The Best Working Dog Vests

Working dogs are known for their ability to learn quickly. They tend to have a watchful and alert demeanor that allows them to perform a variety of tasks. Some dogs may be ideal for guarding property while others may be well-suited for pulling sleds, while other dogs are known for performing water rescues like Newfoundlands. Service dogs are dogs that have received special training to help a person with a disability live independently. These dogs are given the title of service dog because they’ve been individually trained to perform tasks that help the person who has a disability.

To identify these working dogs, you can use a vest that clearly outlines the role of the dog you have alongside you. This ensures that others do not bother your dog and respect that it’s working. It signifies that your dog is not just a pet, rather is trained to perform a specific action whenever necessary. For instance, a guide dog can help people who are visually impaired or blind. On the other hand, for people who may be hard of hearing or deaf, a hearing dog can help to alert them of changes to their environment. A medical alert dog may be specially trained to alert its owner of a medical issue. For example, if the person has a seizure disorder or faints when their blood sugar gets too low, a medical alert dog can signal that something is coming to get the person to a safe location.

Your working dog may be a psychiatric service dog, which helps people with disabilities by interrupting obsessive behavior, reminding their owner to take their medication, or reducing stress when navigating a triggering event or environment. There’s a variety of vests that you can find online, but some are better suited for small dogs while others are best for larger dogs. In this article, we cover the best overall working dog vest, the best vest for dogs in training, and we share the best value we found on a vest that includes backpacks for more heavy-duty support. If you’ve tried a vest and it chafes, you’ll be relieved to find the best non-chafing working dog vest included in this list. Even if you’re not specifically looking for a service dog vest, you can find a working dog vest that makes adventures with your canine partner feel official — all with the use of a tactical vest.

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Working Dog Vests

#1 Best Overall: Albcorp Working Dog Vest

Easily the best, the Albcorp Working Dog Vest has several attractive features and benefits.

This vest is highly reflective and comes with two bright service dog patches. It’s available in black, green camo, maroon, red, and red camo. Built to last, it’s woven of tough nylon and polyester. The handle on top is sturdy and it comes with a durable D ring to hold your dog’s leash or ID tag. Not only is it built for durability, but it’s also lightweight and padded for non-chafe cushioning. It’s practical, it’s comfortable, and the lightweight aspect of it makes it so that your dog hardly feels it. The belly strap is adjustable, and the small size accommodates girths from 20 inches to 27 inches while the extra-large accommodates girths from 33 inches to 44.5 inches.

When you count on your service dog every day for help, you need to have a premium vest that fits well, looks good, and can be worn daily. Plus, your dog needs to be highly visible. This vest has a vivid fluorescent trim that’s more reflective than most other harnesses. Even if you’re in low light conditions, you and your dog are kept safe. That feeling of security you get knowing that you’re highly visible is invaluable. The service dog patches are also reflective and come with a sure-grip hook and loop backing. The buckles are extra strong with easy snap clasps. The reinforced top-mounted handle is designed for training and emergency control while the sturdy, stainless steel D ring allows you to attach your leash securely. Designed with ergonomic contours, your dog feels right at home in no time. The service dog patches are removable, so when your dog is not working, he can still enjoy the padded, breathable harness.

Unfortunately, some customers have found that the size guide is not accurate. Some found that the sizes run a little big, while others found that the extra large was not as big as expected.

Pros and Cons of the Albcorp Working Dog Vest

Best Overall

ALBCORP Service Dog Vest

• Made from tough nylon and polyester
• Lightweight and padded for non-chafe cushioning
• Has a vivid fluorescent trim that’s more reflective than most other harnesses
• Designed with ergonomic contours

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2. Best for Training: Doggie Stylz Service Dog in Training Vest

When your dog is not an official service dog yet but is going through the process of training we recommend the Doggie Stylz Service Dog in Training Vest which features two free removable reflective patches to alert others that your pup is a service dog in training.

This vest is available in three colors including red, purple, and black. The smallest size is for girths between 12 inches and 16 inches while the largest size is for girths between 30 inches and 42 inches. It has a D ring on top, which makes it easy to attach your leash and it also has two adjustable straps for a customized fit. The material is lightweight and breathable with a reflective stripe on each side that keeps you and your pup visible, even when it gets dark out.

