Best Harness for Husky Dogs (2024)

Are you looking for a durable and escape-proof dog harness for your Husky? Here are five the best Husky harnesses – along with a guide to choosing the right option for your dog.

Huskies are playful dogs, but they are also strong and full of energy. The breed is also notorious for pulling.

This can make it difficult to find a Husky harness that’s both comfortable and safe. Cheaper harnesses are often not strong enough to withstand the breed’s power and energy, while others are difficult to adjust to a Husky’s body shape.

Many Huskies are also escape artists. They have a strong prey drive and are highly intelligent, so can quickly learn how to “back out” of a harness when they spot something to chase. A secure harness is essential for keeping your Husky safe – especially near roads.

Fortunately, there are some excellent Husky dog harnesses available. I’ve listed five of the best below, along with reviews of each to help you choose the right option for your pet.

But before we go any further, this article focuses on general purpose harnesses for walks, hiking and everyday activities. If you’re planning to take your dog joring (pulling activities), you’ll need a specialist harness.

Our #1 Pick: Ruffwear Webmaster

Durable, comfortable and great for Huskies

My top pick for a Husky harness is the Ruffwear Webmaster. It has a belly strap to stop your dog escaping, along with a durable design and strong handle. The harness also does a great job of distributing force across the chest.

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Why Use a Harness?

Huskies were bred to pull sleds across vast distances. So, it’s not surprising modern Siberian Huskies have a tendency to pull when on a leash.

Unfortunately, this instinct can make walking a Husky difficult. While training a dog to walk on a leash is important for any breed, Huskies don’t always want to walk at a human’s pace – especially when their prey drive kicks in.

For this reason, you should always attach your Husky’s leash to a harness rather than a collar.

Huskies are big dogs, but pulling on a collar can still cause choking, neck pain and even damage to the trachea. This is why the best Husky harnesses have padding and chest straps to spread force evenly across the chest and shoulders.

Your dog should still wear a collar for identification though. For more information, check out my article about husky collars.

What Makes a Great Siberian Husky Dog Harness?

Before you can choose the right dog harness, you need to know when your pet will be wearing it.

The best Husky harnesses for joring, for example, aren’t the same as the best harnesses for walking on roadside pavements. Joring requires more padding, a greater surface area for spreading force across the chest, and multiple leash attachments.

In this article, I’ve focused on general purpose harnesses. These are designed for walks and everyday activities.

Other considerations include:

• Correct Size and Adjustable. Huskies have thick double coats, but a tight harness can still cause chafing and discomfort. The best dog harnesses have multiple adjustment points so you can get a comfortable and secure fit.
• Low Chest. Harnesses should protect your dog’s delicate trachea if he pulls. Avoid harnesses with high chest straps, as these could cause similar problems to collars.
• Leash Attachment. Front attachments can be useful for discouraging pulling without causing pain. When the Husky pulls forward, he is guided off course rather than getting where he wants to go. This won’t solve pulling completely, but can reduce it. Rear attachments actually encourage pulling if your dog isn’t trained, although they are great for well-behaved dogs or activities such as canicross.
• Strong and Durable. A harness is often all that’s between your dog and a road or other dangerous situation. A Husky’s prey drive can also lead them to quickly disappear from view if let off leash. For this reason, a Husky harness should be strong and durable – particularly the seams and leash attachments. It must be able to withstand getting snagged on bushes and shouldn’t be easy to chew through.
• Secure. Huskies are often escape artists. If your dog has a habit of backing out of harnesses, look for one with a belly strap for added security. Adjustable straps can also make escaping more difficult.
• Easy to Clean. A Husky’s long and white hair can quickly cover a dog harness. Look for a harness that doesn’t retain too much hair and is easy to wash. While machine-washable harnesses are the best option, many can only be hand washed.

