Besides the unique body structure (i.e. stout legs that give it a short appearance) the basset hound has a heightened sense of smell. This may explain why this dog breed was initially used in hare-hunting.
The significance of this sense of smell is that it poses a great challenge when taking your hound for a walk. A slight scent from the side would leave you dealing with an unexpected lunge by the pet, and this would make the hike/walk more complicated than it should be.
For this reason, you need the best harness for basset hound to keep the k9 under control, or else you’ll always have a difficult-to-control doggie by your side.
From far, all dog harnesses look similar, but in truth, there are differences between all of them, and this affects their levels of effectiveness.
When searching for the best harness for Basset Hound for walking or pulling, you should consider things such as:
- The design
- The measurements
- Construction
- Comfort, among others
We are going to tell you more about these factors later, but before that, let’s have a look at some of the highest-rated harnesses in the market.
Contents
Fanciest Basset Hound Harnesses: Comparison List
Want to save time in your search for the ideal harness for your basset hound? Well, our shortened list should do the trick.
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The Best Harness for Basset Hound – Reviews
Below is a detailed breakdown of each one of the harnesses that made it to our list. So, if you’d like to get some deeper facts, here’s your turn.
1. Ruffwear Front Range all-day Dog Harness
Ruffwear is one of the most popular dog harness brands globally with a reputation for producing high-quality products that rarely disappoint.
As you shall see in our review below, the harness has all the features to keep your Bow Wow comfortable all-day long outdoors.
Features and Benefits
First, the construction of this harness points to the canine’s comfort. It is lightweight so that it does not wear the hound down, plus it also easy to put on/take off.
Another notable feature is the foam-padded strips that run across the chest and belly for equal load distribution to further enhance your dog’s comfort with the device.
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And if you will be walking your dog in the dark, the harness is made from bright fabric with a reflective trim to make the pet more visible under poor lighting.
Pros
- Durable
- Has an ID pocket for storing the dog’s tags
- Available in different vibrant colors
Cons
- The waist strap needs regular re-tightening
2. Pet Artist Tactical No Pull Dog Harness
If you plan on going hiking with your hound, here is the best no pull harness for Basset Hound that would help you control the pet’s movement. It is available in three different colors, all of which would be a perfect match with the surroundings you are likely to be exploring in the wild.
Features and Benefits
This is a well-made vest harness from sturdy material that would not tear apart easily. There are also the load-tested heavy-duty buckles plus the reinforced stitching to ensure that the harness lasts for a long time into the future.
For the dog’s comfort, the inside of the vest features soft mesh material so that it does not hurt the pet’s skin.
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This product has four adjustments points to help the Basset Hound attain a perfect and comfortable fit.
You may also find the molle design on the sides to be useful in helping you carry your accessories.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy on/off
- Adjustable sizing
Cons
- The stitching is not that great
3. Kurgo Harness for Active Dogs Running & Walking
Another dog harness that you should consider getting so that you could have more control over your hound outdoors is the Kurgo harness.
Besides being well-made, this product is available in five different sizes, plus it also comes in six diverse colors to make it easy for you to find the perfect item for your dog.
Features and Benefits
Let’s start with the V-neck design that is crucial in giving your pooch the freedom to run and jump without putting any strain on the neck.
Another feature lies with the plastic quick-release buckles that give the harness an easy on/off quality.
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The manufacturer kept your pet’s comfort in mind, and this explains the padded chest piece with a mesh design to allow for sufficient air-flow.
We also liked the seatbelt tether that helps in holding the pet in place in the car to allow you to focus on the driving.
Pros
- Made from breathable fabric
- Comes in different colors and sizes
- Back handle gives you easy control over the hound
Cons
- A bit bulky
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4. EzyDog Drive Safety Travel Dog Car Harness
Are you looking for the best dog harness for car travel? If you are, the EzyDog harness is here for you. This product has undergone safety tests and has met all the requirements as per the USA, European, and Australian standards.
Let’s check out what else this product has to offer.
Features and Benefits
The first notable feature is the Mag-Lok Instant Fit closure system that gives you an easy time taking the harness on/off.
Let’s also touch on the construction that gives the unit incredible durability. The Tri-Glides are crafted out of aluminum alloy while the seat belt webbing and the Crosslink technology combine to give this harness remarkable sturdiness.
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As for the chest plate, it is padded and contours to the pooch’s shape for the perfect and comfortable fit.
Pros
- Built to last
- Easy to take on/off
- Safety-tested
Cons
- Pricey
5. EzyDog Convert Trail-Ready Dog Harness
EzyDog does it once again with a high-quality dog harness that can keep up with your hound’s active lifestyle. It is packed with various premium features that offer different levels of convenience for you and your pet.
