The Best Front Clip Dog Harness (October 2024 Reviews)

Picture of a dog with a front clip dog harness.

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A front clip dog harness can be a great tool for training and walking your dog without putting its trachea at risk.

The wrong harness, however, can cause all sorts of issues for you and your dog:

  • A front-clip harness that doesn’t fit properly can allow your dog to escape and run away, run into the street, etc.
  • Cheaply-made harnesses can be destroyed either by aggressive pullers or aggressive chewers.
  • The wrong harness can make your dog extremely uncomfortable, or even injure your dog.

To help you avoid these pitfalls, we asked our veterinary advisor Dr. Jamie Whittenburg to review all of the leading front-clip harnesses on the market and share her top picks with our readers.

The Best Front-Clip Dog Harness

Dr. Whittenburg chose the JUXZH Soft Front Dog Harness as the top overall choice because of its comfort, durability, and adjustability (probably the top three concerns of most harness owners!).

Our Vet’s Top Pick

JUXZH Soft Front Dog Harness

Easily adjustable with multiple leash attachments and easy to come on and off.

While this is Dr. Whittenburg’s top pick, we also asked her to share tips for choosing the right front-clip harness, which owners should avoid front-clip harnesses for their dogs, as well as her top choice in harnesses for multiple specific use cases.

The 5 Best Front Clip Harnesses

Front-Clip Harnesses Compared

Below Dr. Whittenburg’s top picks. Compare the ratings and key features of each of the harnesses to decide which one is the best front clip harness for your dog.

Vet’s Picks Model Rating Leash Attachment Adjustable Handle Length Front, Mid, Rear, or Whole Body
Best Overall JUXZH JUXZH Soft Front Dog Harness 4.5 front
Best Budget PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness 4.5 front
Best for Pulling WINSEE Dog Harness 4.5 front
Best Padded rabbitgoo Dog Harness 4.5 front
Best Lightweight PetSafe 3 in 1 Dog Harness 4.4 mid


*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

Who Should Buy a Front Clip Harness

  • Guiding Your Dog – Strictly speaking, most dog harnesses will have a front clip. The front clip is a good way to guide your dog and work on training them to follow your lead without having the impact on their neck and trachea that a collar can. Owners who are looking for that effect should get a front clip harness.
  • Harness vs. Collar –  The biggest question in whether a front clip harness is the right choice for your dog is really whether you prefer a harness or a collar. There are varying schools of thought among trainers and veterinarians on collars vs. harnesses.
  • You have a puller. Large, strong dogs can benefit from using a harness because they may be inclined to choke themselves or hurt their necks with a collar. Along the same lines, a small dog that’s a puller may be weaker in the neck area and pose risks with a collar that way.

Who Should Not Buy a Front Clip Harness

  • Collar vs. Harness – The flip side is that many trainers feel that a collar is a better training tool for things like walking your dog. Dogs pulling aggressively on harnesses can also cause physical issues for dogs in similar ways to collars (just not around the neck). If you do opt for a collar and you’re not sure how tight the collar should be be sure to use our dog collar size chart to select the right-sized collar.

If you’re still on the fence in terms of whether to choose a harness, a collar, or a combination for your puppy below is a video overview from certified dog trainer, coach, and author Saro Boghozian:

Buying Guide: Research Tips From a Veterinarian

And, if you are looking for a harness, below are some additional tips for making the right call from our vet advisor Dr. Whittenburg.

“It is always important to look for quality materials as well as ease of use. Clips that allow for easy on and off is important, as well as the ability to easily adjust the harness. Reflective material or stitching can be a good idea if you plan to walk your dog in the late evenings or early mornings. It is a good idea to consult other dog owners, and your veterinarian, and to read product reviews before purchasing.”

How Much Does a Front Clip Harness Cost?

Between $15 and $50

Front clip harnesses cost roughly $15 to $50, but most tend to run closer to the $15-30 range, depending on the style of harness, the size harness you’re buying, what material they’re made from, and what other functions the harness may feature.

Budget-friendly harnesses are a less-frills option that is typically still effective. A more expensive dog harness option often features tougher materials, pouches for storage, additional points of adjustment for a more customized fit, or maybe outfitted with a grab handle and extra leash attachments.

What to Watch For: How to Avoid Buying the Wrong Harness

I’ve spent hours analyzing and testing harnesses and reading reviews of various harnesses, and the three most common issues customers (myself included) tend to run into are:

  • Fit – Harnesses can be tricky to get on and off of a dog, and finding one that fits your pup (then adjusting it accordingly) can be a major pain point for harness purchasers (fitting a collar to your dog’s neck is, by and large, a lot more straight forward). You can read more about how to select the right-sized harness for your dog in Dr. Jennifer Masucci’s post on the topic.
  • Comfort – Many people complain that their dog’s chaff (literally and figuratively) at the wrong harness, so keep padding and fit in mind here.
  • Quality – As with anything a top complaint is that the wrong harness may fray, or the leash attachments pull off easily.

You’ll see all of this in some of the cons and complaints for the harnesses reviewed below.

