CHOOSING AND FITTING YOUR HARNESS
Your first port of call when choosing a harness is finding out your dog's Ruffwear size. The sizing is consistent across all products, so once you know the size you can choose any design.
If your dog is on the cusp of two sizes, then the best thing to do is size up.
DO NOT assume 'oh my dog is a small'. Harness and collar sizes vary brand to brand, and so it is essential that you measure for the correct fit.
You can watch a detailed guide on how to measure your dog on Ruffwear's YouTube channel - click here.
Next is choosing the right harness for you. We stock the Front Range, Flagline, Hi & Light, Web Master, Day Pack and Switchbak harnesses - but we can order any harness for you if we don't have it in stock.
Take a look at the various merits of each harness here...
Click here for a bigger view
Here is how we would summarise the designs that we stock:
Front Range - perfect every day harness. Great price for a harness you will use again and again. We own two so that we can rotate and wash (Bob tends to get very muddy on walks!) Padded for comfort. Good for pullers.
Front and back lead attachment points. The front point can be used along with training to stop your dog from pulling on the lead.
Light and tag attachment points.
A superb quality harness which won the WHICH best harness category.
Flagline - amazing harness as it fits so beautifully across all dog shapes and is especially useful if your dog has a narrow neck and wide chest, as it adjusts to fit at both points.
Lightweight, durable and practical - you can use the handle to lift and assist dogs over obstacles.
Three lead attachment points, light and tag points too.
A debris resistant liner makes it perfect for hiking and long walks.
You CANNOT back out of this harness - it's super safe.
Good for all dogs xxs - xl but great on whippets, greyhounds, barrel chests, skinny tums, wide backs etc and escape artists. Six points of adjustment make it fit perfectly.
Hi & Light - a light, non-padded harness and the only harness to go down to a XXXS.
Scaled to fit even the smallest canine companions, the Hi & Light Harness is a great option for any dog that enjoys exploring in a harness.
Very light weight so great for dogs who don't love the contact of a harness.
Two lead points, light and tag attachments.
Switchbak - an every day harness with useful side pockets to hold essentials. This harness also has a lift and assist handle. Perfect for adventures, longer walks, hiking, adventuring, camping etc.
The day pack holds more weight than the Switchbak. It's perfect for long walks, hiking, camping and longer adventures.
The underlying structure is the same as the Front Range harness, so a four point connection harness made for every day wear.
Web Master - the Web Master Harness is a secure, supportive, multi-use body harness built for manoeuvring and assisting dogs up and over obstacles.
Thin, durable, perforated foam provides breathable support without hindering range of motion. Five points of adjustment create a secure fit, while padded chest and belly straps make the Web Master comfortable for all-day wear.
Videos to help explain the differences between harnesses:
Again, Ruffwear have a super video on their YouTube channel to explain the differences between each harness - watch here.
Front Range harness in Blue Moon, Switchbak Harness in Red Sumac.
Flagline harness in Red Rock and Front Range Day Pack in Blue Moon.
We are always here to help, if you have any questions please do ask.
How should it fit?
Watch those videos pals, they are great.
Our advice is to adjust the harness as best you can off the dog (based on their measurements) and then try on. You may then need to adjust the straps slightly.
The harness should be snug (don't let it ride around, because then it will rub and not be comfortable). You should be able to put two fingers between harness straps and dog, like you would a collar - but no more.
The biggest mistake we see with people who come in store is that their harness is too loose. Ruffwear is designed to fit comfortably and work with your dog's body shape - so do make sure it's snug (but not tight).
If you aren't sure, give us a video call, or pop in and we can advise!
My dog pulls! All Ruffwear harness will be suitable
My dog can back out of a harness! The Flagline and Web Master harnesses have six clips and cannot be backed out of - but the harness MUST be fitted correctly and not too loose!
My dog doesn't like wearing a harness! The Hi & Light is extremely light and unobtrusive, the best option for a dog that doesn't like having something on.