Guide to fitting your dog for a harness
Correct fit is crucial. here's how.
Neck Design
The padded neck fits snugly around the dogs shoulders, distributing the force evenly. The basic design is hundreds of years old, but improved by modern materials. Harness neck size must fit correctly. Too large, and the harness will slip, rub, or interfere with movement; too small, and it will cut ,bruise, or choke.
Padding
Harness padding does two things; it keeps the webbing from cutting or chafing your dog, and it provides some cushion to prevent bruising.
We supply harnesses using Polar Fleece (Polar Tec 300) – a quick drying Dacron polyester synthetic. Which is a good insulator because it holds a lot of air and it also resists water absorption. Machine washable.
However, other padding is available on request:
Super Plush -synthetic pile is furry nap with woven backing, good cushion, wears well, doesn't pill, machine washable
Neoprene - closed-cell foam, with nylon sheathing, virtually indestructible padding that provides extra cushion for heavy pulling. Resists water absorption, resists freezing to approximately -30 even if wet. Machine washable.
Measuring Dogs For X-back harnesses
Neck - Measure from just ahead of the withers at the base of the neck to the top of the breastbone, then double this measurement. Work the tape under the fur, pull it snug, but not stretched. Measure the dog, not the fur! Measure only one side of the dog then double the measurement. Wrapping the tape measure all the way around the neck may distort the measurement.
Neck fit is critical. When properly fitted, where the webbing crosses at the "Y" below the neck , the webbing should cross right on the breastbone. At the same time you are holding the webbing in place on the breastbone, check to see that the webbing in the "Y" at the top of the neck, crosses where the neck joins the withers (shoulder blades).
Tail - Start tape at top of breastbone. Pass between front legs, then up around rib cage to base of tail. Lift tail to feel join.
Check fit of tail length by pulling on webbing to see if the webbing will come to the base of the tail. Webbing should not come to the base of the tail unless there is tension against it. The more coat the dog has the more tension is required.
Rear (freight, yukon) - Start tape at top of breastbone, pass between front legs, then to back of thigh (position of the spreader bar).
Custom Harnesses
If you are ordering custom fit harnesses, please allow 2-3 weeks for them to be made. Custom sizes are not returnable or refundable. Please contact us with your measurements and padding/colour requirements and we will let you know the price and expected delivery. As a guide, custom harnesses are between £17 and £26 depending on the size.
Standard size harnesses
Standard size harnesses are stocked only in black, red and royal blue. Please check availability of your size. If you require alternative harness colours in a standard size, we can order it for you as a custom harness
for £18 (non returnable).
Colours
Medium weight harness webbing - red, royal, black, navy, turquoise, green, teal, florescent green, purple, burgundy, florescent pink, florescent orange, yellow, silver
Exchanges
We want our products to fit properly. If you need help determining a correct fit, call us and we will try to help you check the fit. If any standard size product isn't right, send it back to us in new condition within ten days. Please do not write on the equipment before trying it on your dog. We'll gladly exchange the product. Exchanges of new products are free of charge but you must include payment for return delivery PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE RETURNING AN ITEM PRIOR TO SENDING IT BACK.
Care of your harnesses
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Do not store where continually wet.
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Try to prevent freezing
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Do not dry over a fire to avoid shrinkage
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Wash in lukewarm or cold water and drip dry
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Do not tumble dry!