Top Three Harnesses for Labrador Retrievers

Dog Harness Attachment Points

Traditionally, harnesses only had an attachment point on the dog’s spine or back. There are some control issues with this type of harness, which I’ve mentioned in a previous article. And there are now many harnesses with an attachment point on the front – on your dog’s chest, under the chin. You’ll also find that there are harnesses with both front and back attachment points. Both these sorts of harnesses provide more control than a collar does, and are easy to fit, as well as being a more humane option than a collar.

Harness Attachment Point Options

• Back
• Front
• Front-and-back

Front-attachment and front-and-back attachment harnesses have exploded in popularity as people have realised their benefits. More and more brands have proliferated – all variations on the front-attachment theme. But back attachment points are still useful.

Long lines are best attached from the back

If you intend on attaching a long-line to your harness at any point, it is best to attach the long-line to a back-attachment point. This allows it to flow off your dog’s back. Attaching the long-line to a front-attachment point, results in the line running under your dog’s belly. And often getting tangled up in her legs.

If you have a harness with both front-and-back options, this gives you maximum flexibility with what you clip where. It also saves you needing a completely separate harness for running off-leash.

Double ended leashes

Using a harness with a back-attachment point gives you the option of attaching a double-ended leash. If you attach a single ended leash only to a front-attachment point, when the leash goes tight harnesses tend to gape at the side. This happens to different degrees with different harnesses. But if you attach to front-and-back, you always reduce the gaping. This is because the tension is ‘balanced’ out.

At first, it sounds a bit much, to clip a leash to two points at once – but you soon get used to it! Although I do advocate a harness with front-and-back attachment points, there may be some people who would prefer just one attachment point.

You might prefer a single attachment point if:

• You don’t ever want to use a long-line
• Or you know you will never want to use a double-ended leash
• You are prepared to put up with side-gaping in exchange for simplicity

So for those people, I am going to review two front-fastening only harnesses. But the rest of my picks have front-and-back attachment points.

Popular front fastening harnesses for Labradors

We’ll start by comparing two of the more popular front fastening models on the market right now. I have first-hand experience of ALL of these harnesses – some of them, many times over. And these are just my thoughts and not everyone is going to agree with all the points made. I’m not a big fan of the SENSE-ation or Easy Walk harness, but they are widely known and so worth having a look at.

The SENSE-ation harness by Soft Concepts

This Soft Concepts SENSE-ation harness*(paid link) comes with a front-attachment only.

Pros of the SENSE-ation harness

If you are struggling with the idea of a front-attaching harness over a collar, this might be a good first step for you. It’s the simplicity of the SENSE-ation harness that appeals the most.* (paid link)There are no ‘moving parts’ and only one snap-up buckle.

It is front-attachment only, so you only need to clip the leash on one place and can use a regular single-clipped leash with it. It’s the harness which is most like a collar, yet much more humane than one.

Cons of the SENSE-ation harness

The strap that runs across the dog’s chest in the SENSE-ation harness*(paid link) has the potential to restrict leg movement. This could lead to temporary discomfort, but also longer-term physical problems if your Labrador is running and/or jumping with the harness on. Lying down pulls it tight across the dog’s chest and shoulders. A sure sign that range of motion is affected. Which I can confirm when I’ve trialled it on my own dogs.

However, the range of motion needed for on-leash walking is much less than for off-leash running. So if you plan on using this harness only for on-leash walking, then this harness could work for you. But you will have the extra hassle of taking the harness off and putting it on. Which kinda undermines the simplicity – one of this harness’ main selling-points.

There is also some small gaping from the front-attachment only, but not a huge deal. This harness has to go over the dog’s head, so may not be a good choice if your Labrador dislikes having things placed over her head.

SENSE-ation Harness Rating 4/10

The Good

• No martingale attachments
• Easy on/off – only one snap-up buckle
• Simplicity

The Bad

• Inhibits full range of motion in the shoulders
• Should not be left on the dog, for off-leash running/jumping
• Small amount of gaping
• Pulling creates downwards pressure across the top of the dog’s shoulder blades
• No possibility of using a long-line on a back-attachment point

SCORE OUT OF 10: 4/10

The Easy Walk Harness(paid link) by PetSafe

This harness also has a front attachment only.

