The importance of a harness for your dog
A harness for your dog is an essential piece of equipment for your faithful four-legged friend. Not only is it meant to keep your dog safe and controlled during walks, but it also contributes to your dog's comfort and health. Unlike a traditional collar, a harness distributes pressure more evenly across your dog's body. This prevents excessive pressure on the neck and trachea, which is especially important for dogs that pull on leashes or have specific health problems.
Dogs, big or small, can benefit from a dog harness compared to a collar. In dogs that pull a lot on the lead, such as larger breeds, a good harness can even offer injury prevention. It helps protect your dog's back, shoulders and neck. In addition, a harness gives you as the owner more control during walks, without compromising your dog's freedom.
Different types of dog harnesses
There are several types of harnesses available on the market, each with their own unique design and function. Below is an overview of the most common varieties of harnesses or harnesses that you can specially find at Cooper & Quint:
1. Y Harness
A Y harness is one of the most popular choices among dog owners and our favourite harness. This harness has a Y-shape at the front, extending between the front paws and across the chest, making the letter y. This design offers a snug fit and ensures optimal pressure distribution. It distributes pressure evenly across the chest and back, reducing the risk of injury, especially in dogs that pull quickly on the lead. The best Y harness is adjustable and allows your dog to move freely on every walk, without pinching at the front paws or neck. At Cooper & Quint, you will find Y harnesses made of vegetable-tanned leather. If you would like a y harness made of hemp, that is also possible. Cooper & Quint's hemp harnesses have an h-shape as standard.
2. H Harness
The H-rig is very similar to the Y-rig but has one big difference. Whereas a Y harness has a ring at the top that connects the leather or fabric, the H harness has the fabric sewn together between the shoulders. As a result, the H harness moves slightly less with the movements of your hand than a Y harness does. An H harness is otherwise just as adjustable as a Y harness and also offers plenty of support. The Simply Hemp collection includes an H harness for every kind of dog. An additional advantage is that these are slightly more attractive in terms of price, making them also more suitable for a puppy.
3. Chest harness
A chest harness is an often seen harness. A chest harness has a wider strap that runs across the chest and ensures that the dog cannot step as far forward. This makes dogs less free in their movements when wearing a chest harness. Dogs can also escape from the harness more easily, which is why we find it a less suitable harness.
4. Custom-made harness dog
For dogs with special needs or different body shapes, a custom-made dog harness may be the best choice. A custom-made harness offers the perfect fit, which is important for dogs with special builds or health requirements. At Cooper & Quint, we make everything by hand. These types of harnesses can therefore come in different colours, so you can customise the look to suit your or your dog's preferences.
5. Special harnesses (Figure 8 harness)
A Figure 8 harness is a less common form of dog harness. It has a special configuration where the dog's body is hugged like an eight. This type of harness can help correct dogs that pull a lot while walking and offers extra control without restricting freedom of movement. Also, the figure 8 harness is very fashionable. So do you want to give your dog a trendy look? Then opt for a figure 8 dog harness!
Benefits of using a harness for your dog
Using a harness dog offers numerous benefits, both for you and for your furry friend. Here are some key benefits:
Optimal pressure distribution:
A well-fitting dog harness distributes pressure evenly across the chest and back, preventing tension on the neck and shoulders. This is especially useful for dogs that pull on the leash.
No strain on the neck
For dogs with breathing problems or sensitive necks, a harness is a better option than a collar. It prevents your dog from hurting himself when pulling.
Suitable for puppies
For puppies, a dog harness is ideal as it helps them get used to walking on a leash without putting strain on their fragile necks. You can also more easily control their agile behaviour.
Suitable harnesses for dogs of different sizes
When choosing a dog harness, you should consider your dog's size and breed. Dogs of different sizes have different needs and thus require a harness that suits their body and behaviour.
Puppies
For puppies, it is important to choose a harness that is soft and fits well. An adjustable harness is ideal because puppies grow quickly and you need to be able to adjust the harness as they grow. Our Simply Hemp Harness is comfortable and will not restrict your puppy's movements while playing and exploring.
