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If you have a pug, skip the collar and get a harness. I learned this fast with Puglo, my rescue pug who has now flown with me to 20 countries. Pugs are brachycephalic, which is the technical way of saying flat-faced with narrow airways, so any pressure on the neck from a collar can make breathing harder and stress an already delicate windpipe. A well-fitted harness spreads the pressure across the chest and back instead, which is safer and more comfortable for them.
The best harness for a pug is a padded, adjustable step-in or Y-front style that fits their wide barrel chest and short neck, with breathable material so they do not overheat. Below I break down how to measure your pug, what features actually matter for travel, and my top picks for the best harness for pugs.
Why pugs need a harness, not a collar
Pugs are one of the most airway-sensitive breeds out there. Because they are brachycephalic, their windpipe and breathing passages are already compromised, and a collar that tugs on the throat adds pressure exactly where they can least afford it. Vets link neck-lead pressure in flat-faced dogs to coughing, gagging, and long-term tracheal strain. You can read more about the breed on the American Kennel Club pug page and about the underlying issue in this overview of brachycephalic airway syndrome from VCA Hospitals.
A harness fixes this by moving the connection point to the chest and back. Puglo pulls a lot less on a harness, he cannot back out of a well-fitted one, and I get a much calmer walk through a busy airport or a new city.
Best Harness for Pugs
I have tried a lot of harnesses on Puglo over the years, and these are the ones that earned a permanent spot in our travel bag. Here is what we actually reach for and why.
Curli Air-Mesh Vest Harness (our everyday go-to)
This is the one Puglo wears most days. The Curli Air-Mesh vest harness is a step-in style with a light, breathable air-mesh, and that matters a lot for a pug. Flat-faced dogs overheat fast, and this fabric really keeps him cooler (it even has a cooling effect when you dip it in water). It spreads pressure across his chest instead of his throat, so there is no pulling against his windpipe, which is exactly what you want with a brachycephalic breed.
The feature that sold me is the built-in DogFinder ID. Every Curli harness has a unique serial number sewn in, and you register that number in a worldwide database. If Puglo ever slipped away and someone found him, they could report him as found on the site and I would be notified straight away. It is ID based, not GPS, so we pair it with a GPS collar (below) for live location tracking. Between the two, I feel much calmer traveling with him in unfamiliar places.
Kurgo Dog Harness
Before the Curli, we traveled with a Kurgo dog harness for our first few years together, and it is still one I recommend, especially for car trips and more active dogs. It is more heavy duty than the Curli: padded, tough, and fully adjustable, with a built-in loop that clips straight to a seatbelt so your dog is secured in the car.
It also has front and back leash attachment points, so you can switch to the front clip on days your dog is pulling. If your pug is a strong puller or you do a lot of road trips, this is the sturdier pick.
Sleepypod Clickit Sport
For road trips, this is what I put Puglo in. The Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness is a crash-tested car safety harness, and it is the only one to earn a five star rating from the Center for Pet Safety. It is crash-tested to the same U.S., Canadian, and E.U. child-restraint standards used for kids’ car seats. A broad, padded vest with three points of contact spreads and reduces the force in a sudden stop or collision, so Puglo is properly secured in the car, not just clipped in. Off the road it doubles as a regular walking harness. If you drive with your dog at all, this is the one safety upgrade I would not skip.
How to measure your pug for a harness
Measure the chest girth at the widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs, then use the two-finger rule: you should be able to slide two flat fingers between the strap and your dog. Also measure the neck girth low on the neck. Most adult pugs land in a Medium, but puppies and smaller females often need a Small. When you are between sizes, size up and tighten the straps. The AKC guide to brachycephalic breeds is a good primer if this is your first flat-faced dog.
| Pug | Chest girth | Neck girth | Usual size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy / small female | 15 to 19 in | 11 to 14 in | Small / X-Small |
| Average adult pug | 20 to 26 in | 14 to 18 in | Medium |
| Broad / older adult | 26 to 29 in | 17 to 20 in | Medium / Large |
What to look for in a pug harness
- Step-in or Y-front design. Pugs have wide chests and big round heads, so a step-in or Y-shaped front is easier and more comfortable than yanking something over their head.
- Padded and breathable. Pugs overheat quickly. Look for soft padding and mesh so they stay cool, especially in warm places like Puerto Vallarta where I am based.
- Fully adjustable. Their odd chest-to-neck ratio means you want at least two adjustment points to stop them backing out.
- A sturdy top handle. Great for lifting Puglo into a car seat, a train, or a carrier at the airport.
- Front and back clips. A back clip for calm walks, a front clip if your pug pulls.
Best types of harness for pugs
Rather than push one brand, here is how the main styles compare, since the right pick depends on whether you are walking, road-tripping, or flying. All of these are easy to find on Amazon ([AFFILIATE – add Amazon tag]).
| Harness type | Best for | Why it works for pugs |
|---|---|---|
| Padded step-in | Everyday walks | No over-the-head struggle, spreads pressure, comfy on a barrel chest |
| Y-front (no-choke) | Airway safety | Keeps all pressure off the throat, ideal for flat-faced breeds |
| No-pull front-clip | Pugs that pull | Redirects gently without neck strain |
| Crash-tested car harness | Road trips | Doubles as a seatbelt restraint for safety in the car |
| Mesh vest harness | Hot climates | Maximum airflow so your pug does not overheat |
Flying With Your Pug? Grab My Cabin Guide
Frequently asked questions
Flying with your pug? Grab my Cabin Guide
Once you have the right harness sorted, the next challenge is the flight itself. I put everything I have learned flying with Puglo into one simple resource, from choosing an airline-approved carrier to keeping a flat-faced dog calm and breathing easy in the cabin. If a trip is coming up, grab my flying with your dog cabin guide.
Do pugs need a harness or a collar?
Pugs should walk on a harness, not a collar. As a brachycephalic breed they have sensitive airways, and neck pressure from a collar can worsen breathing and strain the windpipe. A collar is fine for holding ID tags, but attach the leash to a harness.
What size harness does a pug need?
Most adult pugs fit a Medium, with a chest girth around 20 to 26 inches and a neck girth of 14 to 18 inches. Pug puppies and smaller females often need a Small or X-Small. Always measure and check the brand size chart.
Are step-in harnesses good for pugs?
Yes. Pugs have wide chests and large round heads, so a step-in or Y-front harness is easier to put on and more comfortable than pulling one over their head. Look for padding and adjustable straps so they cannot back out.
Can my pug wear a harness on a plane?
Your pug flies inside a carrier under the seat, so the harness is mainly for the airport and destination. Keep it on for security and boarding, and use a padded one with a handle so you can guide and lift your pug easily.
What is the best harness material for pugs in hot weather?
Choose a breathable mesh or lightweight padded harness. Pugs overheat fast, so airflow matters. Avoid thick or heavy fabric, especially in warm climates, and take the harness off during rest stops so your pug can cool down.
More dog travel guides
- The best dog breeds for travel
- My full packing list for traveling with a dog
- Airlines that allow large dogs in the cabin
- Airlines that allow dogs in the cabin
- How to travel with a dog internationally
- Bringing a dog to Thailand
- Bringing a dog to Colombia
- A dog-friendly Peru itinerary
- Dog-friendly cruises
- Pet-friendly hotels in Mexico City
- All my dog travel guides in one place
A good harness is just one piece of the travel puzzle. If you are planning trips with your pug, you might also like our life with a dog in Puerto Vallarta, the Aeromexico dog policy, and taking a dog to Italy.
