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Because of their lovable bowling-ball heads and barrel chests, shopping for a Bulldog harness that fits well can be tricky. Add in health concerns—like a tendency to overheat, adorable wrinkles that can get pinched, and powerful bodies that love to charge ahead full steam—and the harness search can be downright challenging.
To learn more about the best harnesses for Bulldogs, we spoke with Dr. Michael Thompson, DVM, the founder and leading veterinarian at Pets Food Safety. With his advice, we found seven harnesses with wide, adjustable chest straps and rave reviews from English, American, and French Bulldog parents alike.
Best Overall: BullHug No-Choke Harness
As the name implies, the BullHug harness is made specifically with a Bulldog’s stocky body in mind. Pet parents love that the harness feels snug without restricting their dog’s movement. The wide no-choke straps fit securely around the chest with two adjustment points for a tailored fit. The heavy-duty leash ring also sits in the back, along with an easy-to-grab handle for a little extra grip or help getting over obstacles.
The harness comes in four wide sizes to accommodate Frenchies, English and American Bulldogs, and even Pugs! For a customized touch, add a personalized patch with your dog’s name or anything you want it to say (sold separately).
What we like about it:
- Made specifically for Bulldogs of all shapes and sizes
- Four sizes ranging in chest girth from 19″ to 36″
- Wide, non-restricting straps
- Large leash ring and handle in the back
- Customizable patches
Best for Chafing: Rabbitgoo Dog Harness
As Dr. Thompson points out, Bulldogs can be especially prone to skin allergies and irritation. This over-the-head harness from Rabbitgoo has soft mesh padding and fully adjustable straps to help minimize rubbing or chafing. Reflective piping adds visibility in low-light conditions. The metal D-rings in the front and back of the harness also offer versatility. Use the front leash ring to reduce pulling or switch to the back for leisurely, sniffy walks on a long line.
With over 150,000 reviews on Amazon, this popular harness comes in various sizes. The medium is recommended for Bulldogs. However, the maximum chest girth for the medium is on the smaller side, so you may want to size up if you have a larger Bulldog.
What we like about it:
- Soft mesh padding
- Four adjustable straps
- Two leash attachment points
- Medium has a chest girth of 15″-28″
Best for Pullers: Babyltrl Dog Harness
“It’s worth noting that some Bulldogs can be strong pullers, so a front-clip or dual-clip harness would be ideal to maintain control during walks,” says Dr. Thompson. This padded harness has two D-ring leash attachments, including one on the chest, making it a comfortable no-pull harness option for Bulldogs who tug hard on leashes.
It also offers two quick-release buckles, easy-to-adjust straps, reflective piping, and a handle on the back for control in close quarters. Available in four sizes, the medium and large seem to work best for Bulldogs.
What we like about it:
- Dual D-rings and handle on back
- Secure, lockable buckles
- Fast-drying nylon fabric
- Medium and large have a chest girth of 22″-32″
Best for Car Rides: Kurgo Tru-Fit Harness
To travel with your Bulldog, this Kurgo dog harness does double-duty as both a durable everyday harness and a car harness. It comes with a dog seat belt tether and has been crash-tested using the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
The vest-style shape has a broad, padded chest to protect your Bulldog’s trachea and sternum. Plus, it has leash rings in front and back, giving Bulldog guardians a no-pull walking option. It also includes a lifetime warranty, giving you peace of mind that it will last for years.
What we like about it:
- Doubles as a walking harness and a car harness
- Certified crash-tested harness
- Chest plate is padded for extra protection
- Double leash clips
- Available in five sizes for all life stages; chest girth: 12″-44″
Best for Easy On: Rover Gear Better Walk
The Rover Gear Better Walk was designed with barrel chests in mind—four adjustment points help you tailor the harness to a Bulldog’s powerful torso, while the padded Y-shaped straps keep pressure off their vulnerable airways. We especially like the Better Walk for Bulldogs in training, since it has a front-facing D-ring for loose-leash practice and labeled back and belly straps for fast on and off.
For casual outings or playtime? Use the back D-ring and let your Bulldog romp freely.
What we like about it:
- Front ring for no-pull training, back ring for more casual strolls
- Clear visual cues for an accurate fit and buckles that minimizing twisting
- Padded Y-shape design avoids putting pressure on neck
- Four adjustment points for a tailored fit across a Bulldog’s barrel chest
Available sizes: X-Small to X-Large
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Best for Extra-Large Bulldogs: HDP Big Dog Harness
If you have an extra-large Bulldog, consider this HDP harness. Its XX-Large size can accommodate dogs with a chest girth of up to 48 inches wide. It’s also easy to put on and has a large adjustable chest strap for comfort. Extras include a leash clip on the top, extra padding around the back area, and a handle for easy maneuvering. It’s also machine-washable, making it easy to clean.
What we like about it:
- Sizes up to XXL to fit larger Bulldogs
- Thickly padded on the back
- Handle for extra control
- Machine-washable on gentle cycle
Best for Bulldog Puppies: JUXZH Truelove Soft Front Dog Harness
This padded harness for English, American, and French Bulldog puppies has received many positive reviews from pet parents of growing pups. In particular, puppy guardians appreciate its scratch-resistant Oxford polyester material and lightweight mesh lining.
It’s designed with numerous safety features that are also ideal for puppies, including a sturdy handle for a seatbelt attachment, soft sponge padding in the chest and belly, and leash attachment points on both the back and the front.
This harness comes in five sizes to accommodate all life stages. It’s also affordably priced, with the largest size under $30 (at the time of writing).
What we like about it:
- Lightweight, scratch-resistant polyester fabric
- Softly padded
- Leash attachment points on both the front and back
- Available in five sizes; chest girth: 11″-40″
How We Chose
The Bulldog harnesses 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 an interview with veterinary expert Dr. Michael Thompson. We prioritized width, chest protection, and durability. 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.