Finding a harness for your pug can be a challenge because they have a specific set of needs. They’re small and wide-chested and can overheat easily on hot days.
Pugs are also brachycephalic dogs, meaning they have short, flat muzzles.1 They tend to have smaller and narrower airway passages, which can make breathing difficult for them. So, it’s important to find a comfortable harness that doesn’t feel restrictive.
Training a pug to go on walks can be difficult because they can have a mind of their own and try to pull. Due to all of these factors, it’s important to find a harness that’s comfortable and safe.
Here are reviews of some of the best harnesses for pugs. After reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the types of harnesses that are available for this dog breed and which one will best suit the pug in your life.
A Quick Look at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
| Image | Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Frisco Basic No Pull Harness |
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Best Value
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Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness |
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Check Price |
| Best for Puppies |
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PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness |
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Check Price |
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SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness with Seat Belt |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Harnesses for Pugs
1. Frisco Basic No Pull Dog Harness – Best Overall
| Material: | Nylon |
| Type: | Front clip |
The Frisco Basic No Pull Dog Harness is the best overall harness for pugs because it provides a safe walking experience. It has two D-rings in the front to provide varying levels of control for the walker so that pugs are safely redirected from pulling. It also has four adjustment points so that you can change up the length of the straps to fit your pug’s unique body shape.
The harness is also very easy to put on. It has straps that are different colors so you can quickly identify which part goes over your pug’s head. Once you put it on, you simply snap the buckles in place and are ready to go on a walk.
The only inconvenience you may face with this harness is that the leash may get caught up with your pug’s legs if you’re not minding where they walk. However, this is easily avoidable if you’re holding the leash properly.
2. Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness – Best Value
| Material: | Polyester |
| Type: | Back clip |
The Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness is one of the most comfortable options for pugs. This vest harness is made with very breathable, lightweight material and also has a comfortable inner lining, so it won’t dig into your pug’s skin. It also has an adjustable girth strap, so you only have to focus on finding a size that fits the width of their chest.
With all the benefits and the relatively affordable price, the Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness is definitely the best harness for pugs for the money you pay. However, since the chest piece isn’t adjustable, you’ll have to eventually buy a bigger size if you have a puppy.
3. Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness – Premium Choice
| Material: | Polyester |
| Type: | Dual clip |
Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness is one of the safest options you can find and has a lot of important features. It has a padded chest area so that your pug doesn’t feel a painful strain if it pulls. The exterior is made with durable nylon and has a reflective lining so that your pug remains visible in dim and darker areas.
All the straps are adjustable to provide a custom fit for your pug. The harness has a ring on both the front and back, so you can choose where to clip the leash. The back strap also has a handle that you can use to keep them safely buckled while inside cars.
Because of all this harness can do, it has a bulkier design than most other harnesses. So, it may feel a little uncomfortable for some Pugs, but this mostly applies to the smaller ones.
4. PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness – Best for Puppies
| Material: | Nylon |
| Type: | Front clip |
Leash training a pug puppy can be a challenging experience. They can get easily distracted and want to quickly scramble from place to place. That’s why it’s essential to find a harness that safely discourages them from pulling.
The PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness does just that. It has a design that helps your pug quickly feel comfortable wearing it. It also has a patented front loop that helps to redirect them from pulling.
All the straps are adjustable, so this harness could potentially grow with your pug puppy. It’s also made with durable nylon and is waterproof, so you could potentially use it for a long time.
Since this harness is so thin and lightweight, you do have to be extra mindful of finding the right size because the straps can end up digging into your pup’s skin. It’s important to make the correct adjustments to provide the most comfortable fit for your pug.
5. SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness with Seat Belt
| Material: | Nylon, polyester |
| Type: | Back clip |
Pugs are easy to travel with because of their small size. If you travel with your pug frequently, the SlowTon Car Safety Dog Harness with Seat Belt can be a great fit for your lifestyle.
First, it has a comfortable padded chest piece that’s made with breathable mesh. The back of the harness has two rings. You can clip a leash onto one of the rings for regular walks. When it’s time to go back in the car, all you have to do is use both clips and the accompanying seatbelt to keep your dog safely in place.
Before you purchase this harness, keep in mind that it tends to run a little larger than other harnesses, so it can be a bit of a challenge finding the right size.
6. Frisco Outdoor Lightweight Ripstop Nylon Dog Harness
| Material: | Nylon |
| Type: | Dual clip |
The Frisco Outdoor Lightweight Ripstop Nylon Dog Harness is for the adventurous pug. It can keep up with all of their playful antics while keeping it safe.
It’s made with breathable material so that your pug can wear it for a long time without feeling irritation. It’s also padded for additional comfort, but the padding around the collar can feel a little too bulky for smaller pugs.
This harness also comes with a ring on the front and back, so you can switch the leash position depending on the type of walk you’re going on with your pug. The straps also have reflective material to keep your pug visible in low-light conditions. All these features make this harness one of the best options for walks and outdoor activities.
7. Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness
| Material: | Nylon |
| Type: | Back clip |
Mesh harnesses can often feel too stifling for pugs. The Sporn Mesh No Pull Dog Harness addresses this issue by creating a flexible mesh design that also works to stop pulling. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to put on.
This harness also has a patented system that prevents dogs from pulling without choking them. The mesh works with your dog’s natural movements while helping owners maintain good control during walks.
While this harness works well with leash pulling, it’s not the best for escape artists. Because it’s so flexible, pugs may be able to wiggle out of it if they’re particularly squirmy.
8. Mighty Paw Padded Sports Reflective No Pull Dog Harness
| Material: | Polyester |
| Type: | Dual clip |
The Mighty Paw Padded Sports Reflective No Pull Dog Harness is another durable option that helps discourage leash pulling. It has both a front clip and back clip to provide maximum control for owners while going on walks.
If you have a particularly rowdy pug, you can easily scoop it up by gripping the handle on the back of the harness. This feature allows you to efficiently remove your pug from any potentially dangerous situations and relocate them to a calmer environment.
This harness has wider, more durable straps than standard strap harnesses, and it will last you a long time. However, the size of the straps may feel a little uncomfortable for pugs and they may prefer a more breathable option.
9. Best Pet Supplies Voyager Mesh Dog Harness
| Material: | Polyester |
| Type: | Back clip |
The Best Pet Supplies Voyager Mesh Dog Harness has one of the most straightforward designs. It’s extremely simple to put on. All your pug has to do is step into the holes for its legs and then you clip on the harness.
The material is very breathable and the vest hugs your pug’s chest so that it doesn’t experience any painful pressure if it has a tendency to pull. The back also has two D-rings to enable a more secure and controlled walk.
The only issue with this harness is the lack of adjustments. You only have a Velcro strap, which limits how much you can change the size of the harness. So, this harness won’t grow with a puppy, and you might end up buying multiple sizes.
10. HDP Car Dog Harness & Safety Seat Belt Travel Gear
| Material: | Nylon |
| Type: | Back clip |
The HDP Car Dog Harness is another considerable option if you like to travel with your pug. It has a large ring located on the back that enables you to quickly buckle your pug in place with the accompanying safety seat belt.
This harness also doubles as a walking harness, so you can take your pug on walks once you’re out of the car. However, since the harness works mostly as a safety harness, it doesn’t have as many features designed to make walks as comfortable as possible for pugs.
So, we wouldn’t recommend this harness for pugs that have a tendency to pull. It’s more appropriate for dogs that have already been trained to walk on a leash.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Harness for Your Pug
There are many different types of harnesses, and each one is appropriate for different kinds of Pugs. Read through the descriptions of each one to determine which one is best suited for your special pug.
Back-Clip Harness
Most harnesses are back-clip harnesses. This means that you hook the leash to the back loop of the harness. A good back-clip harness will evenly distribute the pressure around the pug’s chest area if it happens to pull on its leash.
Back-clip harnesses are mostly for dogs that are properly leash trained. It won’t teach dogs not to pull or lunge and only reduces the risk of neck injury should a pug yank on its leash.
Front-Clip/No-Pull Harness
Front-clip harnesses are often excellent harnesses for training pugs to walk on a leash. The front of the harness will have a clip for the leash. When they walk and get ahead of the walker or try to pull, the movement will naturally cause the pug to turn and redirect its attention back to the walker.
The downside to a front-clip harness is that the leash can get tangled or caught up between the pug’s legs. So, you’ll have to be extra mindful of how you hold the leash to avoid tripping.
Dual-Clip Harness
A dual-clip harness has a clip on both the front and back of the harness. This allows you to choose where you want to clip on the leash. You can also buy a double connection leash to clip to both the front and back of the harness for more control. However, since pugs are so small, they won’t really need this extra control. This feature is more suitable for larger, heavier dogs.
Step-in Harness
A step-in harness is a great alternative for dogs that don’t like having their heads go through a harness. This type of harness is typically very easy to put on dogs. All you have to do is slip your pug’s front legs into the appropriate openings and then clip the harness in place.
Strap Harness
A strap harness offers a lot of freedom. It’s often lightweight and less noticeable than vest harnesses, so your pug will have an easier time walking around. Strap harnesses are also great for pugs because they can overheat easily in hot weather.
Vest Harness
Vest harnesses offer more support and cushion. They can sometimes be more comfortable for dogs because they’re made with softer material. Vest harnesses can be good for pugs because of the additional support. If you want to use a vest harness on your pug, make sure that it’s made of extremely breathable mesh so they don’t overheat.
Conclusion
Out of our reviews, we choose the Frisco Basic No Pull Dog Harness as the best harness because it provides a safe walking experience and is very adjustable to fit a pug’s unique body shape. We also like the Puppia Polyester Back Clip Dog Harness because it’s an affordable, yet safe and cute option for pugs to wear.
At the end of the day, harnesses should make walks safer and less stressful for pugs. So, make sure to find the right type of harness for your pug so that you two can enjoy many long walks together.
- See Also: 7 Best Muzzles for Pugs
Featured Image Credit: Alice and Kuba Potocki, Shutterstock
