Basic sighthound harness

Details:

In addition to a slender body, sighthounds also have a quite deep chest, that’s why they can easily slip from a normal harness. Harness, created just for them is extended with an additional safety strap that fastens on the narrowest part of the rib cage. This harness model also doesn’t hinder the dog’s movement, as the straps are avoiding all the front leg joints, allowing the shoulder to have a full range of movement. Such a harness model is considered to be very safe because the sighthound can not escape from it and is recognized as the most dog friendly and widely recommended.
We can make a harness for sighthounds with at least 8-10 kg weight.

The nylon webbing of the Basic harness is fully wrapped in soft and lightweight softshell which creates rounded strap edges, gives a “cushiony” feel to it, contributes to comfort while wearing, and prevents rubbing. Softshell is a durable, water repellent material and easy to maintain (it can be machine washed), but as it’s not UV stable color fading will occur.

Two straps, that embrace the chest, are adjustable and are closing with strong plastic buckles. Straps along the neck are also adjustable in length. Adjust the adjustable straps to the appropriate length so that the harness fits close to the chest but at the same time does not restrict its movement (panting). You can usually insert a few fingers or your palm under the correctly adjusted straps. The back strap is equipped with two D-rings for attaching the leash, while other rings are not intended for attaching the leash, as this would force the harness outside the optimal position.

Double-sided fastening

The Basic harness can tilt to one side or the other of the spine due to its length and the skinny anatomy of sighthounds. If you think this will bother your hound or even you, a double-sided fastening can be made upon request, meaning we’ll add additional two buckles on the other side of the harness. This makes the harness more symmetrical, balanced, and adds stability during the dog’s movement. With buckles on both sides, lifting the front leg is not needed for dressing, so this option is also suitable for dogs that do not like or are unable to lift their front leg. Double-sided fastening is an option for most harness sizes, and the extra charge for it is 12 EUR. The exceptions are very small harnesses, where it is not possible to make a double-sided fastening because this would result in losing the length adjusting option of the chest straps.

Link to the comparison and more info on both of our harness models (Basic and Comfort).

Harness width

Straps of the Comfort harness can be made in two different widths:

2,5 cm
3,3 cm (shown on a greyhound)

Narrower straps are usually chosen by whippet owners and those who prefer a minimalist look, while owners of bigger sighthound breeds and those who like more robust equipment prefer wider straps. The size of the buckles and rings also depends on the width of the straps.

Available colors:

Size and measurements

Every Basic sighthound harness is made individually to fit your sighthound, so you need to measure him before ordering. Only with the correct measurements, we can achieve the optimal strap adjustability and positioning, which prevents rubbing in the armpits or other discomforts. Ask your dog to stand on a flat surface in a relaxed and upright manner, evenly on all four legs. Please measure all the following measurements as required. If you’re having trouble measuring your hound, take more measurements (at least 3) and then take the average.

A – Back length
Measure the length over the spine starting from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. Start measuring where the neck joins the body, just in front of the shoulder blades (feel them with your fingers). Additionally, help yourself by lifting your dog’s head and looking at him from the side, the vertex of the angle between the neck and body should be the starting point. Continue measuring along the spine. Stop measuring when you reach the base of the tail, that’s where the tail (vertebrae that can move) joins the body. Lift your dog’s tail to easily determine the tail base.

B – Underbelly length
Measure the length from the beginning of the sternum bone under the neck (feel the tip with your fingers) and continue measuring along the sternum bone, between the front legs to the very end of the ribcage.

C – Side “neck” length
Measure the length from the spine on the base of the neck, and continue along the neck to the beginning of the sternum bone. Measure on one side of the body only, DON’T measure across the shoulders, and DON’T measure the neck circumference.

D – Maximum chest circumference
Measure the chest circumference on the deepest point, behind the front legs.

E – Minimum chest circumference
Measure the circumference of the chest’s narrowest part, over the last ribs. Be sure to measure over the ribcage, DON’T measure at the waist where you can’t feel the ribs anymore. The minimum chest circumference is always smaller than the maximum chest circumference and bigger than the waist circumference.