Best rear-support harness for large dogs

So your Husky has outgrown their current rear-support harness — that's actually more common than people expect with larger breeds, especially if the dog has put on any muscle compensating for weakness in the back end. Getting the size right the second time around matters a lot: too loose and it shifts under load, too tight and it restricts movement or rubs the belly. Before I point you toward anything, can you tell me roughly how much your Husky weighs now, whether the weakness is both back legs or more one side, and what they're mainly using the harness for — stairs, getting up from lying down, outdoor walks, or all of the above?

That's really helpful. Degenerative myelopathy means you want a harness that gives genuine lift under the hindquarters rather than just steadying the dog — as the condition progresses, he'll need more and more support from underneath. At 30kg he's right in the range where a lot of harnesses start to struggle, so the build quality has to be solid. What was the harness he outgrew, and was there anything about how it worked that you liked or didn't like? That'll help me make sure the next one is actually an improvement rather than just a different version of the same issues.

Thin straps that twist are a real problem because they concentrate pressure on a small area, and groin discomfort usually means the sling section wasn't wide or padded enough. For a 30kg Husky with DM, I'd go with the Walkin' Pets Walkin' Lift Rear Harness in large. It has a wide, padded belly sling that distributes weight properly rather than digging in, the straps are broad and stay flat, and crucially it has an adjustable chest strap so you can get a snug fit without it shifting during a walk. It's designed specifically for rear-end weakness rather than being a general-purpose harness adapted for that use. The handle on the back also gives you a good grip when you're helping him up from the floor, which with DM you'll be doing a lot. Available on Amazon UK, typically around £40–£50 for the large size.

I'd keep it to active use rather than leaving it on all day. Even well-padded harnesses can cause rubbing or restrict circulation if worn continuously, and dogs with DM often don't reposition themselves as naturally, so pressure points develop faster. Put it on for walks and when you know he'll need help getting up — morning and after rest periods are usually the times he'll struggle most. Take it off when he's settled and resting comfortably. Check the contact points daily, especially around the belly and groin, for any redness or hair loss. That'll tell you early if something needs adjusting before it becomes a sore.

Good choice. When it arrives, fit it with him standing if you can — it's the only position where you can judge whether the sling is sitting correctly under the hindquarters. If the belly panel is riding too far forward or back, the adjustable straps on that model let you shift it without buying a different size. And worth mentioning: as DM progresses you may eventually want to look at a wheeled cart for longer outings, but a well-fitted rear harness like this should serve him well for daily support for a good while yet. Hope he gets on with it.