English Springer Spaniels are a popular gun dog breed. They are both highly trainable and real people pleasers.
Originally bred as hunters, these muscular dogs need love and training. Even as a puppy, it is essential to start training them to behave well when out in public.
Selecting a good dog harness for your Springer Spaniel can help them not only to reduce pulling when on their leash but can help train them to be calmer and better behaved when out walking.
This article will give you the basics on what makes a good harness for your Springer Spaniel as well as review our six top picks for the breed.
Contents
Our 6 Best Dog Harnesses for Springer Spaniels
1. 🏆 Ruffwear All Day Adventure Dog Harness, Medium Breeds
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness, Reflective Padded No Pull Harness, Campfire Orange, Medium | Buy on Amazon |
We were torn between the Ruffwear and the Julius-K9 for the top spot in this article as they both offer fantastic training and anti-pull aids for a Springer Spaniel.
As we have had so much success with several breeds from the original Front Range Harness and now its next-generation All Day Adventure, it won our doggy gold cup.
Ruffwear are well known for their specialist harnesses from non-pull to trecking to life vests.
The All Day Adventure harness is an excellent example of a harness to reduce pulling. It is both well designed as well as comfortable.
The All Day is an example of a Front Range harness. This is a dog harness that has two separate leash attachment points.
The first, a durable aluminium V-ring, is at the top (back) of the harness. This is for simply clipping on a lead for regular walking.
The second is a reinforced webbing loop at chest (front) area of the harness. These are designed for use with training leads such as a HALTI or Mekuti.
Training leads are multi-functional, double-ended leads that can either be used as a single walking leash or clipped onto two points on a front range harness.
Similar to the way horse reigns work, the dog can now be “steered”. This is great for teaching better walking, reducing pulling and keeping control of your dog.
The harness is padded at the chest and belly areas for better comfort.
The outer layer is nylon with reflective trim on the outer edges for better visibility of your dog in dark conditions.
There are six colours to choose from, including the Orange Poppy shown in the image.
This anti-pull dog harness has four points of adjustment for a better fit.
Two are adjustable shoulder straps, and the other two are adjustable belly straps.
There is also a handy ID pocket for storing your dog tags without the rattling.
It’s relatively easy to get the harness on and take off, although it may take a little bit of practice.
We put it on over the head, then clip just over the front legs. We then adjust the straps and away we go. To take it off, unclip the buckles and gently pull it off over the head.
We’ve found the Ruffwear to be a dependable harness that has worked wonders on our dogs. Once your dog gets used to it, they’re happy to wear it all the time when outside. It helped with training and reduced their pulling behaviour.
2. Julius-K9 162P0 K9 PowerHarness
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | K9 Powerharness, Size: M/0, Black | Buy on Amazon |
Julius-K9 PowerHarness is another great example of a harness designed to reduce pulling.
Known for the strength and durability – these are the types of harnesses you may see on police dogs.
They have a fairly distinctive design which separates them from most dog harnesses on the market.
The outer layer of the Julius-K9 is an impregnated, water-proof, scratch-resistant material with OEKO-TEX breathable skin-friendly material on the inner layer.
You often see these in their classic black design; however, there are over a dozen different colours to choose from.
A heavy-duty plastic buckle is located on the harness belly strap. The chest strap has an adjustable hook and loop fastener.
The outer trims include a reflective stripe for increased visibility when walking your dog at night.
This is an easy harness to put on and take off and doesn’t need to go on over the head (it’s easier to do it this way, but you can do the velcro front strap after it’s on the dog if they’re particularly loathing of having it over the head).
The lead attachment on this harness is a metal ring located at the top. Next to it is an easy-grip handle which can be used for holding your dog in place, lifting and aiding your dog over objects.
Lots of dog owners choose this harness, its strength often being a deciding factor – particularly with large breeds.
I have a personal preference for the front range harness, and the lack of a front clip on the Julius-K9 is noticeable. But it’s still a great harness for strong dogs, and certainly worth investigating.
