to make your pet try out a leash before you purchase it. After all, no one wants to deal with returns or exchanges.