The handle on top of this harness gives you extra control, no matter the situation. It’s designed with durable two inch nylon and the underside of the harness is made of neoprene, which reinforces and guards against abrasions. The entire harness is double stitched to make it stronger, no matter what activities you and your dog engage in.

Unfortunately, some customers have found that the buckles are not easy to adjust, while others have found that the sizes run big.

Pros and Cons of the Doggie Stylz Service Dog in Training Vest

Best for Training

Doggie Stylz Service Dog in Training Vest

• Made from material that is lightweight and breathable
• The reflective stripe on each side keeps you and your pup visible
• The quick-release buckle makes it super easy to get on and take off
• Designed with durable 2-inch nylon

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3. Best Value: Industrial Puppy Service Dog Harness & Backpacks

The best value we found for a working dog vest is the Industrial Puppy Service Dog Harness and Backpacks.

This two-in-one service vest and backpack helps to identify your dog and also serves as a dog pack carrier. It’s made with breathable mesh and has reflective straps and patches to make sure that your pup is always visible. The saddlebags are removable, and they can hold your keys, your wallet, your cell phone, or any other items you need when out and about with your dog. This design also features a top-mounted handle that gives you complete tactical control over your working dog. The belly buckle is easy to use, which makes putting it on and taking it off really easy. It’s available in three colors, including black, pink, and red. The small size is for girths between 21 inches and 26 inches and the extra-large is for girths between 30 inches and 39 inches around the chest.

This is a fantastic vest for making sure everyone around you knows that your dog is hard at work. All the patches are removable and when you purchase the harness and backpacks, your order includes four of those service dog Velcro patches. Although the saddlebags are helpful for storing small items, they’re not big enough to hold an entire food bowl or multiple water bottles. If you tend to go on long hikes, for example, you may need more room. Otherwise, for a few small items, the saddlebags work great.

Pros and Cons of the Industrial Puppy Service Dog Harness & Backpacks

Best Value

Industrial Puppy Service Dog Harness & Backpacks

• Two-in-one service vest and backpack
• Made with breathable mesh
• The top-mounted handle gives you complete tactical control over your working dog
• Available in three colors

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4. Best Non-Chafing Vest: Pawshoppie Real Reflective Service Dog Vest

Unfortunately, chafing is a big problem when it comes to harnesses on dogs, which is why we have selected the Pawshoppie Real Reflective Service Dog Vest as the best non-chafing option.

Finding the right one requires careful consideration of the materials and ensuring you purchase the proper size. With this service dog vest, you won’t have to deal with frayed seems or accessories that won’t hold. It’s great for use with large and small breeds! They have an extra-extra small option for girths between 15 inches and 17 inches and an extra-large option for girths between 32 inches and 44 inches. The neoprene inner lining is what makes it ultra-comfortable. It’s padded and reduces irritation for your dog’s ultimate comfort. It’s also important to note that this harness is not just for service dogs. Do you have any other kind of working dog, like an emotional support dog? Just remove the patches and replace them with two of your own!

There is a built-in handle on top that allows you to better control your dog during training, which is especially helpful when you’re faced with an emergency. It comes with a stainless steel D ring for leashes and ID tags and the front strap has a reflective strip for safety. Like with other harnesses, this one has an easy-to-use belly buckle so that you can suit up your dog quickly and efficiently. We love that Pawshoppie stands behind its products and offers a lifetime guarantee. That means if you don’t feel satisfied with the service dog vest, just let them know and they’ll process a refund.

However, the buckle underneath the ribcage sits under the dog’s armpit which means it can be quite difficult to fasten.

Pros and Cons of the Pawshoppie Real Reflective Service Dog Vest

Best Non-Chafing

Pawshoppie Real Reflective Service Dog Vest

• Neoprene inner lining makes it ultra-comfortable
• The built-in handle on top allows you better control of your dog during training
• Comes with a stainless steel D ring for leashes and ID tags
• Lifetime guarantee

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5. Best for Small Dogs: LMOBXEVL Service Dog Harness

When you think of working dogs, you may picture larger breeds automatically. However, small dogs can serve as working dogs also, and for these we have selected the MOBXEVL Service Dog Harness.

