Siberian Huskies were bred to pull sleds in the Arctic, so teaching them not to pull on a leash during a walk can be quite a chore!
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Harnesses for Huskies:
- ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness Front Clip Leash Attachment – Our Top Pick
- BABYLTRL Big Dog Harness No Pull
- EXPAWLORER No Pull Harness
- Kurgo Dog Harness with Front D-Ring
- Petacc Dog Harness
- Embark Adventure Dog Harness with Front and Back Leash Attachments
That’s why it’s crucial to find the best harness for a Husky. The wrong harness will encourage your Husky to pull harder, which would make walks more difficult rather than easier.
That’s why we created this handy guide. Not only do we have recommendations to help you find the best harnesses for Huskies, but we have tips to help you train your Husky to walk nicely.
Features to Look For in a Husky Harness
There are so many types of dog harnesses on the market that it can be difficult to know what to look for. Here are some of the most important features to consider when looking for a Husky harness.
Style
There are many different styles of dog harnesses to choose from. It’s important to figure out which style and type of harness would be best for your Husky. The wrong style could either break easily or encourage your Husky to pull even harder than ever.
Safety and Visibility
If you live in an area with hunting or if you like to take your Husky out for walks when it’s dark out, you will want a highly reflective dog harness to make your Husky easier to see.
You could also look for a harness that has a place to attach an LED light to make your Husky even more visible.
Another safety feature to consider is whether you take your Husky on a lot of car rides. You can imagine how terrible it would be for your dog if they were thrown from your car during an accident.
Now picture what would happen if their 50-pound frame hit your head at 60 miles per hour. Not all harnesses are created equal for car safety, so be sure to do your research if that’s a priority for you.
Material
Huskies are very strong dogs who also typically love the snow. That can put a lot of strain on a harness.
Look for durable and waterproof harness materials like nylon to ensure that it will last as long as possible. Cheap materials may save money in the short term, but replacement costs can add up.
Heavy Duty/Durable
Even nylon won’t be durable enough if it isn’t double-stitched. Look for a heavy-duty harness that should last for several years before needing to be replaced.
That is usually more economical than buying a new harness every few months when the old one wears out.
Breathability
Dogs don’t sweat as humans do, but it’s still crucial for their skin to get adequate airflow. Without good breathability, a harness can cause your Husky to overheat.
This is especially true in places where the temperature can get very hot. Look for padding made from a breathable mesh.
Water-Resistant
There’s a very good chance your Husky loves nothing more than to roll around in a pile of snow. Beyond that, there are plenty of ways that your Husky’s collar could get wet.
Look for harnesses that are water-resistant so you don’t speed up how much damage they get and how frequently they need to be replaced.
Adjustability
Huskies are amazing escape artists. It can be nearly impossible to contain a Husky, either in a yard or with a harness.
The more adjustable a harness is, the less likely it is that your Husky will find a way to get out of it.
Chest Strap
A chest strap is one more important feature in the adjustability of a dog harness. It could make the difference between your Husky escaping or staying by your side.
Metal or Hard Plastic Buckles
Cheap plastic buckles can’t stand up to the strain that an energetic Husky can put on them. Metal buckles are usually best for Huskies, but very hard plastic buckles may hold up if the overall harness is designed well.
Comfort
You don’t want your Husky to be uncomfortable in their harness. As a breed, Huskies can be incredibly stubborn.
The last thing you want is to have to wrestle your Husky into a harness they find uncomfortable just to take them for a walk. Usually, the more padding a harness has, the more comfortable it is for your dog.
Cost
It may be tempting to go for the cheapest harness on the list. However, the cheapest harnesses often wear out the fastest.
A more expensive harness could pay for itself within a year or two depending on how often you replaced cheaper harnesses.
Best Harness for a Husky
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness Front Clip Leash Attachment
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | BABYLTRL Big Dog Harness No Pull
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | EXPAWLORER No Pull Harness
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Kurgo Dog Harness with Front D-Ring
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Petacc Dog Harness
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Embark Adventure Dog Harness with Front and Back Leash Attachments
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
#1 – ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness Front Clip Leash Attachment
About: Not only is this the best tactical dog harness we could find, but it’s the most highly rated harness we came across. 4 adjustable points allow you to get an excellent fit for your dog. There is a front D-ring leash attachment for dogs who pull with another D-ring on top of the harness for dogs who can walk on a loose leash. In addition, this harness has a handle near the front of the harness which gives you extra control of your dog.
What we like about the harness:
- A variety of sizes and colors to choose from
- Comes with hard plastic or metal buckles
- Highly adjustable
- You can add Velcro patches to the sides of the harness
User Reviews: As always, there was the usual handful of complaints about defective harnesses breaking and putting dogs at risk. However, the vast majority of reviews mentioned how extraordinarily durable the harness is. Many reviews specifically mentioned how well it worked for their Husky and helped reduce pulling to make walks more pleasant.
