The 8 Best Large Dog Harnesses Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2023

Harnesses have many advantages over collars: they are safer, more comfortable, and give you better control over your dog. This last point can be especially relevant when it comes to big dogs.

But, even if your dog is not a puller, taking the time to find the right harness is well worth it. Join us in the search for the best harness for large dogs.

To find the best options out there, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and large dog breed parents alike to form a panel of independent experts. We then researched all of the most popular large dog harnesses available. Several weeks later and after many, many harnesses tested, we were finally able to agree on the contents of this guide.

Let's check out which harness for large dogs are the best of the best.

Australia's Best Big Dog Harnesses Reviewed

Ready to see some harnesses for big dogs? These are the top picks that impressed our team of independent experts and their large breed puppers alike!

This harness from Fur King is one of our overall favourite harnesses. We always recommend it as the first option for pet parents and their four-legged friends who haven’t tried wearing a harness before because it’s so easy to fit and works for pretty much any kind of dog and activity.

Need to go for a quick walk around the block? Snap this harness into place in seconds and you’re ready to go. Planning a long hike? Well, members of our panel of experts discovered the Fur King harness will still be totally appropriate since it’s padded and designed to be comfortable even when worn for long periods.

At the same time, the harness features lead attachments on the chest (the no-pull option) and on the back as well as an additional padded handle for quickly grabbing your furry friend as needed. In short, you’ll get a lot of flexibility in how you handle your dog while they are wearing this harness.

Similar to our number seven choice ahead, it could offer more variety by way of colour and pattern.

Finally, we mustn’t forget to mention the importance of getting the right fit. With this harness, it can be quite easy since all the straps are adjustable. I also love how it comes in 5 different sizes. This includes L (fits dogs with a chest girth between 69 and 81 cm), and XL (fits dogs with a chest girth up to 107 cm), so there shouldn’t be a problem finding the right size for your big dog.

Related: The Best Staffy Harness.

This harness from Dog Nation is another wonderfully versatile option. It’s called ‘Adventurer’ because it was made for adventures, but it will work just as well for a quick walkie.

It might be the perfect harness for those short daily walks where you try to train your dog to walk properly on the leash. The front lead attachment let me correct my dog’s behaviour with ease when he started pulling, but I could simply switch the lead to the back clip when I felt like it’s time for a ‘normal’ harness. Moreover, the harness is super easy to put on and take off, so switching to a harness won’t be a chore.

When it comes to longer outings, dogs tend to love the Adventurer harness because it’s incredibly comfy. While the exterior is made with durable (and brightly coloured) Oxford fabric, the inside of the harness features soft padding to keep your pooch happy. Unlike our number one choice, it comes in a slew of fun colours for you to choose.

The shape of the harness ensures there is no rubbing against your dog’s skin and no pressure on the throat either. Plus, everything is adjustable so you’ll easily achieve the perfect fit. Available in L and XL

Most dogs can wiggle out of a loose-fitting harness if they really want to. But then, there are the true Houdinis who keep getting themselves out of anything you try to use to restrain them the second you look away. Well, not with this harness.

Everyone on our panel of independent experts couldn't believe how the Truelove Double-H harness manages to be inescapable and comfy at the same time. The secret? There are two belly straps that create the “double H” shape. With both belly straps and the chest strap fully adjustable, all you need to do is create a snug fit for your pooch and they will never wiggle out of the harness again.

Like the first two choices on this list, there are two lead attachment points - one on the chest and one on the back of the harness - so I was able to control my dog’s movements with ease.

Thanks to the additional strap, this harness covers a bit more surface area than regular harnesses. But, to compensate for that, it’s made with very lightweight fabrics. The external shell is made of cordura fabric, while the inside lining is made of breathable microfibre suede.

The Halti No-Pull Harness was designed to help deal with dogs that are seriously into pulling. While most no-pull harnesses rely on the lead attachment point at the front of the harness to help you control the dog, the Halti harness adds a tightening mechanism on the back.

The straps that went under my dog’s front legs came together on the back and tightened anytime he pulled. This caused slight discomfort when pulling occured, and, more importantly, gave me more control. To make the harness safe and comfortable to use, the straps that go under the legs are padded with bulky soft sleeves that ensured my pooch didn't get hurt and the harness didn’t get too tight.

This harness is best used with a double lead that you can attach to both clips (the one on the chest and the one on the back). While a harness is no substitute for proper training, this one can be really helpful when you need to establish control over a very strong dog.

The Rogz Utility Step-In Harness is a very simple product, but sometimes that’s all you need. The whole harness consists of nylon webbing straps. They are arranged in such a way that my dog simply needed to step into the harness with the front legs before I lifted it up and buckled it into place on the back. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

The good thing about this harness is that each strap is adjustable, including the length of the chest strap, so you’ll easily make the harness fit perfectly even for dogs with the weirdest body shapes.

This convenient step-in harness will work great for dogs that already know how to behave on a lead. Unlike our number four option, it’s not great for pullers, as the nylon webbing straps might cut into your dog’s skin if your dog pulls too much. The harness will also not contain escape artists due to the very minimal design.

