Harnesses for a Bulldog and Boxer Puppy

A Bulldog and a newly adopted Boxer puppy — two very different dogs with very different needs, so let's sort both at once. Not all no-pull harnesses are equal: front-clip designs work well for most dogs, but strong pullers often need a dual-clip or even a head collar, and fit is everything — a poorly fitted harness can slip, chafe, or just not work at all. To point you in the right direction: how hard does your Bulldog actually pull, and has he worn any kind of harness or no-pull gear before? Same question for the pup — any equipment tried yet, or is this her first harness?

That sliding problem with Frank is almost certainly a fit issue — Bulldogs have that wide chest and narrow waist which makes standard harnesses a nightmare. For him I'd go straight to the Perfect Fit Harness. It's made up of three separate sections you buy to match each part of the body, so you can get the chest piece right for a Bulldog build without the back piece being too loose. It has a front-clip ring which will address that constant leaning. What's Frank's approximate weight and chest girth if you know it?

Good point on Nora — at 6 months a Boxer still has a fair bit of growing to do, so you don't want something rigid or expensive right now. For her I'd recommend the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness. It's widely adjustable, incredibly durable, and comes in sizes that cover a good range so you'll likely get several months out of one size before moving up. The chest strap and belly strap both adjust independently, which helps as her proportions change. It has a top handle too, which is handy for a bouncy pup when you need to steady her quickly. It's a back-clip design, which is fine for a young dog still learning — front-clip becomes more useful once she's bigger and stronger. For Frank, a 70cm chest should put him in a Large chest piece on the Perfect Fit — I'd measure properly before ordering as their sizing guide is very precise, but that's the ballpark.

It's absolutely fine for puppies — it's used widely for pet dogs, not just working breeds. The smaller sizes are light, the padding is comfortable, and the fit is snug without restricting shoulder movement, which matters for a growing dog. The 'working dog' reputation just reflects how well-built it is, which is actually exactly what you want with a Boxer puppy who's going to be bouncing around for the next year. Go for Size 1 or Size 2 depending on her current chest measurement — Julius-K9 publish a clear size chart on their listings. So: Perfect Fit for Frank's body shape and leaning habit, Julius-K9 for Nora's growth and energy. Two different problems, two different solutions.

Good plan — measuring is genuinely worth the two minutes, especially for Frank. Chest girth is the key measurement for both harnesses. If you find Frank's harness still creeps during walks once fitted correctly, check that the front chest strap sits across his sternum rather than up near his throat — that's the most common fix. Good luck with Nora settling in too.