Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds. The Labs have high energy levels and tend to be very active. They are Enthusiastic dogs and more very outgoing. Since they are a sporting breed, they require at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. They are not only overly active but also very strong. They tend to resist a harness in the early stages of training thus a really firm harness is required during this stage.
A good quality harness is an important tool when trying to control your Labrador. It will not only be useful when it comes to walking your canine friend around but also quite efficient as a car safety restraint. A harness will be a good investment if you have Lab.
11 Best Running Harness for Labrador
When searching for the best running harness for Labrador, the numerous products in the market may confuse you especially if it is your first purchase. Don’t worry, we have rounded up the best options to ease the search for you. Let’s dive in
1) Kurgo Journey Dog Harness
If you are looking for a harness that will give your dog absolute comfort, then the Kurgo Journey Dog Harness would be a good choice. As one of the best running harness for Labrador, it has a V-neck design and is padded for extra comfort for your four-legged buddy.
This padded plate is made of breathable mesh and has 4 adjusting points to custom the fit depending on the size and shape of the dog. This great design will give you and your Lab an adventure with no strain on the dog’s chest or neck.
This durable dog harness features front and back leash attachment points thus suitable for dogs that are still learning not to pull and also the temperate and mature Labs.
It also has all-steel metal nesting buckles for durability and a back handle that is efficient for control and can also be used to assist your dog, for instance when moving downhill. This harness is easy to put on and off and comes with a 10-inch seat belt loop to prevent distracted driving
Features
- V-neck design.
- Has a padded plate made of breathable mesh for utmost comfort.
- It had 4 adjusting points to fit a Lab of any shape and size.
- Front and back leash attachments.
- All-steel metal nesting buckles for durability.
- Back handle for control and assistance.
- Easy to put on and off.
- Comes with a 10-inch seat belt loop.
2) Ultra Paws One Adjustable Pulling Dog Harness
This adjustable harness earns a spot in our best running harness for Labrador. The harness requires you to have only two measurements of your Lab to get a perfect size.
It is designed for pulling Labs and is perfect for training, walking, control and other light to medium activities. It is padded with fleece for your dog’s comfort and has 4 adjustment points through the neck, back, chest, girth and belly to give a perfect fit thus ideal for growing dogs.
It features a floating O-ring that helps to reduce pressure on your Lab’s hips when it is pulling from the side and a belly strap that ensures that your dog does not back out from its harness.
The D-rings on the sides can be used to attach to tracers to pull a wagon or light cart for added adventure. The wide chest straps spread the pulling pressure thus preventing your dog from being hurt.
Features
- You only require two dog’s measurements to get the right size.
- Padded fleece for your dog’s comfort.
- 4 adjustment points through the neck, back, chest, girth and belly thus suitable for even growing dogs.
- A floating O-ring that helps in reducing pressure on your Lab’s hips when it is pulling from the side.
- Belly strap that ensures that your dog does not back out from its harness.
- D-rings on the sides can be used to attach to tracers to pull a wagon or light cart for added adventure.
- Designed for pulling Labs.
- It has wide chest straps to spread the pulling pressure.
3) Julius-K9 IDC Power Harness
This pet harness has a breathable and skin-friendly inner lining making it the best running harness for Labrador. The harness is designed for your pet’s comfort. The pressure exerted by your Lab is distributed on its chest and not neck making it a comfortable and safe harness. With this harness, you are assured of maximum leash control while the vest doubles up as a visibility vest too.
The reflective stitching that glows in the dark makes this harness perfect for early morning walks. The Julius-K9 Power harness is very easy to put on and off and is made of water-resistant material for convenience.
It has heavy-duty buckles for durability and has a closable handle where you can attach a side bag. The adjustable front and belly straps make them suitable for any dog size.
Features
- Breathable and skin-friendly inner lining that is comfortable and healthy for your dog.
- The pressure exerted by your Lab is distributed on its chest and not neck for safety and comfort.
- Gives maximum leash control.
- Reflective stitching on the vest that glows in the dark for visibility.
- Easy to put on and off.
- Heavy-duty buckles for durability
- This closable handle where you can attach a side bag.
- Adjustable front and belly straps for a perfect fit.
4) PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness
This is a vet and trainer-recommended harness that is ideal for stopping light to moderate pulling as it has a back clip model and attaches the leash at the front. The front clip D-ring gives you control and the strap rests on your dog’s chest to prevent choking. The patented Martingale loop located on the chest piece tightens at the front preventing your pup from tangling while still giving you relaxed control.
The harness is easy to get on and off as it has quick strap buckles and it fits Labs of all sizes. This harness is designed for correcting bad habits and has a very little form of padding thus not comfortable for puppies and senior dogs.
Features
- Vet and trainer recommended.
- Back clip model and attaches the leash at the front thus ideal for stopping a light to moderate pulling.
- Front clip D-ring for control.
- Strap rests on your dog’s chest to prevent choking.
- Patented Martingale loop that prevents tangling and gives you relaxed control.
- Easy to get on and off.
- Fits most breeds.
