Retrievist / Reviews / Harnesses / Best Small Dog Harnesses | Dog Harnesses Designed for Small Breeds
Best Small Dog Harnesses | Dog Harnesses Designed for Small Breeds
Finding a harness to fit a small dog can be challenging; especially a harness that doesn’t rub and one your dog can’t escape from. Luckily, there are a range of small dog harnesses on the market, specifically designed with the needs of compact canines in mind.
We did extensive research to find the best small dog harnesses, reviewing hundreds of products on Amazon to find those that stood out. Read on to see what we found.
Overall Best Small Dog Harness
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Soft
- Well-made
- Machine washable
- Adjustable
The trouble with some small dog harnesses is that they aren't easily adjustable, but this one is adjustable around the girth and at the neck, which is ideal for deep-chested breeds or other body shapes that can affect harness fit.
Although it's available in sizes small to x-large, this is relative since it's a harness for small dogs, so your c...
Although it's available in sizes small to x-large, this is relative since it's a harness for small dogs, so your canine companion may wear a larger size than you'd usually expect. You can choose from 8 solid colors and one print (camo). Buyers are impressed with the security and ease of wear, giving it a 4.4 rating overall.
The soft mesh is lightweight and doesn't rub, making this a comfortable harness to wear.
What Humans Love:Some similar harnesses are only adjustable around the girth, but this one can be adjusted slightly at the neck, too.
The trouble with some small dog harnesses is that they aren't easily adjustable, but this one is adjustable around the g...
Although it's available in sizes small to x-large, this is relative since it's a harness for small dogs, so your canine companion may wear a larger size than you'd usually expect. You can choose from 8 solid colors and one print (camo). Buyers are impressed with the security and ease of wear, giving it a 4.4 rating overall.
Best Budget Small Dog Harness
- Breathable lining
- Soft material
- Well-made
- Looks good
- Matching leash
The soft mesh lining of this comfort harness helps prevent chafing, while the polyester outer layer comes in two adorable plaid prints, one red and one blue. You'll even receive a matching plaid leash to complete the look. The chest belt of the harness is adjustable for a more comfortable fit.
Although it's available in sizes x-small to large...
Although it's available in sizes x-small to large, even the largest of sizes is only suited to medium-size dogs at most, so be careful when choosing the correct size for your four-legged friend. It's average rating on Amazon is 4.4.
- Well-made
- Looks good
- Matching leash
- Breathable lining
- Soft material
The soft mesh lining of this comfort harness helps prevent chafing, while the polyester outer layer comes in two adorabl...
Although it's available in sizes x-small to large, even the largest of sizes is only suited to medium-size dogs at most, so be careful when choosing the correct size for your four-legged friend. It's average rating on Amazon is 4.4.
Most Durable Small Dog Harness
- Soft
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Fits well
- Durable
- Affordable
This sturdy vest harness has excellent coverage around the chest and girth, which is great for making small dogs feel secure and also makes it more difficult for dogs to wriggle out of. It's made from a lightweight yet strong polyester mesh that helps dogs stay cooler on warm days.
It's available in sizes from x-small to x-large, but the large...
It's available in sizes from x-small to x-large, but the largest size only fits dogs up to 16 pounds, so the smaller sizes are for toy breeds and small breed puppies. There are 5 color options: pink, blue, black, red, and camouflage. This harness has a 4.6 rating with more than 1,000 Amazon reviews.
This harness doesn't rub or chafe thanks to the mesh material it's made from, plus it's highly breathable.
What Humans Love:The snug fit hugs dogs closely and is great for any dogs who are prone to escaping harnesses.
This sturdy vest harness has excellent coverage around the chest and girth, which is great for making small dogs feel se...
It's available in sizes from x-small to x-large, but the largest size only fits dogs up to 16 pounds, so the smaller sizes are for toy breeds and small breed puppies. There are 5 color options: pink, blue, black, red, and camouflage. This harness has a 4.6 rating with more than 1,000 Amazon reviews.
Our Other Favorite
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Nice color choices
- Low cost
- Free leash
Since this harness is designed for small dogs and cats, it's important to carefully check the size guide. You can buy it in sizes from xx-small to x-large, but the smallest are for kittens and small cats and are unlikely to fit even very small dogs. Once you do find the correct fit, however, this is a comfortable and breathable harness, and it comes with a l...
Choose from a wide range of colors, including bright orange, hot pink, and classic black. This harness has received more than 2,400 Amazon reviews, with an average rating of 4.2.
- Nice color choices
- Low cost
- Free leash
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Since this harness is designed for small dogs and cats, it's important to carefully check the size guide. You can buy it...
Choose from a wide range of colors, including bright orange, hot pink, and classic black. This harness has received more than 2,400 Amazon reviews, with an average rating of 4.2.
- Highly breathable
- Light9
- Soft
- Affordable
- Well-made
- Good fit
This soft mesh harness provides great coverage and a secure fit for small and medium dogs with chest girth measurements between 9 and 29 inches. Select between sizes from x-small to large, with each adjustable around the girth to fine tune the fit.
The 6 available colors are enough to please most dog owners. On Amazon, this harness has a resp...
The 6 available colors are enough to please most dog owners. On Amazon, this harness has a respectable 4.2 rating from more than 1,100 reviewers.
- Affordable
- Well-made
- Good fit
- Highly breathable
- Light9
- Soft
This soft mesh harness provides great coverage and a secure fit for small and medium dogs with chest girth measurements ...
