The Best Miniature Dachshund Harness for Hikes or Long Walks

Updated: May 10, 2022

Finding a harness for hiking or long walks with your Miniature Dachshund can be a real challenge.

Trust me, I’ve been trying to find one that fits well, and doesn’t chafe when it gets wet and dirty, or when we hike or walk for long distances (over 5 miles and up to 20), for years.

Literally YEARS. We’re talking over ten.

The Challenge of Finding a Harness That’s Fit’s a Dachsund Body Correctly

I’ve tried many harnesses from the biggest names in outdoor dog gear to handmade ones I’ve found at craft fairs.

One issue with finding a well-fitting harness for a Miniature Dachshund is the smallest size made is often still too large for my dogs.

If I find a harness that looks like it will fit, it’s often not made for a Miniature Dachshund’s “odd shape”.

It doesn’t account for a longer back, and skinnier waist, than most small dogs with the same size rib cage have.

The smallest size harnesses are often “big dog size” shrunk down. This doesn’t truly take into account a smaller dog’s body proportions.

In my expeirence, this often results in the buckles sitting right in the arm pit, or behind the elbow, where the elbo repeadedly bumps against it and gets red and sore.

That’s not to mention feet that turn out causing the elbows to sit tight against the body (so there is little to no space for a harness strap).

And often I have to tighten the strap that goes around the rib cage as small it will go, which means the strap becomes double the thickness where it fits under the arm pits, making the harness an impossible option for a Dachshund in regard to chafing.

So there are always a lot of factors that create a perfectly fitting harness for a Dachshund.

Any minor issues that you might be able to overlook during a walk around the block become a big issue when hiking or going for a long walk.

Which Harness Do You Use When Hiking with Your Miniature Dachshunds?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a qualifying purchase. 

Ive been hiking with my Dachshunds for almost 20 years and, as I said, I’ve tried dozens of harness brands and styles.

Below are the ones that cause little or no issues for my dogs when we walk or hike over 5 miles.

Hurtta Casual Padded Y Dachshund harness

While this harness is not made specifically for Dachshunds, the Hurtta brand is from Europe where it’s more common to hike with Dachshunds so they consider the fit for their body.

The Hurtta Casual Padded Y Harness was the first harness that finally worked for my Miniature Dachshunds, and the one we’ve been using for over five years.

There have been only a few issues with mild chafing if the trail was really wet and dirty and we hiked over 10 miles.

The harness rubbed some of the fur off but and my dog’s skin started to get raw and red.

Note: IMPORTANT make sure to view the size chart to find the right one for your pup if you buy.

Discovering the Hurtta Padded Y Harness was such a relief because every harness I had tried before them was troublesome.

YIPPEE!

Buy the Hurtta Padded Y Harness HERE.

Is there a chance this harness could not work for your Dachshund? Sure, just like people, all dogs are built just a little different.

I always suggest trying a harness on at home, before removing the tags, and sending it back for a refund or exchange if it doesn’t fit right.

However, I haven’t heard from any Miniature Dachshund owners that it hasn’t worked for.

Hurtta Casual Padded Y Harness Review

The Casual Padded Y Harness doesn’t look so unlike many other Roman style dog harnesses.

But it is!

First, most harnesses of this style have a regular loop that goes around the neck. It’s pretty much like a loose fitting collar.

This means that it’s easy for the lower part of the neck strap to put pressure on a dog’s neck, or put pressure on their windpipe, if they pull.

The Padded Y harness has a V-shape at the neck so the strap sits lower on the neck in front, which means it’s less likely to choke your Dahcshund when they pull.

Buy the Hurtta Padded Y Harness HERE.

Dachshund standing on a rock wearing the Hurtta Casual Padded Y Harness

Second, the strap that goes around the rib cage sits a little further back than most harnesses.

This means that the strap doesn’t sit tight in the arm pits, which has been the cause 90% of the time my Dachshunds have ended up with red chafe marks after a hike.

The other 10% was because the lower part of their front legs rubbed against, or bumped against, the harness chest strap when walking (when their legs moved toward her rear, their elbows hit the strap).

Again, the strap sits back further on this harness so their front legs don’t come in contact with it often, or at all, when walking.

Third, the webbing has neoprene padding on the inside.

This further helps to prevent chafing. It’s a smoother surface so it doesn’t pick up as much dirt and it isn’t as rough against the skin as bare webbing is.

As with everything, there are pluses and minuses though:

Pros:

  • It sits lower on the neck than other harnesses of this style so it’s less likely to put strain on your Dachshund’s windpipe
  • The chest strap doesn’t sit in the arm pits so the chance of a dog getting chafed on a hike is greatly reduced
  • There is protective neoprene padding on the inside of the straps which make them gentler on the skin
  • The chest strap is adjustable
  • The harness has 3M reflectors for added visibility when walking, or hanging out around camp, at night.
  • The harness comes in 5 different colors

I really don’t have many complaints about the Hurtta Casual Padded Y harness.

