6 Best Harnesses for Bichon Frise

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Best Harness for Bichon FriseAre you looking for a high-quality, durable harness for your bichon frise? Finding the right product that combines quality with comfort may be quite difficult. Choosing the right one is very important as there are many differences in terms of design, versatility, and materials.

Below, we’ll introduce you to the top harnesses and the reasons why you may want to add them to your shortlist.

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Top Pick: Rabbitgoo Dog Harness

Best Harness for a Bichon FriseThe Rabitgoo harness is one of the best choices if your pooch is still in training and sometimes pulls and tugs. It has four points of adjustment, so it can perfectly fit the dog’s chest and neck. At the same time, it has a fast-release system with buckles, allowing you to save time when you remove it.

Apart from the adjustable fit, the harness is made of airy mesh, soft padding to avoid chaffing, and reflective stitching suitable for nighttime walks.

Things I Like About This Product: The Rabbitgoo harness is made for smaller dogs without compromising on quality or durability.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: This harness is durable, but it is not chew-proof. Also, you need to wash it by hand.

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Runner-Up: Ruffwear Dog Harness

Ruffwear HarnessThe Ruffwear dog harness is H-shaped, flexible, and has a cushioned design that keeps your bichon frise both secure and comfortable. If your pup is very small, this model may suit your needs. Ruffwear has it all covered, providing small, extra small, and extra-extra small sizes.

The harness is ideal for pups that pull, too. The front has an ID pocket and reflective trim, making your pup visible to cars.

Things I Like About This Product: This harness comes in a wide variety of colors, which makes it both practical and fashionable. It’s ideal for low-light walking thanks to its reflective trim.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: This dog harness is also hand-wash only, so it may not be suitable if you are looking for a low-maintenance harness.

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Budget-Friendly Option: Puppia Dog Harness

Budget-Friendly Harness for Bichon FrisePuppia is a well-known company popular for its small-sized, breathable dog harnesses. This model sports lightweight, soft mesh that feels very comfortable, while the material is easy to clean and sturdy. It also comes in a wide range of colors and patterns.

The material is suitable for bichons frises and other dogs with sensitive skin.

Things I Like About This Product: Ideal for a tight budget, the Puppia harness combines quality and comfort in a unique way.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: If your dog loves tugging, this harness may not be able to withstand the pressure. You should also pay attention when choosing the right size. It’s best to measure the pup and size up if it is too close to the measurement on the size chart.

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Premium Option: Kurgo Dog Harness

Premium Harness for Bichon FriseThe Kurgo dog harness has a premium-quality feel. It was designed with a fully customized fit for your pooch, with sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. The harness has quick-release buckles, so you save time when putting it on or getting it off your bichon frise.

In addition to this, the harness has a seat belt loop, so you can keep your pooch safe while in the car.

Things I Like About This Product: Durable and easy to use, the harness feels custom-made for your pup. Unlike other products, it is machine-washable and can be attached to the seat belt in the car.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: There are only three designs available for this product. It is not chew-resistant, and the lifetime warranty only covers manufacturing defects.

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Best for Puppy: Pupteck Harness

Harness for a Bichon Frise PuppyThe Pupteck harness is soft-padded, comfortable, and stylish. It is made of breathable materials, ideal for hot days, and there are two adjustment points. If your puppy tends to lunge or pull often, this harness will be a great help.

Also, it protects the puppy’s neck and back from potential injury from pulling.

Things I Like About This Product: Lightweight and comfortable, this leash is ideal for all seasons and protects the puppy against pulling injuries.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It doesn’t have any reflective points on it, so it may not be a good choice if you walk your pup early morning or late at night.

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Best for Senior: PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness

Harness for Senior Bichon FriseA senior pup needs all of our attention and care. Light walking helps your pooch stay active in its late years, but putting and removing the dog harness can become a difficult task for both of you. The PoyPet harness eases this process thanks to the quick-snap buckles and easy-to-adjust straps.

You can put it on and remove it without effort, which is ideal for a senior bichon frise.

To ensure your pup enjoys maximum comfort, the harness has a back clip, which will provide a more relaxed walking experience. In addition, the pulling pressure is distributed across the entire body, avoiding injuries.

Things I Like About This Product: This all-in-one harness is specially designed with comfort and protection in mind, a quick-release system, a seatbelt loop, belly straps made of elastic material for greater comfort, and a padded handle.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The stitching could be more durable on this product. You need to check the measurements carefully before ordering it, and make sure that the pup’s head fits through the neck opening.

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Should Your Bichon Frise Wear a Harness or a Collar?

Specialists often recommend harnesses for small breeds like bichons frises. This is because they can easily hurt themselves when wearing a collar. When attaching the leash to a harness, the weight is distributed evenly on the dog’s body.

Alternatively, if you attach the leash to the collar, the dog may struggle to breathe and may be a cause of concern for dogs that tend to pull when walking. Also, the harness removes the chance that your dog will slip out of it, so it’s safer for your pooch.