The 6 available colors are enough to please most dog owners. On Amazon, this harness has a respectable 4.2 rating from more than 1,100 reviewers.
- Lightweight
- Breathable mesh material
- Looks cute
- Machine washable
- Well-made
This frilly gingham harness may be a little too cute for the taste of some dog owners, but others might love it. You can buy it in pink, purple, and red, with each hue sporting matching gingham frills and edging. It’s made of 100 percent polyester that’s machine washable.
You have a choice between 4 sizes from x-small to large, and, althou...
You have a choice between 4 sizes from x-small to large, and, although it's marketed as a puppy harness, it will fit most small dogs, too. Just check the size guide to be safe. Its 4.2 rating shows that it's not just style over substance.
- Looks cute
- Machine washable
- Well-made
- Lightweight
- Breathable mesh material
This frilly gingham harness may be a little too cute for the taste of some dog owners, but others might love it. You can...
You have a choice between 4 sizes from x-small to large, and, although it's marketed as a puppy harness, it will fit most small dogs, too. Just check the size guide to be safe. Its 4.2 rating shows that it's not just style over substance.
- Lightweight
- Breathable material
- Comfortable
- Free extras
- Affordable
- Quality construction
Crafted predominately from breathable polyester mesh, this harness is strong while keeping your dog from overheating despite its large area of coverage. If you're looking for good value, this harness includes a free matching leash and a canine seat belt attachment. Straps are adjustable for easy on and off, and it has reflective strips.
The co...
The color choices are fairly basic: black, blue, red, orange, and pink. It's received almost 800 Amazon reviews with a 4.3 rating.
- Free extras
- Affordable
- Quality construction
- Lightweight
- Breathable material
- Comfortable
Crafted predominately from breathable polyester mesh, this harness is strong while keeping your dog from overheating des...
The color choices are fairly basic: black, blue, red, orange, and pink. It's received almost 800 Amazon reviews with a 4.3 rating.
- Light
- Breathable
- Soft
- Affordable
- Good range of color choices
- Adjustable
Say hello to a highly affordable mesh harness that might be lightweight but is still durable enough to stand up to daily wear and tear. It offers decent coverage over the chest, belly, and neck, which can help prevent dogs from slipping this harness.
You can choose from a large range of colors, both muted and bright. Sizes run from x-small to ...
You can choose from a large range of colors, both muted and bright. Sizes run from x-small to large, but even the largest sizes are for small-to-medium-size dogs. This harness has a 4.2 average Amazon rating.
- Affordable
- Good range of color choices
- Adjustable
- Light
- Breathable
- Soft
Say hello to a highly affordable mesh harness that might be lightweight but is still durable enough to stand up to daily...
You can choose from a large range of colors, both muted and bright. Sizes run from x-small to large, but even the largest sizes are for small-to-medium-size dogs. This harness has a 4.2 average Amazon rating.
- Breathable mesh lining
- Comfortable
- Looks cute
- Low cost
- Free leash
Who can resist the appeal of a small dog wearing a plaid or striped harness with a built-in bow tie and a bell? Your dog could look this adorable every day with the RYPET Small Dog Harness. Choose from one of four plaid prints or nautical stripes, each with a bow tie-style design close to the neck. It’s made of breathable mesh fabric and is easy to adjust....
It fits chest sizes between 9 and 25 inches with small, medium, and large options available. The 4-star average rating shows it's a respectable harness in addition to looking good.
- Looks cute
- Low cost
- Free leash
- Breathable mesh lining
- Comfortable
Who can resist the appeal of a small dog wearing a plaid or striped harness with a built-in bow tie and a bell? Your dog...
It fits chest sizes between 9 and 25 inches with small, medium, and large options available. The 4-star average rating shows it's a respectable harness in addition to looking good.
- Soft lining
- Lightweight
- Non-restrictive
- Easy to adjust
- Durable
- Quick on and off
Offering less coverage than your average small dog harness, this is an ideal option for dogs who don't like feeling too constrained by their harness. It's adjustable at the chest and around the girth and is lined with plush padding for comfort.
You can select between three colors and three sizes from xx-small to small, and it comes with a free...
You can select between three colors and three sizes from xx-small to small, and it comes with a free bonus bungee lead to match the harness. The 4.5 average Amazon rating shows this is an impressive harness with plenty of great features.
- Easy to adjust
- Durable
- Quick on and off
- Soft lining
- Lightweight
- Non-restrictive
Offering less coverage than your average small dog harness, this is an ideal option for dogs who don't like feeling too ...
You can select between three colors and three sizes from xx-small to small, and it comes with a free bonus bungee lead to match the harness. The 4.5 average Amazon rating shows this is an impressive harness with plenty of great features.
What Is Special About a Small Dog Harness?
A small dog harness is a harness designed for small dogs to keep them safe when they’re out and about with you. Some aren't much different from larger dog harnesses, just smaller, but others are specifically tailored to the requirements of small dogs or to better fit small bodies. And all of those small bodies aren’t the same -- a Pug and a Dachshund have very different fit requirements.
Yes, harnesses are good for small dogs (as well as dogs of all other sizes). They're particularly good for small dogs who pull on the leash as they reduce the amount of pressure on the neck.
This entirely depends on the type of harness. Check the instructions if you're not sure how to put on your dog's new harness.
You'll usually need to measure your dog around the neck and around the chest girth (a little behind the front legs), but double-check before measuring as some harnesses require different measurements to find the right fit.
