When it comes to finding the perfect harness for your beloved lurcher, there are several crucial factors to consider. Lurchers have a slender build and a strong prey drive, making it essential to choose a harness that not only fits properly but also provides the right level of control, comfort, and safety. Many lurchers have been known to slip out of traditional harnesses (trust me, I started Snootiful Hound because my lurcher, Blondie, used to be a pro at this), so I would always recommend an escape proof lurcher harness. In this comprehensive guide, we will carefully navigate you through the process of selecting the best harness tailored specifically for your lurcher's needs.
The Importance of a Properly Fitted Lurcher Harness
A properly fitted harness is vital for any dog, but it becomes even more important when it comes to lurchers due to their unique body shape. Lurchers have a deep chest, a slim waist, and a long neck, which requires a harness that accommodates their specific proportions to keep them safe and secure. When selecting a harness, ensure that it has an adjustable design with multiple points of adjustment, allowing you to achieve a snug and secure fit. By opting for a harness with adjustable straps at the neck, chest, and girth, you can customise the fit to meet your lurcher's unique needs.
Ideally, you will want an escape proof harness with 3 straps. These are perfect for a lurcher's awkward body shape and will prevent their houdini act. Even if your lurcher hasn't escaped their harness before, it's quite common and it's better to be safe than sorry!
Consider the Material and Construction
Aside from proper fit, the material and construction of the harness are essential factors to consider. Lurchers are known for their agility and speed, and they require a harness that can withstand their active lifestyle. Look for a harness made from high-quality materials that will stand the test of time. You also want your lurcher harness to be lightweight to ensure they're not weighed down and can move comfortably.
In addition to the material, pay close attention to the stitching and reinforcement of the harness. Double-stitched seams and sturdy hardware, such as D-rings and buckles, will ensure that the harness can withstand the pulling and tugging that may occur during walks or playtime sessions with your lurcher. The last thing you want is for the harness to fail when your lurcher spots a cat on the other side of a busy road!
Focus on Comfort and Safety
A harness should not only provide control but also prioritise the comfort and safety of your furry companion. Look for a harness that offers padding in key areas such as the chest piece, chest strap and belly strap, as this helps to prevent chafing and discomfort. A padded harness also provides additional support and helps distribute pressure evenly across your lurcher's body, ensuring maximum comfort even during longer walks or hikes.
Furthermore, consider a harness that incorporates reflective features. Harnesses with reflective strips or stitching enhance visibility, making your lurcher more visible to passing vehicles and pedestrians, and adding an extra layer of safety during low-light conditions.
A final consideration here is that you want a slim chest piece. Our lurchers can be quite sensitive, so a slim chest piece will make sure it doesn't restrict movement and will leave plenty of space around the pits (front legs), a common place for chafing with other harnesses.
What is the best harness for lurchers?
Introducing the Snootiful Hound Lurcher Harness
At Snootiful Hound, we understand the unique needs of lurchers and their dedicated owners. I own a lurcher myself, Blondie, a saluki mix, and she's the reason that we exist! She used to always escape her harness which is why I set out to make the perfect lurcher harness. You can read more about our story here.
As I was making it with Blondie in mind, you'd better believe that I took all the unique needs of a lurcher into account, which is why our lurcher harness features an adjustable design that allows for a perfect fit on your lurcher's unique body shape - the design almost moulds around the curves of your lurchers body.
When it comes to comfort, our harness takes the lead. It incorporates padded areas on the chest piece, chest strap and belly straps, and the back is made from a soft mesh material (on the inside) so it feels like a big hug for your lurcher. It also has a slim chest piece so there is no risk of rubbing behind the pits, a common problem with other harnesses.
Moreover, our harness prioritises safety. It has a 3 strap escape proof design so your lurcher can't get loose unexpectedly and it has 5 points of adjustment to get that perfect fit.
Choosing the right harness for your lurcher is a decision that should not be taken lightly, but with our lurcher harness you can provide your beloved companion with the comfort, control, and safety they deserve.
Check out our harness here to learn more. Be sure to check out our reviews to see why ours is the best lurcher harness around!
For further reading, you may like these breeds specific guides on a greyhound harness, whippet harness, sighthound harness or italian greyhound harness.