Working harness: leather or biothane?

[Saeleofu]

I'm looking to get a leather working harness for Logan. Currently I'm using a nylon Kong harness with a similar style as these, but I really don't like nylon gear anymore. I love the style, though I would like some additional D-rings (instead of solid nylon and plastic snaps) for adding another handle.

Current harness:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...-10F8-E011-8116-001517B1882A&mr:referralID=NA


I've found these two, which are pretty much identical, except one is leather and one is biothane.

Leather:
http://www.k9power.com/redline-k9-standard-padded-leather-quick-release-harness.html

Biothane:
http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Bio...?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1324886842&sr=1-2


What would you choose? What are some of the pros and cons of leather and biothane? If it helps, most of our work would be indoors - harnessing up at home, driving to wherever in the car, and then going into wherever we're going. I do go for outside walks, but not usually in bad weather.

Does biothane break in nice and soft like leather does, or does it pretty much just stay the same forever?

Also if you know of a similar harness at a better price or better quality, feel free to let me know

 

[smeagle]

We stock the leather harnesses:

http://www.k9pro.com.au/products/K9-Pro-Premium-Leather-Harness.html

I love them. I haven't seen one that has as good a quality leather the above. I would have one but haven't found a reason to justify having one yet when I have a perfectly good DT Fun harness I don't use enough LOL

Good quality leather IMO should be really soft from the day you get it.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I use these, cheap and well made, I know though there have been some complaints lately with the customer service though. http://www.stillwaterkennelsupply.com/harnesses.htm

I like this one as well: http://www.activedogs.com/product.php?id=678

 

[PetDogPro]

I am kind of old fashion so I like leather. However, I am very close to being vegetarian so I’m slowly getting away from using leather. I don’t care for how the hardware looks on the Amazon harness. I like brass hardware on my training equipment

 

[smeagle]

I generally don't like nylon harnesses but I have this Dean and Tyler one and I love it:

You can get a patch to say a variety of things but I like the in training one as that is what I use it for.

 

[Saeleofu]

I don't want a DT harness. They're awesome for a lot of things, but I have finally found a harness style I like and works well with Logan's vest (for when I want to use the vest) so I'd like to stick with it. I really like the handle parallel to the spine - seems more comfortable for both of us. My hands are also sensitive and I like the feel of leather better. I can't stand most nylon handles, the only reason the Kong one works well for now is because it's lined in neoprene.

Adrianne, do you know if that second harness on the Stillwater page has a handle on the back? I can't really tell from the pictures. Aside from that the only thing I don't really like is that on both it and the Active Dogs one the belly strap things isn't un-doable without completely unbuckling it. On the ones I'm looking at they're adjustable with a buckle, but then have snaps so you can undo it without changing the size. As much as I take the harness off and on, I really, REALLY like that feature. I have to undo that part of the harness to put his vest on and take it off (it goes under the harness). That feature also adds two D (or O) rings to attach a secondary handle. The shorter, built-in handle is good for when I'm squatting or need a firmer pull, but for most walking it's too short and makes my hip hurt if we go more than a block or so.

I honestly don't care if the hardware is stainless steel or brass. That being said, I found one with brass hardware, and it's actually a few dollars cheaper: http://www.prodogz.com/All_Weather_Dog_Harness.htm (biothane)
http://www.dogsportgear.com/Padded-Leather-Quick-Release-Protection-and-Tracking-Harness_p_173.html (leather)

Right now I'm leaning towards leather. I like the idea of biothane, but I wonder if it's as easy on the coat as leather is? Logan still has a conformation career ahead of him, and I don't want to ruin his coat. I'm also looking into a lycra vest thing to go under the harness if needed to protect the coat, but I'm thinking if I get leather I may not need it. If I keep him in nylon I'll almost definitely it.

 

[smeagle]

Can't disagree with you on the feeling of leather - I only ever have leather leashes and collars for that reason too. Am sooooo tempted to get a leather harness LOL

 

[Saeleofu]

I do have a crap ton of DT patches I need to get sewn on Logan's vest. I have temporary velcro on them for now, but I'd like to get velcro sewed on the vest and the patches so I can change them out as needed.

 

[smeagle]

I do have a crap ton of DT patches I need to get sewn on Logan's vest. I have temporary velcro on them for now, but I'd like to get velcro sewed on the vest and the patches so I can change them out as needed.

The patches are the reason I went with the DT harness - and I like how easy it is to put on too. Am sure I will use it heaps when I get my new pup too.

 

[RD]

I'd use leather, but I'm really weird about the feel of the leash/handle in my hand, and it HAS to be leather and it HAS to be well conditioned. Maybe I'm too picky.

 

[pitbullpony]

I've used both biothane and leather in leashes and collars and I am making a dual-use harnesses for a pair of Dobes out of biothane; but, leather is more supple, soft and forgiving. Biothane has better strength, doesn't rot, stink and holds it's shape better. I chose biothane for the dobes because their owner wants to do a little sledding, tracking and agitation using them; outside, they don't freeze, rot, stink etc.
Biothane has it's place; and it's cheaper than leather; but I'd stick with leather for the purposes and uses of your harness.

 

[Saeleofu]

I just ordered a burgundy leather one last night - I found one on ebay for $39 I'm super excited to get it and start using it! They did have some biothane ones on ebay too - quite a few actually - but they were in the $70+ range, plus shipping.

 

[monkeys23]

That leather one is really similar to the Stillwater walking harness I use, except mine doesn't have a handle and was much cheaper, lol. I've heard very good things about Redline's equipment.

www.bridgeport.com has a leather tracking harness of similar style. I've used one before. They are very nice, but didn't adjust down small enough for my dogs shoulders and tipped to one side because my dogs are so narrow, which is probably just their mix.

I had this one for a while as Scout's harness. Very nicely made. I didn't like the lightweight hardware used for buckles. Much lower quality hardware than my Stillwater harness. But overally a very nice piece of equipment. I'm just really picky about equipment. It also always tipped to one side because Scout is so narrow through the shoulders. It was the Medium sized one. I sold it to a guy with a 20 month old male Dobe and it fits him perfectly for agitation work.
http://www.dogsportgear.com/All-Weather-Dog-Harness-with-Quick-Release_p_176.html

I know if I get a purebred Malinois someday my current Stillwater walking harness will work fine, but if I get a big male GSD I'll probably have him make me a custom one once the dog is grown. Cheaper than buying a harness I'm not totally happy with design wise and quality of materials-wise. I admit I'm really persnickity with equipment though.