Which harness do I need for my Dachshund?

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In this blog we answer the question:

Which harness do I need for my Dachshund?

In our other blog we already explained whether your Dachshund needs a harness or a collar. The conclusion is clear there: a harness is much more friendlier on the vulnerable body of a Dachshund. In this blog we explain which types of harnesses there are and which harness is best for your Dachshund (and why!). This way you can check whether your Dachshund has a good harness or whether there is still room for improvement.
 

Four different types of dog harnesses

Dog harnesses can be divided into four types of harnesses. Please note: this is not about which harness is best for your Dachshund. We first show you what types of harnesses there are. A little further on we give you advice about which type of harness we think is most suitable for a Dachshund and why.

Dog harnesses can be divided into four different types of harnesses: Y-harnesses, H-harnesses, chest harnesses and step-in harnesses. All this says something about the type of harness. Within these four types of harnesses, different variants and colors are available. And of course all kinds of brands. The trick is to recognize the type of harness to see what type of harness your Dachshund has. A little further on you can read whether this is the right harness for your Dachshund according to our findings (scientifically substantiated).

Y-harness
An Y-harness has the shape of the letter Y from above. In an Y-harness, the piece that lies on the sternum of the dog is also padded. An Y-harness is often also characterized by the fact that only the part that is around the belly/chest, behind the front legs, is adjustable. The Hashteckel Y-harnesses also have an adjustable part between the front legs, making it easier to adjust on a Dachshund. The attachment ring for the leash is further down the back with a Y-harness.

Features Y-harness
1. From above the shape of the letter Y;
2. Breast part is padded;
3. Often only adjustable around the chest/abdomen;
4. Attachment ring lies beyond the shoulder blades.

H-harness
An H-harness has the shape of the letter H from above. With an H-harness, the part that lies on the sternum is not padded. In its place there is a ring. An H-harness is characterized by the fact that the part around the neck and chest is adjustable. The Hashteckel H-harnesses also have an adjustable part between the front legs, making it more suitable for Dachshunds. A little further on we explain which harness is suitable for the Dachshund. You can read more about that later on. The attachment ring for the leash is further down the back of an H-harness.

Features H-harness
1. From above the shape of the letter H;
2. Breast part is not padded, instead a ring;
3. Often adjustable around the neck and abdomen;
4. Attachment ring lies beyond the shoulder blades.

Breast harness
The breast harness has a horizontal band on the sternum (hence the breast collar), a large area / large cap on the shoulder and a band just behind the front legs, directly in the armpits. The attachment ring for the leash is located on top of the shoulders / shoulder blades.

Breast harness features
1. A horizontal band across the sternum;
2. A cap on the shoulder blade;
3. Strap directly behind the front legs;
4. Attachment ring on the shoulder blade.

Entry/step-in harness
The name says it all: the entry / step-in harness is a harness that your dog literally steps into. There is a strap on the sternum (or often it 'hangs' below the sternum due to a bad fit) and there is a strap directly behind the front legs in the armpits. The strap attachment ring sits on top of the shoulders/shoulder blades.

Boarding harness features
1. Band on the sternum (which often hangs);
2. Strap directly behind the front legs;
3. Attachment ring on the shoulder blade.

What must a good Dachshund harness meet?

You can read a bit about our preference in the explanation of the four different types of harnesses. But which harness is suitable for a Dachshund? A good dog harness should fit like a second skin. We always use the example of shoes for people: something you put on every day, walk many meters with and which should not bother you. Shoes should fit well, not slip out and be comfortable. The same applies to a good dog harness: you put a harness on your dog several times a day. It should sit comfortably, should not slide, leave no abrasions and certainly not pop out. Unfortunately, we all see this a lot in our store and sometimes we are blown away.  Customers who show the abrasions in the armpits of their Dachshund with a sad face (sometimes even bleeding). We are crying too! Or customers who say that their Dachshund was on the street because it had escaped from the harness. Imagine how these situations could explode easily. 