Cons:

  • It has a sternum strap that runs down the front of the chest and through the front legs. Like most harnesses on Dachshunds, the chest strap slips to the side of the pointy Dachshund breast bone.
  • It doesn’t support the back enough to use it as a handle to lift your dog on a regular basis. For example, over a log or up onto a ledge. This is especially true if your Dachshund has IVDD or has previously suffered a back injury.
  • Like any product, it may not fit all Miniature Dachshunds (but will work well for most).

Buy the Hurtta Padded Y Harness HERE.

How to Choose the Right Hurtta Harness Size

To choose the correct size Casual Padded Y Harness, you will need your dog’s neck and chest measurements.

For the neck, drape a flexible measuring tape loosely around the base of your dog’s neck. You may even want it to hang down slightly like short necklace would.

For measuring the chest, even though the rear strap may not sit on the widest part of your dog’s rib cage when they have it on, that is the best place to measure.

Then compare those two measurements to this size chart.

Sizing chart for the Hurtta Casual Padded Y Harness for Dachshunds

Some dogs will fall somewhere in the middle of the size ranges when the neck measurement is considered.

I recommend going with the closest chest measurement range.

Even though the neck strap is not adjustable, there is some “fudge” room there to accommodate a neck a bit larger or smaller than the measurement listed.

For reference, Gretel’s chest measures 16 – 16 1/4 inches and the base of her neck is about 12 inches around.

Summit’s chest measurement is 15 1/4 inches and her neck measurement is also around 12 inches.

Both of my miniature Dachshunds wear a size 18.

Although this harness is advertised as “ideal for everyday walks and activities for all dogs”, my Miniature Dachshunds have hiked miles of trail up and down mountains in it.

What If My Dachshund’s Chest Measurement is On the Borderline for Hurtta Sizes?

Sometimes I receive emails about sizing from Dachshund who measured their dog’s chest circumference and find it in the middle range.

For example, if their Dachshund’s chest measured 18 inches, they wonder if they should order the 14-18” size Padded Y harness or the 18”-22”.

If your Dachshund is in-between sizes, and you think the smaller size would just fit when adjusted to the largest range, it’s probably best to go with that one.

I tell them, although I can’t 100% guarantee I will choose the right fit for their dog, I’ve found the maximum size of the Padded Y harness listed to be accurate (so the 14″-18″ harness does indeed expand to fit an 18 inch chest).

If a Dachshund’s chest measurement is clearly under the maximum range listed for a specific size, I recommend going with the smaller size (vs sizing up).

I think it’s best to go with the smallest harness size you can so that the chest strap adjustment buckles will sit higher up on the back, versus lower and potentially in the armpits or in a position that causes your dog’s elbows to bump against them when they walk.

If a Dachshund is full grown, they will not likely need a larger size later unless they gain weight.

Are There Any Other Dachshund Harnesses You Would Recommend?

I sometimes like to use a different harness for hiking, especially if we are hiking for several days in a row.

Using a different harness occasionally helps to eliminate any hot spots because the straps hit in different places.

We’ve used two other harness on a limited basis but, so far, any chafing issues are few and far between.

Ruffwear Flagline Harness

I was delighted to discover the Ruffwear Flagline Harness.

I love this brand and love the look and functionality of their Webmaster Harness.

Unfortunately, my Miniature Dachshunds, despite how many times I tried to adjust and modify it the Webmaster harness, always experienced severe chafing.

The Flagline looks very much like the Webmaster but the fabric is not as stiff and the first chest strap sits further back on the chest.

This means the harness conforms to their body better and the chest strap doesn’t sit in my small dog’s arm pits.

Buy the Ruffwear Flagline Harness HERE.

We tried it on a couple shorter, drier hikes with no chafing issues, first.

Then my Dachshund wore it for a 10 mile hike through several streams where it got wet and dirty.

It looks like this harness is going to work for us too! There was no chafing.

I was a little concerned because the strap that runs between the front legs is a wide panel instead of a narrow strap.

There have been instances before where the side of a wide panel cut into the inside of my Dachshund’s legs, but it appears that we won’t have the same issue with this one.

Hug-a-Dog Harness by Dachshund Delights

The only other harness we’ve tried that caused almost no chafing issues when we went on wet and muddy hikes and walks is the mesh Hug-a-Dog vest harness from Dachshund Delights.

