Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Alternatives to Perfect Fit harness?

32 replies

lurchermummy · 25/01/2023 21:21

I was going to order my dog a perfect fit harness but my jaw dropped when I saw the price! I've got a JRT, he's a chunky boy and he pulls. Very excitable too.

At the moment he has a collar, plus a gentle leader head collar, and a double ended lead.

It works ok although a lot of people think the head collar is a muzzle, and it's getting quite scruffy,

Anyway we're going on a walking holiday and I thought a harness might be nicer for him (with a double ended lead) but ones we've had before rubbed him under the arms - I liked the perfect fit as it's made of fleece and doesn't have to go on over his head.

Any suggestions for other harnesses please which are comfortable? Ideally with a front loop as well.

OP posts:
peppermintteagirl · 26/01/2023 02:20

I've tried endless harnesses with my old girl and haven't found anything better than the PF (she can't have a harness that goes over her head). Every other harness either rubbed her armpits or impeded shoulder movement.

My other dog has the Ruffwear Front Range harness which I also really rate, but it does have to go over their head.

I really believe that harnesses are one thing where you get what you pay for.

ScattyHattie · 26/01/2023 03:05

Have a look on eBay, marketplace etc for secondhand. There is a Perfect Fit facebook group to sell the individual parts.

I agree the cheaper harnesses often aren't as adjustable so don't quite fit as well or the stitching & materials aren't quite as good so end up replacing them sooner. You do put trust in them to keep your dog safe so think is worth investing in. I have ruffwear harnesses that I bought secondhand and are still going strong years later.

AWaferThinMint · 26/01/2023 05:41

We tried cheaper harnesses but went with perfect fit in the end for the reasons you mention. It doesn't rub, it's comfy, it works. My experience is that going cheaper is a false economy.

I'd recommend finding a local place that fits them though. I measured my dalmatian but he's a funny shape so having him fitted was better.

Musicsoundsbetteronvinyl · 26/01/2023 08:31

Personally, I would just pay for Perfect Fit, they are worth every penny and you can replace individual parts, which makes them cheaper over the lifetime of your dog.

However, you can get fleece lined harnesses made to measure on Etsy from around £16.00, so it’s worth a look on there is Perfect Fit is really out of your price range. If you search ‘fleece lined y dog harness’ a few will come up.

ShouldIknowthisalready · 26/01/2023 08:31

Trulove harnesses are cheaper but y fronted and have a front ring.

Not fleece and I dont rate the as highly as perfect fit. They do have to go over the dogs head

Perfect fit would be my call even if expensive

fluffysticks · 26/01/2023 08:34

We use a Perfect fit harness on our Labrador. Bought it when he was a year old and have used it constantly. Had to replace it last year when he was 9- so it’s definitely been good value.

RedCarsGoFaster · 26/01/2023 08:35

If you need a good harness, this is the one. You'll only ever need to buy him one of he's fully grown. Buy cheap, buy twice or more IME.

Ours is 7, dog is 8. It's pristine despite hard wearing and washing.

ilovesushi · 26/01/2023 08:40

I would go to a pet store and try some on. My dog is quite slender with a long back for her breed and I was so glad we were able to try lots of different ones on her as only one looked right and didn't nip under the 'arms'.

LynneBenfield · 26/01/2023 08:44

Unless money is really tight, buy the perfect fit. Good quality alternatives are similarly priced, so you aren’t getting a saving, just a slightly different style. As others say, the PF is airway safe for your dog, reliable (parts don’t fail leaving you with a runaway at a critical moment), well made and genuinely machine washable without falling apart, comes in loads of colours and the people at PF are really helpful with fitting (over the phone) if you are struggling to work out which combination is best for your dog.

Soubriquet · 26/01/2023 08:45

Honestly, it’s worth splashing out for a PF.

I’ve got them for my dogs, and they are lasting years.

I mean, the oldest harness I have it 3.5 years old and apart from being dirty, it’s still in a brand new condition.

Clymene · 26/01/2023 08:47

It will probably last your dog for the rest of its life so it's worth the money.

TheShiningPup · 26/01/2023 09:01

If your dog is fully grown and a regular sort of shape there are probably cheaper alternatives.

Perfect fit are great if you have a more unusual shaped dog or want a harness that grows with them. It would have cost us far more to get multiple cheap harnesses than just swapping the pieces out. I sold the too small pieces so it ended up costing about 50 by the time I had a harness to fit her adult size, we got our first at 12 weeks.

Skiphopbump · 26/01/2023 09:05

We tried a few different harnesses (Julias K9, trulove and a couple of cheapies until we bought perfect fit. Perfect fit is expensive but a lovely harness and I can’t see us changing it.

CMOTDibbler · 26/01/2023 09:14

Def have a look on Ebay, you can pick up each part individually much cheaper as peoples dogs outgrow them

LastOfTheChristmasWine · 26/01/2023 12:27

I bought DDog a PF harness in summer 2018 and it's still going strong, despite all the lunging, rolling, swimming and general filth thrown at it. Honestly it's not even tatty yet.

Sunflowers765 · 26/01/2023 16:36

I've had to buy perfect fit fit my pup as nothing else fitted him. I'm just going to sell the bits on the Facebook page when he grows out of them. Its worth it for me to know he's comfy.

Original poster
lurchermummy · 27/01/2023 18:39

Thank you all sounds like perfect fit is the way to go but £80!!

OP posts:
lorisparkle · 27/01/2023 18:47

Our perfect fit harness has lasted years and years and still looks in great condition so it is definitely an investment!

TheShiningPup · 27/01/2023 19:39

@lurchermummy - where have you seen £80? They're 35-50 depending on sizing

peppermintteagirl · 27/01/2023 20:09

lurchermummy · 27/01/2023 18:39

Thank you all sounds like perfect fit is the way to go but £80!!

I'm not sure where you're looking - the very biggest is around 50 quid, and you've got a JRT so will be significantly less than that.

Kaylisa · 27/01/2023 20:15

We have Kumfi harness as they have 3 points of contact (front and two on back) however their downside is they do have to go over the head. Which is fine for my dogs but obviously not all.

Ilovechintz · 27/01/2023 20:34

Has anyone got a perfect fit harness for a mix breed?

Soubriquet · 27/01/2023 20:43

Ilovechintz · 27/01/2023 20:34

Has anyone got a perfect fit harness for a mix breed?

Yes. My biggest chi girl is supposed to be full chihuahua. But she’s double the size of most chihuahuas.

The person on the phone couldn’t help me enough. She sold me the top part, the bottom part and the connector all different so it fit her perfectly. And it did

Soubriquet · 27/01/2023 20:44

There we go. You can see it there

Alternatives to Perfect Fit harness?
Original poster
lurchermummy · 27/01/2023 20:46

Ha ha I went back to the site and guess what I had put two in my shopping basket, hence the price! Have ordered one - £40! Thanks all.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread