Boston Terriers are active, sporty, and friendly little dogs. They’re often nicknamed ‘The American Gentleman’ due to their manners, loyalty, and ‘tuxedo-like’ coat. They love being outdoors and going on adventures, so it’s important they have a comfortable, functional harness. We’ll look at 5 harnesses, comparing harness type, durability, comfort, and additional features.
The Best Harness for Boston Terriers2023 Review
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The Best Harness for Boston Terriers
Editor's Choice
Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness- Best mesh harness
- Breathable and lightweight
- Range of colors available
Runner Up
Chai's Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness- Best harness for hiking
- Reflective piping
- Handle for extra control
Also Good
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness- Best harness for training
- Front attachment for control
- Adjustable at 4 points
In-Depth Reviews of Our Recommended Harnesses for Boston Terriers
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness review
Features
- Best mesh harness
- Breathable and lightweight
- Range of colors available
Ann-Marie Sharpe
The Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness is 1 of the best harnesses for Boston Terriers, designed to be simple, functional, and cute. Breathable mesh ensures your dog is comfortable and stays cool, while also making the harness very lightweight. The material is soft to ensure it doesn’t rub and feels comfy for your pup.
The step-in style makes this harness easy to put on, and it’s adjustable to fit perfectly to your dog. It’s also available in a range of sizes and colors. It fastens at 2 points to ensure it’s secure and has double D-rings for leash attachment.
I loved this harness for my small breeds, finding it was easy to put on and adjust. I really appreciated the choice of colors, so I could get a different color for each of my girls.
Pros
- Owners liked the ‘step in’ style of this harness, feeling it was easy to get on and off
- Owners appreciated the double closure, feeling it made the harness very secure
- Owners of small dogs in particular found that this harness fit their dog well and adjusted well
- Most owners felt that this harness was very comfortable for their dog, with some stating it didn’t rub like other harnesses
- Owners of small dogs typically felt that this harness gave them plenty of control, mentioning they liked that the harness didn’t put pressure on their dog’s neck
- Some said they liked the color choice of this harness and felt it looked cute on their dog
Cons
- Some owners got the wrong sized harness for their dog, with many recommending others read the size guide and measure their dog carefully
- Some found their dog was able to get out of this harness and stated it isn’t great for escape artists
- Not as durable as some other harnesses, with some owners finding it showed wear quickly, especially with dogs who pull on the leash
- Some owners felt this harness wasn’t comfortable for their dog, in particular mentioning the inside of the harness was rougher than expected
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Chai's Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness review
Features
- Best harness for hiking
- Reflective piping
- Handle for extra control
Ann-Marie Sharpe
If you’re looking for something sturdier for hiking, the Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness is a great option. This harness is made from durable nylon, with lightweight mesh padding on the chest and stomach area. It’s designed to stand up to wear over time while also being comfortable for your dog.
Available in a range of sizes and with adjustable straps, you can find the right fit for your pup. I loved that this harness was available in a choice of 9 bright colors, which I felt were cute and meant my dog could be seen more easily on walks. I also liked that there was reflective piping woven into the harness to make walks at night safer.
You can attach the leash to the front or back of this harness (or both) for plenty of control on your walks. The harness even has a sturdy handle on the back for times you might need extra control, or to help your dog over obstacles when you’re hiking.
Pros
- Most owners found that this harness was durable, even standing up to frequent outdoor adventures
- Owners found the harness gave them plenty of control
- Owners liked that the handle allowed them to lift their dog where needed to help them get over obstacles, especially for those with small dogs or dogs with mobility issues
- Owners felt that the reflective elements of this harness made walks in low light and darkness safer
- Many liked that this harness was easily adjustable so they could fit it to their dog perfectly
- Some mentioned that they loved the range of bright colors, feeling they were cheerful and stylish
Cons
- Some owners struggled to get the right sized harness for their dog, in particular mentioning it ran smaller than expected
- Some owners found adjusting the harness tricky and were frustrated, with a few people mentioning the harness didn’t stay adjusted on walks
- Some found it hard to get the harness on and off their dog
- Some owners felt this harness was too bulky and stiff for their small breed dog
- Some experienced breakage after a short period of use
Ann-Marie Sharpe
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness review
Features
- Best harness for training
- Front attachment for control
- Adjustable at 4 points
Ann-Marie Sharpe
If you’re training your pup to walk nicely on the leash or trying to tackle pulling, the PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness could be the 1 for you. The leash attaches to a loop at the front of the chest to allow you to redirect your dog’s attention and give you more control during training. A martingale loop works to prevent twisting and offers increased control.
