When it comes to walking your sighthound, finding the right harness is crucial. Sighthounds, such as Greyhounds, Whippets, Italian Greyhounds and Salukis, have unique body shapes and require a harness that fits them properly and keeps them comfortable. In this article, we will explore the factors to consider when choosing a sighthound harness.
Anatomy of a Sighthound
Sighthounds are known for their lean and slender bodies, deep chests, and long necks. These unique characteristics require a specialised harness design to stop them from being able to slip out, a common problem with traditional harnesses. We also recommend using a harness for sighthounds instead of a collar as they have fragile necks, so a harness is safer and more comfortable as it distributes force evenly across the dog's chest and shoulders.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sighthound Harness
Proper Fit
The most important factor when selecting a sighthound harness is finding the right fit. A harness that is too loose may result in your dog slipping out, while a harness that is too tight can cause discomfort or restrict their movement. Ensure the harness has adjustable straps to achieve a custom fit for your sighthound's body shape.
Escape-Proof
On a related note, sighthounds are known for their exceptional agility and their ability to contort their bodies in surprising ways. To prevent any escape attempts, it is crucial to select a harness with a secure and escape-proof design. This will ensure your sighthound remains safely restrained throughout your walks. For this, we recommend a 3 strap escape proof sighthound harness like ours.
Comfort and Padding
Many sighthounds have thin fur and sensitive skin, so it's vital to choose a harness that provides comfort and doesn't cause irritation. Look for a harness with soft padding in the chest piece, chest strap and belly strap to prevent rubbing and chafing. The material should be breathable and gentle on your dog's skin.
Another often overlooked consideration is that you want a slim chest piece. The reason for this is that it's common for a harness to rub around the pits (front legs), but having a slim chest piece leaves plenty of room around this area, so look for a Y-shaped design like below:
Introducing The Snootiful Hound Sighthound Harness
At Snootiful Hound, we understand the unique needs of sighthounds, which is why we have designed our sighthound harness specifically for their body shape and behavior.
It has 5 points of adjustment for a perfect fit for your sighthound and has a 3 strap escape proof design to keep your dog safe and secure. Our harness is made from premium, breathable materials that are gentle on your dog's skin, ensuring maximum comfort and preventing any potential irritation.
This harness as inspired by my own sighthound, Blondie, a saluki mix, so you can be sure that every feature has been designed with our sighthounds in mind. That's how you know they will love it! Check it out here to learn more.
We also donate 10% of all profits to sighthound rescues in the UK, so it isn't just your sighthound that you're treating!
For further reading, you may like these breeds specific guides on a greyhound harness, whippet harness, lurcher harness or italian greyhound harness.