Calling all runners - I repeat, calling all runners! If you're anything of a fitness enthusiast like I am, there are only a few things in the world that feel better than going out for a good run with Fido side by side. All that stress built up going away as you drip sweat and burn those calories - feels good!
But, as the responsible dog owner you are, you're also aware that you can't just let Fido run loose and assume they'll stay within their limits and boundaries, you've got to prepare for such an activity beforehand by making sure you've got all the necessary accessories available.
Which brings us to the topic we'll be covering in this article today, what harnesses out there are the best dog harnesses for running, what criteria makes them so, who needs a dog harness for runners and why they need this specific type - so stay tuned and read on!
Best Dog Harnesses For Running - (Our 5 Favorite Options For 2023)
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*Note: The links in the table above, as well as several links in the remainder of the article below, will take you to over to Chewy and Amazon where you can find out more information about the products, such as current prices and customer reviews.
Why Should I Get A Running Harness For My Dog?
Why is it exactly you should get a running harness for your dog? Won't they be just fine running by your side without any attachments or equipment? Not really.
Avid Runner: If you're an avid runner that takes part in this activity on a day to day basis, a standard dog harness simply won't do you or your dog justice.
As far as you're concerned, one too many complications will come along during the jog or run that will just ruin your overall experience, and as far as your dog is concerned, they'll experience all sorts of discomforts simply because the standard harness they're wearing wasn't manufactured with exercise in mind.
Safety: For both your dog and anyone who may be around them at that time, safety should ALWAYS come first when you're outside the house and going for a run.
If your dog's roaming free without anything attached to them that you could control their movement with, they could easily wander off and pose huge danger to themselves or anyone who may be around them at the time.
You should always be in complete control of your dog's movement when outside the house, especially when jogging or running.
The last thing you want to happen is for Fido to get overly excited and possibly harm a passer by, or harm themselves if they manage to get in a vehicle's way out of the blue.
What Makes The Best Dog Jogging Harness?
Even though technically speaking, you can have your dog wear a standard harness while out with you on a jog or running session and they will take part in this routine with you, it's not the wisest of choices at all because of many different reasons.
Instead, investing in a dog harness that's been specifically manufactured for running is a much wiser choice.
Before going out and choosing just any harness for your running dog, here's a list of some important criteria you should be looking for in these products to make for a pleasant experience overall.
Comfort: Comfort is one of the most important criteria when evaluating any dog harness, and its importance is greatly amplified when you have your running dog wear it.
Why so? Well, if your dog's wearing a harness that's not either not comfortable because it's too tight or the material's just giving their skin a bad time, that won't make for a pleasant exercise session, and a bad exercise session means your dog will either call it quits right in the middle of it, or will give you a really hard time wearing their harness the next time you want to go out for a run because they still recall the horrible feeling they had from it last time.
Durability: Depending on how frequently you go on jogs or runs with your dog and on which terrain you do so, durability may be one of the "make or break" factors that go into deciding which running harness is right for you.
The last thing you'll want happening to you is having to buy a replacement harness every month if you plan to go on daily runs with Fido and the harness's material can't handle the daily wear and tear.
Pay particular attention to the quality of the leash clip and the straps, as those are the two areas that are going to give you the most headache if they're not made from high quality material that lasts.
On the other hand, if you only plan to go on runs or jogs with your dog once every few months, durability may not be the most decisive of factors for you during your judging phase, simply because you'll not be using the harness enough for it to take much "wear and tear" and start to fall apart anytime soon.
Specific features such as double stitching go a long way in increasing the lifetime of the harness, even when used in tough circumstances.
Proper Size: Making sure a harness is just the right fit on your dog is especially important if you're going to have them wear it while outside the house with you on a run.
If the harness is a bit loose on them, there's a risk that it'll keep falling off during the run and you'll have to re-adjust it multiple times throughout - and no one wants to do that when "in the zone" during a workout, obviously.
On the other hand, if the harness your dog's wearing while out with you on a run is a bit too tight, they'll have a really hard time properly breathing and will just feel all around uncomfortable, which is definitely not what you want them to experience when they're getting some physical activity under their belt.
Ideally, a dog harness you choose specifically for running purposes should have adjustable straps that you could play around with to achieve just the perfect fit for your dog.
In general, the more adjustable straps on a harness you could make use of, the better because you'll be equipped with more "tools" to achieve just the perfect fit for your dog.
Safety Features: Depending on when you like to go out for runs and plan to take Fido along with you, you may want to pay extra attention to specific safety features that have to be included in any harness you plan on picking up.
One of the most important of these safety features is reflective strips.
If you're out on a run with your dog at night or dawn, these reflective stripes will greatly increase the visibility of your dog to anyone around (cars, bikers, etc ..), and hence help keep them safe from harm's way.
Best Dog Harness For Running - A Closer Look Into Our Top 5 Options
Pick #1 - Ruffwear Front Range All-Day Adventure Harness
It Goes the Distance: If you are the type of runner who runs 6+ miles in the morning, half marathons and such – it’s always fun to bring your canine along and it can be healthy for them as well.
Most harnesses are not designed for prolonged runs and will rub your canine the wrong way (which can lead to hot spots areas or scabbing), literally.
This harness offers your dog more comfort because the chest area is completely padded. So, there's no need to worry about chafing.
