7 Best Dog Harnesses for French Bulldogs in 2023

What’s not to love about French Bulldogs? With their loving, playful nature, the French Bulldog is the fourth most popular dog breed in the United States and is one of the most popular small dog breeds in the world.

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They are exceedingly bright, and despite their small size, make excellent watchdogs because they are always on the alert, ready to notify you if anything seems amiss.

French Bulldogs (or Frenchies) make great family pets due to their even disposition and fondness for human companionship. Unlike larger breeds bred as working dogs, French Bulldogs do not require a great deal of exercise. They’d be happy to sit by your side all day. Just as important as feeding your Frenchie the right food, and providing them stimulation with toys, is choosing the right harness for walks and activities.

However, Frenchies still enjoy going for walks and tend to pull when they are overly excited. Given they already have a hard time breathing due to their facial and palate structures, a collar can make breathing even more difficult.

With that in mind, you should opt for a dog harness instead and leave the collar for wearing tags and expressing style. Harnesses are also great for controlling and training your dog.

Even though French Bulldogs are extremely popular, harnesses that fit them are hard to find. With their large head and barrel chest, harnesses are either too loose, allowing your pooch to escape. Or they are too tight across the chest and uncomfortable for your dog to wear.

Check our article about 8 Best Dog Toys for French Bulldogs in 2023

But don’t worry! We’ve put together a guide to help you find the best dog harness for your French Bulldog, including seven recommendations for full-grown Frenchies and one for puppies.

Different Types of Dog Harnesses for French Bulldogs

Leash Attachments

Leashes attach to harnesses in one of three ways: on the front of the dog’s chest (front-clip), on their back (back-clip), or both (dual-clip).

For Frenchies that need to learn how to walk on a leash without excessive pulling, a dual-clip design is what we recommend. This type of harness guides the dog around in a circle when they pull on the leash, discouraging them from pulling without any discomfort.

Once your pooch learns not to pull so much, you can switch to the back clip, which is more convenient to use.

Material

Even though French Bulldogs are small, they are still strong. You’ll want a harness made out of tough mesh nylon because it is sturdy yet breathable. Given French Bulldogs are prone to overheating, keeping them cool is vital.

Padding and Adjustability

You know how your seatbelt can rub up against you, causing discomfort? A dog harness without padding can do the same thing to your French Bulldog. You’ll also want a thick design to help spread the pressure over a larger area.

Given French Bulldogs have a large barrel chest, you’ll need a harness with multiple adjustable buckles that will help you get the best fit for your pooch. Having multiple buckles will also help prevent your pup from escaping the harness.
Now that you know what to look for in a dog harness for your French Bulldog, we’ve narrowed down the field to seven highly-rated harnesses for grown dogs, plus one for your puppy.

Best Dog Harnesses for French Bulldogs

Puppia Soft Vest – Best Overall

Key Features :

  • Step-in design
  • Machine-washable
  • Quick-release buckle
  • Padded polyester mesh
Why You Should Buy

Puppia Soft Vest

The Puppia Soft Vest is a comfortable option that features a quick-release clasp on the back and a padded polyester mesh material. The step-in design is easy to put on your frenchie and the harness is machine-washable.

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We start our list with our top recommendation, the Puppia Soft Vest. Users rave about how well the Puppia fits their Frenchie despite their large heads and chests.

It features a secure quick-release clasp on the back that is secured with Velcro as well as a back-clip leash attachment with two D-rings. Just have your French Bulldog step into the harness, secure the fasteners and leash, and you’ll be on your way.

The padded polyester mesh material provides a comfortable fit, yet it’s also durable enough to last for the entire life of your pup. The fact that it’s washable is a bonus feature. Just pop it in the wash when it gets smelly or when your Frenchie decides to roll around in the dirt or jump in puddles.

Six More Highly Rated Dog Harnesses for French Bulldogs

Next up are dog harnesses for different situations, such as training, car rides, and more.

PetSafe Easy Walk – Best Training No-Pull

Key Features :

  • Martingale loop
  • Great for training
  • Front leash attachment
  • Chest strap sits low on the chest
Why You Should Buy

PetSafe Easy Walk

The PetSafe Easy Walk harness is great for training your frenchie not to pull, and the convenient Martingale loop prevents the leash from getting tangled.

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While most French Bulldogs pull on their leashes, some are prone to excessive pulling and require a little more training to help them stop this behavior.