5 Best Harnesses for Huskies and Mini-Reviews

Listed below are five of the best Husky harnesses available at the moment. There is some overlap with our list of the best harnesses across all breeds, which you can view here, but some big differences too. These harnesses are for everyday walks and hiking – not necessarily for pulling activities that require a sport harness.

1. Ruffwear Webmaster (Best for Escape Artists)

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If your dog has a habit of wiggling out of his harness, the Ruffwear Webmaster is a brilliant choice. It has an extra belly strap that makes it more difficult for a dog to back out – either on purpose or accidentally.

It’s not just a dog harness for escape artists though. The Webmaster is durable and comfortable to wear for Huskies, due to its five adjustment points and padding. It’s a bit fiddly to adjust, but once you’ve got the right size the harness is easy to snap on and off.

The Webmaster also focuses any pulling force on the chest panel to keep your pet safe. Pressure is further reduced by foam padding on both the belly and chest straps, making the harness much more comfortable than cheaper options.

Unlike the Ruffwear Front Range, the Webmaster has a reinforced handle for when you need quick control. A handle can also be useful for assisting your dog over an obstacle or into a car.

This isn’t a “no-pull” harness though. While there are two rear D-rings, there’s no front leash attachment to discourage pulling. It’s also expensive and must be hand washed.

Even so, the Webmaster is an outstanding everyday harness for Huskies – particularly for those that love to escape.

2. Canine Equipment Ultimate Pulling Dog Harness (Best for Pulling Activities and Daily Walks)

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The Canine Equipment Ultimate Pulling Harness is an excellent choice if you need a versatile harness for both everyday walks and pulling activities. It’s designed for joring or hands-free running, but has a simple design and central leash attachment for walks.

One of the great things about this harness is that it provides excellent support when pulling. If your Husky tends to pull, the Ultimate Pulling Harness evenly distributes pressure across the chest and shoulders. It also has plenty of padding and a fleece liner for added comfort.

As you would expect from a pulling harness, it’s designed to not slip around when your dog is wearing it. A combination of adjustable straps and anti-slip sliders keep it in one place, making it more comfortable for your pet.

There’s no belly strap included with the Ultimate Pulling Harness. This makes it easier for your dog to back out, if he’s that way inclined, so it’s probably not the best option for escape artists. The upside is that it’s a bit easier to take on and off.

An interesting feature of the Ultimate Pulling Harness is that it comes with three leash hooks. The middle option is for a regular walk, while the outer hooks can be used with a splitter for pulling activities. There’s also a handle for when you need extra control.

It’s worth noting that the Ultimate Pulling Harness doesn’t have a front D-ring attachment. This isn’t surprising, as it’s designed for pulling, not to discourage it, but I don’t recommend it when trying to teach your dog to walk politely.

It also holds onto a lot of white Husky hair. If you like to keep your dog equipment clean and new, this could be a frustrating problem!

If you need a versatile dog harness for both pulling activities and everyday walks, however, it’s one of the best options.

3. Ruffwear Front Range

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The Ruffwear Front Range is an excellent everyday harness that’s one of my favourites for any breed – including Siberian Huskies.

It’s a lightweight dog harness that’s comfortable and easy to adjust. There isn’t a belly strap, so it’s easier for a Husky to back out compared to the Webmaster, but has four adjustment points for a snug fit. The padding across the chest and belly also makes it comfortable to wear.

Crucially, it has a front fabric D-ring. While this won’t completely stop pulling, it can reduce the intensity due to the dog being shifted “off course” when he pulls. If your Husky is a continuous puller and you’re finding him difficult to train, a front leash attachment can make walks more enjoyable.

Despite being one of the best harnesses on the market, I have a few complaints about the Front Range. It doesn’t have a handle, so you can’t help your dog over obstacles or quickly get control. It also retains a lot of hair, so be prepared to hand wash it regularly.

I also wish it had a metal front leash attachment, rather than fabric. The fabric loop is surprisingly strong, but it makes me more nervous than a metal ring – especially when walking a big dog.