PetSafe are a big brand name, and the Easy Walk Harness*(paid link) is wide-spread and accessible internationally. The SENSE-ation and the Easy Walk are very similar in design, but with a couple of significant differences.

Pros of the Easy Walk harness

Like the SENSE-ation, this harness is front-attachment only, so you only need to clip the leash on at one place. It’s also easily available and comes in a range of sizes and colors.

Cons of the Easy Walk harness

PetSafe, the company manufacturing this harness, is also a manufacturer of products like  electric collars. You may not want to support companies that manufacture products like these. The strap which runs across the dog’s chest in the Easy Walk again bars the chest, and has the potential to restrict leg movement.

Everything I’ve written above, regarding this aspect of the SENSE-ation, is equally applicable, to the Easy Walk. Unlike the SENSE-ation, the Easy Walk Harness*(paid link) has a martingale, at the front-attachment point. This closes when the dog pulls. If you fit it so it is relatively snug when not tightened, when it tightens, it constricts the front of the dog’s chest even further. If you fit it so it is slack when not tightened, when it tightens the martingale just gives you extra length on the leash. Making it less effective for control and leading to increased gaping at the side.

When it comes to the side-gaping issue, the Easy Walk is one of the worst.

Easy Walk Harness Review Rating 2/10

The Good

• Simplicity (although not as simple as the SENSE-ation)

The Bad

• Inhibits full range of motion in the shoulders
• Should not be left on the dog, for off-leash running/jumping
• Large amount of gaping at the side
• Martingale attachment point constricts chest further or leads to less effective control
• Pulling creates downwards pressure on the back of the dog, across the top of the dog’s shoulder blades
• No possibility of using a long-line on a back-attachment point
• Ethical concerns about PetSafe

SCORE OUT OF 10: 2/10

The Freedom Harness(paid link) by 2 Hounds Design

This harness has front and back attachment.

Pros of the Freedom Harness

The Freedom Harness*(paid link) has both front-and-back attachment points. This gives you flexibility. A front-attachment point for control and a back-attachment point for long-line use. The Freedom does not interfere with the range of motion in the dog’s front legs, so it’s safe to be left on your Labrador when running off-leash. The Freedom Harness*(paid link) can be bought by itself, or along with with a matching double-ended leash as part of an affordable ‘training package’.

I would strongly recommend the leash as well, since this will enable you to attach to both front-and-back attachment points at once. The Freedom Harness has an extremely soft, velvety strap to go behind the dog’s front legs. This minimizes rubbing or irritation. Labradors are relatively short-coated, so this is a concern.

The harness is really good quality and the metalware is likewise. The Freedom comes in a huge range of colors*(paid link). If black doesn’t float your boat, this might be one to check out.

Cons of the Freedom Harness

The Freedom has to go over the dog’s head. Not a good option if your Labrador dislikes this. When both attachment points are in use, there is slight gaping at the side. This does not cause any functional problems. There is a martingale on the back-attachment point. But we can get around this one.

I recommend sizing the girth strap so that when the martingale is closed as tight as possible, it is snug and secure – but does not constrict the dog’s body. That would be mildly uncomfortable for the dog, but I don’t think it would function as an effective aversive to deter pulling on the leash.

A Disappointing Issue

Depressingly, the Freedom website tries to imply just this, stating that this tightening ‘discourages pulling behavior’. Just in terms of company ethics, this is a disheartening statement from a force-free perspective. Even if it’s incorrect, and even if we can bypass it by fitting the harness so it doesn’t constrict the dog’s body.

The girth strap runs right behind the dog’s front legs. It is velvety, and I have never known it to cause discomfort, but I’d ideally like the girth strap to be further away from the back of the dog’s front legs.