Features and Benefits
You can expect this unit to stay intact for the longest time possible courtesy of the outer polyester shell, which is quite sturdy. On top of that, the harness has a soft cotton lining that helps in keeping your hound comfortable and relaxed.
To add to the comfort aspect, this harness is characterized by breathable webbing to allow for more air circulation.
The welded D-ring is rust-proof and offers you a secure platform where you can attach the leashes while the reflective strips at the front and back enhance the dog’s visibility in the dark.
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You may appreciate the soft-touch handle that gives you an easy time controlling your dog.
Lastly, the product features a secure side-release buckle system for taking the harness off with maximum ease.
Pros
- Has an ID attachment point
- Sleek and stylish
- Has reflective strips for visibility
Cons
- Too heavy
6. Ruffwear Doubleback, Strength-Rated Belay Dog Harness, Rock Climbing & Backpacking
If you plan on going with your Basset hound to an unfriendly outdoor area that is usually not easy to access, the Ruffwear Doubleback would be the ideal pick. It is designed for use in rough terrain, mountain hikes, backpacking through the wild and other similar areas.
Find out more in our brief analysis below.
Features and Benefits
First and foremost, this unit is strength-rated to be safe for lifting your pet over a particular area into another one, without breaking apart. There is a tie-in point at the back for attaching the rope for the lifting.
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There are seven adjustment points that help you attain a secure fit for the pooch.
Do not worry about the pet’s comfort since there is the padded belly support and the leg loops that allow for equal load-distribution throughout the body.
Pros
- Strength-rated for extreme use
- Comfortable for the pet
- Has a tie-in point for easy rope-attachment
Cons
- The strap material is fragile
7. Kurgo Molle Clip Compatible Dog Harness
Another ideal dog harness for rough adventures is the Kurgo Molle vest, which is a lightweight unit that is designed to keep your pooch under control and comfortable throughout the expedition.
Should you go for it? Let’s see.
Features and Benefits
The main thing that should appeal to you about this vest is the one buckle system that gives it an easy on/off design.
We also like how customizable the harness is, and it allows you to add patches and tags that you deem appropriate.
And to attain a perfect fit, the harness has an adjustable hook and loop chest strap.
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Let’s not leave out the top handle that allows you to control the pet and also guide him over the various obstacles you come across outdoors.
Lastly, the breathable mesh is designed to keep the dog comfortable all-through with the harness on.
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime warranty against defects
- Customizable
- Solid build
Cons
- Smaller than advertised
8. Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness
The Julius-K9 harness has an extra security strap to ensure that the hound is fully secured, and all its innovative means of escaping would be adequately countered.
But there’s more to this product.
Features and Benefits
A first glance at this vest would tell you that the outstanding quality is its visibility at a distance or in the dark due to the reflective chest strap and edges.
Then, the OEKO-TEK material used in the construction is breathable and anti-allergenic to be friendly to the pet’s skin. As for the heavy-duty buckles, they are sturdy and would remain intact even in the lowest temperatures.
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If you have a search-and-rescue dog, you are going to find the flashlight holder to be of great help as it could hold flashlights for night use.
The water-resistant cover only adds to the superiority of this harness.
Pros
- Well-made
- Has a convenient handle on top
- Adjustable fit
Cons
- Poor customer support
9. Hurtta Active Dog Harness
This harness is one of the easiest to put on your dog. This is due to the location of the buckles on the sides that enables you to put on the harness without having to lift the dog’s legs.
Is there more? Find out below.
Features and Benefits
To start with, the collar and chest strap are adjustable to help you attain a perfect fit, which also helps in enhancing the product’s comfort. On top of that, the buckles are located above the padding so as not to interfere with the harness’ comfort.
Let’s talk about the convenient handle at the back. Not only does it give you full control over the canine, but it is also possible to run a seatbelt through it to make it safe for travel.
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Do you intend to walk your hound in the dark? If you are, you should find the large 3M reflectors to be of great help since they enhance the pooch’s visibility in poorly lit conditions.
Pros
- Adjustable to get the perfect fit
- Easy to put on
- Has 3M reflectors for visibility
Cons
- Not very durable
10. Dean & Tyler’s DT Dog Harness with Padded Puppy Leash
To close down our list is the DT fun harness, which comes with a puppy leash to give you an easy time when you take your canine for a long walk.
Is it worth investing in? Let’s see.
Features and Benefits
This harness is made out of neoprene nylon, which is sturdy and would not break apart easily, even when subjected to a significant amount of pressure.
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The product is black with reflective yellow trims that would make your pet more visible in the dark.
We appreciate the durability of the stainless steel strap and the sturdy buckles that ensure this unit is useful in keeping the pooch under control.