Bottom Line: This is one of the best harnesses you can find for your Husky. Always inspect your harness for defects before putting it on your dog. Otherwise, this tactical harness fit the needs of most people who bought it and is a great choice for your Husky.
#2 – BABYLTRL Big Dog Harness No Pull
About: If your budget calls for something a little simpler and cheaper, this harness still has great features like reflective stitching and breathable padded mesh to help control larger dogs.
What we like about the harness:
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Front leash attachment prevents pulling
- Has a handle on the back of the harness
User Reviews: A fair amount of people complained about quality issues (like any product you’ll find online), but most people say this is a sturdy harness and a great value for the price.
Bottom Line: If you want to start with a harness at the lower end of the price range, this is a great option to try. It may be very durable for its price point.
#3 – EXPAWLORER No Pull Harness
About: This harness was designed specifically for large dogs, so it has better proportions than some other harnesses that were scaled up from smaller sizes. It easily slides on over your dog’s head, so you don’t have to wrestle their legs into a harness.
What we like about the harness:
- Several sizes and many colors to choose from
- Rubber handle on back for better control
- Reflective tape makes dogs more visible at night
User Reviews: Many reviewers reported that the straps would loosen easily, and their dog could escape. Overall, though, people think this is a quality harness and love being able to put it on over their dog’s head rather than fidgeting with their dog’s feet.
Bottom Line: This harness doesn’t do much to reduce pulling. However, it is easy to put on and remove and should be a sturdy option for a Husky who doesn’t pull on walks.
#4 – Kurgo Dog Harness with Front D-Ring
About: This harness is crash test certified for dogs up to 75 pounds, which makes it a great harness if you take your Husky on a lot of car rides. It also has a front leash attachment to help reduce pulling during walks.
What we like about the harness:
- Tested at Calspan’s Buffalo, NY crash test facility
- 5 adjustment points help it fit most dogs
- Includes hassle-free Kurgo Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects
User Reviews: On the downside, this harness may be very difficult to adjust. On the plus side, it’s also more difficult for dogs to slip out of. Generally, people who primarily used this as a car harness seemed happier than those who used it as a walking harness.
Bottom Line: If you are searching for a harness that will keep your dog safe in the car, this may be a great option for you. If you’re looking for a harness that should reduce your dog’s pulling, there are better options out there for that purpose.
#5 – Petacc Dog Harness
About: This simple, adjustable harness is highly reflective, making it perfect for nighttime walks. D-rings on the back and front allow you to walk your Husky whether or not they walk well on a leash.
What we like about the harness:
- Highly reflective
- No-pull and choke-free
- Breathable, lightweight mesh lining
User Reviews: There are a frightening number of reviews that mention the front D-ring being yanked off the harness when dogs pull too hard. Otherwise, most people love how adjustable this harness is and say that the handle on the back is a nice bonus.
Bottom Line: This is a great basic harness that’s highly reflective for walking in the dark. However, the sturdiness of the front D-ring is questionable, which makes this harness a poor choice for Huskies that pull on the leash during walks.
#6 – Embark Adventure Dog Harness with Front and Back Leash Attachments
About: This harness is very adjustable, won’t choke your dog, and is easy to put on and take off. It’s more padded than many other harnesses, and it is made from military-grade nylon for extra strength and sturdiness.
What we like about the harness:
- Strong military-grade nylon exceeds the national pulling strength guidelines by at least 130 LBS
- Long straps make it highly adjustable
- Comes in 3 colors
User Reviews: Interestingly, there is no common theme amongst the complaints for this harness. Negative reviews range from poor stitching to the straps being too long to a weak D-ring to the harness being too small. However, there are plenty of positive reviews talking about how sturdy this harness is and how well it prevents dogs from backing out of it.
Bottom Line: While this harness is more expensive than a few of the others on this list, it’s worth the money. It’s more durable and better fitting than the cheaper models on this list.
Harness or Collar for a Husky?
You may be thinking: “Since Huskies were bred to pull, wouldn’t a harness encourage a Husky to pull more? Maybe a collar is better.”
The thing is, most Huskies will pull regardless of what type of collar or harness they are wearing.
Collars can seriously damage your Husky’s throat, causing potentially serious side effects like hyperthyroidism, a damaged trachea, or even a broken neck.
Harnesses can safely redirect your Husky’s energy toward their body and encourage them to stop pulling with less risk of injury.
A harness will almost always be a better option for a Husky than walking them on a collar.
Types of Harnesses for Huskies
There are a variety of different types of harnesses. Buying the wrong type of harness would entirely defeat the purpose.
Keep in mind your reasons for wanting a harness for your Husky so you can buy the right kind.
Back-Clip, Front-Clip, or Dual-Clip
Front-clip harnesses can help prevent your Husky from pulling. However, if your Husky walks well on a loose leash, a front-clip harness can cause the leash to get tangled around their legs.
