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Last Updated:
January 23, 2021
Author:
Celia Miller
Best Harness for Pitbulls
While some owners may resort to pinch or prong collars for their pitbulls, we’ve found that most dogs thrive with the proper harness and training. To help you find the perfect fit, we reviewed the top 23 harnesses for pit bulls. We’ve selected our overall favorite: Embark Adventure Harness. It’s an all-in-one solution that’s comfortable, well-fitting, built to withstand lots of stress over time, and will also help you stay in control during walks.
Sizing is tricky, so be sure to check before purchase
Product Details
Material
Made with nylon and anti-chafing padding
Design
Designed to evenly distribute stress from pulling
Leash Attachment
2 leash attachments (back-clip and front-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (two front buckles and two back plastic clips) that are quadruple reinforced
Colors
3
Our Review
This is our winner! It’s kind of an all-in-one package and will give your pitbull comfort on those long walks. They really went all out on the padding, making the risk for chafing much lower than on other cheaper harnesses. The adjustment points on the harness are also reinforced and secure, making escapes near impossible (as long as you get the right size). It is more expensive than some of the other options and the color selection is limited. But if you needed an all-in-one solution quick, this is the one for you.
Training tool for pullers, not ideal for everyday use
Causes sores and rashes
Product Details
Material
Made from a high quality nylon
Design
Martingale design
Leash Attachment
Both back-clip and front-clip in a tightening harness design
Points of Adjustment
2 straps on the back and chest for adjustments
Colors
8
Our Review
This is a funny one. It’s primary purpose is for training your pup not to pull and how to walk properly. So, in that regard, this is an A+ harness. However, we can’t recommend this for everyday use, as it has been known to cause sores and rashes. But, for people looking to leash train their pitbull pup, then this unique pick could be the perfect fit for your situation.
Strong aluminium rings and are reinforced with webbing
What we Dislike
High price point
Neck size is not fully adjustable
Weak attachment point webbing
Product Details
Material
Made from premium nylon and foam padding panels
Design
Designed to slip over your dog’s head and has tuck ID pocket
Leash Attachment
2 leash attachments (front-clip and back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (2 front and 2 back)
Colors
6
Our Review
Probably one of the best daily harnesses you can get. It’s very well padded to help reduce chafing and abrasions. The leash attachments on the back is very well reinforced, but note that the front-clip isn’t. You do have to look out for the neck size, as the neck isn’t adjustable at all. Other than that, this harness is great (if not the best) for day-to-day use–with the important caveat that if you have a puller, you should consider other options for training.
Additional strap for seatbelt use is very useful for car rides
Very adjustable around chest
Perfect for short haired dogs
Lifetime warranty
Machine washable
Front-clip does cause harness to be tugged to one side if your pitbull is big puller
What we Dislike
Front-clip is not ideal for daily use
Some of stitched edges are pointy
No points of adjustment in the neck
Plastic buckles rest on skin
Not too easy to put on
Product Details
Material
Made from premium nylon and interior is padded
Design
Designed to slip over your dog’s head
Leash Attachment
2 strong metal leash attachment points (back-clip and front-clip)
Points of Adjustment
5 points of adjustment (1 chest and 4 girth)
Colors
1
Our Review
The Kurgo is an amazing harness that seeks to provide safety on walks and car rides. It does both pretty well. The only big gripes we have with this harness is that the plastic buckles rest on the skin and the neck size is not adjustable. Also, you have to fit your dog’s head into the harness, which can be tricky. With all that said, though, if you need a harness you know will be secure, offer you control, and be a safe choice for car rides, then this harness is for you. (Kurgo offers another option that’s even more secure with metal buckles, but these are a bit trickier to put on.)
Padding isn’t great - known to cause chafing with pitbulls
Can’t withstand long-term stress of pulling
Product Details
Material
Made from premium nylon and interior is soft mesh
Design
Slip on design
Leash Attachment
2 sturdy metal attachment points (front-clip and back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (2 front and 2 back)
Colors
3
Our Review
This is definitely our budget pick for pitbull harnesses. You get a lot of bang for buck with this harness, as it comes with back-clip and a front-clip option. If you can figure out how to adjust it (which users report can be difficult), it’s very secure. But, you are getting what you pay for–unfortunately, this harness isn’t known to hold up for many months under the stress of a heavy puller. The padding helps, but it won’t do the trick for really chronic pullers.
