Getting the right harness for a Jack Russell can make walks a lot more pleasant. They are smart and curious dogs that like to explore and get into everything. So making sure they are safely restrained can be the difference between a stress free walk, and an absolute nightmare!
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In this guide we will look at what leads to use (extendable and regular), the benefits as well as dangers of collars, and the different types of Jack Russell harnesses available.
Do you need a harness for a Jack Russell terrier?
Old school owners would argue that a harness is more of a fashion accessory than an essential, but we believe they have their place on safe walks. Neck injuries are all too common, and as Jack Russell owners know, dogs can be very stubborn!
You shouldn’t have to pull or drag a dog if they have been properly lead trained, nor should they pull on the lead. But harnesses are great in those instances where your pup is in danger eg. wanders into the road, is attacked by another dog, falls into water.
In these situations a harness can make it a lot easier to grab a dog and bring it to safety quickly.
Jack Russell harness guide
Here we look at a few different styles of dog harnesses for a Jack Russell, comparing their pros and cons, to help you choose the best harness for your pup.
- Very common
- Soft
- Breathable
- Can be personalised
- Water resistant
- Two points of attachment – an ‘A’ loop on the back and a chest-mounted ring for varied control
- Reinforced rubber handle on the back to allows you to pick up your pup quickly
- Reflective
- Easy to put on – slips over the head
- Reflective
- ‘Anti pull’
- Grab handle
- Lightweight
- Fits different shaped dogs
- Quick drying
What size harness should you get for a Jack Russell
Generally, Jack Russells come under ‘small’ or ‘medium’ size, all harnesses are adjustable to an extent, so they can be fit to your dog’s exact measurements. Make sure there is plenty of room around their legs so they can move freely, and of course, make sure to check sizing regularly when a puppy is growing.
You will need to use a clothing tape measure to find your dog’s waist size and compare it to the manufacturer’s measurement guide.
Best harness for a Jack Russell terrier
Having tried and tested the various options, we recommend the Mekuti Balance Harness & Lead Set dog harness for a Jack Russell terrier.
From the website; “Mekuti Balance Harness with Double-Ended Lead uses the dog’s response to gentle changes in its balance to help stop the dog pulling.
The handler uses the double-ended lead in a very gentle way to make this happen. We try to think of it as helping the dog walk nicely, rather than trying to stop the dog pulling.
The Mekuti Balance Harness system is a positive and gentle way to help with dog walking.”
It can be used for training puppies and for dogs recovering from spinal injuries too.
The design of this harness means you don’t have to fight putting your pup’s legs in either; it just clips under the legs. Especially useful if your dog gets overly excited for walkies!
Jack Russell collars and leads
Jack Russell collar
Dog collars are still a legal requirement in the UK and must be worn by a dog whenever they are out of the house, even if they are on a lead with a harness. The collar must have an ID tag that displays the owner’s name and contact details and should be clearly legible.
Jack Russell collars come in all shapes and sizes. Some dogs like to ‘go to ground’, and explore through undergrowth or down holes in search of prey. For this reason, it’s important to get a collar that doesn’t snag or get stuck.
We love these LED collars, they light up in the dark making your dog visible to you and others. It’s a great extra layer of safety in winter.
Unfortunately, there are many injuries and even deaths from collar-related accidents. Best practise is to never leave a collar on your dog when unsupervised, and especially with other dogs; they only need them on while out on a walk.
It goes without saying to never use prong collars, electric collars, or choker collars.
Though many professional dog trainers use slip leads, it’s easy to train a dog without one using reward based training.
Extendable leads vs regular leads
Extendable leads are fantastic for when you can’t let your dog off but want to give them the freedom to explore. But you have to be careful with them.
Many dogs have a tendency to rush off and lunge at things, and an extendable lead with a collar spells disaster! The full force of running will snap back when they reach the end of the lead, causing nasty neck injuries.
Top tip – Tie a knot about 1 metre from the end of an extendable lead. This will save you losing the end and having to buy a whole new lead if your pup chews through the end. Simply re-tie the clip further up and repeat!
Jack Russell collar or harness?
You may be deciding if a collar or a harness is best for your pup. When trying to work out how to stop a Jack Russell pulling on the lead, many will see no-pull harnesses as a good option. But really, there is no substitute for proper training.
A collar is actually much better for training a Jack Russell to walk nicely on a lead, as you have a lot more control over their nose (the main input of all distractions)!
But a harness is much better for when a pup is off exploring, especially if on a long lead.
I always advise using a harness when exploring on an extendable lead, and a short leash and collar when walking to heal eg. in town.
Dog coats for Jack Russells
Another must-have dog accessory for winter is a raincoat. Jack Russell coats are a great way to keep your pup warm and dry when out on a walk.
Jack Russell dog coats come in all shapes and sizes, and vary hugely in price. If your dog is active, avoid a coat that’s too thick as they will be too hot on a walk.
A dog’s coat is naturally thermal and water resistant, all we are doing is giving them an extra layer as they’re more used to sleeping on the sofa nowadays than being outside!
We love the Equafleece waterproof dog coat, it’s simple and does the job perfectly. No velcro or buckles to get dirty or break, it will last ages. They’re lightweight and machine washable, plus, they’re made in Devon.
Our first 2 months are going well with our new 7 month pup. looking for a comfy harness for all weather
What size harness do l need fir my jack russell he is about 10 kgs
Searching for advice and safe quality products for my pedigree JRT is a nightmare, thanks for great honest informative website