A good Dachshund harness should not slide, sit in the armpits or be able to go out

A good Dachshund harness must meet the following points:
1. A harness may not slide to the left or right in relation to the Dachshund;
2. A harness may not sit in the armpits of a Dachshund and/or slide forward and end up in the armpits of the Dachshund;
3. A harness may not impede the Dachshund's freedom of movement;
4. The Dachshund must not be able to escape from the harness.

A good Dachshund harness should sit straight, allow room in the armpits and should not go out over the head.

Why doesn't fit a regular dog harness my Dachshund?

Compared to other dog breeds, the Dachshund has three special body expressions: a very protruding sternum, a big chest and a long back. The problem is that the regular dog harnesses, as shown with the four different types of dog harnesses, do not fit Dachshunds well.

A Dachshund has a different physique than other dog breeds

For example, the regular Y-harnesses are not adjustable between the front legs under the belly. Due to the protruding sternum and the big chest, the entire harness is further forward than with other dog breeds. What we often see with these Y-harnesses that are not specially made for Dachshunds is that the harness 'tilts' and crawls into the armpits of the Dachshund. As a result, adopting a special walking posture (read: convex back) and abrasions in the armpits and harnesses that go over the head.

The same thing actually happens with a regular H-harness. The piece that lies on the back and runs to the attachment ring is not long enough. These harnesses also end up in the armpits.

The breast harnesses have a horizontal band running over the sternum. This band always slides below or above the sternum of the Dachshund. Because of this margin, the entire harness starts to slide and we often see that the large surface tips over on its back. The harness drops from left to right compared to the dog and the strap behind the front legs is also in the armpits. You can imagine what the pull of the belt does with such an ill-fitting breast harness: pulling on the throat and in the armpits.

The entry / step-in harness actually does the same thing as the breast harness. In addition, the pulling force is not distributed nicely, it ends up on the shoulder. You literally pull the shoulder blades together. You can imagine that a dog does not walk well and therefore adopts a different posture than its natural posture. With this harness we often hear that if Dachshunds remain standing during the walk, they can get out right away. It is not without reason that we often call this harness an 'exit harness'.

A Dachshund has a different physique than other dog breeds

These problems should not be there with harnesses. It is not normal. Unfortunately, we see and hear that owners are satisfied with such harnesses. Not even because unwillingness, because everyone wants the best for his or her Dachshund. But often because there are simply no good fitting harnesses for our long-back friends: people are satisfied with something that doesn't fit well.

Lines we often hear in the store:
"My Dachshund won't walk with a harness!"
''My Dachshund has bald spots in the armpits..''
"My Dachshund regularly escapes from this harness!"
"I have many different harnesses in my closet, but nothing really fits well.."

Do you recognize yourself in this? Then read more about which harness is suitable for your Dachshund.
 

Which harness do I need for my Dachshund?

We know what types of harnesses are available on the market, what a good Dachshund harness must meet and why regular harnesses often don't fit well. And now finally the answer to the question 'Which harness do I need for my Dachshund?'.

The Y-harness and H-harness are most suitable for Dachshunds.

If you google you often read that only Y-harnesses are suitable for Dachshunds. That is not true. The operation of an Y-harness is exactly the same as an H-harness. We therefore make no distinction between the two. However, it may be that a Y-harness does not fit your Dachshund well and an H-harness does. That is why we always say: the right model is the right harness for your Dachshund.

Why is the Y-harness suitable for a Dachshund?
First, the Y-harness has the ring where you click the leash on just after the shoulder blade on the back. If there is tension on the leash and therefore the harness, pressure is created under the chest of the Dachshund. The chest is a very strong part of the dog and this pressure can therefore be absorbed very well by the Dachshund. Also, this pressure does not affect the neck and back, which is something we like to see.

An Y-harness is suitable for your Dachshund because the pulling force only takes place under the chest

Because the ring lies on the back and the pulling force comes from under the chest, you do not restrict your Dachshund's freedom of movement. The shoulders are free and there is no pulling force on the throat / neck. This harness is also often further on the back and therefore does not move in the armpits.

