Dry Dogs Harness Review

The DryDogs harness has established itself in the sighthound community as a reliable harness for our hounds, and rightfully so - but is it the best option available?

Let's take a look at all the features that this harness has to offer that has made it a staple for sighthounds, and also where there is room for improvement and if there might be a better alternative (spoiler: there is!)

The Dry Dogs Harness

The drydogs harness is designed especially for sighthound breeds, like whippets, greyhounds and lurchers. It aims to solve the all too common problem of sighthounds being able to escape their harness.

Unfortunately the main stream brands have mostly neglected the unique needs of our sighthounds, so it is brilliant that this has been addressed. Because of the unique body shape of our hounds with the big barrely chest and slim necks & heads, it makes it very easy for them to slip out of a traditional harness. That is why a 3 strap escape proof option is a great choice for sighthounds.

Other Key Features:

Multiple points of adjustment to fit the sighthound shape
Front ring attachment point to help with pulling
Reflective detailing around the edges for night time visibility
A Range of colours
Handles for close control

Things That Are Missing:

I actually tried the drydogs harness when I was trying to solve my own sighthound's escape problems, but unfortunately Blondie, my saluki mix, just couldn't get on with it. Like most sighthounds, she doesn't have much protective fur or body fat which means they feel everything. That is why it's so important to have a comfy harness for our hounds and that is where the drydogs harness unfortunately comes up short:

Wide chest piece can rub and restrict movement - The harness uses a broad chest panel, which at first glance looks secure and supportive. However, due to the size of this panel, it can be prone to rubbing against the dog’s skin, especially behind the front legs. For active dogs, it may also feel a bit restrictive and limit their natural shoulder movement. This is shown below:

Many trainers and rescues will instead recommend a harness with a Y shaped chest piece to solve this problem like the one shown below on our sighthound harness.

Limited padding - As mentioned, our hounds feel everything, more than most dogs, so it's important that the harness is padded in all the right places. Unfortunately the drydogs harness offers very limited padding compared to other options on the market.

That is why our sighthound harness is completely lined with a breathable mesh padding as shown below, plus padded sections on all the pressure points like the chest and belly straps and front chest piece.

sighthound harness with front ring padded for comfort

A Better Alternative:

Whilst the drydogs harness is a good option, unfortunately it is missing a few key features in the comfort department. So whilst we want our hounds to be safe, and they certainly achieve that with their escape proof harness, we shouldn't have to compromise on our hound's happiness.

That is why I created the Snootiful Hound Escape Proof Sighthound Harness.

image showing features that make this the best sighthound harness

I designed it for my own sighthound, Blondie, as she used to always escape her harness. After trying all of the solutions on the market and being unsatisfied, I decided to create my own which took all of the unique needs of our hounds into account.

That is why it includes all of the same key features of the drydogs harness, whilst also addressing the comfort issues with a completely padded harness, complete with a slim chest piece to prevent any rubbing.

Snootiful Hound Harness Key Features:

Slim Chest Piece for Unrestricted Movement & No Rubbing
Unlike a wide chest panel that may come into contact with the front legs and restrict shoulder movement, this harness has a slim profile. It leaves plenty of room between the harness and the dog’s front legs, so your sighthound can stretch, run, and move naturally.

Comprehensive Padding
The chest piece and belly straps are fully padded, giving extra comfort especially in places prone to rubbing. Cushioned straps also help around the buckles, which are covered to reduce chafing.

Escape-Proof “Third Strap”
Just like the Drydogs harness, this one uses a three-strap design making it escape proof.

Six Points of Adjustment
To really fine-tune the fit, this harness offers six adjustment points, letting you accommodate deep chests, slim waists, or in-between sizes more precisely than many two- or three-strap harnesses.

Built for Comfort & Usability:

Breathable perforated fabric helps keep the dog cool.
Buckles on both sides (so dog doesn’t have to “step in”) — useful for dogs who dislike their paws being handled.
Front ring lead attachment point to help dogs that pull.
Two handles for added control (e.g. navigating obstacles or helping in tricky terrain).
Reflective detailing for visibility, machine washable, shower-proof material.

So if you don't want to compromise, check out the Snootiful Hound Sighthound Harness here. It includes Free & Fast UK Shipping, is backed up by a 30 day 100% satisfaction guarantee and best yet, 10% of all profits are donated to sighthound rescues.