Belly strap makes it nearly impossible to escape from
Plastic buckles are padded and do not rest on skin
Reflective trimming
What we Dislike
High price point
Not the easiest to adjust
Does not help with pulling
Will not withstand long-term stress
Fairly heavy harness
Product Details
Material
Made from premium nylon foam padded interior and reinforced handle
Design
Leash Attachment
2 back-clip attachments mid-back and far-back
Points of Adjustment
5 (2 across the belly 1 down the chest and 2 at the base of the neck)
Colors
3
Our Review
A very secure harness that is practically escape-proof. You need to ensure that it fits tight (but not too tight) and is nice and secure. The chest strap and belly strap ensure that your pitbull can’t back out of it. All the while, it is well padded for comfort. With five points of adjustment, it isn’t a breeze to put on, but once it is, then your good to go. It is bulky and heavy, and does nothing to help with pulling.
PetSafe makes a great harness and we think it’s definitely worth considering. From the reviews, there’s a lot of mixed feelings from other pitbull owners. Some people say that this harness is incredible, while others have had terrible experiences. If you have a pitbull pup that pulls only a little bit every now and again, then this is a good choice. If your pitbull is a chronic puller, then there are likely better options for you.
Elastic handle takes off the impact on the shoulders
Padded breastplate to reduce chafing
Handle offers great control
Reflective stitching
What we Dislike
Does not help with pulling
Elastic handle will stretch over time under stress
Sizing is a little off (runs big)
Product Details
Material
Made with nylon straps and soft-comfortable mesh padding
Design
Special elastic handle design
Leash Attachment
3 points of adjustment
Points of Adjustment
1 leash attachment point (back-clip)
Colors
1
Our Review
This harness is very hardy and durable, which is good for us pitbull lovers. The handle offers a lot of control and acts like a built-in short lead. It’s kind of a backup leash in a worse case scenario. The padded interior is very soft and greatly reduces the risk of chafing. It’s overall a tough harness but does not help with pulling whatsoever. If your pitbull is a dream on leash and you want a nice soft harness with a handle, this is the one to pick.
Made from high-quality nylon and has soft mesh interior
Design
Designed with reinforced nylon handle for control
Leash Attachment
1 metal leash attachment point (back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
2 points of adjustment (strap under the belly and chest piece)
Colors
1
Our Review
The PYRUS offers an easy to put on harness solution with a handle for control. We thought this harness was ideal for the pitbulls out there that don’t have a pulling problem and have some training not to run after things. The soft interior is also perfect for short-hair, and the harness runs big in the chest (which could be an advantage, based on your pup). With that said, this harness does nothing to help with pulling and your pitbull will go into full-on sleddog mode.
A very common harness to consider and it has a lot of appeal. Low price point, a lot of style points for all the colors to pick from, and it’s easy to put on your pup. But it offers next to no control, aside from the handle on the back. We would recommend this for you if you have a pitbull puppy and don’t want to put any pressure on their neck (which is ideal!).
Made of-high density nylon layers and cotton padding
Design
Step-in harness
Leash Attachment
2 stainless D-rings attachment (back-clips)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment
Colors
2
Our Review
Serves a good place in the market for people looking for an affordable harness. For the price, it’s reasonably durable and secure for short walks. However, this harness will not last forever and the adjustments on it are not great. Overall, we would only recommend this harness if you need a cheap option and you’re not worried about pulling.
Made with high quality nylon and padded in all pressure areas
Design
Slip on harness with MOLLE system integrated into the harness
Leash Attachment
1 back-clip
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (2 across the chest and 2 under the belly)
Colors
4
Our Review
This is not the harness for everyone. But we thought it was important as it is a popular choice for pitbulls who are also service dogs. This is a TOUGH harness and will last a long time, with only one exception. If your pitbull isn’t trained and pulls very hard on leash, then this harness will not hold up. This harness is not meant to train your pitbull puppy. It’s meant for trained dogs and is able to be customize for your needs. The customization of this harness shines with the MOLLE system allowing you to add anything to the side of the harness.
Plastic buckles are on the padding to prevent chafing
Soft mesh padding to reduce chafing
Very easy to adjust
Reflective stitching
What we Dislike
The plastic clips are not durable
D-ring isn’t metal or very cheap metal
Not ideal for super pullers
Product Details
Material
Made from lightweight nylon oxford material
Design
-pull design that evenly distributes pressure throughout the body
Leash Attachment
2 D-ring leash attachment points (front-clip and back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment
Colors
1
Our Review
Overall, this harness has the makings of an all-in-one solution for pitbull lovers everywhere. It isn’t too expensive and offers a lot of control for walks. But when you have a pitbull who pulls with all their might, this harness just doesn’t hold up. If your beloved pitbull isn’t a “super” puller, then you may want to consider this harness due to its awesome reflective stitching and nice soft mesh interior.