Pros
- Comes with a padded puppy leash
- Built to last
- Wonderful customer support
Cons
- Could have offered more color options
How To Choose A Good Harness for Basset Hound
There are numerous brands of harnesses in the market, and it is impossible to go through all of them before landing your ideal product.
Therefore, a smart way of making your search shorter and easier involves paying attention to specific factors.
Let’s check out these considerations.
High visibility features
You need to make sure your dog is visible for everyone when it is dark outside. Fortunately, most harnesses on the market come with reflective edging, which help improve your dog’s visibility.
The Design
The design of the harness is not something to take lightly as it determines the level of control you would have over your pet. Look out for an attachment at the back that you would use for your lead.
Additionally, if you plan on involving your pet in heavy-duty training, a double-end training lead would be most ideal.
The Measurements
In this case, we are talking about the pet’s neck and chest size. You need to get this aspect right so that you can get the product with the right dimensions for it to be the perfect fit for your dog.
The pet’s weight is also vital due to the pull factor.
Build-Quality of the Harness
The materials used should be sturdy enough to ensure that the harness does not break apart easily in the face pressure from the dog.
The buckles and straps should be equally strong for more usefulness in containing the hound.
Comfort
All in all, your pet should be comfortable with the harness on. A padded chest and belly would make this possible in addition to a breathable mesh to allow for more air circulation.
Types of Bog Harnesses
There are several different types of dog harnesses that are usually named based on their shapes.
Y-Harness
A Y-harness, as the name suggests, forms a Y shape on the dog’s chest. This type of harness is normally used for pulling sleds because it distributes pressure evenly across the chest and spine.
H-harness
H-harnesses are designed to form a shape like letter H around the dog’s waist and chest. This is the most widely used type of harness and is ideal for regular walks. You will just have to make sure to adjust it properly because the dog will suffer physical pain if it pulls too hard.
T-harness
The T-harnesses will form a shape like letter T on the shoulder of the dog. This type of harness will help control pulling during long walks.
D-harness
The D-harness is quite more uncommon than other types of dog harnesses. It doesn’t have a back strap. Rather, it has a strap behind the dog’s front legs and another strap that goes over the chest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following queries and their responses should go some way in boosting your knowledge of the topic.
Let’s have a look.
Q: Are there different types of harnesses that are available for my basset hound?
A: Yes, there are. The various types of harnesses include Back-clip harness, Dual-clip harness, Vest harness, a Front-clip harness, and a No-Pull harness. The suitability of a particular model for your dog depends on the dog’s temperament, as well as the use that you intend to subject the canine to.
Q: Why a harness and not a collar?
A: The main advantage that a harness has over a collar is that it distributes the load across the body, and so does not cause any strain to the neck as a collar would.
Q: How do I get my hound to get used to the harness?
A: Well, a little training would do the trick. Start by letting the dog wear the harness without a leash to make him comfortable with the vest on. Gradually introduce the leash, and once he is fully comfortable, check that the harness is a proper fit for the dog.
Many dogs hate harnesses in the first days. Therefore, it is important to use positive reinforcement to get the dog used to wearing a harness.
- First, show the dog the harness and let him smell it. Once the dog has smelled the harness, try to reward him.
- Put the harness when the dog is calm and use dog treats like a piece of chicken, toys and sweets to reinforce the desired behavior. This way, the dog will associate the harness with good things.
- After putting the harness on the dog, go on a shorter walk. This allows the dog to get used to having a harness on his body.
- Repeat this process as many times as possible until your pet get used to it.
- Some dogs accept the harness quickly, but for other dogs it can take a long time. So It’s important to be patient. After a while, even the most stubborn dog will get used to it.
Q: How do I know if the harness is too loose or too tight in my dog?
A comfortable harness is a harness that you can slip two fingers under. If you are able to slip two or more fingers effortlessness, chances are the harness is too loose. If you are unable to slip two fingers, then it’s too tight.
The Best Overall
In the end, we have chosen the Ruffwear Front Range all-day Dog Harness as our top pick. This is due to the impressive combination of features that ensure you and your pet have a pleasant time outdoors without going off-track.
In Conclusion
With all that, nothing should stand in your way of getting the best harness for basset hound.
And if your search takes longer than you would have liked, you could always check out the products we have reviewed since they are all high-quality and fully capable of keeping your hound under control outdoors.
Dr. Elly has always loved animals, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. After studying hard in veterinary school, she practiced in several different countries before moving to North Carolina with her husband and young family. She currently works part time as a veterinarian while caring for her 4 busy children and writing this blog. Dr. Elly genuinely cares about the welfare of her patients. She currently has three dogs, two cats, 5 chickens and 2 rabbits (yes a bit of a zoo!)