An important thing you’ll learn if you read reviews of any harness: the perfect harness for one pet parent is sometimes a terrible fit (literally and figuratively) for another dog.

Make sure you look carefully at the pros and cons of these models and pick the harness that’s the best fit for your dog.

Our Methodology: Why Trust Pet News Daily

“When researching front clip dog harnesses, you first must determine your needs. Harnesses are good for dogs with collapsing trachea issues or neck injuries as they do not pull on the neck. However, even with a front clip, some dogs will pull in a harness. If you are planning to run with your dog, a lightweight, slimmer-fitting harness may be the best option. Other dogs may enjoy the comfort of a padded harness.” – Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM.

The Best Front Clip Harness Reviews

1. Best Overall – Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness

Our Vet’s Top Pick

Juxsh Soft Front Dog Harness

Easily adjustable with multiple leash attachments and easy to come on and off.
Pros
  • Easily adjustable
  • Designed to fit dogs comfortably
  • Made from durable material
  • Two-ring leash attachment sites
  • Easy to put on and take off
Cons
  • Some customers complained it was tough to get on their pup, was an awkward fit because the material was stiff, and one complained it chaffed the dog
  • Some customers complained the harness broke (snapping when the dog ran on a lead in one instance) or the harness frayed after limited use.

The Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness is our top pick overall if you’re looking for a front clip harness.

The harness doesn’t feel overly heavy or thick but does have a nice mesh lining on the inside of the harness as well as an aluminum alloy v ring and stainless steel o ring – an advantage over plastic leash attachments which can break or be ripped off more easily.

Overall the harness gets strong reviews:

Screenshot of JUXZH Harness reviews

But some of the negative reviewers mention specific issues with the harness, including:

  • Fit – Multiple customers complained it was tough to get on their pup, was an awkward fit because the material was stiff, and one complained it chaffed the dog
  • Durability – Multiple customers complained the harness broke (snapping when the dog ran on a lead in one instance) or the harness frayed after limited use.

All in all, if you’re looking for a harness with a front clip this will be a great fit for most dogs.

2. Best Budget – PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness

Best Budget

PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness

The PoyPet no-pull dog harness is available in five sizes and is easy to put on.
Pros
  • Two leash attachment points
  • Easy to put on, take off, and adjust
  • Made from soft, breathable material
  • Reflective for safety in low light
Cons
  • Some customers report issues with fit
  • Some customers complain that the buckles rip off after weeks/months of use

The PoyPet No-Pull Dog Harness is our best budget pick.

It has 5 sizes and 26 (!) colors to choose from, and ranges from ~$15-$22 depending on the size and color you pick which is a very low-end range in terms of price.

Some fast facts:

  • 5 sizes and many colors to pick from
  • 4 adjustment points to ensure a good fit
  • Lightweight
  • Easy on/off buckles
  • 2 leash attachments including on the front of the chest for no-pull training
  • Reflective
  • Stretchable straps and padded for comfort
  • Top handle for extra control

Overall the harness gets solid reviews despite the lower price:

Screenshot of PoyPet harness reviews

The negative reviews tend to center around a few core issues:

  • The harness not fitting quite right, particularly for very large or very small dogs
  • Not holding up after a few months to a year of use (particularly issues with the buckles)
  • The “no pull” mechanism of the harness is easy for some dogs to circumvent

Here is a hands-on review of the harness:

As well as the PoyPet sizing chart (although do note some customers claimed to have issues with sizing even when following the size chart):

Image of Poypet harness size chart

This is a great option for budget-conscious customers looking for a front clip harness.

3. Best for Pulling – WINSEE Dog Harness

Best for Pulling

WINSEE Dog Harness

The WINSEE Dog Harness is lined for comfort with padding and breathable mesh, and a D ring in the front of the harness to help deal with pulling.
Pros
  • Best suited for medium to large-sized dogs
  • Adjustable neck and chest straps
  • Reflective material for safety in low light
  • D-ring in the front of the harness to discourage pulling
  • Padded for comfort, line with breathable mesh
Cons
  • Some customers report issues with fit
  • Some customers complain that the buckles rip off after limited use

The best harness for pulling is the WINSEE Dog Harness. It features a D-ring in the front of the harness to discourage pulling, as well as comfortable padding and breathable mesh and comes with a nylon collar as well.

This harness looks and feels a lot sturdier and more substantial than some of the other harnesses listed, and is in fact designed for larger (medium to large) dogs.

Screenshot of WINSEE dog harness reviews

 

Complaints from customers who had issues with the harness included:

  • Issues with the fit of the harness
  • Issues with durability (the harness fraying after a few uses)
  • The harness being too heavy (it is designed for larger dogs, so if your dog is smaller or large but thin or frail you may want to consider a different harness)

Here is an overview of the harness and how to put it on:

If you’re looking for a harness for a puller this is a strong, heavy option that may be a fit – particularly for larger dogs.

