Chihuahua Harness | Extra Small Dog Gear Guide
OUR #1 PICK
The best value for money
Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Dog Harness
- Sizing down to 11” chest length will fit all chihuahuas shapes and sizes
- Budget friendly option
- Completely soft interior so you can get a snug fit without chaffing
- A good escape proof option
If you are looking for the best chihuahua harness, you have probably already figured out that although there is plenty of gear for medium and large dogs, finding the right equipment for our pint sized pets can be a challenge.
Dr. Sara Redding Ochoa | Doctor Of Veterinary Medicine
Sara is Wileypup’s Veterinarian Adviser and helped compose this article to ensure the information is up to date and accurate. For more information on Sara click here
It is a bit of a myth that size is the only consideration when it comes to our little dogs. In fact, because they have different body proportions, the right fit requires designing gear with toy breeds in mind rather than just “sizing down” the equipment that is really designed for larger dogs.
A good example of this can be found with dog harnesses for toy breeds. Those designed with pocket sized pooches in mind offer a better fit, support, and all day comfort. Our review of chihuahua harnesses includes a look at all of these factors in addition to reasonable pricing and special needs (such as pulling or car rides).
Read on to learn more about what to look for in a toy breed harness and how to measure your chihuahua for a harness, followed by our review of the best harnesses for your chihuahua.
Best Dog Harness For Chihuahua Overview
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | RATING | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Dog Harness |
| |||
Noxgear LightHound LED Illuminated & Reflective Dog Harness |
| |||
Puppia Soft Vest Dog Harness |
| |||
PetSafe Easy Walk Extra Small Dog Harness |
| |||
Best Pet Supplies Voyager Plush Suede Dog Harness |
| |||
HDP Car Dog Harness & Safety Seat Belt |
|
Why a Harness is Better than a Collar for Small Dogs
Here at Wiley Pup, we are big fans of the harness over the collar for most breeds of dogs. While a collar is a good idea for when your dog is wandering around the house or enjoying his fenced backyard, it is not the ideal tool for walking your canine companion.
Safety
The main reason harnesses are better for walking dogs from giant to teacup is that they distribute the weight of your dog over the body in the event that they pull on the end of the leash. In contrast, collars focus all of that weight on one of the most delicate areas of the body: the windpipe (one of the common way to cause tracheal collapse).
Even the most polite walker may be prone to lose her mind when a squirrel runs by or if they see another dog coming their way. They may try to run to the end of the leash only to be pulled up short with all of the pressure going right to the neck. If you have seen the so called “throat punch” in Kung Foo movies, you certainly don’t want to wish that you your teacup chihuahua as tracheal collapse is a real issue.
Escape Proof
Another reason to go with dog harnesses over a dog collar, particularly for toy breeds, is that they prevent escape. A collar is pretty easy to back out of, while well designed harnesses offer much more security. For little dogs, this added safety gives owners valuable peace of mind around dangers such as traffic.
For more info on this check out or guide on the Best Escape Proof Dog Harnesses.
Lift Support
Another advantage for little dog owners is that harnesses for chihuahuas offers an easy way to help your pint sized pooch over obstacles, into the car, and even up on the bed. Since most offer chest pads that evenly distribute the weight on the undercarriage of your dog, lifting by the harness is easy and safe.
For more smaller breed harness options check out these guides:
A Note About Fabric Harnesses:
How to Get the Right Chihuahua Harness Size
Before you spend money on a harness, make sure that you take the right measurements to ensure a good fit. Regardless of if you have a long-haired Chihuahua or a short haired Chihuahua, if the harness is too loose, it can make it easy for your pup to escape which presents a major safety hazard. If you go too tight, it can make it hard for your dog to breath if she gets active and playful.
The right fit for a harness for toy breeds should allow for at least one finger to fit under the straps or fabric all around. To get the right fit, you first have to start with the right sized harness. To make sure you get that, you will need to take a chest measurement when choosing a chihuahua harness.
To get an accurate chest measurement, take a tape measure around the back, behind the front legs, and around the widest part of the chest while your dog is standing up. If you don’t have a tape measure, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string with a straight edge ruler.
Although some harness manufacturers also include a neck measurement, this is not as important as the chest measurement when it comes to fit. To get an accurate neck measurement, use the same line as a well fitted collar and measure with either a tape measure or string as noted above (please note this is very important when it comes to a chihuahua harness).
Something to keep in mind with small dog breeds is that an inch of difference in sizing can make a big difference, unlike with larger dogs. As a result, we have found that harnesses that make use of both Velcro and a buckle offer the best option for a great fit, without sacrificing on security.
For information on how to put a harness on your Chihuahua, check out our guide here.
Note: Once you have your pocket pet’s measurements, you are ready to shop! Let’s turn now to our top five picks!
All-Around Best Harness for Chihuahuas
Frisco Small Breed Soft Vest Dog Harness
We had a hard time choosing the all around best, but we decided on this chihuahua harness for several reasons. First, it is made of a very soft fine mesh fabric that allows for an all around hugging fit, without any chance of chaffing. This means it is totally escape proof without being at all uncomfortable for your pint sized canine companion.
This extra small dog harness goes down to an 11” chest measurement, which will be perfect for most adult chihuahua dogs. However, if you have a teacup or puppy on your hands, be sure to take a close look at our next pick.
Choose from 4 vibrant colors, which is a very nice option for multiple dog households. To keep them looking sharp and new, you can toss them in the wash. However, we recommend letting them air dry.
Coming in under $15, these chihuahua harnesses are a great deal too!