Small dogs
Small dogs, such as Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers, benefit from a lightweight harness that relieves their neck. The best Y harness variants for small dogs offer sufficient control without being too heavy or large. Small sizes are important for these dogs, as an ill-fitting harness can cause discomfort or even injury. Do you have a small dog? Then contact us, especially for these dogs we have lighter leather to keep the load as low as possible.
Medium-sized dogs
For medium-sized dogs such as Beagles and Cocker Spaniels, there are many options available. A normal harness with adjustable straps offers a good fit and optimal control. These dogs can often pull a bit harder on walks, so choose a harness made of leather.
Large dogs
Large breeds, such as German Shepherds or Labradors, need a more robust harness. A sturdy harness that distributes pressure well over the body, especially on the chest and back, is essential. This will prevent them from injury when pulling. A harness with a good fit and made of durable materials can prevent your dog from feeling uncomfortable or restricted in their movements.
What should you look for when buying a harness?
There are several factors to consider when buying a dog harness. The right harness will provide comfort, safety and control while walking. Here are some important aspects:
1. Adjustability
An adjustable harness is essential to ensure it fits your dog's body shape properly. An adjustable dog harness can be easily adjusted to fit your dog's chest size and neck, allowing your dog to move comfortably without the harness being too tight or too loose.
2. Fit and chest size
The fit is crucial for your dog's comfort. An ill-fitting harness can cause chafing or friction, which can cause irritation and even injury. Therefore, always measure your dog's chest size carefully before buying a harness. The size should match your dog's size; for example, a size S for small dogs, while larger breeds need a larger size.
3. Material and comfort
A dog harness should be made of material to avoid irritation, especially in sensitive areas such as the chest and back. Our vegetable-tanned leather is coloured from plant extracts and contains no chemicals, which makes it extra soft on the skin and moulds itself to your dog's shape when used. Hemp is also a very soft material and naturally antibacterial. It is also important that the harness is sturdy enough to withstand your dog's strength, especially if he tends to pull on the lead.
4. Extra safety
Some harnesses offer extra safety in the form of reflective materials. This is especially important if you often walk your dog at night or in poor visibility. These reflective parts make your dog more visible, which can prevent accidents.
5. Freedom of movement
The harness should give your dog enough freedom of movement, especially around the front legs and shoulders. Choose a harness that is not too tight or hinders your dog's natural movement pattern. A well-fitting harness will allow your dog to move comfortably while walking and playing.
Dog harness by Cooper & Quint
A harness is an essential tool for every dog owner, regardless of whether you have a puppy, small dog or large dog. At Cooper & Quint, there are numerous variants available, such as the Y harness made of leather, H harness made of hemp and special harnesses in a figure 8 shape , which not only keep your dog safe but also provide extra comfort. By paying attention to the right size, adjustability and fit, you will make sure your dog is comfortable on every walk.
At Cooper & Quint, dog harnesses for your furry friend are handmade from vegetable-tanned leather or hemp webbing. Vegetable-tanned leather molds to your dog's shape. Hemp webbing becomes very soft with use, but is super strong thanks to its long fibres. Both super fine materials for a dog harness and available in different colours and different sizes.
Frequently asked questions about dog harnesses
Do you have dog harnesses for large dogs?
Yes, we have harnesses for large dogs. We think the best harness for a large dog is a y-suit made of vegetable-tanned leather. It is adjustable in width so you can make sure the harness is comfortable.
Is it possible to have a harness custom-made?
The best harness is one in the right size. Although we try to make our product fit as many dogs as possible, it can happen that the right size isn't there. Fortunately, we make everything to measure and can also make a customised harness based on your requirements.
Is a dog harness with a name also possible?
In our leather y-shack or figure 8 harness, it is possible to have the dog's name engraved.
Do you also have a special harness for dogs with long backs?
Are you the proud owner of a dachshund, beagle, corgi or other dog with a long back? Then it is useful to look carefully for a harness that fits well. It is then especially important that the back section is longer than in a standard harness. We make made-to-measure harnesses especially for these breeds. Contact us for appropriate advice.
