Best Harnesses for Yorkshire Terriers: Ratings, Reviews, Top Picks

Looking for the best dog harness for your Yorkshire Terrier? The Yorkie is an inquisitive and energetic little pup who has won the hearts of many dog lovers across the world. His long flowing locks and feisty demeanor make him stand out from the crowd. Despite being teeny tiny, he is anything but a lapdog, and he loves to get about with his owner. So, a high-quality small dog harness is an absolute must for any Yorkshire Terrier.

Harnesses are not only safer for Yorkshire Terriers, but they are also much more comfortable for them too. He is also much less likely to slip out compared to a standalone collar. But for it to work for both him and you as it should, it needs to be the perfect fit.

Not only will we walk you through how to select the best harnesses for your Yorkie, But we will go in-depth by reviewing our favorite harnesses for the breed. There’s something there for every Yorkie need and owner budget. So, let’s get to it!

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Buyer’s Guide

Here we have our buyer’s guide, where we will talk you through exactly how to choose the best harness for your Yorkie. Buying a harness isn’t like buying a pack of chips. There are several considerations that you need to make, so let’s find out.

Harness Types

The ultimate goal of a harness is to safely distribute the pressure and weight across your Yorkie’s body. Rather than it being concentrated around their neck. However, there are many types of harnesses to choose from, some with a different purpose. So let’s take a closer look at the different harness types.

Step in & Overhead: All harnesses are either a step in or overhead type. If you have an elderly or injured Yorkie, an overhead harness will be much easier to use. He doesn’t have to move, and you can just place it over his head.

Front Clip: This harness is designed to train Yorkies not to pull on the lead. The attachment clip is placed on his chest area, redirecting the way that he is walking and forcing him to stop pulling. Or, it is for those Yorkies who pull no matter what, giving you more control.

Back Clip: This type is designed for those already trained to walk on the harness and do not pull. The attachment clip is placed between his shoulder blades. Back clips make for a more comfortable walking experience.

Dual Clip: Dual clips allow you to clip at the front or the back. It’s ideal because it gives you both options. These are especially great for training your Yorkie and then proceeding to the back clip once he has learned to stop pulling.

Lift: For older or lame Yorkies, consider a lift harness to assist in their mobility when their rear end is immobile. You simply place it around their back end and carry the weight so that he can move around on his front legs.

Adjustability

Although Yorkies are all roughly the same size, you need to be able to tailor it to his specific shape. This is where adjustment points come in. A good quality harness will have at least three adjustment points. This way, you can find the perfect fit making it more comfortable and prevent him from slipping out.

Yorkies are extra small in size, and for many, the right size will be an extra small. But this is not always the case. So, you need to measure your Yorkie as per the product instructions, as all harnesses are different. If it’s too tight, he will find it uncomfortable and cause sore spots and injuries. And if it is too loose, he will slip it. The correct size is key.

Materials

To keep your Yorkie safe, you need to look for a quality harness that stays intact and not give under a little bit of pressure. Although it doesn’t need to be as strong compared to a Siberian Husky harness, it still needs to be durable. The best material for the job is nylon or polyester, with stitched material rather than glued. Buckles should be robust plastic or metal for strength.

A higher-quality harness will also last longer. And for an extra-small pooch such as the Yorkie, it could last his lifetime. But only if it is a high-quality one. This also makes it better value for your money, so choose the best that you can afford.

Comfort

His comfort should also be at the forefront of your mind when making a purchase. It needs to be padded so that it doesn’t rub or cause sore spots. It should be soft around the edges, rather than a harshly cut design. The inner material should also be breathable, so look for a neoprene or meshed material.

Safety Features

Safety is another big consideration when searching for a harness. Reflective material or trimming will help him to be seen in low visibility. Either by other people or by you when you think he has gone too far ahead. And attachment points for LED lights are always a great option, especially if you enjoy late-night walkies. And a handle is also ideal for those times when you need to scoop him up quickly.

Budget

While owning a small dog like the Yorkie isn’t nearly as expensive as owning a giant breed, you’ll still need to set aside funds for other doggy gear purchases. Budget is important, so you’ll want to find the perfect harness without breaking the bank. You’ll want to plan ahead for costs, which will include dog crates, Yorkie dog food, toys, vet bills, and other costs associated with owning a canine companion.

Top Harnesses For Yorkies

Hopefully, you now have an idea about what type of harness you need. While most Yorkies fall into the toy group, some may get slightly larger and end up in the small breed category. We’ve compiled the data on our favorite harnesses for Yorkies below, and compare each by analyzing features, cost, quality, and more. Let’s take a closer look.

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This is a fantastic option for every Yorkie out there. It ticks all of the boxes mentioned in our buyer’s guide. The Chai’s choice reflective harness has both front and back clips, which gives you the option for both training and for a calmer walk once your Yorkie has gotten used to it. It has padded straps on his chest and belly to take the pressure away from his neck. It’s also equipped with four adjustment points to find the perfect fit.

The material is meshed so that it is breathable. It uses 3M reflective material to light your Yorkie up during the nighttime and other low visibility weathers. It has a handle on the rear so that you can pick him up and secure him safely inside your vehicle. This harness has nine color options, so you can pick his favorite color and watch him strut his stuff.

We love that this harness offers everything you could possibly need from a harness, making this a go-to for most Yorkies.

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This harness is a back clip option, meaning it is suited to the more harness-experienced Yorkies. It comes with multiple adjustment points so that you can find his best fit. It’s made with a durable plastic clip and a strong Velcro system to fit close to your Yorkshire Terrier’s body. It is sturdy and made with toughened suede material lined with faux-fur around the edges to avoid rubbing.