3. Zero DC Short Dog Harness
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Zero DC Short Harness (Large) | Buy on Amazon |
These are fantastic Springer Spaniel harnesses, but they’re quite difficult to find these days. There are a few available on Amazon UK and eBay, but we’re not sure you’ll see them in many stores.
This harness is very lightweight and padded, so has several applications from walking to sports. The metal ring at the back can be used for attaching a lead or for sporting events such as canicross and skijor.
It’s very different and nimble – worth checking out if your dog is quite the sprinter.
Ideally, you would want one that is a small/medium-sized – though I was unable to source a link for one for this article.
4. Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness Medium, Front Clip Pet Vest Harness with Handle Adjustable Dog Padded... | Buy on Amazon |
This is another popular harness we often see.
The Rabbitgoo not only looks good, but it is also well made from quality materials. The inner lining uses a mesh breathable nylon lining with soft padding on the inside.
The Rabbitgoo adjusts with two side straps – one on the neck, the other at the front.
These straps can get a little rigid, so watch out not to tug too hard when adjusting them. A quick-release buckle is used to put the dog harness on and take it off.
There are also reflective stripes along the outer edges for increased visibility.
Like the Ruffwear, the Rabbitgoo comes with two lead attachment points; at the front (chest) and top (back) of the harness. This can be used with a training lead, such as the HALTI.
Overall, a nice no-pull harness. Not quite as sleek as the Ruffwear, but it certainly does a great job.
5. TrueLove Dog Harness
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | TrueLove Dog Harness TLH5651 No-pull Reflective Stitching Ensure Night Visibility, Outdoor Adventure... | Buy on Amazon |
I have a lot of happy memories of the TrueLove harness, and so does my Cavalier.
It’s a well-fitting and comfortable harness which your Springer could happily wear for hours.
The design is similar to the Ruffwear, but as a pulling harness, it’s not quite as good.
We tend to use these for our second harnesses, once the dog has learned not to pull on their lead.
So if your dog is walking to heel and not likely to bound off at the sight of a passing rabbit, this harness would be my option.
It is however still a beautiful and reliable no-pull harness, and often somewhat less expensive than the others.
It may also be a good harness for a springer spaniel puppy or a dog getting used to wearing a harness for the first time.
Like the other Front Range dog harnesses, the TrueLove comes with a clip on both the back and front – so will work nicely with both regular walking leashes and training leads.
A pleasant harness and one we also keep handy for visiting dogs.
6. Sporn Non-Pull Dog Harness
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sporn Non-Pull Harness, Black Medium | Buy on Amazon |
This may not be for beginners or those new to harnesses.
I’m more inclined to put this in the direction of experienced trainers or those who have not had great success with other harnesses.
It’s a good harness; it just needs to be adequately researched before use.
Those who have worked with it have often had great success with chronic pullers.
The Sporn is designed as a harness to reduce pulling and has evolved over the years since their first training harness in 1992.
Visually, it is a slightly different harness than those seen in this article. It has its patent “the Sporn Effect”; based around the idea of harness which adjusts along with the dog’s movements. Essentially, when the dog pulls, the harness will tighten and apply pressure to stop the behaviour.
This isn’t entirely on par with some dog harnesses which tightens and pinches the dog when pulling, but if you’re looking for an alternative to reduce pulling – you may want to read more about the Sporn and the benefits it can have.
Collar or Harness for a Springer Spaniel?
Collars are often the defacto choice for any canine and sometimes the first thing new dog owners buy. Once they start walking their dogs in parks and along pavements, they often experience the frustrating act of pulling.
You may also associate slip leads with gun dogs and for a well behaved dog which doesn’t pull, these can be great – but if you have a tugger – extinguishing that behaviour will widen your options with a Springer.
Pulling on a leash is not uncommon, and one seasoned dog owners and walkers will be familiar with. As a gun dog breed, Spaniels tend to want to lunge ahead, to sniff out the next exciting thing. This can lead to a real challenge for the person walking them.
