Havanese are the sweetest toy breeds around and are as fluffy and fun-loving as they are tiny. For such a little dog, a great fitting harness to keep them safe on walks is necessary! Havanese are nimble and quick; most only weigh between 7 and 13 pounds, so they’re light on their feet and can be excellent escape artists. We’ve checked out and compared the best harnesses for the national dog of Cuba, and we have reviews of our seven top picks below.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness |
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Best Value
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Frisco Small Breed Dog Harness |
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Premium Choice
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Chai's Choice Premium Outdoor Reflective Front |
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| Best for Puppies |
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Best Pet Supplies Voyager Dog Harness |
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Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness |
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The 7 Best Harnesses for Havanese
1. PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness – Best Overall
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Quick release |
| Harness type: | No pull, front clip |
| Features: | Waterproof |
The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is one of the only harnesses available for small dogs specially designed by a veterinary behaviorist to reduce pulling. The patented Martingale loop design of this harness ensures control, and adjusting it is easy thanks to the quick-snap straps. If your Havanese is a chewer, the PetSafe collar may not be the best choice; some customers mentioned that the straps were too easy to chew through quickly! However, the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness was our pick for the best overall harness for Havanese thanks to its ingenious design and ease of use.
2. Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Step in Back Clip Dog Harness – Best Value
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Buckle |
| Harness type: | Back clip |
| Features: | Step-in |
The Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness is a lovely little harness with an easy-to-wear step-in design featuring a double D-ring on the back for easy and secure attachment to the leash. Velcro fastenings also offer additional security and a secure fit, but using the clips is a must since some found the Velcro unreliable.
Nighttime walks are worry-free thanks to the reflective bands, which keep your Havanese visible and safe in low light. Sizing is important with harnesses, so remember that buyers also found this harness to be smaller than others. However, the comfort and great price point of the Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness make it our choice for the best harness for Havanese for the money.
3. Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness – Premium Choice
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Quick release |
| Harness type: | Front clip |
| Features: | Dual clip, reflective |
If you want your Havanese to be strutting in style, the Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness is for you. Your Havanese’s style and safety are paramount in this harness’s design; large reflective strips offer great visibility in low lights, and an integrated seatbelt loop handle means your pup can be safely strapped in on car journeys.
This quick-release harness is heavier than the others we reviewed, so it might not be the best fit for a very small Havanese, but the mesh padding material provides pressure relief and comfort. The Chai’s Choice harness comes at a premium price, but the superior features make it more than worth it!
4. Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness – Best for Puppies
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Buckle |
| Harness type: | Step-in |
| Features: | Two D rings, breathable |
The lightweight and adorably designed Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness is our top choice for puppies, and the breathable fabric provides comfort. It is designed with two fittings: a buckle and an adjustable “fuzzy fastening” loop. The adjustability of the harness stops there, however, which can present a problem for some Havanese owners since the harness sizes can run small. Once correctly fitted, the Best Pet harness uses two D rings for a secure leash attachment as your puppy gets used to the great outdoors!
5. Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Slip on |
| Harness type: | No pull, back clip |
| Features: | Training harness, step-in design |
The Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness is another anti-pulling harness geared towards dogs that are more enthusiastic on their walks. The patented anti-pulling system uses fitted mesh that moves with your dog, providing them with just the right amount of movement without compromising security.
The dark color of this harness might be a problem in the rain, and some owners stated the color bled onto their dog’s coats; this could be fixed with a wash before use. The step-in design is ergonomically structured for easy use and simple fitting, but the harness isn’t suitable for heavy chewers. The Sporn harness is excellent if you’re training your Havanese, but owners of more determined pullers may find it less effective.
6. Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Crash Tested Smart Car Dog Harness
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Buckle |
| Harness type: | Front and back clip |
| Features: | Dual clip, seatbelt tether |
The Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Crash Tested Smart Car Dog Harness is a great choice for Havanese that love to get into the car. It works as a normal walking harness by utilizing a five-point adjustable fit system, with leash attachments on both the front and back for your preferred walking style.
