8 Best Dog Harnesses for Bulldogs in 2024

Researched & Written by

Kate Barrington

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Regular dog collars can pose problems, though, as any force exerted on them turns into an intense pressure on the dog’s neck. Harnesses, on the other hand, evenly distribute that pressure across the body, so you can keep your bulldog safe without worrying about harming them.

However, with so many harness options out there, it can be difficult to tell which ones will keep your pup safe and meet your walking needs. Our guide has you covered with recommendations, info on how to shop and size, and what you can do to acclimate your dog to their new harness.

Different Types of Dog Harnesses for Bulldogs

When it comes to harnesses, you have numerous options to consider. While we can’t discuss them all, here are a few you’ll likely encounter while considering your choices!

Back clip harnesses are standard, mostly because they’re easy for pups to adjust to wearing. The positioning also makes them easy to put on, and you don’t have to worry about the leash tangling in the legs. For those who like a bit of style in their dog accessories, this type tends to have several patterns available. However, they aren’t a good option for untrained dogs, since tugging on the harness makes the pup look away from you.

Front clip harnesses go the other direction, providing better control when tugging on the leash. This way, you can easily pull your pup back if they start to get out of control while walking. You can even direct them at different angles. However, you need to stay cautious, or the leash may tangle into your dog’s legs.

Best Harnesses for Bulldogs

Check out our favorite picks for bulldog harnesses.

Puppia Medium Soft Vest – Best Overall

Key Features :

• Many color choices
• Secure fit
• Polyester mesh material
• Breathable

For the best when it comes to comfort, functionality, and a little bit of style, Puppia’s Medium Soft Vest serves as the victor. With this design, you have eight distinct color choices to pick out for your pup, letting them make a statement. The vest-like design is also beneficial, as it stays secure on your bulldog while they walk and provides plenty of cushioning if they happen to tug on the leash.

This vest harness uses a polyester mesh material, making it comfy for your dog to wear. Additionally, the material is breathable, so there’s no need to worry about your dog overheating whenever temperatures outdoors start to crank up. You’ll want to pay close attention to how the harness fits on your dog’s neck since this part isn’t adjustable, but the straps around the rest of the body are simple to shift as needed.

6 More Highly Rated Dog Harnesses for Bulldogs

For more dog harness options, consider these six other highly-rated picks!

PetSafe Easy Walk – Best Training No-Pull

Key Features :

• Many color options
• Front clip leash attachment
• Harness won’t twist
• Simple to use

Bulldogs are more of a gentle breed, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need some training to learn to behave when on a walk. The PetSafe Easy Walk harness is our top option when it comes to this stage of your pup’s life. The complete design takes away choking and injury hazards for dogs that like to tug on their leashes, as can happen with traditional collars.

The front clip leash attachment is what makes it great for training, since it can pull your pup to face you whenever they start to run off—without a risk of the harness twisting on itself. When you need to suit up your dog to head outside, the buckles are simple to assemble, and the bottom strap is a distinctive color to make it simple to orient yourself. This product comes in seven different hue options!

Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness – Best for Car

Key Features :

• Multiple adjustment points
• Crash tested
• Heavily cushioned chest pad
• Universal buckling

The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart harness will perform well whenever you want to take your bulldog out for a walk, but it shines when your pup wants to take a ride in the car. The harness itself has a heavily cushioned chest pad, suitable for protecting your dog if they pull on the leash or if an accident occurs while driving.

To give optimal protection to your dog, the dog seat belt loop attaches to the car’s main loop. This way, your dog can somewhat move about but without posing a risk of hopping into places they shouldn’t be. When it comes to fitting the harness on your pup, Kurgo has designed multiple adjustment points that give you the flexibility to pair up with your dog’s specific body shape.

Frisco Medium Breed Soft Vest – Best for Walking

Key Features :

• Great for walking
• Comfortable
• Stays secure
• Leash connector on back

If safety and control are your main concerns when walking your bulldog, Frisco’s Medium Breed Soft Vest is one of your best choices. The core vest setup stays secure as you walk your dog, and the material is cushiony, leaving your dog comfortable and only applying some pressure when you need to pull your dog back in one.

When it comes to fitting this harness on your dog, the chest strap is easily adjustable to make everything comfortable for your bulldog. However, you should pay close attention to their measurements so that you don’t have any problems during this process. The leash connector for this harness is on the back, and you have your choice of four different colors to consider.

Sporn No Pull – Best for Hiking & Running

Key Features :

• Freedom to move
• Great for training
• Padded restraint sleeves
• Back clip design

If your active lifestyle involves your bulldog, then you’ll need a harness that can handle that activity. Sporn’s No Pull harness is an excellent option for many reasons, including the elastic mesh and nylon material. This combination is super stretchy, meaning you don’t need to worry about hurting your dog while putting pressure on the leash. It also allows your bulldog freedom of movement, as does the padded restraint sleeves.

All this design work also helps ensure that your bulldog will stay comfortable when out and about. Getting ready is too simple, as you don’t have to struggle to put the harness on. The back clip design takes away the risk of the leash tangling in your dog’s legs as they move about. The sturdy design is also helpful for any bulldogs that tug a lot on their leashes in ordinary circumstances.

Kurgo Journey – Best for Running

Key Features :

• Great for activity
• Front leash attachment
• Provides control
• Breathable

Another top option for running bulldogs is the Kurgo Journey harness. Whenever you’re active, you can use the back leash connector, so there isn’t a risk of tangling up your dog’s legs, and then you can connect to the front for better control during walks. The harness also comes with four adjustment points to help your dog get the perfect fit.