This no-pull dog harness comes in small sizes to meet the needs of those smaller working dogs! It’s available in a wide range of colors including black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, and turquoise. It’s available in extra small and small sizes but you can also purchase this in larger sizes too. The no-pull design makes it so that you can enjoy an easy walk with your dog. Pulling pressure is evenly distributed to the body to prevent choking. Plus, it features sturdy metal D rings for safety. It’s adjustable and has quick snap buckles so that you can get it on easily and customize the fit for your dog.

This harness has a sturdy fabric handle on the back to help you better control and assist your dog. This handle is ideal when you are in a public setting and need to keep your dog close. You can also hang your dog tags on the chest part of the harness. For visibility, this harness is equipped with 3M reflective straps. The breathable mesh lining and soft sponge padding plate keep your dog comfortable while ensuring their protection. This harness comes with two labels, one for “service dog” and one for “in training.”

However, some customers found that the vinyl handle doesn’t have much structure and may not be suitable for dogs that need heavy guidance.

Pros and Cons of the LMOBXEVL Service Dog Harness

Best for Small Dogs

LMOBXEVL Service Dog Harness

• No-pull design 
• Features sturdy metal D rings for safety
• Equipped with 3M reflective straps for visibility
• Adjustable and has quick snap buckles

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6. Best Tactical Vest: OneTigris Tactical Vest

Our selection as the best tactical vest is the OneTigris Tactical Vest.

The OneTigris harness is durable and versatile and is constructed from a durable 500D nylon material that is designed to resist water, dirt, and damage. It also features soft interior padding for lightweight, water-resistant comfort. It’s available in ranger green, coyote brown, and black. It comes with fully adjustable neck and chest straps to ensure that your dog has a snug and secure fit. There’s an extra-strong V-ring leash attachment which just adds to the security of this design. There’s a control loop at the front to keep your dog close whenever needed and there is a crisscross bungee strap for extra storage. The vest also has MOLLE strips and hidden EDC pockets with zippers on each side to allow your dog to carry essential supplies and materials. It also has a removable neck strap that allows the UTX-snap buttons to connect to a mobility assistance harness.

Keep in mind that this harness is not suitable for small dogs. There is a medium-size option and there’s a large-size option, so it’s better suited for larger breeds. Also, some customers reported that some of the straps come loose easily.

Pros and Cons of the OneTigris Tactical Vest

Best Tactical Vest

OneTigris Tactical Vest

• Durable and versatile
• Soft interior padding for lightweight, water-resistant comfort
• Extra-strong V-ring leash attachment
• Features webbing along both sides so that you can add pouches to carry gear and supplies

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Choosing the best working dog vest is about more than clear labelling. Sure, you want to purchase a dog vest that clearly states that your dog is a service dog but there are other features to consider. For example, materials, design, and durability are all factors that come into play when choosing the best vest.

Materials

Nylon is a popular choice when selecting a working dog vest because it’s weather resistant and durable. However, there is a downside to nylon. It can easily cause chafing, which would make your dog uncomfortable. If the harness you’re looking at is made from nylon, make sure that it also includes padding to protect your dog’s skin. Additionally, if you live where the climate gets hot, make sure that the vest is equipped with mesh for breathability. Nylon is not a breathable material and when it’s hot, your dog could overheat. Another material that helps with reducing chafing is neoprene. Look for this material when selecting a vest for your dog to keep him comfortable.

Design

Design is another crucial consideration. Look for a vest equipped with a D-ring so that you can easily attach your leash. A no-pull design is great for reducing discomfort around your dog’s neck and preventing choking. Most working dog vests are also equipped with a top-mounted handle, to give you more control of your pup in tight spaces. You’ll also find that the best vests are equipped with Velcro, so you can remove or replace the service dog patches whenever needed. Since some harnesses can be tough to get on and off your dog, look for easy release buckles as well.

Durability

If you have a growing dog, you may need to invest in more than one vest. However, if you can find a harness that is adjustable and allows room for growth, that’s the way to go. Make sure you’re selecting sturdy materials, including stainless steel rings so that you can get the best value from your purchase over a long period.

The Different Types of Working Dog Vests: Pros and Cons Compared

There are different types of working dog vests. There are simple capes that drape over your dog’s body with a label that identifies his role and there are more advanced designs that you can use as a harness.

Cape Vests

Cape Harness

Pulling Harness

Brace and Mobility Support Harness

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