There are two high-visibility panels stitched at the front, meaning that you can see in him poor light. This harness comes in two different color options, latte, and chocolate. It is machine washable too, so it’s easy to clean for those muddy days down the park.

We love that this harness is both padded and finished with a soft plush suede material. So if your Yorkie likes extreme comfort, this will be his best choice.

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At some point in your doggy owning career, you will have seen or at least heard of Julius K9 harnesses. This is a premium option, and you can be sure that it will last a very long time. It has the widest choice of sizes on this list, too. Meaning that if you have an extra teeny Yorkie, he should be able to find the right size here.

This is also an over the head harness style, making it a great option for those Yorkies with limited mobility. It has a variety of adjustment points so that you can find the right fit. The chest strap has a reflective patch, and it is padded too. There is a sturdy handle and a back clip for relaxed walking. There are also Velcro sides for customizable patches and a variety of colors.

We love that this is our premium choice for the Yorkie, and it is sturdy and durable to ensure longevity.

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This harness is ideal for the active Yorkie, who is constantly on the go. It has a V-shaped front to take the pressure away from his neck and a padded chest plate to take even more of the stress away. It’s ideal for everyday use, as well as hiking and running. It has four adjustment points and four quick-release buckles for him to get in and out with ease.

Everything on the harness is rustproof, so it is perfect for use in all weathers. It has both front and back clips for a variety of training needs and comfortable walking.  There is reflective trim across the harness, as well as large solid patches of reflective material for his safety. It also comes in three different colors, and overall, it is a stylish looking piece of gear.

We love that this harness has both front and back clips. Giving you options for both training him and for a more comfortable walk once he has got the hang of it.

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This is our budget option, and for the price, it is much better quality than others at a similar price point. But you can be assured that as it has made it onto our recommendation list, it is both durable and safe for your Yorkie. It is made with nylon webbing that is both strong and comfortable. And it is breathable too, so it will not irritate his skin.

This has both front and rear leash attachments, giving you both options for all his needs. It also has adjustable straps to achieve the best fit, with two fast-release buckles. It also offers those Yorkies who struggle with their mobility the overhead option. Frisco’s harness comes in four colors, so there is a style here for everyone.

We love that this harness is ideal for those on a tighter budget, without compromising on quality.

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This harness is extremely popular with dog owners of just about every size. It’s budget-friendly, has reflective stitching, and this harness deters pulling. While most Yorkies aren’t notorious for being hard pullers, it can still be a benefit for younger pups that are still learning how to properly walk on a leash.

The harness comes in four sizes, with most Yorkies best fitted into a small. There’s eleven different color combinations, which gives you maximum flexibility to match your pup’s personality to their harness color. It’s fully adjustable, with four different adjustment points. It’s a dual clip harness, with two different attachment points, one on the front (to discourage pulling) and the other on the back for a more comfortable walk.

We love that this harness is simple yet effective. For those Yorkies aren’t keen on too many thick straps around their body, this could be the best option.

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This harness is designed with a metal rear clip. It’s best saved for those who walk well on a leash without pulling. It’s great for everyday use, and it allows lots of movement for him to feel comfortable. The thick chest plate is padded with breathable neoprene material for extra comfort.

It has reflective tubing material across the entire harness. Meaning that your Yorkie will be visible from both the front and back. It has three adjustment points to achieve a snug fit, and the buckles are made with robust plastic for his safety. There are also two size options for the Yorkie, dependant on his size, which is even better for that perfect fit.

We love that this harness comes in nine different neon colors. Making this a high-visibility safe option for the fashion-conscious Yorkie.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to finding the best harness for your gorgeous Yorkie.

Should I use a harness with my Yorkie?

Yes, a harness is often the best choice for every dog, including your Yorkie. Leashes attached to a harness decrease the chances of injury, compared to a leash attached to his collar. It causes the pressure to be directed to his chest and shoulders, rather than his neck. This is especially important for the Yorkie as he is prone to tracheal collapse. Harnesses can prevent this.

What is the best size harness for my Yorkie?

Yorkshire Terriers are super tiny dogs, and he will likely need a small or extra small harness. It is different for each product, so you need to measure his chest and neck. Always look for a harness with adjustment points to achieve the best fit. If you can fit one to two fingers between his skin (not fur) and the harness, it is the right fit.

What if I have a Teacup Yorkie, or Tiny Yorkie?

If you have a teacup Yorkie, you’ll be looking at sizing your pup with likely the smallest possible size available. Pawtitas has three different small sizes, so one of those should be able to easily fit your tiny pocket-sized pup.

Can a harness hurt my dog?

Not if it is the correct size. If it is too tight, it will cause rubbing and sore spots across his chest and underarms. If it is too loose, he might slip his harness, which will put him in immediate danger if he runs off.

How important is a correctly fitting harness?

This is one of, if not the most, important factors to consider. In addition to the point above, being too tight could cause airways obstruction. It could cause suffocation if he were to become trapped in vegetation out of sight. He will squirm and find it uncomfortable, which will put him off wearing it in the future. If it arrives and doesn’t fit, you need to return it and swap it for the right size.

Are these harnesses suitable for running?

The Kurgo Reflective No Pull Dog Harness is suitable for running or hiking with your Yorkie. There are other harnesses made specifically for running activities, depending on how active you plan to be with your dog.

Final Thoughts

And, that’s all folks! You should be fully equipped to choose the best harness for your Yorkie, and be fully aware of all the important factors to consider before making a purchase! More importantly, we hope you have found the perfect option in our recommendations for your Yorkshire Terrier.

Remember, your dog’s safety and comfort should always be the first consideration that you make when choosing a harness. And the most important aspect is the correct fit because, without this, the harness is not fit for its purpose. While there are many options to choose from, any of the models we’ve compared here should put you well on your way to your next outdoor excursion with your pup!