This is our review of the best dog harness with handle in 2023.
You may not think having a handle is an issue; however, we’ve found that it can be beneficial and is definitely something you should look for, especially for active dogs that enjoy hiking or trail running.
Even the best dog harness can benefit from a handle if you have to lift Fido for any reason, assist them over obstacles or need to keep a tight hold on them in difficult situations.
In this article, we will be reviewing the following dog harnesses;
- rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness Medium
- MOKCCI Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness
- Julius-K9, 16IDC-C-M, IDC Powerharness
- Eagloo No Pull Dog Harness
- fiE FIT INTO EVERYWAY Range Of Front Side No Pull Dog Harness
- Kismaple Adjustable 3M Reflective Dog Harness
- Dog Harness No Pull Dog Harness Reflective Adjustable Pet Vest Harness
Our Best Dog Harnesses with Handles
Having researched some of the best dog harnesses on the market today, we have compiled this list of affordable, solid, and reliable harnesses with a handle.
Each has qualities to suit every kind of dog out there, no matter their breed, height, weight, age, or walking preferences!
After we look at the best dog harnesses with handles, we will cover:
- Why a handle is helpful for owners of small dogs
- Why a handle is essential on a harness for large dogs
- How a handle can help with aggressive dogs
- Why they are a great idea for senior dogs
- How to choose the best dog harness with a handle
Whether you’re looking to keep your dog comfy and safe with adjustable straps, for them to stop pulling, or a lightweight dog harness that’s kind to a dog’s skin, here are our top picks of the best dog harnesses with handles online.
Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness
Rabbitgoo’s dog harnesses come in sizes S to XL and suit puppies to big dog breeds.
You will find the dog harness has two metal rings for leashes, one on the front and one on the back, for optimal positioning. The idea is that the back one is perfect for jogging with your dog, hiking, and general walking, whereas the front one is perfect for training a dog not to pull.
The harness should be placed over your pup’s head.
Pros:
- Wide range of sizes and styles
- Fast-release buckles
- Two dog leash rings are attached to this dog vest
Cons
- Some customers have reported it not fitting their dog correctly, so be careful to read the size chart before buying.
MOKCCI Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness
This dog harness has reflective material along all sides, making it ideal for a safe walk at night. It also has a seat belt attachment for the car and a firm handle along the back for you.
With chest and belly padding, it is a comfortable harness for your dog to wear and has great durability. It also happens to have two leash rings, making it safer and more practical for you, depending on how your dog is on walks.
It is easily adjustable and has proven to be a long-lasting harness choice.
Pros
- Reflective for visibility at night
- Easily adjustable
- Extensive range of colours and sizes
Cons
- It does not open around the neck.
Julius K9, IDC Powerharness
This Julius K9 harness is easily administered and can be adjusted to your dog’s specific size. The chest fastening only needs one buckle, making it easy for you to put it quickly on your pup.
The handle on the back is sturdy, giving you excellent control over your pup that you can easily take at a moment’s notice. It comes with a back buckle for the leash and various colours, patterns, and sizes.
Pros
- Sturdy handle
- Variety of colours and sizes
- Quick fastening
Cons
- If improperly put on, easy for a dog to wriggle out of
Eagloo No Pull Dog Harness
This dog harness with carrying handle is yet another on this list that comes with a front leash ring and a back one, providing excellent control for whichever position your dog takes during your dog walks.
The reflective material is ideal for night and bad weather. It has a strong handle for quick control over your dog and seatbelt attachments.
The harness is placed over the head and fastened with the two chest buckles.
Pros
- Highly reflective
- Breathable material and soft passing provides comfort
- Very sturdy handle
Cons
- Must be put over the head
FiE FIT INTO EVERYWAY Dog Harness
This harness also has two leash rings, one on the chest and one on the back. It comes with a strong handle that also works for attaching a seatbelt and reflective material for walks in the dark.
