Dog car-harness comparison

We all go to great pains to ensure our safety on the road, but what about the welfare of our pet woofers?

Dogs makes great travelling companions but, if the worst happened and there was an accident, having everyone strapped in securely – four-legged pals included – is a compromise worth making.

With safety and style in mind, we asked Fuji, our friend’s pup, to test out some harnesses. We looked at three different makes and a range of price points: from around $50 up to $150. We also assessed them on the following criteria: style, ease of fit, comfort and safety credentials.

Sleepypod Clickit Sport ($100–$150)

Hands down, this is the best looker – it comes in a range of colours. It’s also easy to fit.

The adjustable buckles can be a little fiddly at first, but once you’ve set them properly it’s a breeze to use. This harness also passed a rigorous NRMA safety test in 2013, so you know it’s going to keep pup in place.

EzyDog Drive ($50–$100)

It looks a little RoboCop so maybe it’s more suited for tough-looking dogs – or, if you’re into irony, funny little fluffers that wish they were.

This was by far the easiest to fit: it has a single slide-buckle to get pooch tucked in. And Fuji didn’t seem to mind wearing this one at all, so it's comfortable.

This one’s made by an Australian company that has tested its designs, and it complies with Australian standards.

Purina Roadie ($50–$100)

When compared to the others, this harness seemed a little old-school – like a basic series of straps looped together, and that’s it. I guess you get what you pay for.

It isn’t particularly stylish, and Fuji was hesitant to wear it but we're not sure whether that was for aesthetic reasons. That said, if you’re aiming for safety on a budget, you could choose the Purina – it also passed the same NRMA Insurance Research Centre test in 2013.