But, for dogs that fall into the well-behaved category, this harness will be a joy to wear. Thanks to the minimal design, it weighs only about 200 grams, which is basically nothing.

The harness also features reflective stitching and there is a whole range of bright colours to choose from.

Some big dogs also have big jobs to do. If that’s the case with your pooch, a tactical harness like this one might be the right choice, no matter if your dog is a service dog, a working dog, or simply an outdoor adventurer.

Why opt for this type of harness? Well, it was designed to withstand lots of wear and tear and your pooch can wear it for long periods without getting too uncomfortable. This is possible thanks to the breathable padding featured on all the important spots of this harness. On the other hand, the external nylon shell is both lightweight and weather-resistant.

Besides being comfy, everyone on our team of independent experts appreciated that this harness features lots of useful features. For starters, there are velcro straps on the back which you can use to attach patches with relevant info (or cute designs).

The harness is also compatible with the MOLLE system, so you can attach small pouches and various additions to let your canine companion carry some gear. We also love the handle on the back, which can come in handy in various situations.

Related: The Best Harness For German Shepherds.

Overall, this is a great harness that is adaptable to your needs. It can be used in all kinds of situations and it will never let you down. My dog is not a working dog by any stretch and simply enjoys his everyday walks. If this is you, you may find this harness to be a bit too much to deal with as I did. 

This harness from Kurgo is one of our favourite harnesses for car rides and it’s also available in sizes for big dogs (L and XL).

This affordable harness features a simple system that let me tether my dog to the seatbelt in the back of my car. I simply attached the steel carabiner (included) to the seatbelt and the loop on the back of the harness, and was ready to go. 

Another great thing everyone on our research team appreciated about this harness is that you can use it as a regular walking harness too, which reduces the amount of gear you need to lug around for your pooch. The harness is quite well made, with a wide padded chest plate and adjustable nylon straps coupled with durable metal hardware.

Similar to our number one harness choice above, it is limited in terms of its colour choices.

Puppies tend to need walkies more often than adults, and these outings tend to be shorter. That’s why you’ll surely enjoy having a harness that you can put on your pup within seconds, and the EzyDog Quick Fit Harness is just such a product.

Putting this harness on is a breeze, and that’s something puppies usually love. Simply slip the harness over your dog’s head, snap the single buckle into place, and you are ready to go. Both my dog and myself appreciated its simplicity!

Of course, you’ll need to adjust the straps to fit your dog - but you’ll need to do this only once. The girth strap is a classic adjustable strap with a slider, while the strap on the front gets adjusted using velcro, thus creating an exceptionally sleek and comfortable final result.

How I Choose a Harness for a Large Dog

What is it that should make us choose one harness over another? Well, of course, quality and durability are always important, but you should also make sure the harness fits the unique needs of your dog. 

Here's what our team of independent experts suggest you to keep an eye out for:

Harness Styles & Your Dog

These days, there are quite a few different types of harnesses around. While almost every harness will technically work, not all of them work for every dog. If you are unsure where to start, we always recommend choosing a universal harness like one of the 2 top picks on our list. These basic models tend to work quite well for almost every dog.

However, some other options will work better for some dogs. For example, to handle a very strong dog who likes to pull,  you might want to consider getting a good no-pull harness. On the other hand, for dogs that behave well on a leash, you might simply want to get the most lightweight harness you can find. It’s all about understanding your pooch and what works best for them!

Do We Need A No-Pull Harness?

Do you and your dog need a no-pull harness? Well, if your dog tends to pull on walks, you probably do. No-pull harnesses can be incredibly helpful for training your dog, but keep in mind they are meant to be used as a training tool, not as a solution for problematic behaviour.

That being said, no-pull harnesses can also add a layer of security for large dogs. If your dog is very big and strong, a harness with a front clip, for example, can help you feel more in control if something goes wrong.

Comfort & Fit

Harnesses for large dogs always need to fit well. A harness should never fit too tight, but it should be snug all over. Most harnesses are adjustable, but not every shape will fit every dog:

In short, it might take a bit of trial and error to figure out what works best for your dog, but once your do, finding the perfect xlarge dog harness will be much easier.

My Final Verdict

The best harness for a large dog? Well, it depends, because there are lots of varieties of big dogs. But, some harnesses fit almost any dog (providing that you get the right size), like the Fur King Ultimate No Pull Dog Harness. Everyone on our team of independent experts could agree that this harness works in all sorts of situations, and it has both the front clip and the back clip for the lead, thus offering you flexibility.

The Dog Nation Adventurer No Pull Dog Harness is a similar option that offers very similar benefits.

References

1. Rodgers, L. October 11, 2018. “How Do No-Pull Dog Harnesses Work?”. PetMD. Retrieved November 1, 2022. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-do-no-pull-dog-harnesses-work
2. McCarthy, K. November 29, 2017. “Surprising Dog Harness Dangers to Avoid”. PetMD. Retrieved November 1, 2022. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/surprising-dog-harness-dangers-avoid