If a dog pulls when out on their lead, it is not only frustrating to the owner (and the dog), it can also cause injury to both the walker and the walked.
One issue with excess pulling or sudden lunging can be throat injuries in dogs. It can damage the trachea and general neck, causing discomfort, choking or severe injury.
A well-designed dog harness could do wonders for pulling behaviour when combined with training and patience. Even for Springer Spaniels who don’t pull – it can be a comfortable and reliable way to walk your dog without worry – and it offers that extra bit of control you don’t get from a collar.
What Size Harness for Springer Spaniels?
Generally, for a Springer Spaniel, we found that medium-sized harnesses covered the majority of the breed. Our Ruffwear, for example, was sized medium and the Julius-K9 was Size-0.
Most harness manufacturers will also follow similar sizing charts, but it is worth considering that other factors such as weight or age (especially a puppy) may be necessary.
It’s always worth measuring any dog before buying a harness to make sure it is the perfect fit. If you find your Springer lands between two different sizes, it’s often recommended that you go with the larger and adjust the harness straps, rather than go for something too tight.
You can read our complete guide to fitting and measuring your English Springer Spaniel for a harness here, but see below for our quick summary guide.
- Measure the chest: Using a tape measure – calculate the widest part of the dog’s chest. This is usually a few inches behind the dogs front legs.
- Add a couple of inches: You should include a few inches to the chest total. This will allow for any weight gain and a little bit of flexibility. Remember, you can always adjust the harness straps if needed.
- Measure the circumference of the neck: This may not always be needed depending on the harness design, but certainly worth having if the harness fits over your dogs head. Like before, you can use a tape measure for this and take note of the number.
- Take your dog’s weight: this probably won’t be needed, but if you require additional advice on harnesses from a professional – it’s worth knowing this to estimate the power of your Springer Spaniel when they pull.
What to Look For in a Springer Spaniel Harness
When choosing a dog harness for a Springer Spaniel, it is important to find one that works for your dog. We’ve had same-breed dogs in the past, for example, who have responded better to some harnesses over others.
There can be a little trial and error until you get it right, but patience and continual training should also be a significant factor.
Remember that a Springer Spaniel can be quite energetic, and when they pull or tug – it can be with some high strength.
Don’t opt for a harness that is likely to break or fall apart after too much strain. Check it fits well and is allowing for movability when your dog is outside.
If in doubt, check the external reviews of any harnesses – or speak to other English Springer Spaniel owners.
English Springer Spaniel Harnesses: Summary Table
| Position | Harness | Online Rating | Available Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruffwear All Day Adventure Dog Harness, Medium Breeds | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 | Julius-K9 162P0 K9 PowerHarness | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 | Zero DC Short Harness | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 | Rabbitgoo No Pull Dog Harness | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 | TrueLove Dog Harness | Buy on Amazon | |
| 6 | Sporn Non-Pull Harness | Buy on Amazon |
Summary
We hope you found our guide to the best Springer Spaniel dog harnesses helpful, and it has made your choices easier.
With an English Springer, it is always advised to remember their seemingly endless energy and natural desires to run off and explore.
A good, well-designed harness can help give you peace of mind as well as aid in training and reduction of pulling behaviours.
If you would like to join the discussion on Springer Spaniel harnesses you can comment below or via our Facebook page.
This was very helpful. We have a 6 month old English Springer. She currently weighs 30 pounds. (I think the vet thinks she’ll top out at 40.) Anyway, we have been through several harnesses. We had some positive walks with the Easy Walk. We suddenly had better control, but I’m not sure the dog likes it. We recently switched to Freedom Harness. That also works well, but it’s a pain to put on (though I think it’s more comfortable for the dog). I have seen positive reviews on the Flagline and Webmaster harnesses. But I gather from your article that the Front Range is probably the better fit for the breed? Also, and I couldn’t get a clear answer from Ruffwear, for training purposes (to cut down on pulling), I would continue to use the twin lead leash? Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.