A harness that does not fit properly is not merely uncomfortable: it restricts the movement of the shoulder blade and can change the way a dog walks. This guide sums up what our partners are asked every day.
Measurements first
You need two measurements taken with a soft tape: the girth of the chest, just behind the front legs, and the circumference of the neck at its base. Keep the tape snug but not tight, and allow two fingers of clearance.
Why a Y-shape
In a Y-shaped harness the strap runs in front of the sternum rather than across the shoulder blade. The joint moves freely and pressure is carried by bone, not soft tissue. It is the design we use on every BAILU harness.
The five most common mistakes
- Setting the neck section too high, pressing on the trachea.
- Leaving the chest girth too loose: the dog can back out of it.
- Choosing a size by weight instead of by measurements.
- Using the front ring together with a very long line.
- Not re-checking the fit after a coat or weight change.
If your dog falls between two sizes, take the larger one and fine-tune at the four adjustment points. For unusual proportions, greyhounds, whippets, malinois, we build to order.