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Does your dog have a habit of biting through his harness? No harness is indestructible, but some are stronger than others. Here are our top 5 picks for a chew proof dog harness.
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While chewing is usually a sign of stress, built up excitement or discomfort, it’s a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed. Damaged harnesses are much more likely to fail or cause chafing. Strong dogs can also chew through straps surprisingly quickly.
If this sounds like your pet, a stronger harness can be a short-term fix while you solve the underlying issue. Here are five of the best chew proof dog harnesses, along with tips for picking the right option.
A durable, lightweight and strong dog harness
My top pick for a chew-resistant harness is the Ruffwear Front Range. No harness is unchewable, but the durable construction and lack of accessible straps make the Front Range difficult for a dog to destroy. It also has a reflective trim, front leash attachment, and looks great.
Unfortunately not. It’s impossible to manufacture an indestructible harness – at least with current material technology.
The problem is that harnesses need to be flexible and avoid chafing your dog’s skin.
While it’s possible to make an indestructible bed or dog leash using stainless steel or Kevlar, this isn’t practical with a harness. Softer and more flexible materials must be used, so there’s always the chance of being chewed.
That doesn’t mean all harnesses are equally strong though. Some harnesses are much more chew resistant than others. Here are some features to look for:
Don’t forget that a chew resistant harness is a temporary solution. It’s important to understand why your pooch is chewing and take steps to fix the problem. Common reasons include stress, discomfort, teething, and excess energy.
For more information about choosing a harness, check out my complete guide. If your dog is a chewer, you may also want to read my guides to chew proof dog collars, indestructible dog beds, and chew proof dog leashes.
Harnesses are only designed for walking. They shouldn’t be left on a dog inside the home or for extended periods, as they can cause chafing and overheating. If your pet is chewing his harness at home, removing it immediately after a walk is an easy way to solve the problem.
Other tips for reducing chewing include:
Here are five reviews of the best chew resistant dog harnesses on the market. I’ve included several different types, such as front attachment and escape proof harnesses, so read each review carefully to find the best option for your pet.
Disclaimer: When I use the term “chew proof,” I don’t mean these products can withstand determined biting from a strong breed. None of the harnesses currently on the market can claim to be indestructible. Instead, these harnesses are durable, don’t have easily accessible straps, and can be adjusted for a comfortable fit, so they are much harder to chew.
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While no harness is truly unbreakable, the Ruffwear Front Range is a strong option that’s built with high-quality materials, so it can last longer than most harnesses. It also doesn’t have easily accessible straps and is easy to adjust to your dog’s body shape.
Ruffwear makes some excellent dog products, but the Front Range is probably their most popular item. It’s a durable and versatile harness with a strong exterior, plenty of padding, and a front no-pull leash attachment to discourage pulling without causing pain.
It’s not 100% chew proof – no harness is. But, if fitted correctly using the four adjustment points, it’s difficult for dogs to damage. The Front Range also has strong buckles and a metal rear D-ring.
There are a few downsides though. The Front Range doesn’t come with a handle, which can be useful for gaining quick control of your dog. It’s also not the best harness for escape artists, as it’s relatively easy to “back out.”
So, while it’s not the perfect harness, the combination of strong design, two leash attachments, reflective trim and adjustable straps make it difficult to beat.
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I’m a big fan of the Julius-K9 dog harness. It’s not completely unchewable, but is a heavy duty dog harness that’s difficult for chewers to damage. It’s also adjustable and has plenty of reflective material.
The Julius-K9 IDC PowerHarness is a compact harness that doesn’t have any loose straps for your dog to chew. It’s also made with premium materials and heavy duty buckles, so it’s one of the toughest harnesses and difficult to chew through.
Aside from its strong design, the IDC has reflective edges for visibility and is available in a range of sizes. It also has adjustable belly and chest straps for a comfortable fit.
Like the Front Range, the IDC isn’t the best option for escape artists. It’s too easy to slip out of if your dog has mastered the art of “backing out.” I also find it fiddly to adjust the front Velcro strap.
For chewing dogs that don’t have a habit of escaping, however, it’s one of the best chew proof harnesses on the market.
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The LupinePet isn’t the strongest harness on the market. It does, however, come with a guarantee against chewing, so it’s a great choice for chewers. It’s also easy to adjust and is available in a wide range of styles.
While it doesn’t have any padding, the simple and lightweight design of the LupinePet makes it a comfortable choice for most dogs – especially those with long hair. The lack of padding may cause chafing on short-haired breeds, but adjusting the straps can prevent this.
The LupinePet Originals is built with strong stitching and a metal D-Ring. It’s not completely indestructible, but is relatively durable, especially considering the low price. It doesn’t include any reflective material though.
An advantage of the LupinePet is the step-in design. You place your dog’s front legs through the openings, rather than passing over the head, which some dogs find less scary.
Most importantly for owners with a chewing pet, the LupinePet has a guarantee that includes chewing. If your dog chews up the harness, you can get a replacement free of charge. It’s also available in a wide range of patterns and designs.
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The Ruffwear Webmaster dog harness is an expensive option. But if your dog is a chewer and an escape artist, it’s probably the best harness on the market.
With its highly durable design and strong materials, the Webmaster is difficult for chewers to destroy. Like all the harnesses on this list, it’s not completely chew proof, but has a tough design without easily accessible straps.
The extra rear strap also makes it almost impossible to back out from. If your dog has mastered the art of escaping from his harness, the Webmaster is my top recommendation.
Other features include a handle for when you need extra control, reflective trim and plenty of padding. It also has 5 adjustment points for getting a perfect fit, which is essential for dogs that chew.
The biggest downside is the price, as this is one of the most expensive harnesses on the market. It’s also bulkier than some of the other options on this list and is more difficult to put on.
Even so, the Webmaster is an excellent harness for chewers and escape artists.
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The EzyDog Convert Trail-Ready is expensive, but it’s perfect for tough trails and long walks. It’s also a durable adventure harness that’s adjustable and doesn’t have easily accessible straps, so it’s great for chewers (although it’s not indestructible if your dog is a determined chewer.)
With its compact design, cotton lining and adjustable straps, the EzyDog Convert is a comfortable harness that can be adjusted to fit most dog breeds.
It’s also built with a durable polyester outer shell for extra strength. This shell, combined with the heavy duty D-ring and difficult-to-reach straps, make it hard for dogs to chew.
Like the Webmaster, the biggest drawback of the EzyDog is the high price. It’s also not a good choice for escape artists, as it’s relatively easy to “back out.” For most chew-happy pups, however, it’s a decent choice.
It’s impossible to manufacture an indestructible dog harness. Unlike leashes or beds, a harness must be flexible to conform to your dog’s body shape. It’s impractical to use heavy duty materials, such as metal or Kevlar.
Despite the lack of unchewable harnesses, there are plenty of strong and durable options that are much more difficult for your dog to destroy.
My top recommendation is the Ruffwear Front Range. It’s a tough harness with a four adjustment points, no easily accessible straps, and strong buckles. The Front Range is also comfortable to wear and has a “no pull” front leash attachment.
Do you have any questions about choosing a chew proof harness? Please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
Richard is a journalist who specialises in dog behavior. He's written hundreds of articles and books related to dogs, including for the Continental Kennel Club, Dog Fest (the UK's biggest dog festival) and various veterinary surgeries. When he's not spending time with Jess and Rudy (his beloved Labrador and Golden Retrievers), he enjoys reading, hiking and watching sports. You can find him on Facebook or Twitter.