The PetSafe Easy Walk is designed specifically for training your pup to stop pulling with its basic design (no padded vest).

The leash attaches to the front of the harness with a Martingale loop, preventing the leash from getting twisted. When your pup pulls on the leash, she’ll end up going in circles rather than toward the subject of their attention.

You’ll notice that the front chest strap fits low on your dog’s chest, away from their throat to prevent choking and gagging. PetSafe color coded the straps to make it easy to put on your pup.

Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness – Best for the Car 

Key Features :

  • Crash-tested
  • Dual-clip style
  • Padded chest piece
  • Five adjustment points
Why You Should Buy

Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness

The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness is perfect for the pet owner who loves to that their frenchie on car rides. This harness is crash-tested and has a universal buckle. It is versatile and comfortable, too.

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Does your French Bulldog insist on coming with you, wherever you go? You can keep them safe during your car rides with the crash-tested Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness.

You can buckle your pooch into your backseat using the carabiner clip and leash attachment ring on the front of the harness. Once secured, your pup is connected to a proprietary all-steel Nesting Buckle System.

The dual-clip style of harness makes it versatile for pups that have already learned how to walk on a leash without pulling. The padded chest piece is exceptionally comfortable, and getting the proper fit is simple thanks to the five adjustment points.

Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest – Best for Walking 

Key Features :

  • Step-in design
  • Quick-release buckle
  • Great for walks
  • Very comfortable
Why You Should Buy

Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest

The Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest is made out of soft, padded mesh and protects your frenchie’s delicate windpipe. It has a quick-release buckle and a step-in design, as well.

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Made specifically for smaller dog breeds, this harness is ideal for everyday walks with your French Bulldog.

We like the step-in design because there’s no need to worry about getting it on over your Frenchie’s large head. You secure the harness with a large Velcro tab, quick-release buckle, and the two D-rings for your leash.

The vest is made out of a soft, padded mesh, making it extremely comfortable to wear when out and about. Users with smaller dogs like that the vest doesn’t ride up too high, protecting the delicate windpipe and preventing choking.

Sporn No Pull – Best for Hiking & Running 

Key Features :

  • Good for training
  • No pain
  • Sits low on the chest
  • Front clip design
Why You Should Buy

Sporn No Pull

The Sporn No Pull harness is great for training your French Bulldog not to pull or tug during walks or runs. The front-clip design and restraints go under the dog’s armpits teaching them not to pull without causing them any pain.

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While French Bulldogs aren’t known for their athletic skills, some do enjoy going out on a hike or even for a brisk walk or run.

Because Frenchies can have a tough time breathing, for activities like running or hiking, we suggest a harness that sits even lower on the chest than our previous recommendations. The Sporn No Pull fits the bill.

The front-clip design and restraints that go underneath the dog’s front armpits create a tickling sensation that dogs don’t like. Note that this in no way hurts or harms your pup. But, it is effective and will help gently remind your Frenchie not to pull too hard when you’re active.

We also like the remarkably flexible padded chest piece that provides an extremely comfortable fit.

Kurgo Journey Air – Best for Running

Key Features :

  • Padded chest plate
  • Breathable material
  • Reflective strips
  • Dual-clip leash attachments
Why You Should Buy

Kurgo Journey Air

The Kurgo Journey Air is a great choice for the active frenchie who loves to exercise. The padded chest plate and breathable material are just a few of the features that make this harness a favorite of dog owners.

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If you and your Frenchie enjoy running for exercise, you need this harness.

The deep v-neck design, padded chest plate, and breathable material reduce pressure on the chest and keep your pooch cool while out for a run. If you prefer to run during the early morning or late evening hours, the reflective strips provide an added level of safety.

Getting the proper fit is easy, thanks to the four adjustment points. And the four fast-release buttons make putting the harness on and taking it off a snap. The dual-clip leash attachments also provide versatility for various activities.

Alfie Sailor Harness – Most Stylish/Designer 

Key Features :

  • Stylish
  • Steel D-ring attachment
  • Comfortable
  • Quick release clasp
Why You Should Buy

Alfie Sailor Harness

The Alfie Sailor Harness is a stylish harness choice that provides not only a fashionable aspect but durability and functionality. It has a steel D-ring attachment and a quick-release clasp.

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It’s no secret that French Bulldogs have a lot of personality. If you want a harness that shows off that personality, then you might want to consider the Alfie Sailor Harness.

