A good harness fits snugly without restricting movement, spreads pressure across the chest and shoulders instead of the throat, and has adjustment points that actually work for your dog's shape - not just a "one size fits most" guess. Solid hardware, comfortable padding, and a design suited to how your dog actually walks is what separates a great harness from a flimsy one.

For most dogs, we recommend walking them with a harness - especially if they’re prone to pulling. This minimises strain on their neck (and the chance of them slipping out and running away), but a well-fitted collar can be fine for short outings or smaller breeds.

Harness or collar? A quick guide.

Harnesses

✅ Better For Pullers
✅ Less Neck Strain
✅ More Secure, Better Control

Collars

✅ Convenient for shorter walks
✅ Useful for ID tags
✅ Fast to put on your pup
You can vary using a collar and a harness depending on the activity. For longer walks, meeting other dogs, or if your dog is a larger breed, a harness is recommended when you’re leaving the house. A collar is plenty if you have a smaller, well-trained dog, if you need something for ID purposes, or if you need to act fast and put a lead on your dog.

Whichever you choose, make sure you choose the right size to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe.

REMEMBER: Use our dog harness/collar size charts, specific to the harness/collar you are considering, to find the best one for your dog - you can find these on our product pages.

Your dog’s harness should fit snug, not tight. You should be able to slide two fingers flat under any strap, but no more than that - any looser and your dog could wriggle out, any tighter and you'll cause rubbing. Check the fit around the neck, chest and belly, and recheck after a groom, a growth spurt, or any change in weight. Our size guide on the product page is the best place to start if you're not sure.

• Step-in: quick and fuss-free for dogs who hate things going over their head.
• Anti-pull (front-clip): redirects pulling back toward you - ideal while you're working on loose-lead walking.
• Y-shaped like our slip on: follows the natural line of the shoulders for totally unrestricted movement.
• Boomerang: a secure, snug fit that's brilliant for escape artists.
• Weight & fitness: built for structured exercise, adding light resistance for dogs building muscle or burning energy.
  Step-in: quick and fuss-free for dogs who hate things going over their head.
• Tri-Harness: three points of adjustment for a genuinely tailored fit as well as 3 clips for full control.

All of them, honestly. Our range is built around the realities of specific breeds - from giant guardian breeds like Cane Corsos who need serious strength and control, to sensitive sighthounds like Greyhounds who need a snug, escape-proof fit, right through to Staffies, Labradors, Cockapoos and everyone in between. Wherever your dog sits on that spectrum, there's a BullyBillows harness made for them.

Slow down and make it boring. Let your dog sniff and investigate the harness first, pair it with treats and praise, and build up gradually - clip it on for a few seconds, treat, take it off, repeat. Avoid forcing it over their head if they're hesitant; a step-in style is often far less intimidating for nervous dogs. A few short, positive sessions will get you there quicker than one long battle ever will.