On the other hand, one of the main benefits of collars is that they are more convenient since they can be left on all the time, unlike the harness that you need to remove after the walk. Some dog owners prefer collars because they often come with a tag for ID, but many harnesses now provide this feature, too.

In case you are considering getting both, make sure to also check my guide to the best collars for bichon frise.

When Should You Put Your Bichon Frise Puppy on a Harness?

In general, you can introduce your bichon frise puppy to harnesses at around 2 months old. This is to get the puppy used to wearing one, so it will be easier to walk them later on.

To be on the safe side, you can also consult with your vet, but the general consensus is that the harness is a safer alternative than a collar, since excessive force on a collar can cause injuries.

Also, you need to make sure the harness is suitable for bichon frise puppies. Their skin is very sensitive, so the fabric must be soft and should be made of a rolled material to prevent hair mats and tangles. To prevent choking, a V-neck vest harness is recommended.

What Harness Size Should Your Bichon Frise Wear?

There are standard sizes when choosing a harness, but some models may differ. The best thing you can do is to measure your dog, then use the measurements to buy the right size. If the harness is too tight, it can hurt your bichon frise. Alternatively, a very large harness can be uncomfortable and unsafe when walking your dog.

To measure the dog’s neck, use the area where a collar usually rests (the base). However, when buying the harness, you need to get one whose neck opening is large enough to fit the dog’s head. Make sure you measure the widest part of the chest, right behind the front legs.

The stardard measures for harnesses are:

Size Neck Girth Breast Girth
S 9.5” – 11.5” 13.0” – 19.0”
M 11.5” – 14.0” 15.0” – 22.0”
L 13.0” – 16.0” 19.5” – 29.5”
XL 16.0” – 19.0” 21.5” – 31.5”

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Harness for Your Bichon Frise?

As discussed above, there are quite some features that prove very useful. In general, the main aspects you should consider are based on your needs and preferences. For instance, a harness with a seat belt loop may be unnecessary if you don’t drive.

Despite these specific features, there are some general characteristics you should keep in mind. The main factors are discussed below.

Brand

Some owners prefer to buy from reputable brands that provide consistent quality. Some of the perks of such companies include lifetime warranties, durable products, and dog-friendly materials. Fortunately, finding good brands nowadays is not such a difficult task, as many companies offer products designed to improve the life of your furry friend while taking care of their health and well-being.

Size

Dogs are not all the same size, even if they are all of the same breed. Adjustability is a key factor you need to consider when buying a harness for your pup. A one-size harness is highly unlikely to be a perfect fit for your pooch, so the more adjustable buckles, the better for your bichon frise.

Material

If you live in a hot climate, breathability is a must-have. Small pooches like bichons frises may overheat quite quickly, and a hot or muggy climate can be a huge problem. To avoid critical problems like heatstrokes or breathing difficulties, the harness should be made of breathable materials. Usually, a harness made of mesh is more than sufficient to keep your dog cool.

No Pull/Choke

Getting a new puppy is a very exciting moment in our lives. However, it also comes with one major challenge: training. A young bichon frise may have a somewhat unruly behavior until it learns the ins and outs of training commands.

If your bichon pup is still learning, a harness with a no-pull/choke feature is ideal. This model covers the chest, so when the dog pulls, the pressure is evenly distributed, preventing choking. These harnesses are very common when training, too, for the same reason. The feature is also ideal if you have a senior dog, as it helps to protect their aging body from unwanted pressure.

Reflectiveness

Are you an early riser or prefer nighttime walks? A reflective harness will keep your pooch visible in low-light conditions, thus it will be safer and noticeable to passing cars. This feature may not be a must if you only go walking during the daytime, though.

ID

If you choose a harness instead of a collar, you may want a harness with a special pocket or tag, so you can put your contact information in case your puppy gets lost. Many owners put both a collar and a harness on their dogs. The collar stays on all the time and has the ID on it, while the harness is used only for walking. This way, in case your dog runs away when the harness is not on, they can still be identified.

Summary

Finding the perfect harness for your dog may be extremely challenging. There are many models and designs available, all with different features and functionalities. We’ve presented you with the best harnesses for these pups, ranging from budget-friendly options like Puppia to harnesses for puppies or seniors.

As your bichon frise is a small dog, you may have fewer options than owners of larger breeds. It is important to measure your dog carefully before buying a harness to make sure it fits.

An adjustable, no-pull harness like the PoyPet may be the safest option for your dog, but finding the right one depends on your dog’s age, habits, and size. Fortunately, as long as you consider the tips above, you should be able to find the harness you need for your bichon frise.

Whether you are looking for food for your dog or other pet supplies, Chewy.com has them all. Right now, they are even running a promotion where you get 40% OFF your first Instinct Raw Frozen autoship order.