Some users said the fit was a little small on their dogs, so ensure your dog’s measurements are correct to counter any potential problems. The adjustability of the harness will help with this, despite it being a little tricky to fit at first. The crash-tested seatbelt tether and buckle are excellent additions to keep your Havanese safe, but ensure they don’t figure out how to stand on the buckle to release themselves while in the car!
7. Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Back Clip Dog Harness
| Lifestage: | Adult, puppy |
| Closure type: | Buckle |
| Harness type: | Back clip |
| Features: | Vest design, step-in |
The Puppia Vest Polyester Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness is a simple harness with a classic vest design made for comfort and security. The air-mesh padding on the harness provides ventilation and a comfortable fit for your pet, but be sure to measure your pup carefully. Some customers mentioned that the size was too small!
The vest design should be easy to place on your dog. Two D rings on the back of the harness near the clip provide security, and you won’t have to worry about your Havanese slipping out and causing mayhem!
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Harnesses for Havanese
The sizing, materials, type of harness, and extra attachments can become a muddle of facts and figures, so we’ve put together a buyer’s guide for you to look through to find the best harness for your pup!
Things to Consider When Finding a Harness for Your Havanese
When searching for a harness, its comfort and size are two of the most important factors. The aim of a good harness is to keep your Havanese secure and comfortable when on a walk, so searching specifically with these factors in mind is the best place to start! Most harnesses display specific measurements on their sales pages, including how best to measure your Havanese.
Once you have your measurements, considering how well your dog walks is the next factor. A more traditional over-the-head fit might work well for them if they’re a well-behaved walker used to wearing a harness. If your Havanese is a whirlwind who’s into everything and likes to pull you, a harness designed to limit pulling is better!
What Makes a Good Harness?
The characteristics that segregate a bad from a good harness include personal preference, quality, and design. We’ve selected the best harnesses for your Havanese based on their quality, so any of our top picks will pass the quality check.
You can focus on which materials, types of harnesses, and attachments you’ll need for your Havanese. The design of each harness can vary depending on how your Havanese takes to harnesses in general, so an overhead vs. a step-in design could elevate a harness from good to great!
Materials
Some of the materials used to make harnesses can affect how they’re used. For example, some harnesses use mesh as a component for added breathability and security, while others use soft fabrics like sherpa for added comfort. The type of material can be dictated by the weather and how active your Havanese is. Chewing can also influence the material you choose since a thinner material could be easily chewed through instead of a thicker one!
Types
A few types of harnesses are available to buy for your Havanese, and they mostly differ in function.
When considering which is the best to buy, think about how well your Havanese can stay still to attach the harness and how they react to them. Some dogs don’t like having things put over their heads, so a step-in harness would be best. If your Havanese is full of energy and can’t seem to sit still, a harness with easy fastening and a quick release would be the best choice. For those that love to pull, there are harnesses designed to reduce pulling and correct it in a kind way.
Attachments
Some harnesses come with additional attachments. One common attachment is a seatbelt loop that can connect to your car seatbelt and keep your dog safe. Make sure any harness you buy with a seatbelt loop or connector has been crash tested.
Some brands also have extra D-rings to attach the leash, which are commonly found either on the back or front of the harness. Front-facing D-rings are a good option for Havanese that love to pull.
Measurements
Ensuring your Havanese is correctly measured for a harness is the most crucial part of choosing one. Annoyingly, each harness often has its own size guidelines, but checking the product’s page can help you decide which provides a nice fit.
Here are a few steps for measuring your dog correctly using a tape measure:
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an all-around harness that offers a great fit and protection against pulling, the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is the choice for you. It was designed by a veterinary behaviorist to prevent pulling and is our best overall harness for Havanese. If ease of use and an excellent price point is what you’re after, the Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Step-In Back Clip Dog Harness is small-dog friendly and very aesthetically pleasing! Lastly, if you want style and substance, the Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness provides comfort and premium style with important safety features!
Featured Image Credit: Peter Mayer 67, Shutterstock
