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10 Best Harnesses for Golden Retrievers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

A Golden Retriever wearing a dog harness Golden Retrievers are big dogs with a gentle temperament. If you are looking for the ultimate house pet, it is hard to go wrong with a Golden.

Nonetheless, these dogs are easily excitable and can be difficult to control when they are interested in something. Without a strong harness, you will find the bubbly animal leading you around rather than vice versa.

While strength is an essential characteristic to look out for in the ideal harness for a Golden Retriever, there are other important characteristics to consider as well, such as comfort, safety, and durability.

After reviewing several harnesses, we have been able to compile this list of the top 10 harnesses for Golden Retrievers on the market today. Read on!

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Picks in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Rabbitgoo No-Pull Adjustable Rabbitgoo No-Pull Adjustable
  • Dual leash attachment
  • Comfortable
  • Secure and snug fit
  • Best Value
    Second place
    RUFFWEAR Front Range RUFFWEAR Front Range
  • Well-made and durable
  • Stylish
  • Easy to put on
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Chai’s Choice Chai’s Choice
  • Adjustable for snug fit
  • Easy to put on
  • Reflective trim
  • Copatchy No Pull Reflective with Handle Copatchy No Pull Reflective with Handle
  • Adjustable
  • Budget-friendly
  • Sturdy handle
  • Noxgear LightHound Noxgear LightHound
  • Excellent nighttime visibility
  • Machine washable
  • Weatherproof
  • The 10 Best Dog Harnesses for Golden Retrievers

    1. Rabbitgoo Dog Harness No-Pull Pet Vest – Best Overall

    Rabbitgoo Dog Harness No-Pull Adjustable Outdoor Pet Vest

    This harness by Rabbitgoo is a great choice for Goldens, especially those who love pulling. It is an adjustable harness that comes with two metal attachments for leashes, with one being on the front and the other at the back.

    The front attachment clip is meant for dogs who pull. If the dog starts pulling when the leash is attached to the front clip, they will be turned around instead of going forward. After a while, this will get frustrating, and they will learn that it is best not to pull.

    This makes it a great tool for teaching your feisty one how to be obedient. Once they have learned not to pull, you can switch to the back attachment clip.

    This harness will not give you any problems when it comes to putting it on or taking it off. To put it on, simply unbuckle the straps, slide the harness over the dog’s head, and then fasten the buckles. The straps are also adjustable to allow you to find the size that fits snugly on the animal. This ensures that you do not have to worry about the Golden escaping the harness.

    The harness is also quite comfortable, as it is made from Nylon Oxford, which is a durable material that features soft padding to cushion the dog’s skin against the effects of pressure. Moreover, it allows the dog’s skin to breathe during intense activity.

    This harness also comes with reflective strips to ensure that your dog is visible and therefore, safe when walking at night.

    The only downside to this harness is that the straps loosen after extended periods of intense activity. Nonetheless, the Rabbitgoo dog harness more than makes up for that drawback in quality and functionality, which is why we have it as our top pick.

    Pros
    • Dual leash attachment
    • Comfortable
    • Secure and snug fit
    • Easy to put on
    Cons
    • Straps need occasional adjusting

    2. RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness — Best Value

    RUFFWEAR - Front Range Dog Harness

    This harness proves its worth when it comes to activities that require long hours of sustained action, such as hiking. However, it can also be used as an everyday harness. It comes with two separate leash attachments, one at the front and the other at the back. The front clip is for training your dog not to pull, while the back one is for normal use.

    It is also quite comfortable, thanks to the foam padding that goes into the chest and belly area. This ensures that there is no chafing on your pup’s skin. Additionally, it is also simple to take off and put on and comes with four adjustable points to allow you to get the best fit.

    The harness features reflective trim to make sure that your Golden is visible to drivers at night. It also comes in a variety of colors. For convenience, it features a storage pocket where you can keep the dog’s ID tags.

    The only issue with this harness is that the buckles are slightly covered in fabric, which can make unbuckling a problem, and this is the reason that it is not our top pick. However, when you compare its features to its price point, this might just be the best harness for Golden Retriever for the money.

