Best Harnesses For Dachshunds
January 26, 2021 2021-07-12 5:53As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we have tried and are using for our own dogs!
After testing over 20 different harnesses for Dachshunds, I recommend the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness to be the best overall.
I know how hard it can be to find a harness that combines functionality, comfort, and style. Of the many different dog breeds I’ve known, our little Dachshund friends have proved some of the hardest to cater for when it comes to getting them kitted out with their own well-fitting harness.
Our Top Choice for Best Dachshund Harness
Julius-K9 harnesses are famed for their intelligent design, high quality, and comfort. The minimalist design includes a wide chest strap which allows your Dachshund plenty of freedom of movement. This strap also keeps pressure away from your dog’s delicate neck area, vital for Dachshunds who are prone to IVDD.
These harnesses come in a wide range of sizes, suitable for Dachshund puppies and adult dogs alike. They’re adjustable up to a point, but you may need to upgrade to a different size as your puppy grows. They’re lined with soft and skin-friendly Eco-Tex fabric, so your Dachshund should feel comfortable even on long walks.
The quality construction and weather-proof buckles mean this harness should stand the test of time, even if you take your Dachshund on long hikes in rough weather. The back-clip style leaves your Dachshunds front legs free from any interference from the leash too. This harness also comes with an interchangeable nameplate, reflective piping, and a rugged handle which is great if you need to give your Dachshund a helping hand.
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It’s vital to find a harness that avoids their delicate necks, fits that adorable sausage back, and still tightens up enough around their skinny waists. Dachshunds also often have adorably turned-out feet. We know that they look cute, but it does mean that their elbows sit tight against their bodies, and harnesses can often chafe here as a result. Dachshunds can also suffer from intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) so it’s vital they wear a harness when out on walks, to keep strain on their neck and back from pulling on a collar to a minimum.
Luckily, we’ve come up with some winners right here.
The Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness is incredibly well-made and can stand up to whatever your Dachshund throws at it. The reflective chest strap is angled at just the right spot to avoid any uncomfortable pressure points, while the belly strap can easily be adjusted to create a great fit.
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Dachshunds sometimes need a little bit of a helping hand to get over large obstacles, so the rugged webbing handle is the perfect way to help steady your pup when they need it. When not in use, the handle can be secured away, reducing the chance of your low-to-the-ground Dachshund getting stuck on any undergrowth.
Although there are some other harnesses out there that we truly loved, the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness took the top spot thanks to its combination of comfort and adjustability. Further testing helped us identify some other harness options for different scenarios.
If you need to take your Dachshund for walks late at night, there’s an illuminated harness you won’t want to miss! And if you’re looking for a lightweight harness in a bold color for a quick walk to the coffee shop for a puppuccino, we’ve got you covered there too.
Read on to check out our 6 favorite harnesses for your sweet and sassy Dachshund.
Best Dachshund Harness for Adjustability
This harness is designed for full adjustability, with 4 points where you can adjust everything to get the perfect fit for your Dachshund. The extra-small and small sizes are suitable for Dachshunds. It can be a challenge to find a well-fitting harness for a Dachshund, as they have thinner waists than most other dogs their size. Not to mention that long back! This harness solves that problem.
The minimal webbing design of this harness also allows for a lot of freedom of movement, leaving your pup’s chest and legs unrestricted. The chest strap is designed to sit below your Dachshund’s trachea, but above their leg muscles. This means it avoids putting any pressure at all on your Dachshunds delicate throat, but still allows them to move freely. The chest strap is also lined with a soft Swiss velvet, to reduce the chance of chafing.
With dual-clip options you can choose to attach your leash to the front, back, or both. This harness comes complete with a double-attachment leash which can be attached to both the front and the back of the harness.
If you’re looking for a durable and hardwearing harness for hiking, this is the perfect choice. The design includes a second belly band and broad fabric under your Dachshunds belly, specifically to help distribute pressure. This means you can use the padded handle to easily lift your Dachshund and help them over any obstacles you may find on the trail.
This harness also includes 6 adjustment points, the most of any harness we reviewed. It also offers 3 leash attachment points, 1 on the front, one on the back, and 1 at the very rear for a relaxed option when your Dachshund is simply walking alongside you. The additional belly band is perfect for adding security around your Dachshund’s skinny waist.
The liner of this harness is debris-resistant, helping to reduce chafing and discomfort as your low-slung Dachshund walks through the undergrowth. Granted this is a premium harness in terms of the price point, but if you spend a lot of time outdoors with your little dog, then I consider it money well spent!
This lightweight harness is a great choice if you’re looking for a budget option. The all-weather mesh is breathable and soft against your Dachshund’s sensitive skin. This harness is incredibly easy to put on and adjust, simply get you Dachshund to step into the leg holes, adjust the hook and loop fastener to fit before clipping the buckle into position.
The extra-small to medium sizes are suitable for most Dachshunds, but be sure to measure your pup using the Voyager size chart before electing a size. If your pup is between sizes, it’s best to select the larger size. If you’re looking for a budget harness in a range of eye-catching colors, there’s 27 colors to choose from here so you’ll be spoiled for choice!
The 2 reflective bands on either side of the neck offer some additional visibility for night time walks, although if you’re looking for a harness with more visibility, check out the noxgear LightHound illuminated Harness below, which can be seen up to ¼ mile away.
An LED dog collar isn’t the answer for everyone. Maybe your dog has a habit of getting stuck in odd places or tends to pull on the leash, in which case, you’ve probably already replaced your standard collar with a harness.
The Noxgear LightHound Illuminated and Reflective Harness offers 360° illumination, making your dog easily visible to you and passing motorists.
Made with light, breathable fabric that ensures your dog won’t overheat, this LED harness is easy to adjust and will comfortably fit over your existing collar or harness.
