Choosing a harness for a small dog comes down to two things: the right size and a fit you can adjust. Below is how we do it ourselves with Moo, our maltipoo, and what we look for when she wears a new model before it comes to the shop.
Why a harness
With a harness the leash sits on the back instead of the neck, and the strap runs around the chest. When your dog pulls or jumps sideways, the chest takes it and the neck stays free. Do keep the collar on for the tag with your phone number. Still deciding between the two? Read harness or collar for a small dog.
How we measure Moo
- Let your dog stand calmly, not sit. It is easier after a walk than before.
- Measure the chest at the widest point, just behind the front legs. Keep the tape snug, but don't press it into the coat.
- Measure the neck where a collar would sit.
A tailor's tape is enough. If you don't have one, use a piece of string and lay it along a ruler afterwards. Don't go by weight or breed: two dogs of the same breed can be built very differently.
Choosing the size
| Size | Chest | Neck |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 28-38 cm | 23-29 cm |
| S | 36-52 cm | 27-36 cm |
| M | 43-59 cm | 34-42 cm |
Moo wears size S. The ranges overlap because every harness is adjustable. If you fall between two sizes, choose the one where your measurement sits in the middle of the range. At the top of a size you are already using the last centimetres, and in winter there is no room left for a thicker coat.
How it should fit
Two fingers of room between the strap and the coat, on the chest and on the back. With one finger it is too tight and will rub. With three it is too loose and your dog can back out of it when startled. That is why too big is worse than too small.
What we look for when Moo wears a new model
Moo wears every model for a few weeks first. We look at three things:
- Does it sit crooked? A harness that pulls to one side after a few minutes of walking doesn't sit right around the body.
- Does it rub behind the front legs? That is where it moves most, and where you see it first in the coat.
- Does it slip when she stretches? Then the shape isn't right for a small dog.
If any of the three happens, the model goes back to the drawing board. You can ask the same three questions about any harness, including one you already have, after the first few walks.
Adjustable where it matters
With a small dog the margin is small. A few centimetres make the difference between a good fit and too loose. That is why our harnesses adjust at the neck and at the chest, so you set them to your own dog's build rather than an average. They close at the side with a buckle and the leash clips onto the D-ring on the back.
Trying it on at home
You only know whether a harness fits once it is on. Try it indoors, and send it back as you received it if it doesn't fit. You can exchange within 14 days and we send the new size free of charge. Everything about that is on shipping and exchanges.
Still unsure?
Email your dog's chest and neck measurements to carla@holymolypets.com and we'll help you choose. The full explanation is in the size guide, and the harnesses themselves are at harnesses for small dogs.