5) Kurgo Impact Car Safety Dog Harness
One unique thing about this harness is that it is car crash certified. It is crash-tested for dogs that weigh up to 75 pounds thus you are assured of safety when you have your pet buckled up with the Kurgo Car Safety Dog Harness Seat Belt and you will have a comfortable protected drive.
It is fitted with a non- Pull D-ring that is effective for dog training and has 5 adjustable points to ensure that it fits well with a dog of any size and shape.
The padded front keeps your four-legged friend comfortable and protected at all times while the steel nesting buckle offers extra safety. It is strong, very durable and easy to use making it a good choice for your pet.
Features
- Very durable.
- Easy to use.
- It is car crashed certified for dogs of up to 75 pounds.
- Fitted with a non-pull D-ring that is effective for dog training.
- Has 5 adjustable points to ensure a perfect fit.
- Has a padded front for extra protection and comfort.
6) Sporn No-Pull Mesh Dog Harness
This is a veterinarian-approved step-in harness that is engineered towards pullers. It has a high-quality, durable, soft nylon mesh at the front that constricts your four-legged friend if it tries to pull you along. This patented system is safe for your dog as it exerts pressure on your dog’s chest thus there is no risk of your dog getting choked.
The dog harness is made of waterproof material and nickel-plated hardware for reliability and durability. The leash attachment is at the back of the harness. It gives you control without compromising your dog’s comfort as the elastic webbing on the non-pull mesh stretches to adjust to your dog’s movements. You are guaranteed safety as it is extremely tough to pull apart and it is highly unlikely that your dog will break free.
Features
- Veterinarian approved
- Engineered towards pullers
- High-quality, durable, soft nylon mesh at the front to constrict your dog if it tries to pull you along.
- Waterproof
- Nickel-plated hardware for reliability.
- The leash attachment is located at the back of the harness.
- Safe as it is almost impossible for your dog to break free.
7) Chai’s Choice 3M Reflective Harness
Are you looking for a stylish eye-catching harness? Then the Chai’s Choice 3M Reflective Harness would be an ideal choice for you. Made of durable oxford scratch-resistant material, this harness will keep your dog safe and secure. The mesh padding with a nylon exterior at the front of the harness is designed for comfort as it prevents pressure from being exerted on your dog’s neck.
The reflective piping on the nylon webbing increases its visibility even in darkness. It has adjustable straps for any dog size and shape and features a zinc alloy O-ring at the front where you can attach the leash and discourage your Lab from pulling. The D-ring at the back is also made of Zinc Alloy for durability and convenience and there are a variety of colors to choose from.
Features
- Made of scratch-resistant material.
- The mesh padding with a nylon exterior at the front of the harness is designed for comfort as it prevents pressure from being exerted on your dog’s neck.
- Reflective piping for visibility.
- Adjustable straps for perfect fitting.
- Zinc Alloy O-Ring at the front to discourage your Lab from pulling.
- Has a zinc alloy D-ring at the back.
- Variety of colors to choose from.
8) Sporn Ultimate Control Dog Harness
This is an internationally recommended dog harness that will not choke your dog. It can be used on dogs with a collapsed trachea or an injured throat. Its patented non-pull design makes this harness the number one recommended harness by trainers. This harness gives you ultimate control without compromising your Lab’s comfort and safety.
It uniquely has front pull and rear pull control options that can be used simultaneously. Also, this harness has a reflective stitch for visibility. It comes in four fully adjustable sizes and two color options; red and black thus you can easily select the most suitable harness.
Features
- Safe as it does not choke your dog.
- Suitable for dogs with a collapsed trachea or injured throat.
- Patented non-pull design.
- Gives you ultimate control.
- Has front pull and rear pull control options that can be used simultaneously.
- It has a reflective stitch for visibility.
- Comes in four fully adjustable sizes.
- Has two color options.
9) HDP Big Dog Harness
This type of harness is designed for large dogs and a Lab being a large dog, this harness will fit. It has a non-choke design that is ideal for pullers. The padded front and the polyester straps make your walks and run comfortably for your furry friend. The wide chest plate distributes pressure throughout the dog’s shoulders and chest making this harness a safe choice.
This harness features a D-ring that is firmly placed at the center ring at the back of the harness thus allowing the dog to have some freedom motion while still giving you control. It also comes with a handle that you can use to grab your dog tight or hold it back in case of unexpected motions.
Features
- Designed for large dogs.
- Has a non-Choke design.
- Suitable for Elderly Labs.
- Wide chest plate that distributes pressure to the Lab’s chest and shoulders.
- Has cleverly placed D-ring that gives your Lab some more freedom of motion while still giving you control.
- Padded front for comfort.
- Polyester straps for durability.
- Comes with an extra handle.
10) Voyager Step-In Flex Dog Harness
This dog harness has a soft breathable mesh that is comfortable for your Lab even during hot seasons. It is lightweight thus not tedious for your dog and comes with two reflective bands on the sides for visibility during early morning or late night strolls. This harness is typically a bridge between a vest and a harness and therefore you need to get the right measurements of your dog to get the right size.