This harness is available in a wide range of sizes and is adjustable at 4 points to allow you to get the perfect fit. I liked that it had quick-snap buckles to make taking it on and off easy. I felt this harness was easy to use and was fairly durable.
Pros
- Most owners found that this harness helped to stop their dog pulling on the leash, with many even saying it was a complete ‘game changer’
- Most owners found that this harness gave them extra control during training
- Owners said that although this harness is lightweight, it’s strong and durable enough even for large dogs
- Owners of small breed dogs were pleased they could get a harness of this style in a small enough size to fit their dog
- Owners typically found this harness easy to adjust and easy to use
Cons
- Not as durable as some other harnesses, with some owners experiencing breakage after a period of use
- Not designed to stand up to chewing, with some finding their dog could chew through this harness
- Some owners found this harness didn’t help to reduce pulling on walks
- Some felt this harness wasn’t comfortable for their dog or found it rubbed their dog’s skin
- Some stated that this harness didn’t give them enough control, especially with reactive dogs
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Nylon Reflective No Pull Dog Harness review
Features
- Best harness for control
- Sturdy handle for control
- Wide, strong chest strap
Ann-Marie Sharpe
When you’re looking for the best harness for a Boston Terrier, you should consider the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Nylon Reflective No Pull Dog Harness. It’s made to be durable, sturdy, and long lasting, featuring a weather-repellent cover and break-resistant, freeze-proof buckles. The wide chest strap spreads your dog’s weight across their chest, allowing freedom of movement and comfort for your dog, as well as control for you.
I loved that the chest strap was also reflective for visibility in low light. The Eco-Tex inner liner ensures the harness is breathable and comfortable for your dog to wear. The back D-ring is sturdy and easy to attach the leash to, and I liked that there was a handle on top of the harness for extra control.
The harness is available in a range of sizes and colors to suit your pup. It also has a Velcro system on the side, allowing you to attach personalized patches.
Pros
- Owners typically found that this harness was very durable and strong, even for powerful breeds
- Most owners found that the harness stood up to regular wear over time
- Owners liked that the harness spread pressure over their dog’s chest rather than on their neck
- Most felt that that this harness was very comfortable for their dog, in particular mentioning the inner lining and the freedom of movement
- Owners felt this harness gave them plenty of control, with many appreciating the handle
- Many owners felt this harness looked smart on their dog
- Many stated that this harness was easy to put on and take off their dog
Cons
- Some owners of large, strong breeds found this harness didn’t give them enough control
- Some found the size guide confusing and found it difficult to get the right size for their dog
- Some owners found the harness difficult to adjust
- Some stated their dog could back out of this harness and escape
- Not designed to stand up to chewing, with some owners finding their dog could chew through this harness when left unsupervised
Ann-Marie Sharpe
Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Back Clip Dog Harness review
Features
- Best vest harness
- Soft, breathable mesh vest
- Range of colors available
Ann-Marie Sharpe
If you prefer a vest style harness for daily walks, the Puppia Vest Polyester Step In Back Clip Dog Harness is a fun choice. This harness fits like a little vest, making it both adorable and functional for your pup. It secures via a Velcro fastening and a buckle.
Double D-rings ensure secure leash attachment and give you control. The soft material and air-mesh padding make this harness very comfortable for your dog. It’s available in a range of sizes to make sure you can get the right size for your pup.
I loved that this harness came in a choice of cute colors and felt it looked smart on my dog. Overall, I felt this harness was high-quality, fairly durable, and stylish.