Dog Vest Harness Padded Adjustable Heavy Duty Attachment
Harness and straps are all one piece of high-grade nylon
Design
Designed to distribute pressure across the padded chest piece
Leash Attachment
1 back clip with 2 metal 2 D-rings
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment
Colors
1
Our Review
This is a remarkable harness and you can tell it’s made with bigger dogs in mind. It’s tough, durable, and will not break over years of use. This is a testament to the design being one whole piece. However, the downside of that is there is only one size. If your pitbull somehow is out of range for the chest or neck measurements of this harness, you’re out of luck. Otherwise, this is an amazing harness for pitbull lovers to consider.
Made from durable scratch-resistant oxford material (resembles nylon)
Design
Designed for distribute pressure on the chest and handle on back for added control
Leash Attachment
2 leash attachment points (O-ring front-clip and V-ring back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (2 front and 2 back)
Colors
9
Our Review
This harness is another winner in our books, but there are some things you need to know. First, be sure to follow their measurements as closely as you can. Some pitbull owners noted that it fit a little too big and their puppy was able to escape (!!!). However, when the sizing is right, this harness offers a lot of control and may be the one for you.
Does not help with pulling (be ready for “sleddog mode”)
Product Details
Material
Fully padded with lightweight mesh lining with nylon handle
Design
Completely adjustable to fit chest girth
Leash Attachment
1 leash attachment point (back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
2 points of adjustment (1 front and 1 back)
Colors
1
Our Review
This is a harness we would recommend for calmer dogs who don’t instinctually pull and have been well-trained. It’s a tough harness and is incredibly well-made. If you buy this harness, you’re definitely making a long-term investment. However, it does not help much with control, aside from the nylon handle on the back. If you’re look for just a back-clip harness, you should strongly consider this option.
Handmade with genuine leather studded with metal spikes
Design
Slip-on with design
Leash Attachment
1 leash attachment point (back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (2 front and 2 girth)
Colors
9
Our Review
The Didog leather harness offers you a handmade options and really shows of craftsmanship. Because it’s made of genuine leather it’s also extremely durable. However, leather is not an ideal material for harnesses because it causes chafing. Likewise, the metal studs will rub against the skin of your dog and cause chafing. Though it is a back-clip harness, it doesn’t really offer any other kind of control and may choke your dog when they pull.
Made with premium nylon and extra padding in the interior
Design
Slip on harness with top easy-lift handle for extra control
Leash Attachment
2 leash attachment points (front-clip and back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment (2 front and 2 back)
Colors
4
Our Review
This harness is situational. The price is pretty good for the quality you’re getting and is ideal for a long-term investment. It’s durable, comfortable for your pitbull, and leaves a lot of room for adjustment. This isn’t ideal for pullers, though, as it puts a lot of pressure on the neck. There are better harness out there for helping you control your pitbull while on walks.
Handmade with genuine leather studded with silver spikes
Design
Slip on harness
Leash Attachment
1 leash attachment point (back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment
Colors
3
Our Review
The Berry Pet Spikes is a handmade leather harness that comes with a matching collar and leash. Though the craftsmanship is excellent, leather is not an ideal harness for any dog. It causes chafing and rubs of fur. Since pitbulls have short fur to begin with, this is a major concern. It also is decorated with metal spikes that will also be rubbing against the skin of your dog. This harness also offers very little in terms of control and should only be considered purely for aesthetics.
Unique no-pull design with adjustable locks/buckles
Leash Attachment
1 Back-clip leash attachment
Points of Adjustment
2 points of adjustment
Colors
2
Our Review
The Lifepul harness is a good fit for those pitbulls that have been well-trained for walks. But if you have a chronic puller, then another harness is going to make your life much easier. With that said, there are a number of pitbull owners claim to adore this harness.
Wide, long reflective material stitched into harness
What we Dislike
Does not stay snug
Tightening the strap and back securely causes severe chafing
Not easy to control a bad puller
Product Details
Material
Made with high-grade nylon
Design
Designed with a rubber handle for quick control
Leash Attachment
1 heavy-duty metal D-ring leash attachment point (back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
2 points of adjustment
Colors
7
Our Review
A low-budget harness that could really meet your needs very well. However, some of the downsides can’t be ignored. A reviewer of this harness pointed out that by making it tight enough not to rotate on the back of their dog caused terrible rubbing, to the point of making their skin raw. If an absolutely tight harness isn’t your priority and you just need a tough harness with a handle, this may be the one for you.
