Small dogs make adorable pets, but their delicate necks require special consideration when it comes to leashes and collars. Traditional leashes can put excessive strain on a tiny dog’s neck, potentially causing harm.
The solution? A well-fitted dog harness. Harnesses allow you to control your pup from the torso, preventing neck injuries while facilitating training and good leash manners. If you’ve recently welcomed a small furry friend into your life, choosing the right harness is crucial.
In this article, we’ve handpicked some of the best dog harnesses available for small breeds in 2025, ensuring your little companion stays safe, comfortable, and well-behaved on walks.
So what are you waiting for keep on reading and find the perfect fit!
What Makes A Harness For Small Dogs Better Than The Rest?
So I’ve convinced you that a small dog harness is better than a regular collar, you’ve made up your mind, and now you want to buy one. Hold on there before you run off to your local pet shop.
Here are a few things you’ll want to look for in the best small dog harness – trust me, there are some bad ones.
Harnesses differ in terms of quality, so you must be sure to select one that will fit well, keep your dog safe, and let’s not forget it has to look good.
Always make sure that the harness has some of the following attributes before parting with your cash.
Correct Fit And Size
This should go without saying, but you really have to make sure that the harness is the correct fit for your small-sized dog – it shouldn’t be too tight, but at the same time, it shouldn’t be too loose.
Getting the correct fit isn’t as hard as you might think, almost all of the best harnesses for small dogs have some sort of size-chart to help you pick out the right measurement without having to try on every harness in the pet store.
Once you have a general idea of what size you’ll need, pick a handful off the shelf and start to try them on your dog.
Adjust the straps or buckles to ensure a good fit, the harness once fitted should have just enough room so you can slip two fingers underneath – Remember, not too loose and not too tight.
High-Visibility Features
It doesn’t matter if you’re buying a harness, a collar, a leash, or even a dog coat I always recommend that you look for products that feature reflectors, reflective tape or reflective stitching to keep you and your dog safe when you’re out walking in low-light conditions.
Small dogs can often be hard to spot at night by motorists, people out cycling, or even kids playing on scooters or skateboards.
So I strongly recommend buying a small dog harness that has some sort of reflective surface or even an LED light.
Secure, Easy-to-Open Fasteners
Any fasteners, buckles, or clips need to be secure yet easy to open; many reputable dog harness brands will use a quick-release plastic fastener that can be locked together easily and undone in most cases with just one hand.
Good Durable Material
Most manufacturers understand the importance of producing a durable and hard-wearing dog harness but many overlook making the harness comfortable to wear.
Hold the harness in your hands and run your fingers over the stitching and buckles to get a feel of how comfortable and durable it is.
Material such as soft mesh and plush fabrics combined with nylon webbing can provide adequate comfort for your small dog.
The Best Dog Harness for a Small Dog in 2025
Last week, I popped into my local pet shop with my Yorkshire terrier. I tried on every small dog harness they had in the shop – luckily, I’m friends with the owner.
I must have fitted over 30 on my Yorkie and after much deliberation, these are the best of the bunch.
My first recommendation is this small dog harness from Puppia. The Puppia RiteFit has been manufactured from comfortable and durable nylon straps that provide excellent support without hurting or chafing your dog.
The adjustable chest fastener ensures you’ll get a snug fit, and the neck strap can also be adjusted for dogs that are still growing – so the harness will grow with your dog.
Puppia isn’t new on the dog supplies scene by any means, and they’ve received plenty of acclaim from trainers and dog owners.
What makes Puppia stand apart from the competition is that they actually listen to their customers and this harness is proof of that. After receiving feedback from users they have made adjustments and tweaks to the design of their harness to make sure it fits perfectly.
It comes in all different sizes and colors, but for smaller dogs, the small and medium sizes would probably be just the right size.
Pros
- Praised for high-quality material
- Excellent adjustability for growing puppies
- Easy to put on excitable dogs
Cons
- Some owners reported issues fitting it on dogs with larger heads, and found the multiple adjustment points complicated, despite allowing a secure fit.
This dog harness is a favorite among small dog owners due to its simple design, large range of colors, reflective materials, and affordable price point.
With the Chai’s Choice, there’s sure to be a size for your dog, with small and even extra small available for your pocket-sized pooch.
The Chai’s Choice is easy to put on, a just and simple to remove making a great option for everyday use or when you’re in a rush to get out of the door.
The mesh materials used for the straps are soft and comfortable, and the soft sponge padding on the torso will keep your dog snug.
