Howling Dog Skijor Distance Harnesses

USED AND RECOMMENDED BY ALLEN MOORE, THE WINNER OF THE 2013, 2014 and 2018 YUKON QUEST AND BY ALIY ZIRKLE, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 IDITAROD SECOND PLACE FINISHER!

This multi-use harness is our best seller! It is an ideal harness for “beginner” dogs and experienced canine athletes alike.

Our Distance Harness is the harness of choice for skijoring, bikejoring, scootering, canicross, and hiking. It is an ideal harness for use with BTL and Springer bike attachment. The Distance Harness is also a great harness for roading (exercising gun dogs with an ATV or bike). It can also be used as a “truck” harness or a car safety harness. The Distance Harness is very popular as a walking harness for pet dog owners. No more choking for pulling dogs! And most but not least, this harness is one of the most popular harnesses for long-distance mushing. Our Distance Harness has been designed with the priceless expertise of four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King.

Why do we recommend a short harness for skijoring/bikejoring/canicross over an x-back harness? The line angle between the dog and the skijorer (biker, runner) is steeper than the line angle between a dog team and a sled, which has a lower point of attachment. When a skijoring line is connected to a typical x-back harness, the steeper angle will often cause a lifting force on the harness. The design of our Distance Harness takes into consideration the steeper line angle.

The Distance Harness only reaches about 1/3 down the dog’s body, which eliminates the pressure on the dog’s hips while pulling. Therefore it makes this harness an excellent choice of a harness for any dog with lower back problems. Crabbing dogs (dogs running sideways) will straighten out while fitted with this harness. Our Distance Harness comes highly recommended by Wes Rau, a top canine physical therapist.

This harness is made out of 1 1/4 inch wide durable webbing featuring an attractive, eye-catching pattern. A reflective thread is woven into the edges of the webbing for increased nighttime visibility. The body strap is adjustable. The Distance Harness is fully padded and comfortable for the dog to wear. The slick padding material will allow for the harness to rotate freely around the dog’s body.

A NOTE: If you have a very hard pulling dog, our Second Skin/Tough Skin Harness will be better suited for all the activities listed above.

 

How to measure for a proper harness fit: Measure the circumference of your dog’s neck from an inch or so above the shoulder blades to an inch or so above the breastbone and back, then compare that measurement to the sizing chart. If the neck size and suggested weight don’t match, go with the bigger harness to ensure the body strap won’t sit too close to the dog’s armpits.

 

Sizes:

• •XS 17 inches (30 – 39 lbs)
• •S 18-19 inches (40 – 49 lbs)
• •M 20 inches (50 – 59 lbs)
• •L 21-22 inches (60 – 69 lbs)
• •XL 23-24 inches (70 – 79 lbs)
• •XXL 25 inches (80 – 99 lbs)
• •XXXL 26 inches (100+ lbs)

*These harnesses come in Red, Blue, Green and Pink. Please specify which color you would like in your order notes.*