The Ruffwear All-Day Adventure Harness was designed with extended bouts of activity in mind.
For the Strongest Canines: Avid runner with an oversized rambunctious pup who you think is going to ruin your run? Or a canine who has serious strength because of their sheer size? This harness allows for total control against canines who are classified as pullers.
The RuffWear All-Day Adventure Harness attaches to the leash with two prongs, one on the front and the other on the back– giving you double the control and security.
For more laid back walks, attach the leash only to the back prong. It is the one on the front that really gives you the control you are looking for, for a hassle-free run.
Durability: For prolonged bouts of exercise on a very frequent basis, this harness has been proven to be able to last for a good 6 months with the most active of runners out there.
Again, this is dependent on how active your lifestyle is. Do you jog a few times a week? Or are you a marathoner? The stitching and buckles may weaken with time, but you can rest assured that this unit is going to last you a fairly long time before you have to replace it.
Pick #2 - Sporn Non-Pull Mesh Dog Harness
Long-Lasting Material: Live in an area where there are more cloudy days than sunny ones? You can even enjoy your runs on rainy days with the URPOWER Dog Leash Harness.
The clip is designed to not rust, the buckles of the harness are made of high grade material and it even comes with a URPOWER leash.
This package will let you run, without being pulled in every which way.
You will be able to connect with your dog even more, without having to worry about having to get a new harness every few months.
Sizing is Accurate: A harness is most effective when it fits perfectly – too tight and your pooch will feel uncomfortable (maybe even anxious) – too loose and you will not have the control needed to prevent the pulling while you jog.
The URPOWER Dog Leash Harness comes in Small, Medium and Large and has buckles that allow custom fitting on the chest, and two areas behind the shoulders.
Leash Length: The only thing we didn't quite like about this harness is that the leash that comes with it may be a little bit on the short side for a runner’s lifestyle. It depends on your personal preference and whether you like your dog to run beside you or enjoy a bit of distance.
Pick #3 - EXPAWLORER Front Range Dog Harness
Early Morning or Late Night Jogs: If your sneakers are hitting the concrete before sun up or after sun down then you may find this harness a wise purchase.
The entire harness is made of webbing designed to be reflective in low areas of visibility.
Do you drive over to the beach or a park to jog? If so, you may be interested in a cool accessory of the EXPAWLORER No-Pull Dog Harness – it has a clip that attaches to the seat belt of your car.
Several Options: The majority of harnesses on the market come in three sizes. The EXPAWLORER No-Pull Harness offers dog owners five different sizes, them being: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large. Take note, though, that the creators of the harness mention it is most effective on canines ranging from small to medium size.
Not Great Dane Proof: Many dog owners with Great Danes have found that they were able to escape the harness or break the harness. It appears that this harness is often able to easily slide up the chest area of a Great Dane – allowing too much leverage for the canine and not enough control for the dog owner. So, if you're the owner of a dog on the larger side of size, you may want to consider another option that's been specifically manufactured to meet their size needs.
Pick #4 - Kurgo Journey Harness
Back Handle: As a runner, you may find yourself in the city or across different types of terrain – be it sand, dirt, gravel, etc.
If you are running on a trail in the mountains, and your dog missteps, there is a handle on the back area of this harness for you to easily pick them up, carry them around and avoid any hazardous situations.
This harness will also let your dog stay cool throughout the next adventure. The mesh it is made out of is material specifically designed for air ventilation.
Multiple Uses: Not only is this harness great for runs in the mountains, the beach or virtually any type of terrain, it's great for joy rides or commutes in your car as well.
Avoid a commotion while driving (aka your dog jumping from the front to the back seat or just pacing in the back) because this harness comes with a clip you can loop through your seat belt, keeping your dog put in place.
You’ll make it to your running destination safely, in spite of your pup’s energy and excitement.
Aesthetics: Another great aspect is that the Kurgo Journey Dog Running Harness is really appealing to the eye as well.
The design is sleek and comes in colors like Blue and Red. It’s one of the best-looking harnesses on the market.
Awkward Location: Do you own a short-legged dog? People with short-legged breeds often find that the placement of the D rings – where the leash attaches to – is not ideal for their pooches. If your dog has short legs, you may want to consider another harness before clocking in on your next run.
Pick #5 - 2 Hounds Design Freedom Harness
Total Package: The Kiomi Dog Harness comes with a collar and a leash designed to complement the effectiveness of the harness, giving you complete control.
The leash is also a nice length (long but not too long), which will fit your running lifestyle.
Very Easy To Put On & Take Off: Also, you can get this harness on and off your dog in just seconds. You won’t have to battle with your pup every time you grab the harness and want to go for a jog, the harness is uncomplicated, which is something to look forward to after a long day at work.
Spin Clasp: This is a cool feature – the clasp where you connect the leash to spins! There won’t be any interruptions to your “runners’ high” (aka tripping over the leash) because the clasp spins in a full circle and prevents leashes from getting tangled.
Not for puppies: If you're ordering this harness for your high energy level puppy, you must make note that even on the tightest level, it was still run a bit loose for the puppies to wriggle out of.
If you have a pup that you want running at your side, you may want to keep this harness for when they can grow into it – which always happens in a blink of an eye it – or get another harness that's been specifically manufactured to be worn by puppies.