But just because this harness has an adorable sailor stripe design doesn’t mean it isn’t as effective as other harnesses. It comes with a steel D-ring leash attachment on the back, and it is secured with a sturdy quick-release clasp and wide Velcro strap.

Best Harness for a French Bulldog Puppy

While most of the harnesses we’ve reviewed so far will work for a French Bulldog puppy, we have one recommendation for you to consider.

Puppia RiteFit Soft Dog Harness

Key Features :

  • Adjustable neck opening
  • Comfortable fit
  • Affordable price
  • Auto-ships direct to your door
Why You Should Buy

Puppia RiteFit Soft Dog Harness

The Puppia RiteFit Soft Dog Harness is an affordable choice for your frenchie puppy. It is made out of lightweight mesh material and has an adjustable neck opening.

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While French Bulldog puppies will not grow exponentially in size like larger breeds, it might be worth it to buy a less expensive harness that you can set aside once your pup is fully grown.

We recommend this harness because it is a good buy for the money. While not as durable as some other harnesses, it is still strong enough to last until your Frenchie is all grown up and ready to move on to one of the other harnesses we’ve recommended.

It is made out of a lightweight padded mesh material, providing a comfortable fit that won’t rub against your puppy’s delicate skin. You’ll also like the adjustable neck opening since French Bulldogs often have thick necks and big heads in proportion to the size of their bodies.

A small or medium should work, but be sure to measure your puppy before buying one to get the proper fit.

How Do I Ensure the Best Fit for My French Bulldog?

Many dog harnesses are sized to fit only by weight. But that shouldn’t be your only guideline for finding the best fit.

The harnesses we recommend all have excellent sizing guides that take into account not only your pup’s weight but also their chest size and neck circumference.

So get out that tape measure and take down your dog’s measurements to have on hand.

First, measure your dog’s chest at the widest point, right behind the front legs. Then, measure the neck by keeping the tape measure at the base of the neck. Be sure to add an inch or two so that you don’t order a harness that is too tight.

If you don’t have a soft tape measure, take a piece of string and then hold it against a flat ruler.

You’ll also want to look for a harness with a low neckline because a harness with a high neckline can put pressure on your Frenchie’s windpipe.

Tips for Getting Your French Bulldog Accustomed to Using a Harness

While harnesses are better for all dogs in general in comparison to a collar and leash, they are almost a necessity for French Bulldogs. A properly fitting harness will help keep pressure off of their windpipes and keep them safe when out and about.

But getting your French Bulldog to wear a harness and then keep it on can be difficult as they are prone to skin irritation and can get overheated. It can take a few weeks, so be patient.

To help your Frenchie get used to the idea of wearing a harness, here are a few helpful tips.

  1. Help the harness seem less scary by letting your pup sniff and explore the harness. Give him a few treats and praise him to create a positive association.
  2. If he still seems suspicious, try opening and closing the buckles on the harness so he can get used to the sound of the clicks. Give him a treat and praise him with each click.
  3. Leave it sitting around your house and let him get used to the sight of it.
  4. Once he appears to be more comfortable around it, try touching him with the harness and then slowly progress to putting it on him. Remember to give lots of praise and treats.
  5. Let him wear it around the house and get used to it before taking him for a walk. Continue providing positive reinforcement and praise.
  6. Be sure to do something he enjoys the first time you venture out while wearing the harness to create another positive association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a harness better than a leash and collar?

We recommend harnesses over leashes and collars for two reasons, no matter what the breed of dog is. First, they prevent too much pressure from being put on your dog’s windpipe, preventing choking and gagging. And second, they are more comfortable for the dog.

What type of harness is best for the temperament and activity level of French Bulldogs?

As previously discussed, French Bulldogs aren’t very active, but they can be excitable while on a walk. Because they already have difficulty breathing, we recommend harnesses that have a low neckline and distribute pressure evenly across the chest.

If they need a little more convincing to stop pulling, then start with the PetSafe EasyWalk as it does not constrict the chest in any way.

How do I fit a French Bulldog puppy with a harness?

It’s much the same as fitting an adult French Bulldog. Be sure to measure the chest and neck and leave some wiggle room.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide makes choosing the right type of harness for your French Bulldog a pleasant process.

Any of the harnesses reviewed above are top-rated and would make an excellent choice for your pup. Which one you end up choosing is up to you and your dog’s needs.

 

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