6 Best Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harnesses – Tried and Tested

Trying to find the perfect harness for your Staffie? Check out our curated guide to the best Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harness we've tested.
Best and worst Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harness

Looking for the best Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harness?

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (or Staffie / Staffy) is often located in the list of top five most popular breeds. Slightly smaller than its American cousin – the Staffie is both muscular and stocky.

Owing to their temperament, the Staffie gets a bad reputation some times. However, as good owners will testify, the proper training will result in a well behaved and friendly addition to the family.

This article should be treated as a general guide to harnesses for well-behaved staffies who have not had a history of aggression issues. If handling is an issue for you it may be worth (beyond getting assistance with training) looking into head-collars or muzzles.

Is a Collar or a Harness better for a Staffie?

We’ve already written a lengthy article on the merits of a dog collar vs a harness. For some breeds, it’s a fairly clear-cut argument between the two (or a combination of both).

With the Staffie it is important to consider its strength and any tendencies to pull. I was a little taken aback the first time I walked a Staffie quite how strong it could be when it really wants to pull.

🏆 Ruffwear Front Range Harness

We recommend the Ruffwear Front Range Harness a lot in this magazine. But, this is for a good reason – it is a real benchmark to front range harnesses for dogs which pull.

Ruffwear Front Range Harness, Small, Twilight Gray The harness has back and front clips. The first is an aluminium v-ring hoop above the harness (back) to clip your lead on. So, if you’re out walking your staffie as normal, this is great.

Then there’s the second reinforced webbing loop under the harness (the dogs chest). Why the chest l hoop? It allows certain leads to attach at the base for more control and training. These work with a variety of training leads such as the Halti training lead.

The harness has two side release buckles and four adjustment straps. This allows adjustments to the harness to better cater for your dogs movements.

Each strap can be adjusted to make it secure and comfortable. Leave some space so it’s not too tight. The underside is padded around the chest area for added comfort.

There are a few ways of putting on / taking off this harness. Normally we place the harness over the head then clip behind the front legs.

Clips can pinch a dogs skin so pay close attention. To remove we unclip then carefully pull backwards over the head so it inverses.

We judged this as the best harness for Staffordshire bull terriers but check out alternatives below, many recommended by Staffy owners.

9.1Expert Score
A great Staffie harness

Great for training and reducing pulling, a reliable product.

Design
9.5
Comfort
9
Sturdy
9
Wearability
9
PROS
  • Great design
  • Comfortable
  • Sturdy
  • Good for training
  • Helps with no-pulling
CONS
  • Check the sizing is correct before buying

Julius-K9 PowerHarness

Available on Amazon

You’ve probably seen a lot of larger dogs wearing these, but their range extends to smaller breeds too. It’s robust, compact and somewhat stylish. It benefits from allowing more handler control – which is helped, in part, by the handle at the top.

Julius-K9 162P3 K9 PowerHarness for Dogs, Size 3, Black The material used is water repellant harness. It fastens using buckles and the straps can be adjusted to better fit your dog.

Leashes are attached to the PowerHarness using a back harness aluminium ring. The belly strap has a heavy-duty plastic buckle.

The chest strap has a reflective stripe which is handy for seeing your dog when out in dark conditions. The harness is breathable and can be easily put on and removed.

This is not a front range harness which means there is no loop at the front. This means it’s often not ideal for dogs that pull. On the plus side however, it is an enormously strong harness which can cope with a great deal of pressure.

One other point to note about the Julius-K9 PowerHarness for a staffie. The one flaw we found with this harness is that the straps can restrict shoulder movements. This isn’t unique to the K9 but it is worth noting.

Some Staffie owners will swap the functionality of the harness for something that delivers more comfort for the dog.

8.1Expert Score
A good harness for some dogs

A strong and controllable harness

Design
8
Comfort
7
Sturdiness
9.5
Wearability
8
PROS
  • Strong
  • Stylish
  • High Viz Stripes
  • Handle for greater control
CONS
  • Possibly not the best if you have a puller

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Motif Leather Harness

Available on Amazon

Avon Pet Products Staffordshire Bull Terrier Motif Leather Dog Harness, Brown We spotted this handmade Staffie harness online and had to point it out.

We don’t have one to hand to allow a review but here’s a brief summary.

This harness is made from bridle leather. It has solid brass studs with brass staffy head on the breast plate.

The breast plate contains soft padding for comfort. This is both a practical and stylish harness for a staffie but is probably best for dogs that are well trained.

Trixie Harness with Fleece Padding

Available on Amazon

We’ve heard this recommended repeatedly by both Staffie owners and on online forums. We can Trixie Premium Harness with Fleece Padding, S to M, 40-60 cm x 20 mm, Black see what all of the excitement is about. For some Staffies the Y-Shaped harnesses can chafe. If you’ve found this in the past this Trixie harness may be the answer.

Material is made of double-layered nylon. The additional padding buffers the dogs chest if he pulls to rigourously. The harness is available in a large range of colours. Most owners use a medium size for their Staffie but best to measure first before buying.

The harness itself is rather basic. It’s padded, yes, but not a no-pull harness nor does it have a chest ring for improved training. Probably not the best for a real puller or if you’re trying to train your dog. But for a Staffie who has settled this is wonderful.

7.8Expert Score
Highly recommended by Staffie owners

A comfort-centric harness for trained Staffies

Design
7
Comfort
9
Sturdiness
7
Wearability
8
PROS
  • Extra Padding offers comfort in chest area
  • Often recommended as alternative to traditional harness
  • Inexpensive
CONS
  • Straps can be difficult to adjust
  • Limited features if dog requires training / pulls

EzyDog Classic Chest Plate Harness

Available on Amazon

Another example of a harness that gets recommended by Staffie owners often. Focussing on the Staffies chest, this harness has a broad chest-plate catering for EzyDog Classic Chest Plate Harness, Black comfort and the avoidance of chafe. It’s fairly inexpensive and lasts a long time. It’s also listed on Amazon as one of their choice products – an indication of the harnesses popularity.

The stitching is reflective (hi-vis) so is handy for spotting your dog when out walking at night.

7.3Expert Score
Often recommended for staffies

An inexpensive harness, good for staffies but limited in functionality

Design
7
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
7
Wearability
7
PROS
  • Good price
  • Comfortable
CONS
  • Straps can be difficult to adjust
  • Limited features if dog requires training / pulls

Kaka mall Pet Dog Padded Vest Strap Harness (Medium)

Available on Amazon

This is a really good harness for a lot of dogs (the original manufacturer is TrueLove, a brand who make excellent harnesses). The material is made from a soft polyamide thick Nylon and Neoprene as well as a soft padded breathable mesh. The harness has a 3M reflective strip (hi vis) for better visibility of your dog in dark conditions.

The harness has both a front and back double leading clip.  This means a back loop for attaching a lead as well as a front hoop for training leads.

One criticism often reported on this harness are the rigidity of the straps.

8.5Expert Score
One of our favourites

A sound investment at a good price

Design
8
Comfort
8
Sturdiness
9
Wearability
9
PROS
  • Good price
  • Two lead attachments for pulling and training
CONS
  • Straps can be fiddly

That’s it for our curated list to find the best Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harness. Do you have any recommendations or comments? Don’t forget to comment below or join our Facebook page.

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott

Head Writer | Collar and Harness Magazine Not Danish, Dane is the other half of Collar & Harness. Having worked in the technology sector for many years - he now immerses himself in all things dogs. Writes about subjects ranging from dog food to canine psychology with a little bit of pup technology thrown in. Dane has been writing for nearly 15 years on the topics he loves. Lives in London.

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