Provided that a well-chosen Y-harness does not slide relative to the Dachshund, it does not sit in the armpits and does not hinder shoulder freedom. Note: the regular Y-harnesses are often not adjustable under the belly, so it is still in the armpits. Also the strap on the back is often not long enough because it is made for other dog breeds. View our Y-harnesses specially made for Dachshunds here.

For which Dachshunds is the Y harness suitable?
We call the Y-harness an 'end-harness'. This means that this harness is suitable for Dachshunds that have fully grown or are almost fully grown. Why? Because, as we wrote before, a Y-harness can only be adjusted around the chest/abdomen. This means that the harness cannot grow with your Dachshund. For males you can look at an end harness from 10 months (growing untill 12 months). For females you can look at an end harness from 8 months (growing untill 10 months). The last two months that your Dachshund is still growing can be adjusted with an Y-harness.

The Y-harness is generally suitable for the following Dachshunds:
1. Dachshunds that are (almost) grown;
2. Males from 10 months;
3. Females from 8 months.

Side note: if your Dachshund does not fit into the size chart of an Y-harness, we refer you to an H-harness.

Why is the H-harness suitable for a Dachshund?
The H-harness works the same as the Y-harness and therefore has the same advantages. An additional advantage is that these harnesses are often adjustable around the neck and the chest. So they sometimes fit even better than Y-harnesses because they are so widely adjustable. And they also fit Dachshunds that are still growing and therefore also puppies. Finally, our H-harnesses has an adjustable piece that is between the front legs so that length can be created on the back. As a result, an H-harness is not in the armpits.

Why an H harness is suitable for your Dachshund

Please note: regular H-harnesses does not have a long back piece and no adjustable part between the front legs. View here our H-harnesses that are specially made for Dachshunds.

The misguided view we often hear about the H-harness is that the ring would not sit comfortably on the sternum of the Dachshund. In the store we always show you the ultimate test: just hold your finger under the ring and then pull the leash. You will not feel any pressure on the sternum. The pressure your Dachshund experiences is really under the chest, at the lowest point of the harness. There is therefore no difference in operation between a Y-harness and an H-harness.

For which Dachshunds is the H-harness suitable?
The H-harness is an harness that fits all Dachshunds. Owners often choose a Y-harness online and in our store 'by feeling' because it is softly padded. However, this is not a condition for a well-fitting harness. We look at the conditions described earlier: enough space behind the front legs, do not slide in relation to the Dachshund and do not slide in the armpits. So if an Y-harness does not fit properly, an H-harness will always fit. This is because it is adjustable at the previously mentioned three points and the H-harness can therefore be made to fit your Dachshund. The H-harness is suitable for all Dachshunds, in all sizes and shapes and for all ages. So also for puppies! We also call this the grow-along harness.

The H-harness is generally suitable for the following Dachshunds:
1. Dachshunds that are still growing;
2. Dachshund puppies.

If you are reading this blog but you have a dog breed other than a Dachshund: our advice is also for other dog breeds to always choose an Y-harness or an H-harness. The pressure distribution of these two types of harness is still the most friendly. That is to say: no pulling force on the neck and throat where many nerves, vertebrae, veins and glands are located. The shoulder part also remains the most free with these harnesses and your dog gets the most shoulder freedom to be able to move properly.

Conclusion: an Y-harness or an H-harness for Dachshunds

What harness do I need for my Dachshund? An Y-harness or an H-harness.

What harness do I need for my Dachshund? Both an Y-harness and an H-harness are suitable for Dachshunds. As you are used to from us, at Hashteckel you will only find products that we support. So we are also H-harness and Y-harness 'minded'. If you are not yet convinced, visit our store so that we can show you the difference between regular harnesses and our harnesses specially made for Dachshunds. And in addition to this blog, also read the blog 'Does my Dachshund need a harness or a collar?'

On our harness page you can see an overview of all our Dachshund harnesses. Measure your Dachshund according to our measurement advice described under each harness or come to our store. A harness specialist is always present so that we can look together at which harness is best for your Dachshund.

We hope we have answered your question about which harness your Dachshund needs. And that we have explained well why this is the case. Do you have questions and/or comments? Then please contact us.

Text and images in this blog may not be used without permission.