Best Harnesses for Cockapoos – Our Top 6 Harness Picks Reviewed

We reviewed the 6 best Cockapoo Harnesses with the help of our guest reviewer and his beloved dog tester, Lupin.
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Are you looking for the best dog harness for your Cockapoo?

Harnesses have become an increasingly popular option for dog owners around the world as more and more brands and types become available at more affordable prices.

While it’s still common to see a dog being walked while wearing a traditional leather collar or choke lead (both of which also come in a wide variety of colours and designs – if you don’t believe me, have a swing by Instagram); harnesses are becoming a more established norm for dog walkers everywhere.

But what are the best cockapoo harnesses? And does it make a difference?

Contents

Best Cockapoo Harness – Our Top Six Reviewed

1. 🏆 Julius-K9 162P0 K9 PowerHarness

PreviewProductRating
K9 Powerharness, Size: M/0, Black K9 Powerharness, Size: M/0, Black No ratings yet

We start with the king of dog harnesses – the Julius-K9.

Julius-K9 162P0 K9 PowerHarness for Dogs, Size 0, Black I initially felt as though this well-known harness would be much too large for a cockapoo.

I’d only ever seen big dogs wearing one and assumed they were aimed at larger breeds.

However, after a little research, I discovered that they actually come in a wide variety of sizes, and the ‘0’ size is pretty spot on for a cockapoo harness (though cockapoos also vary wildly in size).

Design

The Julius-K9 is a very sturdy, attractive, padded harness.

It features a metal ring on top for lead attachments and a large, adjustable handle for increased control of your dog.

Like other similar harnesses, it’s breathable and can be fitted and removed easily.

And because it’s a Julius-K9, it also has attachments for saddlebags and a torch (because why not, right?), though this is limited to the larger sizes and may not be available for your cockapoo.

No-Pull

The only downside to this harness is the lack of chest ring. Again, it’s maybe not a significant issue, but for someone who transports their dog regularly in the back seat of the car, it’s a negative point.

The Julius is also on the upper end of the price scale, though that’s perhaps to be expected given its popularity and quality. We’ve also found it makes a great Cockapoo puppy harness.

9Expert Score
Cockapoo Paw of Approval

Best harness for cockapoo? We think so. Our favourite harness for that most adorable of dogs

Design
8
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
10
Wearability
10
PROS
  • Strong buckles that are easy to clip on and off
  • Very sturdy, reliable design
  • Waterproof, breathable material
  • Larger versions have additional features like saddlebag attachments
CONS
  • No chest ring
  • A little expensive for a cockapoo harness

It is, of course, pretty hard to beat a Julius-K9 for quality and reliability.

It’s a great non-pull dog harness (and cockapoo harness) preceded by a strong reputation, so you’ll know you’re getting a quality product if you decide to go with it. As long as you’re ok with just one harness ring and the slightly higher price.

2. TrueLove Dog Harness

TrueLove Dog HarnessAfter a bit more research and advice from fellow Cockapoo owners, we decided to go for the TrueLove dog harness, which we purchased online.

Lupin took to this one immediately and, because he’s a smart cookie, quickly learned to sit still with his face upturned when we mention the word “walkies” to speed up the harness-fitting process – he’s equally amenable when we take it off, too.

Material

The TrueLove harness is feature-rich with a tough outer layer, soft mesh inner layer and sponge padding in the chest and belly areas.

It has reflective nylon webbing for excellent night-time visibility, two side buckles, and two clips for leads (one on the back and one on the chest).

The harness adjusted well and you’ll know as soon as you fit it on your furry companion that it’s secure and durable.

As you may have guessed, we loved this little harness – it’s robust, full of handy features, looks good, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The chest clip is also handy for hooking your dog into the seat-belt attachment when transporting him in the car, as long as you have a dog seat belt. It’s also great at reducing Cockapoo pulling during a walk.

Summary

8.5Expert Score
A great value harness

It’s simple, effective, great value and looks good.

Design
8
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
10
Wearability
8
PROS
  • Strong and durable
  • Dual buckles
  • Dual lead attachment clips
  • Easily fitted and removed
  • Great value for money
CONS
  • Some owners have complained of the material stretching over time
  • Some dogs may need the harness adjusted each time it’s fitted and removed, depending on the breed
  • Sizing is sometimes challenging to work out

We love this harness and still use it all the time for our Cockapoo.

It’s simple, effective, great value and looks good. Again, every owner has different experiences, but for us, the TrueLove harness is a solid option.

3. Canny Collar (Head Harness)

For something a little different, you may want to try the Canny Collar. As the name suggests, this is more of a head collar than a harness, though it certainly does more than the standard round-the-neck bit of leather.

Canny Collar Size 3 The Canny Collar has one strap fitted around the neck like any standard collar in addition to a second strap which runs from the back of the lower jaw to the top of the snout just below the eyes.