Kurgo has also built in a padded chest piece that gives maximum comfort for your bulldog, even when in the middle of substantial activity. The breathable material helps regulate their temperatures, while you can also put the product in the wash for a convenient clean at any time. If you need to take your bulldog for a car ride, this harness also has a connector to attach to any seat belt.

Alfie Sailor Harness – Most Stylish/Designer

Key Features :

• Stylish
• Machine-washable
• Comfortable
• Pressure spreads evenly

For those who want their bulldogs to look cute but don’t want to sacrifice when it comes to a quality harness, Alfie is the brand you want to keep an eye on. Both the leash and main body of the harness have a sailor-themed blue and white stripe design. The harness itself also comes with red borders to complete the aesthetic.

The cotton and polyester materials in the fabric give your pup plenty of comfort, plus you can machine wash the harness to keep the design clean. The build is also breathable so that you can use the harness even in hotter temperatures. Because of the clothes-like design, any pressure that comes from tugs on the leash spreads evenly across the chest.

Best Harness for a Bulldog Puppy

Puppia Soft Dog Harness – Best for Puppies

Key Features :

• Soft and comfortable
• Adjustable
• Thin enough to be worn under clothing
• Five different colors

When it comes to smaller bulldogs, they’re not likely to fit into an adult harness—they may slip right out! For your not yet fully grown pup, we recommend the Puppia Soft Dog Harness, from the same brand as our top overall pick. The soft cotton and polyester material makes for a comfortable design, and the adjustable belt gives your dog some room to grow before you need to switch to adult sizes.

The product itself is durable, and it will last through the younger years. Additionally, this harness is lightweight, making less of a hassle for your pup to wear. The design is also thin enough to put under a dog sweater for use during the colder months. Puppia makes this design in five different colors.

How Do I Ensure the Best Fit for my Bulldog?

When it comes to picking out a harness, though, you can’t just decide based on type. Size is an essential area to keep in mind as you go along, so the harness will fight correctly on your bulldog and not let them slip out. If the fit is too tight, you can make your pup uncomfortable and restrict their movements.

To help prepare to fit a harness for your dog, you should measure them first, as well as know your pup’s weight. Using a measuring tape at home, you can measure the circumference around the broadest portion of your bulldog’s chest. Keep it snug, but don’t pull it tight. Take note of both this number and their total weight for comparison to harness measurement charts!

When you go shopping, check that the harness has enough length to fit your dog. As a rule of thumb, you want the length of the harness to be at least two inches longer than the girth measurement you want. After that, confirm that the weight range for the harness also matches your dog. If your dog is between sizes, choosing the larger of the options is for the best.

Finally, try the harness onto your bulldog to make sure they’re comfortable moving around. Their comfort and movability should always be the priority! Remember that it’s essential that you don’t tighten the straps too much on your pup.

Here are our top 8 picks:

Bulldog Harness Comparison Table
Rank	Harness	Price	Rating
#1	Puppia Medium Soft Vest Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#2	PetSafe Easy Walk Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#3	Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A+
#4	Frisco Medium Breed Soft Vest Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#5	Sporn No Pull Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#6	Kurgo Journey Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A
#7	Alfie Sailor Harness Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#8	Puppia Soft Dog Harness Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A

Tips for Getting Your Bulldog Accustomed to Using a Harness

Adjusting to collars can be a challenge for some dogs, and the larger sizes and coverages of harnesses can pose similar problems. However, harnesses help prevent unnecessary pressure on your dog’s neck when walking, plus they’re more secure than collars tend to be. If you’re new to getting your bulldog into a harness, try these tips!

Use regular rewards with your bulldog to help them build a positive association with being around and wearing the harness. Treats tend to be the most effective.

1. Before even trying to put on the harness, give your dog several days to smell the harness.
2. When putting on the harness for the first time, keep it loose, and tighten it slowly in several stages.
3. Don’t make the harness too tight, as discomfort will make your bulldog not want to wear it again.
4. Even once your bulldog is used to wearing the harness, let them adjust to having it on for several days without using a leash.
5. If your dog starts to panic over having the harness on, don’t rush to take it off, since that will reinforce their worries. Help them calm down first, then slowly take off the harness.

Just like with training your dog to do anything else, patience is the key. In time, they’ll adjust to their harness, and it will be a regular part of taking a walk!

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of harness is appropriate for a bulldog’s personality?

Not all breeds are as active as others, so you should consider your harness options in that context. Bulldogs have a gentle temperament, so they’re not as likely to give you trouble when out walking on a leash. You likely won’t need anything heavy-duty to handle these dogs, and a back clip will serve you well.

How can you best fit a puppy?

Puppies tend to grow fast, and that makes them tricky to fit into a harness over time. Selecting a puppy-sized harness will help you get a good fit for them, though keep in mind that you’ll likely need to resize it regularly.

How long can you keep a dog wearing a harness?

Thanks to their construction, you can keep a pup in a harness throughout the day without much trouble. However, it’s generally best to take them off at nighttime, and also if you have a larger option, like a vest that covers a lot of areas.

Wrapping Up

Puppia’s Medium Soft Vest is an excellent option for its comfort, durability, practicality, and overall style options, and your bulldog is sure to enjoy once they adjust to it. No matter which of our top picks you decide on, though, you’ll be receiving a highly rated product that’s sure to satisfy.