    Pros
    • Soft and comfortable
    • Well-made and durable
    • Reflective strip for nighttime visibility
    • Stylish
    • Easy to put on
    • Two leash attachment points
    Cons
    • Fabric covers the buckles slightly, making unbuckling an issue

    3. Chai’s Choice Dog Harness — Premium Choice

    Chai’s Choice Dog Harness

    This harness by Chai’s Choice has an ergonomic design that makes it suitable for everyday use. It features soft sponge padding across the chest and belly areas and is also lightweight enough to allow your Golden Retriever’s skin to breathe.

    It is made from scratch-resistant Oxford material that is both durable and stylish. You can also get it in a variety of colors.

    The Chai’s Choice Dog Harness comes with two leash attachment points: an O-ring on the chest and a D-ring on the back, both of which are made from zinc alloy to enhance durability. This harness features a handle at the back to allow you greater control over the dog. The handle also allows you to provide better support to handicapped or injured dogs.

    This harness is an excellent choice when looking to travel with the dog in your vehicle. This is because you can loop the seat belt through the handle to secure your pooch. It also features a 3M reflective material that ensures that your dog is visible at night.

    An issue with this product is that its buckles are made from plastic, and this can be a real problem when dealing with stronger dogs. Other than that, this premium-quality harness is worth every cent.

    Pros
    • Adjustable for a snug fit
    • Easy to put on
    • Stylish
    • Lightweight and breathable
    • Reflective trim for nighttime visibility
    • Two leash attachment points
    • Soft sponge padding for comfort
    Cons
    • Plastic buckles that can snap

    4. Copatchy No Pull Dog Harness with Handle

    Copatchy No Pull Reflective Adjustable Dog Harness with Handle

    This harness by Copatchy is a good option for those on a budget. This does not mean that it is made cheaply. First off, it is fitted with a soft sponge padding, as well as a breathable mesh to allow your dog as much comfort as possible during activity.

    In addition to being easy to put on, it also allows for adjustments so you can find the best fit for your pup.

    While the Copatchy has a leash attachment on the back, it also has a sturdy handle to allow instant control over the dog. This handle also comes in handy when aiding an injured, senior, or handicapped dog.

    You get to choose between five different colors.

    A problem that you might have with this harness, however, is that it lacks a leash attachment point at the front, thereby making it difficult to control pullers.

    Pros
    • Soft and comfortable
    • Adjustable
    • Sturdy handle for greater control
    • Budget-friendly
    Cons
    • Does not have a leash attachment point at the front

    5. Noxgear LightHound

    Noxgear LightHound

    This leash by Noxgear is designed to ensure that your pooch is as safe as it can be during nighttime walks or adventures. Instead of the typical reflective strips, this harness comes with LED lighting that provides 360-degree illumination, making the dog visible from over half a mile away.

    Additionally, you do not have to use batteries to power this harness, as you can charge it using a regular USB. One charge can give you up to 12 hours of illumination.

    This harness illuminates it in up to eight different colors, including six different multicolor and slow fading modes.

    Despite all these fancy yet useful lighting features, the harness is lightweight and comfortable. It is quite durable and adjustable to allow you to find the perfect fit. You will also find a single leash attachment point on the back.

    This harness, however, is quite thin, which means that it might not be able to withstand the pull of stronger dogs.

    Pros
    • Excellent nighttime visibility
    • Weatherproof
    • Multiple color modes and options
    • Machine washable
    • Easy to slip on
    • Adjustable
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Might not be the best for controlling pulling dogs

    6. Juxzh Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness

    Juxzh Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness

    This harness from Juxzh is one of the softest and most comfortable harnesses on the market today. As such, your pet can wear it for extended periods without feeling the strain.

    It is an all-in-one harness that comes with two strong leash attachment points, reflective stitching, a handle on the back, several stylish colors to choose from, and breathable mesh padding.

    It is also fully adjustable to allow for the perfect fit and is easy to put on and take off. Once secured, you do not have to worry about chafing on the pup’s skin, as it comes with soft sponge padding.

    In addition to being comfortable, this harness is durable, thanks to the scratch-resistant Oxford material it is made of.

    The sturdy handle at the back not only allows you greater control over the dog but also allows you to fasten the pooch to their seatbelt when driving. It also allows visibility at night.

