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Personally speaking, finding the right dachshund harness can be challenging. I’ve been told this isn’t a sausage dog problem though. Finding a harness that’s a good fit can be difficult for all breeds of dogs. After all, there are hundreds of different harnesses out there to choose from, and all our dogs are built differently. So what’s a good fit for one dog might not be a good fit for another dog.
Because of this, we’ve put together this article in which we’ll help you choose a harness that’s right for you and your Dachshund. Let’s get started.
What’s the best harness for a dachshund?
When it comes to finding the best harness for your dachshund, it’s more important to pick the right design than it is to buy a particular brand.
To put it simply, a dog’s shoulder has a wide range of movement, which should not be restricted by a harness. Because of this, it’s recommended that dogs wear ‘Y’-shaped harnesses, rather than the ones that have a straight bar across the dog’s chest.
That said, all dogs are different in their size and proportions, so if you’re unsure about what’s best, you can look for a professional harness fitting near you – this is a service that’s sometimes offered by vets and qualified dog trainers.
Below are two different types of harnesses that are popular with dachshund owners.
Fashionable Neoprene & Nylon harnesses for dachshunds
Harnesses made from neoprene or nylon are a great choice for dachshunds, because they’re light-weight, durable, and easy to clean.
Nora & Pals is based on the Sunshine Coast in QLD and sells beautiful styles of custom printed neoprene harnesses.
Perfect Fit Harness
The Perfect Fit Harness is a modular harness that’s made up of 3 parts (modules) that are clipped together. This means that you can buy your modules in different sizes, which can be helpful if your dog is an odd size with other harnesses.
This harness also has a d-ring on the front part, which means it can be used as both a regular harness, or a no-pull harness.
What’s the right size for a dachshund harness?
Be aware that lots of regular harnesses may not be a good fit for dachshunds because they’re too short (a sausage dog’s body is longer than the bodies of many other smaller breed dogs).
So, when looking for a dachshund harness it helps to pay attention to the length of the harness. Or look for one that’s custom-made or adjustable.
Overall, you want to make sure that the harness won’t rub against your dog’s front legs when they’re walking.
If you’re buying a harness that isn’t specifically advertised for dachshunds, it’s best to contact the retailer and ask if the length is a suitable fit for sausage dogs.
Should dachshunds wear collars or harnesses?
Dachshunds can wear both a collar or a harness, but it’s important that they’re well-trained to walk on a loose leash. If your dachshund pulls a lot on the leash, a harness is typically a lot gentler on your dog’s sensitive throat area than a collar.
Judging by my own experience, that’s the main reason many dog owners choose a harness over a collar.
Will a harness stop my dachshund from pulling?
No, a normal harness will not stop your dachshund from pulling. In fact, a lot of the time dogs will pull more strongly when wearing a harness compared to a collar.
Some dog owners have success with so called “no pull harnesses”, which change the weight-distribution of your dog when they pull. The above mentioned Perfect Fit Harness has a leash attachment ring at the front, which means it can be used as both a normal harness and as a no pull harness.
That said, please be aware that pulling is a learned behaviour that typically needs untangling and re-training. Tools such as a no pull harness can sometimes help, but most of the time they won’t be a satisfying substitute for consistent dog training.
How does a harness affect the shoulder movement of a dog?
Here’s a video that illustrates a dog’s movement while wearing different types of harnesses:
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