Harness

There are several types of harnesses used in draft work.  Which you pick will depend on what your primary goals are;  parades, freight hauls or draft tests.   Experts recommend trying as many harnesses as you can and see which you and your dog prefer before you purchase one.

Parade Harness

This harness has a padded strap that crosses the withers and circles the chest of the dog. There is another strap that wraps across the fore chest. This style of harness can be used for flat terrain if the load is light. A possible criticism of this variation of harness is that the free motion of the shoulders or legs may be hindered. Some may find this style of harness has limited uses, but it can be used for show.

Siwash Harness

This harness has straps that cross the dogs back between two straps that extend parallel to the ground, past the rear of the dog. A padded chest strap follows down the breastbone and through the front legs, which keeps pressure off of the shoulders. The connection point for the shafts is provided by a bellyband. The traces attach to two o-rings, keeping weight off of the dog’s back legs. With this type of harness, the dog has free range of shoulder and leg motion. This harness also allows for a lot of pulling power and excellent control of the load. The Siwash style is great for comfort and for all terrains.  This style of harness is designed centrally for carting. A possible drawback of this type of harness is that it may be difficult for individuals with limited experience with harnesses to get the hang of.

Freighting Style Siwash Harness

Differs from the regular Siwash harness because it is utilized to control loads most frequently associated with sleds. The angle from which the traces project from the harness to the object being pulled differs from the Siwash harness. A wooden spreader bar is frequently incorporated. This keeps the pressure off the spine and rear legs of the dog.

X-Back Harness

Can be used for sledding, in fact, they are most frequently seen on sled dogs. The large “X” on the back allows for even distribution of pulling weight. The “X” should optimally extend to the base of the tail. A padded strap extends on the front of the dog around the neck through the legs. This type of harness is designed for comfortable pulling, and is good for long distances.

Draft Harness

This style of harness has a padded collar that provides central pull, which enables the dog to have free shoulder and leg motion. The dog is able to lean into the collar with the shoulders and the breastbone. This variation of harness is most often made of leather.