-pull design with an emphasis on the nylon handle for control
Leash Attachment
2 leash attachment points (front-clip and back-clip)
Points of Adjustment
4 points of attachment
Colors
3
Our Review
The DogJog harness is one that may suit your needs if you’re look for an affordable option. It has some impressive reflective stitching and the interior is padded very well. But there have been a lot of complaints about the adjustment straps constantly coming loose.
Constructed from two thick layers of nylon and composite mesh cloth
Design
-pull design with soft edges (reduces chafing)
Leash Attachment
1 back-clip leash attachment
Points of Adjustment
4 points of adjustment
Colors
3
Our Review
This harness is designed for those pups that are difficult to size. The four points of adjustment make it a flexible option, but if your pitbull is a big puller, the adjustments will eventually slide. A huge pro is the pressure of the pull is centered on the chest of the dog rather than the neck, ensuring that there is no choking.
Best Products
Best Harness for Pitbulls
Product Name
Best for
Rate
Embark Adventure Harness
Best Overall
9
2 Hounds Design Freedom Harness
Best for Training
9
Ruffwear Front-Range Harness
Best for Outdoors
9
Kurgo TRU-Fit Harness
Best for Security
8
How to Choose A Pitbull Harness
The criteria we considered when reviewing these harnesses included:
Safety: How easy is it to adjust? Is it secure?
Comfort: Pitbulls have short hair, so we need to be sure we reduce any chance of chafing.
Control: For a dog with so much strength, it is essential that you–the owner–stay in control at all times.
Durability: Will it hold up when a dog lives a rough-and-tumble lifestyle?
Budget: What offers the best bang for your buck?
Style: Well, you’ve got to look good right?
Challenges of Pitbulls
When selecting the right harness for your pitbull, there are a few factors we need to keep in mind.
First, pitbulls have notably wide chests and stocky necks. Use a soft tape measure to get your dog’s exact measurements to avoid headaches down the road.
Additionally, our pitbulls have short hair, which is means that they’re prone to rashes and chafing with harnesses. So, we want to ensure that there’s plenty of padding for comfort and as little plastic on their skin as possible.
At this point, it would be remiss to not address the negative stereotypes associated with pitbulls. No matter how gentle your giant or unfair the stigma, it is important to keep your pitbull completely under your control at all times, for your dog’s protection as well as others’.
For this reason, we have little to no tolerance for cheap materials that break or harnesses that are unreliable. Lastly, since they are so strong, a pitbull who pulls can be quite the challenge. You’ve got to be smart on picking a harness, or you could end up being the one who’s walked.
(add a graphic of an owner being pulled into the air like a kite by a pitbull)
If you ever find yourself in this situation, we recommend reaching out to a trainer – because no harness is a proper substitute for training. That being said, there are specific types of harnesses that can help mitigate the problem (which we will get into shortly).
Harness Over Collar
Despite it not yet being common knowledge among dog owners, there is very little debate within the veterinary and training community about the superiority of harnesses to collars.
While collars are useful for identification purposes, the constant pressure on the throat and neck can cause lifelong, devastating damage to the trachea. Sadly, this problem is only magnified when owners resort to using choke or prong collars on their pitbulls. Except in extraordinarily rare cases, no professional should ever recommend a choke or prong collar. To keep safe control over your dog, harnesses and proper training win every time. If you choose your harness carefully, you will be able to have just as much control over your dog without causing them pain or discomfort.
Types of Leash Attachment
When it comes to harnesses, one of the biggest choices you’ll need to make is what kind of leash attachment you choose. Generally speaking, the vast majority of harnesses you encounter will offer one of two options: a back-clip or front-clip.
True to their name, back-clip harnesses have leash attachments that rest on the dog’s back. Attaching your leash in the back prevents legs from getting tangled in the leashes and helps to evenly distribute any pressure across the dog’s chest. Overall, back-clips are the most common harnesses–and the one most dog walkers are familiar with. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only option.
Front-clip harnesses have a leash attachment right in the center of your dog’s chest and are designed to redirect your dog by using their own force against them. Anytime they pull, their momentum makes them turn to the side, thus giving you a lot more control.
Quick Wins – Our Picks
When shopping for a harness for your pitbull, it is important to consider exactly what you want the harness to do. Is it for training or day-to-day walking? Is your dog exceptionally good at wriggling out of harnesses, or are you on a tight budget?
We’ve assembled our top contenders for each specific situation.