4. Best Padded – Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

Best Padded

Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

The Rabitgoo Dog Harness has multiple leash attachments including on the front of the chest which is perfect for no-pull dog training.
Pros
  • Fully padded harness for your dog’s comfort
  • Two leash attachment points, front ring for discouraging pulling
  • Easy to put on, off, and adjust
Cons
  • Unhappy customers complain about the durability of the harness and it wearing quickly
  • The sizing of the harness can be difficult, and for a dog with the wrong fit the harness can slip off

The best-padded front clip harness is the Rabbitgoo Dog Harness. The harness features multiple leash attachments as well as a top handle for extra control.

Some fast facts:

  • 4 sizes
  • 4 adjustment points to ensure a good fit
  • 2 leash attachments including on the front of the chest for no-pull training
  • Top handle for extra control
  • Top and bottom panels padded for comfort
  • Many colors to pick from
  • Lightweight
  • Easy on/off buckles
  • Reflective

The Rabitgoo harness has relatively strong ratings for the price:

A screenshot of rabitgoo harness reviews

Customers who had issues with the harness had two common complaints:

  • Durability – the harness wore quickly with the use
  • Fit – multiple customers complained that their dog could wriggle out of the harness

Rabitgoo offers multiple videos to show you how to wear the harness:

As well as how to adjust the harness:

And here is a hands-on video review of the rabitgoo:

Personally, I’ve had a great experience with this harness for my 90-pound puppy. It’s an attractive harness with great padding and helpful attachments for training. It’s also reasonably priced, and while some customers have issues I and many others love it.

5. Best Lightweight – PetSafe 3-in-1 Dog Harness

Best Lightweight

PetSafe 3 in 1 Dog Harness

PetSafe 3 in 1 Dog Harness has 5 sizes, 5 points of adjustment, and an excellent sizing guide making it a great adjustable harness option.
Pros
  • Lightweight and not bulky
  • The low-profile style allows freedom of movement and comfort for your dog
  • Easily adjustable
  • Handle for added control
  • Reflective material to add safety in low-light environments
Cons
  • Customers with larger / stronger dogs complain of the harness breaking when pulled at a run
  • Some customers complain of wear and tear after a few weeks/months

When a lightweight harness is your top priority, the best option is the PetSafe 3-in-1 Dog Harness. It offers 5 sizes, 5 points of adjustment (more than most harnesses), and a helpful sizing guide so that you can pick the appropriate harness and adjust it accordingly for the life of its use. And of course: it’s incredibly light.

Some fast facts:

  • Comes in x-small, small, medium, and large sizes. X-small fits dogs with a neck circumference of 9-14” and a girth of 13-19”
  • 5 points of adjustment for a perfect fit
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent sizing guide available online
  • Has a front leash attachment for no-pull training, as well as a standard leash attachment point on the back. Can use 2 point leash for hard-to-train puppies
  • Has a handle on the back for extra control or to use as a seat belt attachment for safety in the car.
  • Reflective
  • Softly padded for comfort

The PetSafe harness is a much more lightweight harness that has relatively thin straps rather than material covering the dog’s chest. The straps have ample padding but obviously, the PetSafe harness won’t feel as robust as some of the other harnesses. That said the lightweight approach makes it much easier to get on and off and to adjust, which is a pain point for many of the other harnesses listed here and for harnesses in general.

The PetSafe harness has decent reviews for the price (but not as strong as other harnesses listed here):

A screenshot of PetSafe harness reviews

Customers who had bad experiences with the harness mainly pointed to the harness fraying or wearing after limited use, and multiple customers with larger stronger dogs who were “runners” complained that the harness broke when their dog ran or pulled aggressively.

PetSafe offers a video overview of how to use the harness:

As well as how to fit it:

All in all, if you need a lightweight harness with a high rate of adjustability PetSafe is a good option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are front clip harnesses good for dogs?

Front clip harnesses can be a great option for dog owners who want to lead their dogs on walks and teach them to be led, while not causing issues with the dog’s neck and trachea.

Is front or back clip harness better?

For most dogs using a front clip harness will be better for training, but for larger dogs (particularly those that are already well-trained) a back clip can be an easier and more comfortable option.

How do you walk a dog with a front clip harness?

You clip the leash to the front clip, then lead the dog if you’re looking to train. Most front clip harnesses also have an option on the back clip, so you can still walk your dog that way. Here is a video walkthrough of how to walk your dog with a front clip harness from certified trainer Panos Anagnostou:

What is the front clip on a dog harness for?

The front clip is a leash attachment used to walk the dog. It’s most useful for training a dog to follow the lead of its owner.

Can a dog escape from a front clip harness?

Dogs can escape from most harnesses under the right circumstances, and a front clip harness is no different. To reduce the risk make sure to have the harness fastened properly, fit correctly to the dog, and be sure to address behavioral issues like pulling (especially with larger dogs) as best you can as even a sturdy harness can break under the right circumstances.

Additional Sources & Resources

For more on dog harnesses, including everything from how to measure your dog for a harness and how a dog harness should fit the best escape-proof dog harnesses, check out our series of posts:

And our individual harness reviews:

And our breed-specific harness guides:

Pet News Daily Staff
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.