Pros
- Adjustable straps allow custom fit for small dogs and growing puppies
- Top handle aids handicapped/injured dogs and provides support
- Easy adjustment once initially fitted
Cons
- Bottom straps can be fiddly to adjust initially, and the elastic belly strap may not be suitable for use as a car restraint
My next recommendation is the Comfort Fit Dog Harness, which comes with the best range of sizes for a small dog and even extra tiny pooches.
Yes, this harness has sizes ranging from Medium, Small, X-Small, and even XX-Small.
The design of this harness is perfect for the smaller dog, and they have designed it to keep your canine secure, safe, and comfortable.
The adjustable buckle on the back strap makes the harness very easy to put on and remove.
Pros
- Soft padded material provides a snug, vest-like fit
- Removable fabric bow for personalizing with pet’s name
- Nice aesthetic design
Cons
- Sizing issues reported between extra-small and small variations, may not fit Chihuahuas well and cause chafing under armpits
If you’re looking for a budget small puppy harness that’s still made well and provides excellent support and comfort, look no further than the PetSafe Deluxe.
The PetSafe Deluxe Easy Walk helps to stop your dog from lunging or pulling when you take your K9 buddy out for “walkies.” The durable nylon material and simple buckles and fasteners ensure that your dog is not only comfortable but super secure, too.
Available in a range of colors from green, pink, blue, and grey, I’m sure there’s a color fit for your dog.
Pros
- Front leash attachment helps steer dog and reduce pulling
- Easy initial fitting and no need to adjust unless dog is growing
- Simple yet effective design for walkability
Cons
- Lack of padding may cause chafing/soreness if not fitted properly compared to other padded harness options
The Kurgo Tru-Fit is one of my personal favorites for small dogs. The combination of simple, durable, and comfortable design and the ability to use it as a tether with your seatbelt in your car has made this a best-selling harness for quite a while.
For the car, and using the supplied tether, Kurgo has designed this dog harness with safety in mind – the additional padding helps to reduce stress on the trachea and sternum and disperses the force over the chest in the unfortunate event a car collision should happen.
It’s comfortable, versatile, and with a range of sizes to fit almost any size of dog I’m sure there will be a good fit for your K9 buddy.
Pros
- Excellent for car travel – well-made, durable, and comfortable
- Backed by a hassle-free Kurgo lifetime warranty
- Secure and safe once properly fitted
Cons
- Initial fastening can be problematic, and some owners reported rubbing/chafing on the dog’s shoulders with this harness
My final recommended small dog harness is from premium EcoBark Pet Supplies. What I like about this harness is the no-choke design and the durable material used in the overall construction.
Believe it or not but the EcoBark Dog Harness has been made from recycled plastic water bottles – I kid you not!
Pros
- Stylish and eco-friendly harness option
- Reported to help reduce leash-pulling behavior in some dogs
- Secure and safe design
Cons
- No adjustability for neck size, sizes run small so sizing up may be necessary for proper fit
What are the Benefits of a Dog Harness?
Aside from smaller dogs having thin, delicate necks and the regular collar and leash not really being a viable option, a harness can also be beneficial in a number of other ways.
Better Control
A good, premium, well-made dog harness will provide you with excellent control.
Even though your dog might be tiny, he can still shoot off in all directions, and rather than tugging on his neck, controlling via the torso means you can restrain your pooch without fear of doing any long-lasting damage.
Sure, your small dog isn’t a massive 60 lb Mastiff that will drag you around the neighborhood but knowing you have full control over your pocket-sized pooch will make walkies and training a lot easier when compared to a collar and leash.
Harnesses Discourage Pulling
Because a small dog harness gives you total control, you are able to discourage pulling.
It makes this even easier if you choose a “front attachment harness,” which applies pressure to your dog’s shoulders and chest when he pulls, which turns him back towards you with almost no effort on your part.
Keeps Your Smaller Dog Secure
Using a good fitting dog harness on not only small dogs but puppies too will give you peace of mind that they are completely secure.
Puppies have a tendency to squirm and slip out of regular dog collars and they also are bad walkers when they first leave the house.
A harness will keep your puppy by your side, and you’ll have full control when it comes to walking them with no fear of them slipping loose and running under a passing car or getting tangled in a long leash – you’ll be able to guide them exactly where you want them to go.
A Good Option for Lungers
I have heard many horror stories of dogs collapsing on the road due to excessive lunging and an ill-fitting dog collar crushing their windpipe.
This isn’t an isolated case; this is more common than you can imagine, and the sad thing is it can be avoided by switching to a harness rather than a restrictive collar.
For some breeds that already have issues with their breathing, such as bulldogs, moving to a small harness will make their walking experience a lot more enjoyable.
By opting for a good-fitting dog harness, your dog’s breathing won’t be affected no matter how hard he pulls.
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