Lastly, although the Freedom is secure for 99% of dogs, I have known one experienced harness escapologist able to back out of it. This is a Labrador, which had previously learnt, on another harness, to put his head down and back up quickly.

Freedom Harness Review Rating 7/10

The Good

• Two attachment points mean greater flexibility of use
• Does not affect range of motion in front legs; can be left on the dog when running off-leash
• Matching double-ended leash available
• Soft, velvet-like girth strap prevents chafing
• Good quality fittings
• Excellent color range

The Bad

• Slight amount of gaping at the side
• Martingale back-attachment point has potential for discomfort if not fitted large enough
• Harness has to go over dog’s head; not good choice for dogs afraid of this
• Girth strap passes immediately behind dog’s front legs

SCORE OUT OF 10: 7/10

The Balance harness by Lori Stevens/Dolan’s Dog Doodads

This harness has a front and back attachment. Confusingly, there are two similar harnesses available called the ‘Balance’ harness, so make sure you follow this link to reach the right one for this review.

Pros of the Balance Harness

Unlike the Freedom, the girth strap on the Balance sits well away from the dog’s front legs, further down the rib cage. There is therefore no risk of the harness rubbing behind the legs. There are no martingale attachments anywhere on this harness, so there is nothing to tighten anywhere when the dog pulls. The Balance harness has both front-and-back attachment points. Just like all front-and-back attachment harnesses, this gives you great flexibility.

The Balance will not interfere with the range of motion in the dog’s front legs, so is safe to be left on the dog when running off-leash. The harness is really good quality and the metalware is likewise.

The Balance has a version with a snap-up buckle for the part that is usually placed over the dog’s head. This means that dogs that dislike having something placed over their heads, can have the Balance put around their neck in a similar way to a snap-up collar. Any gaping really is very minimal when both attachment-points are used, even less than on the Freedom. It would be really hard for even a seasoned escapologist to get out of a Balance harness: Backing out doesn’t really work…

Cons of the Balance Harness

The Balance has very limited color-choice. It is essentially always a black harness, but the vertical strap on the back comes in different colors. If you have multiple dogs, the colored back strap is sufficient for telling you which harness belongs to which dog. But if you are someone who loves different colored harnesses, the Balance may not suit – check out the Freedom.

According to the manufacturer, you can attach just to the front-attachment point. But the Balance works best when used in conjunction with a double-fastening leash. Unlike the Freedom, the Balance doesn’t come as a ‘training package’ with this leash. So you will need to purchase one separately.

The Balance harness does tend to rotate slightly when in use. The neck and girth straps slightly pull the colored back strap off vertical. The manufacturer’s website says this is normal and in no way affects performance, but is an aesthetic issue only. If this troubles you, check out the Perfect Fit (below).

Balance Harness Review Rating 8/10

The Good

• Two attachment points mean greater flexibility of use
• Does not affect range of motion in front legs; can be left on the dog when running off-leash
• Girth strap sits well away from dog’s front legs, so no chafing
• Good quality fittings
• Almost no gaping at the side
• No martingale attachments with potential for discomfort
• Version available with snap-up buckle on the neck, for dogs disliking something going over the head
• Secure even for seasoned escapologists

The Bad

• No ‘included’ double-ended leash available, must be purchased separately
• Limited color choice
• Rotates/twists very slightly, but this does not affect performance

SCORE OUT OF 10: 8/10

The Perfect Fit harness by Dog-Games

Our final front and back attachment harness is a great one.

Pros of the Perfect Fit harness

The Perfect Fit  is unique amongst the harnesses reviewed here. It consists of three parts which can be bought separately and put together to create a ‘perfect fit’ for your individual Labrador. Undeniably, I found it the best fit out of all the harnesses I’ve reviewed.

With both attachment points in use, this harness has the least ‘gape’ at the side of any harnesses I’ve reviewed. Similarly, it would be really hard for even a seasoned escapologist to back out of a Perfect Fit harness. This is because there’s no ‘play’ or slack to allow this to happen. For a growing Labrador puppy, it is possible just to purchase and replace one piece of the three needed for a harness. Should the chewing-machine that is your Labrador puppy, succeed in chewing through the front of the harness, again, just that part would need to be replaced.

