Pet harness

A Jack Russell Terrier wearing a pet harness

A dog harness is piece of equipment for dogs, generally similar to harness tack for horses. There are various designs depending on the type of use, whether it be for assistance to a disabled person, hauling a cart or sled, or pulling a human being, such as in skijoring or pulka. Harnesses are also commonly worn by non-working dogs.

Pet harnesses

A harness is commonly worn in conjunction with a collar and used as an alternative for leash attachment. While a collar only encircles the neck, harnesses have a loop that surrounds the torso as well, with connecting straps between them for reinforcement. This design allows for distribution of force which may prevent choking and a lower chance of slipping out than may be possible with only a collar. Harness usage is growing in popularity among many pet owners- especially for those with smaller breed dogs. Recently, pet clothing frequently sports a properly-placed buttonhole for hooking a leash to the harness worn under the garment. Dog harnesses that are designed to look like clothes are available. These items are designed to reduce the stress placed on a small dogs neck while walking on a lead.

Assistance dog harnesses

A guide dog harness and leash

Assistance dogs will sometimes wear a harness if part of their job includes guiding or providing physical or mobility assistance. A handle is generally built in for the person to grip, along with more reinforcement or padding in the breast area of the dog. Overall sturdiness of the design depends on whether the dog is gently leading, acting as a brace, or physically pulling a wheelchair (where the design may be similar to that of a sled dog's).

Sled dog harnesses

Sled dog harnesses vary depending on whether the dog is hauling freight or racing. Harnesses come in three main types: the freight harness, the H-back harness, and the X-back harness. Dog sports are growing and more types of harnesses are being developed, including the Y-back style and guard or distance harness. This type of harness is quickly becoming a favorite for those who enjoy skijoring.

The freight harness, often an H-back harness with a wide chestband and sometimes extra padding, is designed to help the dog pull heavy weights efficiently, and may feature a spreader bar behind the wheel dogs and before the sled or cart. The straps form an 'H' or ladder-like effect across the back of the dog. These harnesses help distribute the weight of the cargo over a broader body area.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) These dogs are wearing H-back freight harnesses. Photo from 1957.

Racing harnesses are lighter and shorter than freight harnesses. The X-back harness, so called because the straps form an 'X' across the back of the dog, is used more frequently than the H-back, with short versions that ride farther forward on the dog's body recently gaining in popularity.

The Y-back or hybrid harness is similar in appearance to the H-back. The tugline attaches to the harness on top of the dog's back and stretches parallel to the ground or upwards to the skier, bicycle, or other load.

In contrast, dogs that participate in weight pulls (as compared to a regular freight harness) will wear very heavy, padded harnesses, with broad chestbands to help spread the weight and prevent harm to the dog.

Mobility Support Harnesses

Dogs with mobility problems can be helped with support harnesses. These devices allow the dog's owner to provide assistance to the dog by taking some of the weight off the affected limbs. Conditions that can benefit from a support harness include Osteoarthritis, Hip dysplasia, Back injuries, Spinal injuries/intervertebral disk disease, and Degenerative myelopathy (DM). Dog wheelchairs (see Walkin' Wheels) use dog harnesses to support the dog in a frame.

Rear Support Dog Harness

Dog training harnesses

Harness is not only good dog handling tool, it is also used for training. There is a variety of dog training harnesses. Usually, they are made of nylon or leather. Both these materials are perfect for this purpose. Commonly, nylon harnesses are cheaper than leather ones. There are specially designed harnesses with fully padded chest plate for agitation, protection, attack training. The chest plate absorbs the shock during the hit thus preventing serious injuries of a dog. It is especially vital for those dogs who are trained on daily basis.

Car Safety Harnesses

Safety Harnesses designed for use in an Automobile restrain the dog in a car seat using the car's seat belt. These harnesses are marketed as reducing the risk of injury to a pet that is riding in a vehicle during a traffic collision. The harnesses are also said to keep the pet from distracting the driver, or escaping from a vehicle.

Legislation

In 2012, New Jersey's Assemblywoman Grace Spencer (D-Essex) introduced bill A3221 that would require dogs and cats owners to restrain their animals while traveling in a moving vehicle. If enacted, pets not travelling in a crate would be required to wear a safety harness. NJ drivers who violate the law would be subject to a $20 ticket, as well as possible conviction for animal cruelty offense.

Public opinion summary

In a 2012 poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind, New Jersey voters split over proposed legislation to require automobile drivers to restrain pets. The poll question was: “Do you favor or oppose legislation that requires safety restraints or crates for dogs while traveling in a car?” and nearly half (45%) of New Jersey voters favored the bill, while four in every ten (40%) opposed the legislation. Dan Cassino, professor of Political Science, noted: “The people who are going to be most impacted by this bill – people who actually own dogs – don’t like it.”

See also

• Mushing
• Assistance dog