Dog car harness try-on test
We all go to great pains to ensure our safety on the road. But what about the safety of our pet woofers?It can be a hard thing to temper the joy of tongue-out-the-window and dribble-in-the-wind freedom but, if the worst happened and there was an accident, having everyone strapped in securely – four-legged pals included – is a compromise worth making.
With safety and style in mind, we asked Fuji, our friend’s pup, to try on some harnesses for us. We looked at three different makes of harness at three price points: up to $50, $50–$100 and $100–$150. We also assessed them on the following criteria: style, ease of fit, comfort and safety credentials.
Sleepypod Clickit Sport ($100–$150)
Human: Hands down, this is the best looker – it comes in a range of colours. It’s also easy to fit. The adjustable buckles can be a little fiddly at first, but once you’ve set them properly it’s a breeze to use. This harness also passed a rigorous NRMA safety test in 2013, so you know it’s going to keep pup in place.
Fuji: I must say, this colour looks spectacular on me. The blue really sets off my coat.
EzyDog Drive ($50–$100)
Human: It looks a little RoboCop so maybe it’s more suited for tough-looking doggos – or, if you’re into irony, funny little fluffers that wish they were. This was by far the easiest to fit: it has a single slide-buckle to get pooch tucked in. And Fuji didn’t seem to mind wearing this one at all, so it is comfortable. This one’s made by an Australian company that has tested its designs, and it complies with Australian standards.
Fuji: Compared to the others, this one didn’t make my human faff around as much. I quite liked the way it fit. It’s very comfortable.
Purina Roadie ($50–$100)
Human: When compared to the others, this harness seemed a little old-school – like a basic series of straps looped together, and that’s it. I guess you get what you pay for. It isn’t particularly stylish. Fuji was hesitant to wear it but I’m not sure whether that was for aesthetic reasons. I asked her, and she said, “Grrrwooof.” That said, if you’re aiming for safety on a budget, you could choose the Purina – it also passed the same NRMA Insurance Research Centre test in 2013.
Fuji: At one point my human asked me how to get this on. I think she was confused. I couldn’t help out because I’m a dog.
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Related: What our pets think about travelling in cars
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