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Australian Cattle Dogs go by many names, like Blue Heelers, Red Heelers, and Queensland Heelers, to name a few. But no matter what you call them, these dedicated dogs are incredibly intelligent and energetic—and they can be a handful on leash.
“These smart dogs thrive in an active home,” says Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer and member of Rover’s The Pet People Panel. Getting them out for quality exercise is a lot easier with the right harness. Whether you’re hiking, swimming, or just on a walk around the block, here are our top picks for the best harnesses for Australian Cattle Dogs.
Best Everyday Harness: Rover Gear Better Walk No-Pull Harness (Verified Review)
Australian Cattle dogs need a mix of exercise and enrichment, which makes the Y-shaped Better Walk a good, flexible choice for switching quickly between work and play. With D-rings at both the chest and the back, it lets pet parents choose between an all-business no-pull outing and a more casual, sniff-forward romp. Clearly labeled top and bottom straps make it easy to get a prancing pup out the door fast.
Four adjustment points and nylon webbing facilitate a close, comfortable fit that’s not likely to twist, no matter what an energetic Cattle Dog puts it through. Our testers were especially pleased by the human experience: this harness reduces the shock on your arm and shoulders if your high-energy pup lunges suddenly after a squirrel.
Features we like:
- Clear visual cues for an accurate fit
- Durable design that reduces shock from pulling or lunging
- The Y-shape front allows for a full range of motion
- Front and back ring to help dogs learn training/working mode vs. leisure/play mode
- Buckles are designed to reduce confusion or twisting of the belly strap
To consider:
- Pet parents with dogs between sizes found it better to size up
Best for Strong Pullers: PetSafe Easy Walk No-Pull Dog Harness (Verified Review)
Does your Aussie yank your arm off on walks? In that case, harnesses with a front-leash attachment could come in handy, says Ellis. She explains that attaching your dog’s leash to the chest could keep from triggering their “opposition reflex,” which makes them want to push against any pressure pulling them back.
Another option by PetSafe, this simple, adjustable harness offers a front-leash attachment designed to stop pulling behavior in its tracks. Its minimalist design is super lightweight and breathable, making it great for warm-weather walks. In our testing, we liked how the Easy Walk prioritized comfort (especially the deluxe padding version), an essential factor to consider when choosing a no-pull harness.
Key takeaways:
- Quick-snap straps
- Designed to keep pullers safe
- Lightweight and breathable material
- Extra padding provides additional comfort
Best Padded: PetSafe EasySport Dog Harness
Harnesses that are padded and lightweight tend to work well for Aussies, says Ali Smith, professional dog trainer and founder of Rebarkable. Smith also recommends choosing harnesses that form a “Y” shape across your dog’s chest, as these will allow your active pup the most freedom of movement.
This harness by PetSafe ticks all the boxes. It’s lightweight, is made of padded nylon, has a Y-shaped design, and offers a comfortable fit for Cattle Dogs. Pet parents appreciate the added handle on the back of this harness, which gives better control over an extra-rambunctious ACD.
Key Takeaways:
- Designed for outdoor activities
- Rear leash attachment prevents dogs from tripping
- Padded fit and elastic neckline for comfort
- Y-shape design
Best for Outdoor Adventures: Embark Active Dog Harness
Australian Cattle Dogs are known for their boundless energy and can get into mischief if not challenged. Hiking is one of the best ways to keep an Australian Cattle Dog engaged, says Ellis.
As the name suggests, this harness by Embark was designed with active dogs in mind. Made from military-grade nylon, it can withstand pulling and more intense outdoor activities. Plus, the handle on the back lets you give your dog an extra boost up steep hills and rocks. Pet parents of Cattle Dog Mixes love that the harness is easily adjustable to snugly fit chest proportions of all types.
Key takeaways:
- Strong construction holds up to active ACDs
- Reinforced front leash attachment to reduce pulling
- Back handle gives extra control
Best for Car Rides: Sleepypod ClickIt Sport Crash-Tested Dog Harness
On your way to your adventures, you’ll need a car harness to keep your Australian Cattle Dog secure en route. After all, you buckle yourself and your children in, Ellis points out, so your dog should be strapped in as well.
Ellis recommends the Sleepy Pod car safety harness for car rides since it’s crash-tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety. The three-point design helps keep your ACD secure in the back seat, and they can lie down for extra coziness. Plus, you can use it as a regular walking harness once you reach your destination.
Key takeaways:
- Doubles as a car and walking harness
- Crash-tested to ensure safety
- Reflective strips provide visibility at night
Best for Puppies: Copatchy No-Pull Reflective Adjustable Dog Harness
Australian Cattle Dog puppies haven’t grown into their paws yet, so they’ll need a smaller harness that can adjust to their ever-growing size. This harness by Copatchy features various sizes to support your ACD throughout the early life stages. Pet parents of Cattle Dogs especially like that you only have to do up one buckle after making adjustments—ideal for quickly getting the harness on wriggly puppies. And, if you should encounter any sizing issues, Copatchy will replace the harness with no questions asked!
Made of breathable mesh, this harness offers a great lightweight option to help your Cattle Dog pup get used to wearing walking gear for the first time. There’s also a handle on top for extra control to keep your ACD puppy out of trouble.
Key takeaways:
- Lightweight, breathable mesh
- Anti-pull design to avoid choking
- Free replacements for sizing difficulties
- Easily adjustable for growing puppies
Most Durable: Ruffwear Front Range Harness (Verified Review)
Australian Cattle Dogs are brilliant and need a variety of activities to keep them challenged and fulfilled. This versatile harness by Ruffwear is great for a wide range of adventures with your loyal ACD. Two leash attachment clips, one on the front and one on the back, make it easy to switch out your lead for training, daily strolls, exercise, or decompression walks. They’re also handy if you have a puller on your hands and need double-leash reinforcement.
These harnesses are also known to be incredibly durable, with one of our Rover test pups, a Cattle Dog mix to boot, still using the same Front Range he’s had since his adoption day over six years ago. They’re relatively affordable, too, especially considering their lasting power!
Key takeaways:
- Versatile harness that’s great for a wide variety of activities
- Double leash attachment points
- Durable design to last for years
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with experts, including Rover’s Pet People Panel. We prioritized harnesses for Australian Cattle Dogs that were durable, safe, and versatile. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.