Well Behaved Dog Off Leash on a Trail

I don’t like it as much as the Hurtta Padded Y harness, or even the newly-discovered Flagline harness, but I do carry it with us often in case the harness we started out with does start to chafe – as kind of an emergency backup.

Final Thoughts

My first choice of Dachshund harness for long walks or hikes is still the Hurtta Padded Y.

The Ruffwear Flagline is coming in at a close second though and the Hug-a-Dog Dachshund harness is a good emergency backup if the other harnesses start to chafe my dogs.

It’s fits significantly different than the other two so it would be unlikely to rub in the same places the skin was starting to get raw.

I will say that if you have a Dachshund that refuses to walk and tries to back out of their harness, the Flagline or Hug-a-Dog might be the better options.

This is the best harness I've found for hiking with my Dachshunds

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jessica. I’ve been studying the Dachshund breed since 2007, owned 3 of my own, and shared in the lives of thousands of others through their owner’s stories. When I’m not sharing what I know on this blog, you can find me hiking, camping, and traveling with my adventurous wiener dogs.

19 Comments

  1. I have a 12 week old LH mini dachshund and really on the fence of purchasing the 14in or 18in Hurtta Y-Harness.

    1. Hi Tracey. A 12 week old puppy is going to grow a lot. I would suggest buying a cheap harness, that is the correct size to fit right now, and preferably adjustable, and wait to buy this harness until your Dachshund is full grown (11 months or so). Personally, I did buy two of these over the course of my puppy’s growing period but that was after going through 3 cheap harnesses to tide her over while she was growing. Sometimes she grew out of a harness in just a couple weeks!

  2. Thank you for this rec and review! I just ordered one of of these for my docker because we are getting into doing long hikes. Since he is a mix his body is not exactly like that of a dachshund, but he does have the very prominent breast bone and pretty short front legs. I’m curious, have you ever tried the ruffwear front range harnass? I was thinking of trying that one as well, but it’s a little more pricey so I’m not sure.

    1. Yes, we have. We were one of the original product testers before it became available to the public. It’s a good harness but just didn’t quite fit my miniature Dachshunds right and the strap still sat in the arm pit, which is the cause of most of our chafing issues. The Hi & Light is a lighter, more flexible version of the Front Range harness at fit a little better because it wasn’t so stiff. https://ruffwear.com/products/hi-and-light-dog-harness

  3. Hello,

    I just moved to Denver and I have a 3 year old mini dachshund that I’m wanting to start hiking with. His neck measurement was 12″ and his chest was 17″-18″. He has some healed broken ribs from when he was a puppy and I was curious which size you think I should order? Just not sure if the 18-22″ would be too big or if he needs the room for his ribs?

    Thank you!

  4. Hi! I’ve got a 5 years old mini longhaired dachshund and I do love go out with her for some trekking!
    I’ve always used normal collars for now, since her breeder has always suggested me to keep using it in order to avoid back sollecitations caused by the leash attached to the harness. However, since we like go outdoor a lot, I think that a good harness will fit her better, but in some ways I’m still a bit concerned: are they safe for their back when they pull? What is the best harness that distributes the weight away from their spinal chord?
    Thank you a lot for your advice!!!

  5. You obviously haven’t tried a
    ezydog harnes . They are awesome, great quality. I’ve got 2 shitzu 1 has a small the other a extra small. They would fit most small dogs and I think u can get even smaller that a extra small. Neck and chest are adjustable, easy to put on. My dogs are 18.5 inches and 21 inches around the chest. They look like better quality than these ones, and there easier to put on

    1. I have tried them. The Quick Fit harness anyway. When my Dachshunds get on a scent, they can pull really hard. The strap that goes across the front of the chest puts pressure on their throats and causes them to choke and cough. I’m glad they work for your dogs though.

    2. Hi from over the pond
      I also have the ezydog harness fit the best from other we tried doesnt pull on kneck or middle back easy to put on not bulky on our little chap would highly recommend

    1. Hi Palcus. Summit and Gretel ‘s chest circumference is between 15.5 and 16.5 inches. They both wear the XXS (the size chart says that size fits a chest of 13-17 inches (33-43 cm). I hope that helps.

  6. Hi,

    Have you tried the Hurtta H harness as well? We have the Ezydog harnesses for our tweenies now and the H type Hurtta looks like the same type but padded and maybe better.

    Thanks

  7. The flagline is awesome for our mini dach, she is quite the escape artist and can get out of every harness we have tried that only has a single strap behind her front legs. The flagline suppports her whole body and no matter how hard she tries she can’t wiggle out of it. The second rear strap fits nicely around her stomach and can’t pull over her chest. Great work ruffwear! Thank you for making it in a XXS.

    1. Hi Todd. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad to know it worked for your little escape artist as it’s one of my top recommendations for dogs that try to slip out.

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