It comes with padding on the front, on top, and underneath. Although that makes it wider than the other harnesses, the padding is made of a lightweight sponge.
This makes it easy for your dog to carry and be arguably more comfortable on their belly than just a strap that runs underneath. Its clever design distributes the pressure on your pet when pulling.
Pros
- Padding in three areas
- Super reflective materials for visibility on night walks
- Reinforced nylon stitching and strong handle
Cons
- Important to carefully measure your dog to match the sizing chart
Kismaple Adjustable 3M Reflective Dog Harness
This next dog harness with a specialised handle for lifting comes in nine different colours, from sizes XS to XL. The handle on the back is sturdy, and there are reflective lines along the seams.
The harness is light to carry, padded, and covered in mesh stitching and lining, making it a breathable and comfortable fabric for your pup to wear.
The harness must be placed over your dog’s head and tied on each side of their chest with adjustable buckles. There are two secure leash rings, both on the front of the chest and the back of the harness.
Pros
- Two leash rings
- Extremely breathable
- Lightweight design with a D-ring loop which you can clip the lead onto
Cons
- Must be placed over the dog’s head
Dog Harness No Pull
This dog harness has much of the same qualities as the previous one on this list but can be found slightly cheaper.
This overhead harness boasts adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit, comes in six colours and ranges from size S to XL.
That being said, many reviews have found that this harness tends to size on the smaller side, so it may be better for smaller to medium-sized dogs.
Either way, it comes with a front and back leash ring and a firm handle on the back.
Pros
- Great if you’re on a budget
- Very firm hold
- Super reflective
Cons
- It tends to size relatively small
Why Invest in Dog Harness with a Handle
You can never have too much control over your dog, and a dog harness handle will give you just that.
Even the best-behaved dogs need extra handling sometimes, even when we least expect it. Having that additional arrow in your sheath could come in handy, more than you might think, even on more minor, easily controlled dogs. Here are a few reasons why:
For Small Dogs?
Saving them from other dogs
You never know who you might come across on a walk, even if you know the area by heart.
Owners that have lost sight of their dogs or do not have complete control over them will not be able to help if your dog gets attacked. Having the top handle on the dog harness will allow you to quickly grab them and pick them up away from the dangerous dog.
In a crowded place
It’s easy to lose each other in crowded places and even easier to lose a small dog! A little dog harness makes it easy to pick them up and carry them in a crowded place if need be.
It doesn’t just serve to find them but also to relax them. Dogs can get as frustrated and upset as we do if they are in a crowded area, at which point the best thing for them would be for you to pick them up.
Muddy walks/stiles ctc
All owners have had to experience walking their dogs along muddy paths and areas. It always means having to bathe the dog when we get home – and muddying the car first!
It doesn’t have to be such a big issue if you have a smaller dog wearing a walking harness with a handle. You could lift them over the mud or any obstacles.
To check if they’ve hurt themselves.
If your dog has stepped on something sharp or has risked twisting something, then the chances are that they will be very fragile.
That’s where a handle on a harness comes in very handy, as you can still lift them easily without putting pressure on sensitive areas.
Going up steps
Some small dogs are not ‘built’ to climb stairs, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. Dogs like Corgis, Dachshunds, and puppies of a certain age are not physically capable of climbing stairs and can easily hurt themselves permanently if they are made to do so.
Having the handle on the harness is a quick and easy way of helping them over those stairs.
They may be tired
Smaller dogs with even smaller legs can quickly tire on walks and should not be forced to finish the walk if they are shattered.
In those cases, it’s best to carry them home, and with the handle on the harness, it could not be easier. It will make carrying them more manageable for you and make the journey easier for them.
Getting on and off public transport
Carrying even small dogs on and off public transport can be difficult, especially if they are fidgety. In those cases, having a harness with a handle is an easy and efficient way of keeping hold of them without having to worry about their kicking legs and constant moving!