It’s designed to stop your pooch from tugging incessantly on his lead by distributing more of the controlling force exerted by the walker around more of his head, as with the bridle on a horse.

Several dog owners agree that this particular style of collar works wonders for discouraging their dogs from pulling during a walk – it even comes recommended by vets and dog trainers.

For cockapoo owners, anything that can prohibit these often ridiculously-energetic little dogs from pulling the arm off their owners is a welcome thing.

Summary

7.1Expert Score
Expensive for what it is

Too basic for the price

Design
6
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
6
Wearability
8.5
PROS
  • Very easy to fit
  • Safe and comfortable for your dog
  • Genuinely effective at reducing pulling
  • Recommended by professionals
CONS
  • Can take a dog a while to become accustomed to it
  • For some cockapoos with shorter snouts (they come in all shapes and sizes), it may not work quite as well
  • Slightly expensive for what it is

The Canny Collar perhaps lost a few points because it’s almost too simple in design and possibly doesn’t match up with its cost, which is similar to that of much more substantial harnesses on the market.

However, the majority of owners agree that it’s effective at reducing pulling and is well worth trying out if you have a cockapoo in a hurry.

4. Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness

Next up, the Rabbitgoo no-pull harness is another reliable option for cockapoo owners struggling with dogs determined to take the lead during walkies.

Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness Medium, Front Loading Pet Vest Harness with Handle Strong Adjustable Dog Padded Harness Reflective Mesh Lightweight Easy Control Perfect Fit Dog for Outdoor Training Walking-Black This harness is very similar in design to the TrueLove harness.

It too fits snuggly around your canine companion’s chest, neck and upper torso and attaches securely at either side of the body with buckles to distribute pulling pressure away from the neck.

Thus reducing the risk of choking (anyone with a cockapoo will know how even a short walk with a tight collar can leave your dog gasping for breath).

Similarly to the TrueLove harness as well, it also features padding in all the right areas and two attachments for leads (chest and back).

However, one significant advantage of purchasing the Rabbitgoo harness is the customer service that accompanies it.

The company offers a lifetime warranty that ensures you will receive either a replacement harness or a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the product.

Many owners have found this to be of great benefit, though few have needed to activate the warranty.

Excellent customer service is always a great bonus with any product purchased online, especially in our contemporary culture, where many of us would instead shop on Amazon than in-store.

Summary

7.5Expert Score
Good harness - awesome customer support

Great harness - may not be ideal for cockapoo's though

Design
8
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
6
Wearability
8
PROS
  • Simple to put on and off
  • Reduces pulling
  • Feature-rich with soft padding, front and back lead attachments and adjustable straps
  • Reflective patches
  • Lifetime warranty with excellent customer service
CONS
  • Leans slightly towards the more expensive end of the spectrum
  • Maybe a little chunky for smaller cockapoos
  • Some owners have complained of poor-quality stitching

The Rabbitgoo harness is pretty similar in most respects to the TrueLove harness.

On the more positive side, it comes with a lifetime warranty and reliable customer service; on the downside, there may be long-term problems with stitching in the product (which perhaps necessitates the attentive customer support).

Either way, though, it’s a perfect harness.

5. Outad DPower Luxury Harness

The Outad DPower Luxury harness is another similar offering to the TrueLove and Rabbitgoo harnesses in terms of design and features, with a few notable differences.

Dog Vest Harness with Leash,Dpower Luxury No Pull Pet Dog Harness 3M Reflective Nylon Lightweight Dog Walking Harness Padded Vest with Breathable Mesh for Outdoor Training Sports Adventure(M, Black) First up, the extra stuff: this harness comes equipped with an own 1.5-metre lead, which is a nice touch.

Though most owners will have a lead already before picking up a harness, it’s a nice touch to have one that matches the harness itself (for fashion-conscious cockapoos, naturally).

We have several leashes for our dogs which we alternate between depending on where we’re taking them for a walk – short leads for pavement walking, extendable leads for parks and forests.

Second, the price: despite coming with a lead, the Outad harness is a little cheaper than other similarly-styled harnesses on the market. Again, this would make it a good option for your first cockapoo harness if you’re on a budget.

Material

The Outad features breathable nylon webbing material and a ring for clipping to the lead.

However, unlike the TrueLove and Rabbitgoo harnesses, it doesn’t have the handy chest ring for hooking your dog into a seat belt when travelling in the car. It’s not a huge issue, but I find the chest ring attachment handy as it’s more comfortable for Lupin during journeys.

7Expert Score
Affordable if not a tad restricted

The Outad is easily fitted and adjusted with a design aimed at distributing pressure evenly around your cockapoo’s body.

