A dog harness is probably going to be one of the things you and your dog use most, but choosing the right harness can sometimes seem daunting. There are so many options to choose from and you never quite know exactly how your dog is going to react when in the harness.
The great thing is we have a number of guides to help you choose exactly the right harness for your Cocker spaniel. In this particular guide we will help you:
- Understand what you need to consider before buying a harness for your
- Understand what features are included in a harness
- And explain how you measure your cocker spaniel for a harness
The best dog harnesses for Cocker Spaniels available today
The Best Overall - Ruffwear Multi-use Dog Harness
One of the most popular and highly rated harnesses on the market, the multi-use harness from well-known dog equipment brand Ruffwear is our pick for best overall harness for Cocker Spaniels. Its durable and lightweight construction provides a secure and comfortable piece of equipment for your dog.
What we like:
- Excellent material and construction provides great durability
- Super secure which is great for Spaniel escape artists
- A great well-known and popular brand
The Best For Cocker Spaniels That Pull - Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness
This no pull harness from Rabbitgoo is great for Cocker Spaniels that have a tendency to pull when on the lead. With three straps and lead loop located on the back of the dog, this will allow you great control over your dog.
What we like:
- Adjustable to ensure the optimal fit
- Comfort and breathable mesh construction
- Secure with 3 straps to prevent your dog escaping
The Best For Running With Your Cocker Spaniel - Ruffwear Hi & Light Dog Harness
An extremely lightweight dog harness that is perfect for running with your Cocker Spaniel. Built for comfort and speed, together with reflective side panels, this is a great option for active dogs.
What we like:
- Lightweight material and construction.
- Very comfortable with easy to release side buckles
- Visible fabric trim ensuring you dog can be seen day or night
The Best For Comfort - Julius-K9 Powerharness Dog Harness
The Julius-K9 is another popular dog harness and extremely comfortable and lightweight model making it perfect for local and urban walks. It's one-click fitting makes it super easy to put onto your dog and great for regular and daily use.
What we like:
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable
- One-click fitting
- Interchangeable hook and loop patches
The Best For Long Days Out - Embark Pets Adventure Dog Harness
The adventure dog harness is a great option for those long days out with your Cocker Spaniel. With it's heavy-duty yet comfortable construction and added padding, your dog will have no problems wearing this all day long.
What we like:
- Super durable and heavy grade nylon construction
- Easy to fit and highly adjustable
- Great for active dogs
What Do You Need To Consider Before Purchasing A Harness For Your Cocker Spaniel?
- The size of your dog. Cocker Spaniels come in various sizes and you need to make sure your harness is as tight as possible whilst being comfortable for your dog.
- Your Cocker Spaniel’s age. If your spaniel is a puppy, you will need to make sure you purchase a suitable harness and make sure that it is a comfortable fit. Also bear in mind that it might well be your puppy's first harness, so it will take some time to get used to how it feels. It’s probably worth going to a pet shop to try a harness on before finally committing to any purchase.
- Your Cocker Spaniel’s temperament. If your Cocker Spaniel is skittish or a little bit flighty you might want to make sure that you purchase a harness which will give you maximum control over how your dog behaves on the lead.
- Does your Cocker Spaniel pull when walking on the lead? Cocker Spaniels are notorious pullers when walking on the lead. They love nothing more than following a scent trail and therefore will pull you along with them. My shoulder can attest to the fact that this is the case with our Cocker Spaniel! Remember that this is a natural behaviour for a Cocker Spaniel - it’s what they were bred to do and shouldn’t be discouraged, but rather managed.
- What type of exercise do you plan to do with your Cocker Spaniel? If you are planning to do more vigorous or active exercise with your dog, you will need to get a harness which is appropriate for that particular activity. As an example, if you are planning to run with your dog which many owners do you’ll need to make sure that the harness is comfortable, tight and appropriate for running alongside your dog.
How To Measure The Size Of Your Cocker Spaniel
Taking accurate measurements of the size of your dog, prior to selecting an appropriate harness is key. Harnesses should be tight and a snug fit, but importantly, comfortable for your dog and should give them enough room to perform the normal range of movements
There are two measurements that are required prior to the purchase of your harness.
- Around the neck. Simply take a tape measure and measure around the widest part of the neck making sure that you will leave at least two fingers between your dog's neck and the tape measure.
- Around the chest. Take a tape measure and measure around the dog's torso and the widest part of the body. If you are struggling, you can take the measurement around the dog's shoulders and under the pits of the front legs. Again, make sure that it’s not too tight and that you have room for a minimum of one or two fingers.
As mentioned before for puppies and younger dogs, it’s might be sensible to take them to a pet shop to get them fitted. Most pet shops are happy to help you make sure you get the right correctly fitting harness for your dog.
How To Choose The Right Harness For Your Dog
There are a number of factors that need to take into account before committing to the correct harness. Each dog is different and you need to make sure you match a harness to your specific Cocker Spaniel.
Size
As we’ve mentioned before correctly sizing and measuring your dog prior to buying a harness is super important. Harnesses come in many different sizes and it’s important to make sure that you find the appropriate size of harness for your dog.
Material
Making sure that your harness is comfortable for your dog is key and therefore choosing the right material is of paramount importance. There are many different material types to choose from you just need to make sure that your choice is comfortable for your dog.
Padding
The choice of whether you purchase a harness with padding really depends on the seasons and the weather. As an example, if your dog is susceptible to getting cold or has very very short fur like a whippet greyhound you might want to get a harness with additional padding as a way of keeping warm.
And Finally…
We hope you've enjoyed this guide to the best dog harnesses for your Cocker Spaniel. It can be a daunting process, believe us we know your pain and have spent lots of time and money choosing the right harness for our Cocker Spaniel. We've also created a guide to fitting a harness on your Cocker Spaniel if you're interested.
All content is written by actual Spaniel owners.
