There are hundreds of dog harnesses designed to attach your dog to the car, but only a handful of them are tested to withstand the load of your dog in a car accident.
Understanding that dog owners like you want to ensure the safety of your canines, we have compiled a list of dog harnesses that claim to be crash-tested.
Find out which harnesses have passed the test and how much they score in safety, comfort, and versatility. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to determine which crash-tested dog harness best suits your needs.
What We Are Reviewing:
- Sleepypod Clickit Sport & Clickit Terrain
- Ruffwear Load-Up Car Harness
- Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness
- Kurgo Impact Dog Car Harness
- EzyDog Drive Harness
- AllSafe Comfort Harness
- Bergan Car Harness
- Säker Canyon Harness
Our Criteria for Scoring the Crash-Tested Dog Harnesses
In scoring each crash-tested dog harness, our team followed the guidelines below:
- Safety (★★★★★) – 60%
- Remove a star if the performance is poor or there is a lack of certification or crash-test data.
- Comfort (★★★★★) – 25%
- Remove a star if the harness restricts movement or causes chafing and other issues.
- Versatility (★★★★★) – 15%
- Remove a star if the crash-tested dog car harness lacks one or both leash attachment clips and other multi-use features.
We are giving the most importance to safety while still considering the harness’s safety and comfort. We can also develop a total score for each harness with this ratio.
7 Crash-Tested Dog Harnesses Review
Crash-tested dog harnesses are exactly what they’re called—they’re meant to be crash-proof. The design shouldn’t just be comfortable but also designed to reduce the risk of injury in the case of a road traffic accident (RTA) effectively.
It’s a huge bonus if the dog harness is versatile and can be used for walks other than to keep your pet safe in the car.
With these considerations, we have carefully examined the top crash-tested dog harnesses in the market. The analysis of their performances aims to guide you in your purchase.
1. Sleepypod Clickit Sport & Clickit Terrain
| Safety | ★★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| Overall Rating | 4.2 out of 5 stars |
Sleepypod is a top-performing crash-tested dog harness that guarantees protection for dogs. It’s Center for Pet Safety-certified with a 5-star rating and has proven to withstand the load of a dog weighing up to 90 pounds for the Clickit Terrain and 110 pounds for the Clickit Sport harness.
Here’s a successful crash-test video featuring the Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness with a 75-pound dummy:
The Sleepypod Clickit Terrain also performed exceptionally well, as shown in the video below:
If judged in the aspect of comfortability, Sleepypod Clickit harnesses do not provide a good range of motion for dogs because of the positioning of the seat belt strap attachment—high in the dog’s back, they can cause the dog’s movement to be limited.
The harness design may also cause chafing, especially around the armpits and neck, as there are not enough gaps between the sensitive areas and the breadth of the straps.
On a side note, it’s worth pointing out that these car harnesses have back clips, where you can attach a leash if you need to take your dog out for quick car breaks.
2. Ruffwear Load-Up Car Harness
| Safety | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Overall Rating | 3.7 out of 5 stars |
Measuring the crash-test worthiness of the Ruffwear Load-Up Car was done at the MGA Research Corporation, an independent testing facility.
For the test, the mannequins that were used weighed 25 to 75 pounds. As for the parameters, these were based on the limits outlined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for Child Restraint Systems 213, which is a 30-miles-per-hour dynamic crash test.
Throughout the test, the dummies stayed restrained in the car’s backseat.
Take a look at the short video of a 75-pound dog in the MGA facility being tested using the Ruffwear Load Up Car harness below:
While the dynamic testing succeeded, the harness failed regarding excursion. This refers to the distance the dog’s body travels during the point of impact, an aspect the harness needs to work on.
Other than that, when it comes to comfort, a dog wearing the Ruffwear harness can lie in different positions without many issues. It also has a padded chest plate for coziness. However, the harness reaches high above the neck, which can put pressure on the trachea.
As for versatility, there’s no ring to attach your leash to, making this exclusive for car use. There was also a Ruffwear harness recall due to the faulty side buckles, but a developed Ruffwear harness version was released after to resolve this.
3. Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness
| Safety | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| Overall Rating | 2.8 out of 5 stars |
Kurgo says the Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness is crash-proof for dogs up to 75 pounds. However, in association with Calspan Corporation, an independent testing facility, only two crash test videos for 25-pound and 50-pound dogs are available as evidence of such results.
Looking into these crash tests, you should note one particular area of concern: the videos end abruptly without showing the aftermath of the excursion. Not showing this may leave owners partially deciding whether the Kurgo harness guarantees full dog safety and protection.
Take a look at the video below of the 25-pound dog wearing the Kurgo Harness for the crash test so you can judge the gear yourself:
Additionally, if you observe the second crash test below regarding how it went with the 50-pound dog, the carabiner’s silver latch broke:
And while Kurgo has these issues, it also has a few good points worth acknowledging. Its harness design, which included a carabiner and an extended back strap, allows the dog to move freely in the backseat.
However, the shape of the harness isn’t the most ideal as it doesn’t follow the natural form of the shoulders, making it somewhat limiting. Concerning versatility, the Tru-Fit features a leash attachment point on both the back and the dog’s lower neck, ideal for dog walks.
4. Kurgo Impact Dog Car Harness
| Safety | ★★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| Overall Rating | 4.45 out of 5 stars |
Kurgo’s Impact Dog Car Harness is another crash-tested gear that performed well for dogs up to 108 pounds, passing within the excursion limit.
In the sled report conducted by Calspan Corporation, the Impact harness for extra large dogs withstood the 30 miles-per-hour collision despite the straps tearing off the seatbelt harness.
Watch the short video below featuring Kurgo’s XL Impact Dog Car Harness to better visualize its performance:
As for this crash-tested dog harness’s fit and comfort, customer reviews show mixed opinions. The Kurgo Car Harness works for some breeds but can be a mismatch for others. Another example of an issue is the harness is worn quite high on the dog’s neck; it may not be comfortable for the dog when buckled in the car.
It also lacks a front leash attachment point, although it does have a back clip. The verdict is that with very little effort put into the fit of the harness, the Impact Dog Car Harness can be hard to use as an everyday harness.
5. EzyDog Drive Harness
| Safety | ★★★☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| Overall Rating | 3.4 out of 5 stars |
EzyDog Drive Harness is another pet gear with back clips for dog walks. However, the design can be restrictive, especially around the neck, as it doesn’t follow the natural form of the shoulders.
Like the previous harnesses, this one has also been crash-tested by Safety Automotive Engineering, a testing facility recognized by the USA (FMVSS 213) Europe (ECE Regulation 21) Australia (ADR 42/04) for certification of Child Safety Seats.
While EzyDog made their designs conform to the vehicle interior and global child safety standards, the results have shown that their harnesses need more improvement.
As evident in the results, their small and medium-sized Drive Harness attached to the car restraint system successfully retained the dummy in the back seat. Still, much pressure was centered on the lower neck, which can be fatal for the dog.
That said, it is crucial to ensure a free trachea so that, in an accident, the pressure is spread across the shoulders of the dog and not on the neck, minimizing the risk of injury.
Meanwhile, when the large Drive Harness was used, the dog popped out of the seat and rebounded against it, causing its spine to clash against the car seat. Ezydog leaves it to the customers to decide whether these harnesses are the right fit for their canines.
6. AllSafe Comfort Harness
| Safety | ★★★☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| Overall Rating | 3.65 out of 5 stars |
The AllSafe Comfort Harness features a Y-shaped structure. With its almost 45-degree neck strap angle, it’s guaranteed that your dog stays cozy in the back seat. There are also back clips for your leash, perfect for when you need a walking harness.
Scrutinizing its performance done by the MGA Research Corporation, the AllSafe Comfort Harness has been classified as a failure. It was tested with a tether that goes with the safety harness, around six inches in length, and this negatively affected the outcome, since it surpassed the excursion limit.
With the tether providing an extension, the dog gets thrown off the seat, exceeding the excursion limit. Rebound then happens where the dog gets critically pulled back against the seat.
However, when not using the tether, the crash-tests were successful, as shown in the video below:
That said, for optimal protection, owners investing in the AllSafe Comfort Harness should consider attaching the car seat belt system directly to the harness and not to the tether in order to avoid crossing the excursion limit.