Pros
- Owners found that this vest harness was easy to put on and take off their dog
- Many owners felt that this harness was very comfortable for their dog, even when worn for long periods
- Owners liked the color choice of this harness and felt it was cute for their small dog
- Owners liked the double fastening, feeling the harness was very secure
- Many said that they liked that the harness was gentle and didn’t put pressure on their dog’s neck, even if they pulled or got excited
Cons
- Some owners found it was hard to get the right size for their dog, mentioning the sizing was misleading
- Some owners found their dog could get out of this harness
- Some mentioned that the harness wasn’t strong or durable enough for their dog, especially for those who pull a lot on the lead
- Not designed to stand up to chewing, with some owners finding their dog could chew through this harness when left unsupervised
Things to Look for in a Harness for a Boston Terrier
When you’re looking for the best harness for a Boston Terrier, you should look for the following:
Correct Size for Your Dog
It’s crucial the harness is the right size for your dog for both their comfort and safety. A harness that’s too small will be uncomfortable for your pup. A harness that’s too big may rub on your dog’s skin. It will also give you less control and mean that they could escape from their harness which poses a safety hazard.
Check the size guide of the harness and measure your dog carefully. We’ll cover more measuring tips later.
High-Quality Materials
High-quality materials will be more comfortable for your dog, stand up to wear better, and ensure that your dog is getting the best possible harnes.
Comfort for Your Dog
A comfortable harness will be made from good materials and be the right size, but you can also look for other features. Some materials will be softer, some harnesses might have padding to reduce rubbing, and some may be breathable to ensure your dog doesn’t get too hot.
Control
A good harness will give you plenty of control. The amount of control you need will depend on your dog’s behavior and training. A lot of this comes down to the type of harness you choose.
Some harnesses will have rings on the back or front of the harness (or both for extra control). Some will have an additional handle to allow more control when needed.
Durability
Since Boston Terriers are very active breeds and will likely be wearing their harness a lot, durability is very important. Quality materials are key, as well as other features such as reinforced stitching.
Style
Some owners like their dog to wear a specific style of harness or a specific material because it looks smart. Harnesses often come in multiple colors so you can find 1 to suit your dog’s style.
Additional Features
Some harnesses will have additional features, such as being water-resistant or having reflective strips. Take your time to figure out what will work best for you and your dog.
Harness Versus Collar
When it comes to a Boston Terrier, typically a harness is better for walking your dog. This is because the breed is brachycephalic, meaning they have a short head and muzzle. This means they can be prone to breathing difficulties.
A harness spreads the weight over your dog’s chest rather than putting pressure on their throat, which is safer and more comfortable for your Boston Terrier. This is particularly important if your dog pulls on the lead. Harnesses also tend to give you more control and be more secure, which is helpful if your dog is an escape artist.
Some Boston Terriers may wear a collar as well as a harness to display their ID, but in general a harness is a better option for walking your dog.
Tips for Measuring Your Boston Terrier
As we mentioned earlier, getting the right sized harness for your dog is important. Here are some tips for measuring your Boston Terrier:
- Check the size guide carefully, ensuring you look at the measurements rather than just the breed recommendations
- Measure your dog with a flexible measuring tape, ensuring you measure the widest part of their chest (and neck depending on the type of harness)
- Dogs don’t tend to want to stand still while being measured, so it’s a good idea to measure them 2 or 3 times to get it as accurate as possible
- If the harness is adjustable, you can add a couple of inches to your measurements, so you have room to adjust it if your dog’s weight changes (this is particularly handy if your dog is still growing)
- Check the reviews for extra guidance to see if the harness runs small or large
Boston Terrier Harness FAQs
Do Boston Terriers need harnesses?
Yes, it’s better to walk your Boston Terrier on a harness rather than a collar as it’s safer and more comfortable for them.
How do you stop your Boston Terrier from pulling?
A quality harness paired with reward-based training (and high-value treats) can help you to stop your dog from pulling.
Conclusion
The right harness will ensure your dog is safe and comfortable on walks, making walks more pleasant for both of you. You can step out in style together.
The Best Harness for Boston Terriers
Editor's Choice
Best Pet Supplies Voyager Black Trim Mesh Dog Harness- Best mesh harness
- Breathable and lightweight
- Range of colors available
Runner Up
Chai's Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure 3M Polyester Reflective Front Clip Dog Harness- Best harness for hiking
- Reflective piping
- Handle for extra control
Also Good
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness- Best harness for training
- Front attachment for control
- Adjustable at 4 points