With this harness, you get double safety as it has a strong Velcro closure and a heavy-duty D-ring. It also features a buckle, a hook and a loop fastener for added security. It is easy to wear for convenience and your Lab will enjoy the walks with this harness.
Features
- Soft breathable mesh for comfort.
- Has two reflective bands on the sides for visibility.
- Double safety as it has a strong Velcro closure and a heavy-duty D ring
- Features a buckle, a hook and loop fastener for added security
- It is easy to wear.
- Bridges between a harness and a vest.
11) Puppia Camo Dog Harness
This is a simple and very functional harness made of high-quality 100% polyester mesh that is breathable and waterproof. It has double-coated D-rings that are dirt and humidity-resistant.
The adjustable chest belt with a plastic clasp makes an ideal choice for a Lab of any size and shape. It has comfortable padding around the neck area and features an easy-to-release buckle for convenience.
This harness is machine washable however hand washing and air drying are recommended. It is lightweight for your dog’s convenience and the buckles are made of plastic for durability. The harness comes in different sizes and colors thus you can choose the most suitable harness for your pet.
Features
- Simple but functional harness
- Made of 100% polyester.
- Breathable and soft for comfort.
- Comfortable around the neck area.
- Double-coated D rings that are dirt and humidity-resistant.
- Adjustable chest belt with a plastic clasp.
- Machine washable however hand washing and air drying are recommended.
- Plastic buckles for durability.
Read: Best Retractable Dog Leash
Tips to get your Labrador Get used to Harness
Having in mind that Labradors are very active dogs, you should start using a harness at an early stage. It is not an easy task and requires a lot of patience. Below are some tips for getting your pet accustomed to a harness.
- Use positive reinforcement – This is where if a dog follows your command, it gets a reward in form of maybe treats, praise and playtime. During harness training, you can have some treats to motivate the dog not to bite or reject the harness.
- Take baby steps – Do not rush the whole process. A step at a time. Once you get the harness, you can place it on the floor where your dog can easily access it. Let is sniff it, touch it, feel the buckles and whenever it makes some interactions with the harness reward it.
- Once you notice some progress with your Lab having the harness around, try to put it on. Praise the dog if it allows you to put the harness on them. If it allows you to fasten the buckles, reward them with more praise and treats.
- When you get to the point where your Labrador is comfortable having the harness on, you can start with short strolls around the neighborhood and you can go on extending the distance as time goes by till it gets used to the harness.
- Patience is Key- Be patient with your dog as it can easily sense frustration and this will make it reject the harness. Go over every step as many times as possible till your Lab evolves to the next stage naturally.
- Do not instill fear- Do not let your dog associate the harness with fear as this will make training very difficult. This is the reason why you need to be very calm throughout the whole process.
Types of Harness for Labradors
No Pull: This might not be the most comfortable harness but it prevents your dog from pulling. If your Lab has already developed the pulling behavior, this would be a good choice of a harness. It is however not advisable to use this type of harness on puppies or senior Labs.
Front Clip: This also a good option for Labs that pull as both the clip and the leash attachment are located at the front part making control easier.
Back Clip: The back clip harness is suitable for lighter breeds. It is not advisable to use harnesses with this kind of clip on a Labrador as it will have an urge to pull harder as both the leash attachment and the clip are both at the back.
Dual Clip: It has both back and front clips and leash attachments giving you the liberty to attach the leash wherever you deem more convenient.
Vests: These are tailored for comfort thus perfect for puppies and senior cats. It has additional padding to ensure that your dog is comfortable. These types of vests are suitable for a Labrador however not suitable for dogs with longer bodies and thinner chests.
Step-in: These types of harnesses are mostly for small dogs. Your dog needs to step into it to wear it thus does not work well with stubborn dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Running Harness for Labrador
Q: Can I run with my Labrador?
A: Yes, you can. Labradors are such great companions for runs and jog as they are fit and athletic dogs and love exercising. If your Lab is in good shape in terms of health, they will enjoy a run or a jog.
Q: Can a harness harm my dog?
A: There are some dangers of using a harness and you should avoid these dangers as much as you can. First, if a dog pulls on a leash of a harness that does not fit well, it can get some chest injuries. A front clipped harness might put a lot of pressure on the dog’s throat region thus not advisable for dogs with trachea issues, short-nosed dogs and small dogs. A Lab should not sleep in its harness as it poses some danger in it. It might be caught by a dog’s crate which might result in choking. Besides, if a wet harness is left in a lab for a while, it may lead to a skin infection.
Q: Should I use a harness or a vest for my Lab?
A: A vest is designed for comfort thus very suitable for senior labs and puppies. A harness on the other hand is designed for training and control and is suitable for dogs that are older than puppies and can be used throughout a Labs life up until it becomes a senior Lab.
Conclusion
You will have adventurous moments with your Lab on getting a harness. Ensure that you get the right harness for your Lab and always take the necessary caution so that a harness does not place any danger to your Lab. With the recommendations above, you are more likely to get the best running harness for your Labrador.