7. Bergan Car Harness
| Safety | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★☆ |
| Overall Rating | 2.2 out of 5 stars |
Last on the list is the Bergan Car Harness, a product with an hourglass structure and a front clip. While this appears unique to other harness shapes, the lack of allowance around the neck puts the dog at risk of choking or other neck issues, especially if it doesn’t fit perfectly.
Regardless, this harness was put to the test by the CPS. The manufacturer was present during the crash-testing and has approved the setup. The overall performance showed that the harness failed, plus it showed severe product deformations.
The dummies also flew out of the backseats, specifically the small and medium sizes exceeding the CPS’ ideal head excursion.
Although the Bergan Harness didn’t pass the test, its performance with Calspan showed a different result.
Watch the video below to see how the Bergan Harness passed the Calspan’s crash test:
As you can see, all three sizes of the Bergan Car Harness performed well. The discrepancy in the results shown by the CPS and Calspan should encourage dog owners to consider the test conditions.
One of these is that CPS utilized a dummy that mimicked the physical characteristics of a real dog in a car crash, while Calspan’s rigid dummy did not fully replicate the dynamics of a real dog’s body in motion.
8. Säker Canyon Pro Core Harness
| Safety | ★★★☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★★★ |
| Overall Rating | 3.8 out of 5 stars |
The Canyon Pro Core was developed based on the reviews from Säker Ascension Harness users. It has the same Y-shaped structure, but the materials for the buckles and adjustment hardware have been upgraded since some Ascension Harness users encountered problems in these areas.
Doing so ensures that the harness’s structural integrity consistently remains intact, as was evident in the Ascension crash-test video. And while the improvement is a good thing, one downside of the Canyon Pro Core is that it has yet to provide a video and certification that testifies to its ability to protect dogs in the car.
On a different note, the Säker Canyon stands supreme regarding comfort. Although the materials are thick, they perform well at dissipating heat. Moreover, the straps are accurately constructed, so they can rest on the right body areas without causing choking or movement restrictions.
Lastly, its dual clips and overbuilt top handle give you better control of your canine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Crash-Tested Dog Harness?
The best crash-tested dog harness is Sleepypod’s Clickit Sport Harness, which caters to canines weighing up to 90 pounds. The harness’s medium, large, and XL sizes were all inspected and crash-tested, and the results shown were favorable to the brand.
It was given a 5-star rating along with Sleepypod’s Clickit Terrain harness, which is also a crash-proof harness, ideal if a dog’s weight exceeds 110 pounds.
Why Is Versatility Important in a Crash-Tested Harness?
Versatility is important in a crash-tested harness because it combines cost-effectiveness, safety, and convenience into one product. Simply put, a multi-functional dog car harness that was crash-tested ensures your dog is protected during car rides and comfortable on its daily walks.
Additionally, a dual-use harness eliminates the need for multiple dog harnesses, ultimately saving money.
Do I Need to Buckle My Dog in the Car?
Your canine’s safety in the car is crucial, so you must buckle them using the best crash-tested harness for dogs. You must also restrain them in the backseat and not in the front seat. One reason to follow these practices is to prevent them from becoming a projectile in a car crash.
Such a case can put your dog at risk of serious injuries or even death. If they fly across the car, you’re also in danger of getting hit by your dog.
Due to these possibilities, utilizing harnesses and your car’s seat belts is crucial, even for the shortest drives. Especially considering that 79 percent of crash fatalities occur in urban areas and the 5 surrounding miles.
Final Thoughts
This roundup of the best harnesses gives you better insights into which brands offer you tested and proven protective car accessories for your canine.
Remember, when choosing the best crash-tested dog harness, you must select one that meets the standards. This gives your dog a better chance of surviving a car crash.
Hopefully, this review has helped you make the right decision to ensure your dog’s safety during car travel. Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience with any of the crash-tested dog harnesses listed in the article to help your fellow dog owner!
Key Takeaways
- Sleepypod’s Clickit Sport and Clickit Terrain stand out for their high pet safety ratings and CPS certification.
- The best crash-tested dog harnesses combine safety, comfort, and versatility ensuring your dog’s protection during travels.
- Only a few dog harnesses have passed the safety standards, highlighting the importance of carefully choosing well-evaluated pet products.
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