Chew Proof Dog Harness Review - Tough & Durable Options That Work

Some dogs can be really stubborn, we know. You’ve tried everything you can think of, but your dog still keeps gnawing at anything he can get his teeth on, including the harness? You are certainly not the only one.

Until you find the root of the problem and manage to teach your dog not to chew everything, a chew-proof dog harness can save you a lot of trouble. Today, we’ll review some of the toughest harnesses on the market!

Unbreakable Dog Harness - An Overview

How to Find an Indestructible Dog Harness?

Destructive chewing is a common issue with puppies and young dogs, but sometimes it can persist or reappear in adulthood. Excessive chewing in adult dogs is often a sign of an underlying issue. It can often be something as simple as boredom or lack of exercise, but it can also be a serious sign that your dog is under stress for some reason (1).

Bad habits can take time to correct, though, and that’s totally understandable. However, in the meantime, you have to manage the best you can.

One of those potentially dangerous objects can be a damaged harness. Your dog doesn’t literally have to chew the harness off. If the harness is damaged, and the pooch keeps chewing, they can end up swallowing small bits which pose a choking hazard.

For this reason, it’s important to find a harness that is strong enough to withstand some chewing abuse. If a chew-resistant dog harness is what you need, these are the things you should pay attention to when buying a harness for your pooch:

Material

The first thing that one needs to pay attention to when looking for a chew-proof harness is the material the harness is made of. Modern harnesses are often made with materials like polyester, nylon, and neoprene. These are all fine, but you want the outer shell and straps of the harness to be as strong as possible.

Another route you can go when it comes to harness materials is leather. These are a little harder to find, and not all dogs find them comfortable, but a good leather harness is really hard to chew through.

Pet parents are often wondering if they can get a kevlar harness for their dog. Kevlar is basically the most indestructible form of plastic on the planet (3), but in reality, it’s not a good idea to get a kevlar harness for a dog who likes chewing.

Kevlar harnesses might have worked in some rather interesting attempts of defending dogs from coyote attacks, but in general it’s better to not use them on chew-happy dogs (4). The reason for this is simple: if a dog manages to damage a kevlar harness, it can swallow pieces that are indigestible and this can turn into a really big, and even life-threatening problem.

Shape and Fit

When looking for an unchewable harness, it’s also worth it to consider how it’s shaped. If the straps are positioned so that they are in areas that are harder to reach for the dog, there is less chance they will suffer a chew attack.

Additionally, make sure that the harness fits right. After all, dogs might simply hate their harness because it makes them uncomfortable. Moreover, if a harness doesn’t fit right, it can even potentially injure your dog (5).

Hardware

If you are looking for the toughest dog harness out there, don’t forget to check out the hardware. This is one of the things that are most often overlooked but can be really important if you are looking for a harness that can take some abuse. Metal buckles and rings are your best bet, since your pooch surely can’t destroy those.

Best Chew-Proof Harnesses Reviewed

The Buddy Belts Classic Dog Harness is really something different than most other dog harnesses on the market. The thing that makes it unique is the fact that it is made of real leather.

The whole harness is made from one piece of strong natural leather that is connected with all-metal hardware. Even the buckle is made of metal, which is really hard to find in dog harnesses. This also means that it’s not a snap-in buckle, but a buckle that looks more like a regular belt buckle.

It does take a little longer to buckle up this harness, but really, it’s not too bad once you get used to it. And it's a small price to pay for a harness that a dog just can’t chew through.

Buddy Belts was named after a Dachshund named Buddy, who was the inspiration behind the brand. Considering this, it doesn’t surprise us that this harness works especially well for Dachshunds and other small breeds.

For more information on harnesses for small dogs check out our breed-specific guides:

Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness is a multifunctional dog harness that was created to be exceptionally strong. This harness features a wide chest plate for comfort and wide, strong straps on the back. It is made with durable ripstop fabric which is almost impossible to chew through. It also features metal hardware that no dog can destroy!

Moreover, this harness works great as a regular walking harness, but it can transform into a car safety harness in a matter of seconds. It’s perfect for pet parents whose walks often include a car ride.

This is possible thanks to the 10-inch seat belt loop that comes included when you buy the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart harness. Just attach the loop to the clip on the back, pull the seat belt through it, and you’re ready to go! The seat belt loop also doubles as a short leash when you want your dog walking closely by your side.

Talking about the leash attachments, there is one both at the front and on the back. This way, you can use the back clip for relaxed walks and the front clip if your pooch needs to be stopped from pulling too much.

