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Boston Terriers are a compact breed with a lively and energetic nature—as their humans know well. They might be small, but they can pull on a leash with the best of them. That’s why harnesses for Boston Terriers should be durable, well-padded for even protection across the chest and neck, and made from breathable fabrics.
No-pull options are a smart choice, since they offer you control while keeping the pressure off your pup’s fragile airways, as are padded harnesses, since they cut back on chafing.
To help you find the best harness for your pup, we spoke to Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench, a veterinary surgeon, advisor, and writer at GentleDog Trainers, a recognized authority in pet care and welfare, to find out more about what to look for in a Boston Terrier harness. Before you snag one (or several) of these harnesses, make sure to take your pet’s measurements and compare them against the product size chart to get the best possible fit for your dog.
The Best Overall: Voyager Step-in Air Dog Harness
A Boston Terrier’s deep chest is an important factor to consider when selecting a harness, says Dr. Dench.
“A harness with a broad chest strap that sits comfortably across their chest can provide stability and distribute any pressure evenly, reducing the risk of injury or discomfort during walks,” she told Rover.
Not only does this Voyager vest-style step-in harness fits the bill with its broad chest plate, but it also offers lightweight construction with a soft mesh material and reflective bands on the side of the harness for added visibility. These features have earned it a near-perfect 4.6-star rating on Amazon with over 48,000 reviews.
This harness is also available in extra-small sizes, which makes it a great choice for growing puppies as well as adult dogs.
What we like about it:
- Step-in design
- Lightweight mesh fabric
- Rainbow of colors to choose from
Available sizes: XXXS to XL
Find on AmazonThe Runner-Up: EcoBark Classic Dog Harness
While the previous pick is a step-in harness, if your dog prefers an over-the-head style harness, this EcoBark’s Classic Dog Harness is a durable yet comfy option for Boston Terriers. This vest harness is made from double-layered mesh fabric that provides comfort and breathability and utilizes non-toxic, eco-friendly materials, including recycled water bottles. Plus, it comes in 15 vibrant colors and patterns to spice up your pet’s wardrobe.
What we like about it:
- Over-the-head design
- Soft mesh material
- 19 styles to choose from, including solid colors and prints
Available sizes: XS to XXL
Find on AmazonThe Easiest to Put On: Puppia Vest Polyester Step-In Back-Clip Dog Harness
This Puppia vest is a strong choice for a Boston Terrier, especially for dogs new to wearing a harness. It has an easily adjustable fuzzy Velcro strap on the front that makes it straightforward to put on even a wiggly pup. Constructed with comfortable padding and breathable fabrics, this vest-style harness ensures a secure fit, while its soft air-mesh padding helps protect your pet’s neck. In addition, this harness comes in eight different colors and five sizes to match any dog’s style.
What we like about it:
- Step-in design
- Double D-rings on the back
- Can be machine-washed
Available sizes: X-Small to XXX-Large
Find on Chewy Discover on AmazonThe Best for Pullers: BARKBAY No-Pull Dog Harness
“Boston Terriers may have a propensity to pull on the leash, so using a harness that discourages pulling, such as a front-clip or no-pull harness, can be beneficial,” said Dr. Dench.
For Boston Terriers that pull, this harness from Barkbay is a good choice. While it has both front and back clips, attaching a leash to the front of the harness helps curb a dog’s ability to pull. The harness is also constructed with nylon material and metal D-rings that make it a durable choice. Adjustable straps also allow for this harness to be customized to a dog’s specific body shape.
What we like about it:
- Lightly padded
- Top handle for additional control and help with lifts
- Reflective stripes
Available sizes: Small to X-Large
Find on AmazonThe Best to Avoid Choking: Gooby Comfort X-Frame Step-In Harness (Verified Review)
Because of their shorter snouts and spinal issues, it’s best to choose harnesses for Boston Terriers that have padding and alleviate pressure on your dog’s neck and chest. This X-frame step-in harness meets that requirement well, distributing weight evenly across your dog’s chest and avoiding pressure on their neck. Even if they start to pull, this harness shouldn’t pose a choking risk.
We like our Gooby harnesses for a lot of our small pups with vulnerable tracheas, especially the soft padded mesh. The only downside? It doesn’t dry quite as well as some harnesses after repeated exposure to rain, and we had a hard time getting rid of the mildew smell that developed in time. That said, they’re pretty reasonably priced—so we happily replaced ours with another Gooby.
What we like about it:
- For dogs up to 30 pounds
- Easy, step-in design
- 9 colors to choose from
Available sizes: Small to X-Large
Find on Amazon Discover on PetcoBest Y-Shaped Harness: Rover Gear Better Walk
Vest-style harnesses don’t suit all Boston Terriers. For those that prefer a lighter profile, we like the Rover Gear Better Walk, which has a padded Y-shape that’s designed to avoid putting pressure on a dog’s neck and instead distribute it evenly across the chest. A front D-ring helps train and deter pullers by gently guiding them to the side when they tug, and a back D-ring gives you and your pup the option for more casual romps and play time.
Especially nice are the labeled back and belly straps, which make this easy to get on a wiggly pup who’s waiting at the door.
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 trachea
- Four adjustment points for a tailored fit across a Boston’s barrel chest
Available sizes: X-Small to X-Large
Shop on Amazon Shop on the Rover Store
The Best for Hiking & Outdoor Adventures: Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Harness
If you’re on the hunt for a Boston Terrier harness that can stand up to both daily walks and longer outdoor hikes, Chai’s Choice is worth a look. This lightweight, adjustable harness has comfortable padding for additional support on the belly and back. The top handle allows you extra control when you need it—for example, if your pup needs some help clambering over the terrain—and doubles as a loop for a seatbelt in the car.
What we like about it:
- Reflective stitching to help make dogs more visible
- Padded, adjustable straps
- Durable nylon material
Available sizes: X-Small to X-Large
Find on Chewy Discover on AmazonHow We Chose the Best Boston Terrier Harnesses
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 veterinary experts. We prioritized quality and fit, as well as Y shapes and vests that keep pressure off a Boston’s vulnerable airways.
As always, we’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.