    The plastic buckles, however, are not ideal for securing stronger dogs.

    Pros
    • Soft and comfortable
    • Comes in a variety of stylish colors
    • Two leash attachment points
    • Sturdy handle
    • Easy to put on and off
    Cons
    • Plastic buckles

    7. PetSafe Deluxe Easy Walk Harness

    PetSafe Deluxe Easy Walk Harness

    This harness by Petsafe features a clever design that allows you to stop your Golden from pulling. It features a front leash attachment on the chest area that turns the dog toward you whenever they start pulling. Moreover, its design does not feature any straps that go around the dog’s neck, which ensures that your little one does not gag or choke if they pull.

    It comes with neoprene padding that ensures that the dog feels comfortable at all times, and the four adjustment points on this harness make sure that you can find a snug and secure fit.

    The harness is fitted with reflective strips for enhanced night visibility while having contrasting band colors between the back and belly sides to ensure that there is no confusion as to which side is which.

    Pros
    • Quick snap buckles
    • Neoprene padding for comfort
    • Fully adjustable
    • No straps around the neck area
    Cons
    • Loosens with constant pulling

    8. The Original Sense-ation No-Pull Dog Training Harness

    The Original Sense-ation No-Pull Dog Training Harness

     

    This harness by Softouch is designed for maximum comfort and as such, is more suitable for walks and positive reinforcement training. It comes with nickel-coated steel O-rings to ensure maximum durability.

    The Original Sense-ation also features a front-leash attachment that allows you to teach your Golden how to walk beside you. It also comes in a variety of colors to allow you to choose one that suits your dog’s personality best.

    This harness comes in two sizes: large and medium/large.

    Pros
    • Multiple color options
    • Front-leash attachment
    • Durable
    Cons
    • Not adjustable

    9. Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness

    Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness

    This harness from by Julius-K9 is a striking, heavy-duty no-pull harness that comes with a metal ring on top for leash attachments, as well as a large and adjustable handle for greater control over your dog.

    Like any other good harness, it also comes with a breathable mesh that does not obstruct the dog’s breathing. Putting on and removing this harness is quite easy as well.

    A feature that you will love about this harness is that it allows for attachments such as a saddlebag to carry toys or other stuff.

    Pros
    • Strong buckles
    • Sturdy design
    • Comfortable
    • Waterproof
    Cons
    • Pricey

    10. HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness

    HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness

    This no-pull harness by HDP features a no-choke design and is an excellent choice for Golden Retrievers, as well as other big dogs. It comes with an extra-wide chest padding that distributes the pressure across the canine’s chest and shoulders to ensure that they are comfortable throughout.

    The leash ring is attached to the top to give the dog maximum freedom of motion. To give you better control of the dog, it comes with a sturdy handle attached to the back. This handle also comes in handy when you need to help them over rough terrain.

    Pros
    • Sturdy
    • Soft padding for comfort
    • Top handle for maximum control
    Cons
    • No front-leash attachment

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    Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dog Harness for Golden Retrievers

    Here is what to look out for when looking for a good harness for your Golden Retriever.

    No-Pull Design

    Always give priority to no-pull harnesses, as they are designed to dissuade active retrievers from tagging on the harness. This ensures that you have better control of the animal.

    Reflective

    Ensure that your dog’s harness has reflective features to allow drivers to spot the animal even in low-light conditions.

    Chew-Resistant Straps

    Golden Retrievers who are not used to harnesses tend to chew on the straps in a bid to free themselves. Therefore, it is a good idea to get a harness with strong, chew-resistant straps.

    Adjustable

    To ensure that your pup is always comfortable, in addition to preventing them from escaping the harness, it is best to find one that comes with adjustable straps.

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    Conclusion

    Despite being sweet and obedient dogs, Golden Retrievers can be a handful when you are out there having fun, as they are curious dogs and will actively pursue anything that they find interesting.

    This is why you need a strong and reliable harness when you are out and about with your pup. The Rabbitgoo harness is one that you cannot go wrong with, as it is sturdy, comfortable, and reliable. If you are on a budget, consider the RUFFWEAR Front-Range Dog Harness.

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