The EzyDog Convert Dog Harness looks a little different than most other harnesses. There is a wide strap that goes across the dog’s chest, a belly strap with a large snap-in buckle, and a large panel on the back. Many pet parents have found that their dogs actually like how this harness is shaped, and find it more comfortable to wear.

The harness also features soft cotton lining so it can be worn even for long periods of time without issues. The good thing about this is that dogs are more likely to stop trying to chew off their harness if it’s comfortable!

It’s not only about comfort, though. The EzyDog Convert Dog Harness is really well made. We can’t say that it’s impossible for dogs to chew through this harness, but we’re sure it’s damn hard. The outer shell is made of durable polyester, the straps are very thick and durable and there is quality stitching everywhere.

The leash attachment on this harness is on the back which makes it suitable for all kinds of activities. Additionally, you’ll find a large, comfortable handle on the back too.

The Mighty Paw Padded Sports Dog Harness is another great choice for pet parents whose furry companions just can’t seem to stop chewing everything in sight - or on their bodies.

This harness is really strong. It’s made with a combination of polyester and neoprene. The straps are backed with a thick layer of fabric under which comes the soft padding. What this means for dogs that like to chew on their harness is that there are many layers they would have to chew through - not so easy!

Another great thing about the Mighty Paw Padded Sports Dog Harness is that it was designed to keep the dog’s legs free. The harness is shaped in such a way that the movement of the dog’s front legs is not restricted in any way. Some dogs can have a problem with standard harnesses because they rub against their skin under the front legs, but not with this harness.

There are metal rings for attaching the leash both at the front and at the back. You can use the front one when you want to have greater control over your pooch (and stop them from chewing on the harness). On the other hand, the back lead attachment is great for long walks, running, and any other sports activity you like to do!

For those of us who’d like a non-chewable dog harness that is also eco-friendly, the Hurtta Weekend Warrior ECO Dog Harness is as close as it can get to the ideal. This harness is made completely of recycled polyester.

Yes, it’s synthetic, but polyester makes a perfect material for a dog harness because it’s both lightweight and strong. This is especially true in the case of this Hurtta harness which can withstand the pulling strength even of the strongest dogs. This harness is not only hard to rip apart, but it is also very hard to chew through.

This harness is also very comfortable. The ergonomic design allows the harness to distribute the weight evenly, keeping the pressure off the dog’s sensitive throat. With that being said, this might not be the best harness for brachycephalic breeds as the highest part in the front does come a bit too close to the neck. For strong, wide-chested dogs like Pitbulls, though, it’s the perfect shape.

The leash attachment is on the back which makes this harness suitable for all kinds of activities. There is also a large (but not bulky) handle on the back that gives you more control.

The last pick on our list was not really made with dogs who chew on the harness in mind. However, this rugged tactical harness from OneTigris was made for heavy outdoor use. If a harness can withstand this (and this one can) it’s probably not gonna be easy to chew apart either, right?

The OneTigris Tactical Service Dog Vest features a heavy-duty nylon shell that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions as well as some chewing attacks. Besides this, this harness is also very versatile and full of handy features. The harness is padded on the inside and both straps are completely adjustable, which makes it ok for wearing even for long periods of time.

You’ll find a lead attachment both at the front and on the back of the harness, so you can use whichever you prefer depending on the situation. Finally, this harness also features webbing across the back as well as large velcro strips for attaching patches and MOLLE pouches in case you want to, although the harness can certainly be worn without those.

References

1. “Destructive Chewing”. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Retrieved April 15, 2020. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/destructive-chewing
2. “Chewing: How to stop your dog's gnawing problem”. The Humane Society of The United States. Retrieved April 16, 2020. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/stop-your-dogs-chewing
3. Woodford, C, February 25, 2020. “Kevlar”. Explain That Stuff. Retrieve April 16, 2020.  https://www.explainthatstuff.com/kevlar.html
4. Shen, M. November 2, 2018. “Pet owners are dressing their dogs in medieval-looking Kevlar armor with sharp spikes and long 'whiskers' to protect them from coyote attacks”. Daily Mail. Retrieved April 16, 2020. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6346049/Pet-owners-turn-medieval-style-Kevlar-armor-sharp-spikes-protect-dogs-coyote-attacks.html
5. McCarthy, C. “Surprising Dog Harness Dangers to Avoid”. PetMD. Retrieved March 20, 2020. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/surprising-dog-harness-dangers-avoid