A dog harness is similar to harness for horses, and varies depending on the type of use: assistance to a disabled person, hauling a cart or sled, or pulling a human being as in skijoring.

Assistance dog harnesses are designed with a handle for the person to grip, so that the human/dog team may communicate as well as provide guidance (the dog) and control (the human being). An exception to this use is in the case of dogs who haul people in wheelchairs, although the design is similar to that used for guide dogs.

Sled dog harnesses vary depending on whether the dog is hauling freight or racing. Harnesses come in three main types: the freight harness, the H-back harness, and the X-back harness.

The freight harness is designed to help the dog pull heavy weights efficiently, and may feature a spreader bar behind the wheel dogs and before the sled or cart.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) These dogs are wearing H-back freight harnesses. Photo from 1957.

Racing harnesses are lighter and shorter than freight harnesses. The X-back harness is more popular, with short versions that ride farther forward on the dog's body recently gaining in popularity.

In contrast, dogs that participate in weight pulls (as compared to a regular freight harness) will wear very heavy, padded harnesses, with broad chestbands to help spread the weight and prevent harm to the dog.

See also

• Mushing
• Service dog