It will also show other passengers, especially those who may not be at ease with dogs, that you have total control over the situation.
Why Large Dogs Need Handles
Having extra security over your dog does not mean you do not trust them. However, even well-behaved dogs can get distracted or fearful, leading to them acting out and no longer paying attention to you.
Sadly, in those situations, big dogs can cause a lot of harm to themselves and those around them.
Having a harness with a handle on them means you can grab them at a moment’s notice, whether your dog is hiking or walking and have far better control over the situation.
It doesn’t restrict any movement or rub against their body. Relying on a lead and a collar would be a mistake as you could quickly drop the lead, or they could wriggle out of their collar and you would then have to deal with the consequences.
In those instances, your dog could run into traffic, chase a helpless animal, a child, or something worse.
It is your duty as a dog owner to have reasonable control over your dog, which means training and having the best harnesses and other products!
For Aggressive Dogs
Having a dog handle on a harness for an aggressive dog is essential. It would be reckless to go out with minimal control over them.
You need to be prepared to grab them at a moment’s notice while protecting yourself, too. Even the most minor thing can set off an aggressive dog, and in their aggression, they do not always pay attention to their owners – and can become aggressive towards them, too, if they get in their way.
Having a harness with a handle means that even the biggest and strongest dog breeds can be held back with much better control, protecting all surrounding people, animals, yourself and your dog.
In extreme cases, aggressive dogs may need to be put down, especially if they have caused physical harm to someone or their pet. Having a handle on them really is protecting them, too.
The metal D-ring leash attachment on most harnesses is heavy-duty and secure to stop your pet from running off.
Choosing a Good Dog Harness
Having a harness handle is convenient for many reasons, but it is vital on a hike.
Hiking is a popular pastime for dog owners, and there’s no wonder why. It’s a fantastic exercise for you and your dog; it enables you to discover stunning natural areas and can be quite relaxing. However, it comes with its list of dangers, among which is uncertain terrain.
This is especially the case if you are hiking in an area you do not know very well, and as agile as your dog may be, they are at risk.
A bit of over-excitement, negligence or a simple slip could injure them terribly and leave you with a dog to carry home!
This can be avoided with a proper harness with a handle. It will allow you to help your dog over uncertain and challenging terrain, holding them back when necessary and carrying them over obstacles they may not be able to conquer otherwise.
A quality harness could be the difference between life and death for your pup.
Finding the best dog harness for you and your pup will depend on a few things:
- What do you need it for? Is this harness just going to be used on daily walks around the neighbourhood, or is it likely that you will need it for long hikes? If your dog is exercising in it, you will want a strong, lightweight, breathable material.
- What time of day do you usually walk? If you and your dog often find yourselves walking in the dark, when it is starting to get dark, or even in bad weather, you will need a harness with reflective material.
- What size dog is it? The bigger the dog, the bigger the harness you will need, but you will also need it to be strong. The chances are that your big dog is also quite strong, and you will need to be sure that you can have complete control over them when necessary.
- Is your dog nervous? If your dog has trouble putting things like an anti-pull dog walking harness on, you will need to find one that opens both in the front and back, not to put the harness over your dog’s head.
Conclusion and Top Pick
Buying the correct pet vest harness with handle is essential to keep your dog comfortable, safe, and under control.
Your dog’s skin is delicate, so the quality materials on such a necessary piece of equipment will go a long way!
However, a secure fit is a must – you’ll already know this if you have particularly fit dogs or active breeds, such as German Shepherds.
It is also important to remember that as your dog grows, you’ll need to have a look at bigger pet harnesses unless you can adjust your puppy harnesses with the adjustment points.
We like the ruffwear front range harness, their hiking rucksacks and especially the multi-use harness with a handle.
But our top option? It’s easily the Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness (Medium) – an excellent, secure fit for your furry friend and a zero pull harness that will keep you in the driver’s seat whenever you’re walking your dog. It’s the best dog harness with handle we’ve come across.