It’s recommended to always walk your Dachshund on a harness, but sometimes you might want a harness that combines functionality and fashion! In that case, the Blueberry Pet Floral No Pull Harness is a great choice. With a choice of 6 bold and bright floral patterns, you can brighten up your walks to the coffee shop. And of course, matching leashes and collars are available.
These harnesses might be perfect for urban life but that doesn’t mean they’re not created with your Dachshund’s comfort in mind. The broad chest plate is designed to evenly spread leash pressure while avoiding your Dachshund’s delicate throat area. The floral pattern is contrasted with a trim in lace or pom-poms, depending on the pattern you choose.
With 4 adjustment points on the webbing section of the harness you can easily get a great fit. The plastic hardware is made from eco-friendly plastic, so you can feel good about the environment as well as keeping your Dachshund well-dressed.
What Features To Look For In A Harness for DachshundsÂ
There are a huge range of choices when it comes to picking a harness, and not all of them are going to work for your little Weiner dog. Here’s the most important features to look for when choosing a harness for your Dachshund.Â
 Types of Harness
Harnesses come in 3 main styles:
- Front-Clip Harness. These have a leash connection point on the lower neck of the harness. They offer excellent connection for training sessions or walks with a lot of changes of direction. The downsides are that the leash can get tangled between your dog’s short front legs. These harnesses can also put more pressure on your Dachshunds chest than you may like. Â
- Back-Clip Harness. This type of harness has a leash connection point that sits on your Dachshund’s back. They give great freedom of movement and most dogs quickly get used to wearing this type of harness. On the downside, they don’t offer as much control for a Dachshund that pulls as a front- or dual-clip harness.
- Dual-Clip Harness. These offer the flexibility of combining connection points of both the front and the back of the harness. You can switch between both attachment points depending on how much connection you need at any given point.
Material
Dachshund harnesses tend to come in 3 main materials:
- Fabric. Some fabric harnesses, like our best overall pick, use a combination of colored fabric and nylon webbing. These provide comfort and fit but also add a splash of color which can help your Dachshund stand out. Other fabric harnesses are designed to make a fashion statement rather than provide any additional support when hiking, but these should still allow for some size adjustment.
- Nylon. These harnesses are usually thinner and are made up of straps of nylon rather than broader areas of fabric or mesh. They’re often very adjustable, as well as being easy to clean. Nylon is available in a wide range of colors so you’ll have plenty of choice in that respect. Make sure the thin nylon straps avoid pressure points on your Dachshund’s delicate neck and around their elbows.
- Mesh. These breathable harnesses are a good choice for summer walks or a short trip around the block. They’re not as durable or strong as fabric or nylon harnesses, and can get damaged by undergrowth if you’re out on the trails.
You may choose to have at least a couple of harnesses for your Dachshund – one rugged and hardwearing harness for long hikes, and a lighter mesh or fabric harness for shorter urban walks.
It’s also a good idea to have more than one harness so if your Dachshund suffers from chafing (if the harness gets wet for example) you can switch out to another design which doesn’t touch the same areas.
Correct Fit
Thanks to their short legs, wide chests, and narrow waists, Dachshunds have a slightly different body shape to many other breeds. This means that harnesses with only a few adjustment points may not fit your dog as well as you’d like.
Look for a harness with multiple adjustment points. At the very minimum, you’ll need at least 1 adjustment point around their chest and another around their rib cage. Some harnesses offer up to 6 adjustment points, and when it comes to Dachshunds, the more the merrier!
Each harness manufacturer will have their own size guide, but as a general rule you’ll need to measure the widest part of your Dachshund’s neck and chest. Compare these to the size guide for your chosen harness. If your Dachshund is between sizes, it’s usually recommended to select the larger size.
Choosing a harness with the maximum number of adjustability points will give you the best chance of getting the perfect fit.
Conclusion
The sheer amount of choice out there when it comes to dog harnesses can feel a little overwhelming, but we’ve done the hard work for you and selected the very best ones to suit your short-legged and long-backed Dachshund. As the best overall, we can’t fault the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness. Thanks to its combination of wide chest plate, adjustability, and comfort, it’s a clear winner.
If you’re looking for a supremely adjustable harness then the 2 Hounds Freedom No Pull Dog Harness is an excellent choice. With 4 adjustment points this webbing harness offers plenty of adjustability while also offering freedom of movement and avoiding any pressure points.
For Dachshunds who love to come along on hikes, we highly recommend the RUFFWEAR Flagline Lightweight Harness. With a longer design than most other harnesses, this incorporates 2 belly straps to add extra support, plus a reinforced handle if you need to give your little dog a helping hand over large obstacles on the trail.
Go Fetch Your Harness!
Now you know what to look for when picking out the best harness, you’re all set to keep your Dachshund happier and more comfortable than ever before on your walks. Protect that delicate little chest and neck area by choosing a harness that sits away from these pressure points, and focus on adjustability to keep your Dachshund comfortable and under control.
We bet your Dachshund is ready to go for a walk – so go fetch that harness and head out into the great outdoors!
Author: Emma Stenhouse
Emma lives in the rolling hills of Southern Spain with her husband and their small, very excitable daughter. As a dog lover from as early as she can remember, it took Emma 32 years to get her first dog, an Australian Kelpie Collie cross called Ronnie. She made up for lost time and Ronnie was quickly joined by three more rescue dogs: Blue, Rosie, and Max.
When not writing, Emma enjoys trail rides with her two horses, cuddling her four cats, and exploring the local countryside with her family. Emma is originally from the UK and has lived in Costa Rica and New Zealand before settling in Spain.
After a varied career which has included working in an aquarium, being a high-school science teacher, and leading horse treks through the Spanish Sierra Nevada mountains, Emma now enjoys working from home as a writer.