PROS
CONS
Best LED Harness for Chihuahuas
Noxgear LightHound LED Illuminated & Reflective Dog Harness
Have you ever lost your Chihuahua in the dark? Well, if you haven’t, trust us, you certainly don’t want to. These little pups can be notoriously hard to find even in a small backyard. This LED-equipped harness from Noxgear solves this problem completely. With LED lights across the whole harness, your dog will always remain visible from every angle. In addition to this, this harness is reflective too for added safety when you are walking close to a road.
In addition to this, this harness is lightweight, easy to put on, and suitable for all kinds of weather. The LED lights themselves are removable, and you can easily charge them using a regular micro-USB cord. The lights will last for a solid 12 hours on a single charge. You can even choose the color of the lights or pick one of the flashing patterns. The harness is machine washable too once you remove the LED lights.
The only downside of this harness is that the smallest size might be too big for some Chihuahuas. The lowest chest girth this harness will fit is 11.5 inches (which is still less than the chest girth of most Chihuahuas).
PROS
CONS
Best Teacup Chihuahua Harness
Puppia Soft Vest Dog Harness
Finding the right gear for teacup and puppy chihuahuas is always a challenge. With chest sizes approaching as small as 9”, these tiny tikes are hard to shop for! However, if you are looking for a chihuahua puppy harness or a teacup chihuahua harness, then this choice by Puppia is the way to go.
This is another soft mesh style dog harness that will fit snuggly without any chance of chaffing, even with all day wear. It will give you plenty of peace of mind to know that your little furry friend is secure and safe. The soft mesh has another purpose: It allows for air flow to prevent overheating while walking your dog on a hot summer day.
Looking for something with a little more feminine flare? Be sure to check out Puppia’s Vivian A Style harness which is also a great choice for an extra small chihuahua puppy harness, going down to 9” for the chest measurement.
PROS
CONS
Best No-Pull Harness for Chihuahuas
PetSafe Easy Walk Extra Small Dog Harness
It is a myth that only big dogs can be problem pullers on the leash. Although toy breeds don’t have the strength to pull their owners around, they do have enough strength to hurt themselves with persistent pulling on the leash. Their windpipe and throat areas are particularly delicate, and chronic pulling while wearing a collar can create a life threatening injury.
If you have a pint sized puller on your hands, a chihuahua harness that is designed for pullers is an option to consider. This no pull dog harness for chihuahuas by PetSafe works with a front attachment point that creates a slight (but safe and humane) squeeze when your pup tries to pull hard on the leash. Eventually it will extinguish pulling behavior, particularly if you reward a slack leash with praise and pets.
Although it does take a little more time to get the fit right the first time, once you have this gear adjusted, it goes on with a single snap buckle enclosure. It comes in 7 colorways, although it does not include reflective stripping so consider adding a reflective collar when using this harness for evening walks.
These no pull type harnesses are also a great option for the larger and more powerful breeds. For more specific information check out our larger dog breed guides below:
PROS
CONS
Best Padded Chihuahua Dog Harness
Best Pet Supplies Voyager Plush Suede Dog Harness
If you have a tiny dog, you probably already know about the danger of them catching a cold during even mildly cool weather. While we don’t think this small dog vest style harness is a good choice for the summer months, it is a game changer during winter.
The soft lining of this harness makes it so comfortable that your pocket pooch can wear it all day long during the winter months for some extra warmth around their core. When you are ready for a walk, just click on the leash and you are ready to go!
The extra small size goes down to 13”, which may be too big for most teacup chihuahuas, so check before you buy. However, we found the size to run a little small, and the Velcro closure allows you to cheat the size a bit. It comes in a rich dark chocolate brown and a lighter beige. It’s machine washable so it’s easy to keep clean. A great chihuahua harness option.
PROS
CONS
Best Chihuahua Car Harness
HDP Car Dog Harness & Safety Seat Belt
The safest chihuahua harness for the car has to fit properly, and few manufacturers cater to these tiny dogs. That’s why we found this car harness for chihuahuas that will give you the peace of mind whether taking your pooch to the vet, on vacation, or just around the town on errands.
Although it might be tempting to hold your lapdog during a car ride, it is actually very unsafe. Even a slow speed collision can result in a life threatening injury if your small furry friend is not secured. Make sure your pooch is safely secured in the back seat before hitting the road.
Once you get the fit right, this harness will snap right over her walking harness with a single click. Then, just click the strap into the safety buckle in the back seat of your car and you are ready to go. The swivel action clip keeps the strap from twisting, and the length allows for just the right amount of movement so that your pooch can find a comfortable spot to enjoy the ride.
PROS
CONS
Did You Find the Best Chihuahua Harness Today?
We sure hope you did! Our review guides are designed to help you find the best pet products for all of your canine’s needs! We know how hard it can be to find quality gear made with toy and teacup sized breeds. Hopefully, this review of the best dog harnesses for chihuahuas will help you get the right gear at the right price.
FAQ
References
- Kim Campbell Thornton (17 April 2012) 11 Tiny Dogs with Big, Bold Personalities: Retrieved from https://www.vetstreet.com/11-tiny-dogs-with-big-bold-personalities
- Charly Rimsa (30 October 2019) Chihuahua: Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/Chihuahua-dog
Sharon Elber (M.S. in Science & Technology) - Professional Dog Trainer
Sharon is a professional dog trainer with over 10 years experience. She is also a professional writer that received her M.S. in Science & Technology Studies from Virginia Tech.
For more info on Sharon click here