Design
6
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
6
Wearability
8
PROS
  • Easy to fit
  • Comes with a free lead
  • Soft, breathable padding and reflective patches
  • Good value for money
CONS
  • Doesn’t have a chest ring
  • Some owners have complained that it doesn’t fit their dog especially well and can bunch up when walking
  • Not as robust as other harnesses

Like the TrueLove and Rabbitgoo harnesses, the Outad is easily fitted and adjusted with a design aimed at distributing pressure evenly around your cockapoo’s body. The free lead is a nice bonus, and it’s a reasonable price. However, only one ring attachment is negative.

6. Pets At Home Step In Dog Harness

The final harness we went for was this little ditty from our local Pets At Home (a store that we love by the way, and use all the time). We spent a while puzzling over which type to get that would suit Lupin best before going for what was admittedly one of the cheaper options – he was still not quite fully-grown, and we were testing the water a bit.

Pets At Home Step In Dog HarnessThe Step In harness is made from a soft, breathable material, is easily adjusted and features reflective strips along the edges.

It’s a straightforward harness with just one clip on the back. It seemed to work well at first and reduced Lupin’s pulling.

However, as many other owners seem to have discovered, there is one significant disadvantage to the Step In harness – your dog can step right out of it at will!

During a walk, Lupin decided to hit revere gear and promptly slipped right out of the harness.

Thankfully we were in a park and not along the side of a busy road. Otherwise, things could have ended very differently.

Summary

5.8Expert Score
Not a great harness

A cheap but not well made first harness

Design
5.5
Comfort
7
Sturdiness
3.5
Wearability
7
PROS
  • Breathable material
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to put on and take off
  • Cheap
CONS
  • Cheaply made!
  • Lack of features
  • Only one clip
  • Not secure

Other owners seem to have had this same problem with the Step In harness, and as a result, it’s quite poorly rated.

I’m a big fan of Pets At Home, but unfortunately, I can’t recommend this particular harness. Your experience with it may be very different, but it’s difficult to stand by a harness that allows your dog to escape.

Indeed, for this breed, it is not a suitable cockapoo harness.

What Makes a Good Dog Harness?

A harness typically fits around your pooch’s neck, chest and upper torso with at least two clips.

They stay tight (but not too tight) to the body, spreading the force exerted by a leash across more of the dog’s body than a collar, which puts all the strain on the neck area.

Harnesses are made from breathable material and often come equipped with multiple attachments for leads and seat belt-fittings, reflective patches and, in some cases, even ‘saddle-bags’ for carrying extra loads.

In this article, I’ll take a look at which harnesses are recommended for the Duracell bunny of the canine world: the loveable Cockapoo.

Why use a harness for your cockapoo?

Cockapoos are a prevalent breed of a dog produced from crossing a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle in the first instance – they can also be crossed with Cockers, Poodles and other Cockapoos to create different types.

They’re highly intelligent dogs that remain eager to please their owners throughout their lifetimes and can be extremely affectionate pets.

They do, however, require substantial amounts of stimulation to satisfy those constantly-ticking brains, and can be a handful during walkies.

My wife and I own a male Cockapoo called Lupin (unsubtle Harry Potter reference), and we love him to pieces, but he’s always been challenging to walk. Due to his unrelenting need to reach wherever it is where’s going, he would regularly pull on the lead, practically choking himself on his collar.

After a while, we decided to switch to a harness and haven’t looked back.

While Lupin still does his best to drag us after him everywhere he goes (he’s surprisingly strong for a dog who weighs less than 11 kilos!), the harnesses we’ve tried have significantly reduced his pulling. This has made walks much more enjoyable for everyone concerned.

Cockapoos can also suffer from mobility, hip and disc issues – so a supporting harness may be essential at a later age.

Cockapoo Harnesses – Summary Table

In this article, we reviewed our six top dog harnesses for Cockapoos:

PositionHarnessOnline RatingAvailable Online
1Julius-K9 162P0 K9 PowerHarnessBuy on Amazon
2TrueLove Dog HarnessBuy on Amazon
3Canny CollarBuy on Amazon
4Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog HarnessBuy on Amazon
5Outad DPower Luxury HarnessBuy on Amazon
6Pets At Home Step In Dog HarnessN/AN/A

Summary

Every cockapoo owner will have experienced the joys of taking their little bundles of relentless energy for a walk, though these times tend to go hand-in-hand with the negative of having your arm pulled from its socket for the duration.

I’ve found this with our Lupin, anyway, who has never been particularly patient during walkies.

We’re big fans of the TrueLove harness, though whichever you choose to go for will very much depend on your budget and design preference.

Each harness or collar has its pros and cons which need to be weighed up when making your decision.

Always do what’s best for your dog in terms of comfort, wear-ability and, most importantly, safety.

We hope you enjoyed our collection and it helped select your best harness for Cockapoos.

Don’t forget to check out our other collections and reviews on the site – and please comment below! Also, don’t forget to check our Facebook page.

David M.

David M.

David is a freelance writer and dog lover. He owns two dogs, Lupin and Ghost. With a degree in English and Film, his love is writing great content. David has written, edited and proofread for several publications over his career.

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