So, it’s not the perfect harness, but is still a great choice if you need a no-pull harness for a Husky.

4. Julius K9 IDC

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When it comes to durability, there aren’t many harnesses that can match the Julius-K9 IDC. It’s a tough harness with a heavy-duty buckle and tactical design, making it an excellent choice for a strong Husky.

The Julius-K9 has two adjustable straps across the belly and chest. Unlike many other harnesses, the front strap is attached via strong Velcro, so it’s easy to put on and adjust. It also has a low front design, to avoid putting pressure on your dog’s trachea when pulling.

While I don’t think the single strap distributes force as effectively as a dog harness with a chest panel, the IDC has enough padding to be comfortable to wear. It also has a breathable inner liner to help your Husky stay cool when exercising.

Other features include a strong handle for assisting your dog and the option of attaching a side bag. As it’s designed for working dogs, you can be sure that the IDC is built to last.

As with most harnesses, the IDC doesn’t have a front D-ring attachment. If you’re looking for a dog harness to discourage pulling, the Front Range or SGODA are probably the better options. For durability and a heavy-duty design, the IDC is a great option.

5. SGODA No-Pull Harness

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The SGODA is a cheaper alternative to the Front Range if you want a no-pull harness. It has two leash attachments, including one on the dog’s chest, which helps to discourage pulling.

With four adjustable buckles and plenty of padding, the SGODA is a comfortable harness that’s easy to fit to your Husky’s body shape. It has a breathable inner and is quick to dry, making it a solid choice for everyday walks and hiking.

The padding is a bit stiffer than I would like, but this probably won’t be an issue with thick double-coated breeds like the Husky.

Like the Front Range, the SGODA has both rear and front leash attachment points. These are metal for extra strength. SGODA has also included a small handle, although this isn’t as strong as the one found on the Webmaster or Ultimate Pulling Harness.

It’s also cheaper than many other Husky harnesses on this list – which is always a bonus!

Despite being surprisingly strong considering the low price, the SGODA isn’t as durable as some of the more expensive dog harnesses on this list. It also doesn’t have a belly strap to prevent backing out.

There’s no doubt it provides excellent value for money though.

FAQ

Should I Use a Collar or Harness?

If your dog is a puller, don’t attach his leash to a collar. This can put severe pressure on the dog’s neck and even cause tracheal damage.

Collars are still useful for your dog’s identification tag though.

Which Dog Harness is Best for Stopping My Husky Pulling?

No harness can teach your dog not to pull. Some types can discourage it, but your dog isn’t learning to walk politely – he’s just being forced to reduce pulling while wearing that specific harness.

Instead, spend time training your dog to walk with a loose leash. This can take time with a Husky, but is worth the effort.

Training to walk politely is more difficult if your dog also participates in joring or other pulling activities. It’s a good idea to have a separate harness for this, so your dog learns when pulling is allowed.

Never use aversive or painful collars. These don’t teach your dog anything other than to fear walks, and can damage your relationship.

Which Dog Harness for a Husky Puppy?

Husky puppies rapidly grow, so there’s no point in buying an expensive harness when you’ll need to replace it in a couple of months. Puppies also aren’t as strong as bigger dogs, so an ultra-durable harness often isn’t necessary.

The Puppia RiteFit is a good choice for growing puppies. It’s an inexpensive harness that still has features such as two adjustable straps and a comfortable design. It’s not chew proof though, so keep it away from your Husky when he’s not wearing it!

Summary

The Husky’s combination of strength, escape artist skills, and tendency to pull, makes it vital to choose the right type of harness.

My top pick for a Husky harness is the excellent Ruffwear Webmaster. It’s a durable harness that’s adjustable and does a great job of spreading force across the chest. The addition of a belly strap also makes it much harder for a Husky to back out.

Do you have any questions or feedback about choosing the best harness for a Husky? Please let me know in the comments section below.