The Perfect Fit also has a 40mm thick option.

This is a very comfortable and stylish-looking harness for large or strong Labradors. The Perfect Fit harness has both front-and-back attachment points, just like the Freedom and Balance, giving the same flexibility. Like all the front-and-back harnesses reviewed here, the Perfect Fit will not interfere with the range of motion in the dog’s front legs. It is safe to be left on the dog when running off-leash.

The girth strap on the Perfect Fit sits away from the dog’s front legs, further down the rib cage. There is therefore no risk of the harness rubbing behind the legs. The harness is webbing, backed by soft fleece. This makes for a really comfortable and soft harness, for your Labrador.

There are no martingale attachments anywhere on this harness, so there is nothing to tighten anywhere when the dog pulls. It is possible to snap up the buckle for the part which is usually placed over the dog’s head. This means that dogs which dislike having something placed over their heads, can have the Perfect Fit put around their neck.

Cons of the Perfect Fit harness

I have a 40mm Perfect Fit on my Labrador at the moment. The front-attachment is a large metal D-ring. When my Lab runs off-leash, this metal clunks down loudly on the plastic fastener beneath it – with each stride, there’s a loud clunk. My plan is to wrap the metal D-ring in duck tape, to silence it. But when a harness is as expensive as the Perfect Fit is, you don’t expect to be wrapping bits of it in duck tape.

And that’s the next point: The Perfect Fit is by far the most expensive harness out of all those I’ve reviewed. And the price doesn’t include a double-ended leash. You will need to purchase one of those separately. After just one gentle wash at 20degrees – with no fabric conditioner – the fleece on the Perfect Fit became ‘bobbly’. I anticipate this getting worse with the next few washes. This does not affect the comfort or function of the harness, obviously. But it does look less ‘smart’ and you would again expect more from a harness of this cost.

Labs love to swim, and have been known to roll in stinky things! Out of the three parts of the harness, only one part – the ‘top’ – comes in a good range of colors – not quite as wide a choice as the Freedom. The other two parts of the harness – the ‘front’ and the ‘girth’ only come in black.

Ordering Issues?

Lastly, I should say that I had heard about the Perfect Fit harness for about a year before I finally bought one to trial. The reason I didn’t buy one sooner, is that I repeatedly got to the website to place an order and would then be overwhelmed by the options available. Selecting three different-sized component parts for a harness and choosing a width of strap is a much more involved process than choosing one size.

The Dog-Games website has become a lot easier now, with breed recommendations, but some buyers might still find it confusing. They will, free of charge, swap bits of harnesses if you want to exchange them, but you still have to post back and wait…

Perfect Fit Dog Games Harness Review Rating 9/10

The Good

• Two attachment points mean greater flexibility of use
• Does not affect range of motion; can be left on the dog when running off-leash
• Girth strap sits well away from dog’s front legs, so no chafing
• Comfortable and soft fleece-backed webbing
• No gaping at the side
• No martingale attachments with potential for discomfort
• Snap-up buckle on the neck, for dogs disliking something going over the head
• Secure even for seasoned escapologists
• 40mm straps are a great choice for very large or very strong dogs
• Bought in three separate sections; each can be purchased/replaced separately

The Bad

• Metal front-attachment ‘clunks’ on the plastic beneath, at every bound of my dog
• Fleece became ‘bobbly’ after just one wash
• Very expensive
• No ‘included’ double-ended leash available, must be purchased separately
• Limited color choice of ‘front’ and ‘girth’ parts
• Difficulty sizing and fitting three different parts and choosing the right width

SCORE OUT OF 10: 9/10

Top Three Lab Harnesses

I recommend a front and back fastening harness over a front only or back only harness. And my top three picks of front-and-back fastening harnesses for Labrador Retrievers are:
– Freedom Harness*(paid link)
– Balance harness
– Perfect Fit harness

Happy walking!

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