Back-clip harnesses are best for Huskies who walk well on a leash and don’t pull too hard.
For best results, get a harness that has D-rings on both the front and back to give you different locations you can attach the leash to figure out what works best.
No-Pull Walking Harness
No-pull walking harnesses are designed specifically to help prevent your Husky from pulling when you take them on a walk.
Most no-pull harnesses have a leash clip on the front of the harness. Some even tighten around your dog if they put too much pressure on their leash.
Step-Through
The cheapest dog harnesses are usually step-through models. If your Husky is calm and doesn’t mind having their feet handled, a cheap step-through harness may be all you need.
On the other hand, if your Husky jumps all over you at the mention of the word “walk,” you’ll probably want to find a harness that slips over your dog’s head.
Padded Harness
Without padding, harnesses can rub on your dog’s skin and cause irritation, hair loss, or even bleeding. To prevent skin irritation and keep your Husky as comfortable as possible, look for padded harnesses.
Car Harness with Seatbelt
Many people overlook how dangerous of a projectile a dog can become in the case of a car accident.
At best, your Husky may be tossed from the car during an accident and need to dodge traffic to prevent further injury. At worst, your 50-pound Husky could turn into a projectile that could seriously injure or kill your dog in the case of an accident.
It’s best to have a harness made specifically for keeping your pup safe in case of an accident rather than trying to make a regular harness work in a car. We’ve discussed this in great detail in our guide to the Best Dog Seat Belts.
Reflective Harness
If you spend much time walking your Husky in the dark, you will want a harness that has reflective piping on it, at a minimum, to help keep your dog visible to drivers in low-light conditions.
Tracking Harness
Tracking harnesses are designed to help you maintain the best control of your dog during hunting. They often have a handle on the harness for even better control.
Tactical Vest/Military Harness
For dogs that do really intense work, a tactical vest or military harness will provide the best combination of features to combine durability with function.
These types of harnesses usually include heavy-duty material, a handle, and Velcro areas to attach patches (like for service dogs).
How to Fit a Harness on Your Husky
We can’t overstate how important (and tricky) it is to measure your Husky properly to get the best-fitting harness.
Some harnesses may need additional measurements. However, you generally want to measure the girth of your dog around the widest part of their chest as well as the widest part of their neck.
In a properly fitting harness, you should be able to slip two fingers under any straps or adjustable areas.
If a harness is too tight on your Husky, it can cause skin irritation or difficulty breathing. If the harness is too loose, it can be easy for your Husky to back right out of it and run away.
How to Get Your Husky Used to a Harness
Huskies can be stubborn, and your dog may not react well if you just throw a harness on them for the first time and try to take them for a walk.
Here’s how to get your Husky used to a harness:
- Allow your dog to sniff the harness and leave it out for a while so your dog can get used to the sight and scent of it. However, you should monitor your Husky to make sure they don’t chew up the brand-new harness before you even get it on them.
- Once your Husky is no longer bothered by the sight or smell of the new harness, put it on your dog and adjust it to the proper fit. Treat your dog and reward them for tolerating the harness.
- Leave the harness on for a while indoors while you observe your Husky. Make sure your dog doesn’t try to chew it up or otherwise remove it.
- Now it’s time to take your Husky for a walk on the harness with plenty of praise and treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few more questions you may have about finding the best harness for your Husky.
It’s crucial to compare your dog’s measurements to those provided by the company making the harness you want to buy. Read reviews from other customers to see whether the sizes seem to run smaller or larger than you might expect.
Pick the harness that looks like it will be the best fit, then keep the tags on until you have a chance to adjust it and make sure it fits your Husky.
Teaching a Husky not to pull on a leash can be a time-consuming task that requires a lot of patience and a good no-pull leash.
When going for a walk, stop the moment your Husky starts to pull on the leash. Don’t start walking again until your Husky puts slack on the leash. Then, stop again as soon as your dog pulls.
Walking like this can be very frustrating, but it’s the best way to teach your Husky that the only way to go for a long, satisfying walk is to stop pulling on the leash.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, we’ve provided plenty of information here to help you find the best harness for your Husky.
You may still need to try a few different harnesses to find the best fit and style for your needs. However, you will eventually find the best harness for your dog.
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Jennifer Nelson is a passionate dog lover and pet care professional based in Denver, Colorado. With over 12 years of experience as a pet groomer, Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to the health and well-being of dogs.
She is an accomplished pet care professional and writer who truly embodies the spirit of a dog lover. Her passion, expertise, and commitment to the dog community make her a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the care and wellbeing of these wonderful animals.
Jennifer’s writing style is warm, engaging, and informative, and her articles are always well-researched and backed by her extensive professional experience. Her goal is to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on all aspects of dog care, from feeding and grooming to exercise and health.