No-pull harnesses for Border Collie and Whippet

A Border Collie and a Whippet pulling at the same time is a proper workout — and the tricky part is they almost certainly pull in completely different ways. Not all no-pull harnesses are equal: front-clip designs work for most dogs, but strong or erratic pullers often need a dual-clip harness or, in some cases, a head collar for the more intense one. Fit is everything — a harness that shifts around or restricts the shoulder does nothing. To point you in the right direction: how strong is each dog's pulling — steady forward pressure, sudden lunges, or bolting after things? And have you tried any no-pull gear on either of them before?

That's a really useful distinction. The Collie's reactive lunging is the harder problem — a front-clip alone often isn't enough because the force is so sudden. The Whippet's steady pulling is more straightforward. Before I recommend something, two quick questions: what size is the Collie roughly — medium, large? And Whippets are notoriously hard to fit because of the deep chest and narrow waist — has sizing ever been an issue for him?

Right, that Whippet slip risk changes things — you need something that genuinely fits the sighthound shape, not just a generic harness cinched tight. For both dogs, I'd point you to the Perfect Fit Harness. It's a modular, three-part system made in the UK that you measure and build to the exact dog — it comes in a front-clip configuration which works well for the Whippet's steady pulling, and for the Collie you'd add the front ring or go dual-clip so you can use a double-ended lead and redirect that lunge rather than just absorb it. The reason it works especially well for Whippets is that the girth piece is sized independently from the chest piece, so it actually fits the narrow waist without gaping or slipping. It's not cheap — around £40–50 per dog once you've picked the right panels — but it's the one harness that genuinely solves both your problems without compromise.

You can start with just the front ring and see how he responds — for some dogs that redirection alone is enough to break the lunge habit. But with a reactive Collie who's launching hard, a double-ended lead clipped front and back gives you much more nuanced control: the back clip keeps the harness stable and stops it twisting across his chest, and the front clip does the steering work. It also means you're not yanking him sideways by a single point, which is more comfortable for him. I'd try the front clip solo first for a week or two — if you're still struggling, add the double-ended lead. It's a £10–15 addition and makes a real difference with strong reactive dogs.

Good call — measure both dogs carefully using their sizing guide before you order, especially the Whippet's girth. If you're unsure between sizes on any panel, email their customer service; they're genuinely helpful and it's worth getting it right first time rather than exchanging. Good luck with the walks — two dogs pulling in different directions is no joke, but the right kit makes a big difference.