A harness on sale is only a good deal if it fits your dog. Black Friday falls on 27 November this year, and the Teddy DogWear Black Friday collection already had harnesses marked down when this was written. Below are ten of them, plus how to check size, what the discounts actually are, and the mistakes that turn a bargain into a return.
How should a dog harness fit?
A harness should sit snug without restricting your dog's movement or breathing, and you should be able to slide two fingers between the harness and your dog. If it spins around or slips off the shoulders, it's too loose. If two fingers won't fit, go up a size.
Teddy DogWear's sizing guide (it sits on each harness page) says to measure chest girth first. Wrap a soft tape around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, then measure the base of the neck. It suggests adding 2 to 3 cm to each measurement so your dog can move and play comfortably. If your dog is between sizes or still growing, choose the larger size for extra adjustment room.
What the discounts actually are
The collection is called "up to 50% off", but the harnesses aren't the 50% items. At the time of writing, the standalone harnesses were reduced from $36 to $29 (about 19%), and the Surf set was reduced from $99 to $79 (20%). The deepest discounts on the page were on lick mats, at 53% and 58% off. Prices and stock change quickly during a sale, so check the product page before you buy.
Shipping within Australia is free on orders over $49, which matters if you're adding a collar or lead to the order.
The 10 harness deals worth a look
These aren't ranked from best to worst. No harness suits every dog, so they're ordered roughly from most flexible to most style-driven. Everything below sits in the XS to Medium range, so these are options for toy, small and smaller medium dogs rather than large breeds.
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Chai Dog Harness Adjustable ($29, was $36). This is the most straightforward option. It comes in Extra Small, Small and Medium, and it's adjustable, which helps if you have a puppy who'll change shape over the next few months.
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Plaid DK Harness ($29, was $36). It's the same price and discount as the Chai, so the choice comes down to look and to which size range matches your dog. Check the sizing on its page before ordering.
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Premium Dog Harness Surf set ($79 for the full set, was $99). The listing describes a vest-style harness in polyester twill tweed with a treat bag holder. You can also buy it in parts: harness and lead for $47, collar and lead for $39, or collar, lead, poo bag holder and bow tie individually. That flexibility is handy if you already own a collar.
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Premium Dog Harness Ocean. Part of the same set range, for owners who want the harness, collar and lead to match.
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Premium Dog Harness Coral. Another design in that range. Look at the photos on the page to see how the colour reads on your dog's coat.
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Premium Dog Harness Salt. Same idea again. The differences between these sets are mostly about design, so pick the one you'll enjoy looking at.
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Premium Dog Harness Chai set. A good pick if you like the standalone Chai harness but want a matching collar and lead.
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Premium Dog Plaid DK set. The matching-set version of the Plaid DK harness above.
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Premium Plaid Light set. A lighter plaid option in the same range.
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Premium Dog Harness Oxford set. The last of the premium designs currently on the first page of the sale.
The collection page shows these sets "from $12". That's the price of the cheapest add-on in each set (the bow tie), not the harness. Open each page and choose the set option you want to see the real price.
Which size will suit your dog?
This is the adjustable harness size guide from Teddy DogWear. The breed and weight examples are a general guide only, so measure your dog.
|
Size |
Neck |
Chest |
Rough weight guide |
|
XS |
23 to 29 cm |
28 to 38 cm |
2 to 4.5 kg (Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier) |
|
S |
27 to 36 cm |
36 to 52 cm |
4 to 8 kg (Cavoodle, Maltese, Mini Dachshund, Pug) |
|
M |
34 to 42 cm |
43 to 49 cm |
7 to 12 kg (Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, small Kelpie) |
A small dog with a narrow chest and a deep-chested dog of the same weight can need different sizes, which is why chest girth matters more than the weight column.
Mistakes people make when buying a harness on sale
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Ordering by weight alone. Two dogs of 8 kg can have very different chests. Measure first.
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Choosing on colour and hoping. A harness that looks great but slides around the shoulders will rub, and your dog will dislike wearing it.
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Buying the smallest size for a growing puppy. If your puppy is still growing, go up a size so the adjustments have room to work. You'll probably need to recheck the fit every few weeks.
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Expecting a harness to fix pulling. A harness changes where the pressure sits, but loose-lead walking still comes from training. If your dog pulls hard or has trouble walking, talk to a trainer or your vet.
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Skipping the wash. After beach walks or muddy parks (easy to come by on the Sunshine Coast, where Teddy DogWear is based in Buddina), rinse off sand and salt and let the harness dry properly before the next walk.
What else to add to the order
If you're only replacing the harness, a matching lead or collar often works out cheaper as part of a set. Browse dog collars and leads or the dog walking sets to compare.
If you're setting up for a new dog, the puppy essentials collection is a sensible place to start. And if your dog needs something to do at home, the sale also included lick mats at $8 to $9 (the Lick Mat Slow Feeder and Lick Matt for Dogs), which sit alongside other dog enrichment options.
Teddy DogWear says its range is curated by experienced professional animal trainers. You can read more on the about page.
FAQs
How do I choose the right harness size for my dog?
Measure the widest part of the chest just behind the front legs, plus the base of the neck, and add 2 to 3 cm to each. Match both numbers to the size chart and pick the larger size if your dog is between sizes.
Should a dog wear a collar or a harness?
Many owners use a collar for identification and a harness for walking, but it depends on your dog and your preference. If your dog has a narrow head or slips out of collars, a harness setup is worth considering. Ask a trainer or your vet if you're unsure.
How tight should a dog collar be?
You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. If it can slip over the head when fully tightened, go down a size.
Are Black Friday harness deals worth it?
They are when the size is right and the harness is something you'd buy anyway. A 19 to 20% reduction on a harness that doesn't fit is still money wasted.
How often should I clean a harness?
Rinse it when it's dirty or after beach and muddy walks, and let it dry fully before use. Check the care instructions on the product page.
Ready to choose for your dog?
Measure your dog, check the size chart, then browse the Black Friday dog harness collection. If you're unsure between two sizes, the fit tip above is the safest guide.