We suggest using a soft towel slung under the belly if additional support is required in the meantime. A reusable canvas shopping bag slit down the sides also makes a handy temporary sling / harness for three legged dog. Find instructions for DIY Tripawd sling here. Although we aren’t aware of any research directly comparing how the Webmaster and Flagline harnesses affect a dog’s gait, we are hopeful that the smaller, lightweight design of the Flagline harness will help reduce alterations to normal movement.

Ruffwear is a well-known company in the world of dog-apparel and harnesses. If you have read many articles on this blog (or if you follow us on social media), you may have noticed that our dogs are frequently photographed wearing Ruffwear Webmaster Harnesses. The Webmaster Harness fits both dogs well and has held up to a lot of abuse on hiking trails. So when Ruffwear announced an updated version of the Webmaster Harness, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the new Flagline Harness. But the Flagline Harness isn't just about comfort and convenience. It's also about providing your dog with the support they need. The harness features a padded handle and a load-dispersing chest/belly panel. This design allows you to lift and assist your dog easily, making it ideal for senior dogs or when the terrain gets a bit challenging. My 100+ lb. Akita recently lost a front leg to cancer. Although he’s adapting really well, he still sometimes stumbles and walking on hard surfaces can be a little tough on him. I’ve tried to provide him with some extra support using various harnesses and it was really tough to find one that give him good support, didn’t hurt me, and did not interfere with the surgery scar. The Flagline hits on all counts. It’s comfortable for him and I can give him constant support during a walk without either of us getting uncomfortable. It took a couple of tries to adjust it, but the online video helped a lot and it went relatively easily. When we researched different harness types for hiking dogs, we found a couple of research studies that concluded that the less surface area a harness covered, the less it altered a dog’s natural gait. (Our review of this research can be found in our post “3 Tips for Choosing the Best Harness for Your Dog’s Next Adventure.”) The Flagline harness offers the same great support for three-legged dogs as the Ruffwear Web Master Plus. It also offers chest and belly protection, without need for the additional Brush Guard attachment.If you walk in high traffic areas, this is a great feature. Here in Minnesota, it is already dark by the time we walk throughout the fall, winter, and early spring. Reflective trim helps us keep safe on our nightly walks. Overall Review

This harness says it’s handwash only. I mean, this seems like one of the most ludicrous statements to make about a harness, especially a harness that’s made for hiking – but I will be totally honest. I’ve washed it in the machine, and it’s absolutely fine. So… I’m really not sure why it’s apparently not washable? Do I Recommend The Ruffwear Flagline? The size small Flagline Harness is intended for dogs with chest circumferences from 22 to 27 inches. Despite Glia being on the high side of that range, we still had plenty of strap left for future adjustments after fitting the harness to Glia’s current size/shape.With such a wide range of colours, designs and uses, it's no wonder Ruffwear is one of our best selling brands! However, what makes these harnesses truly stand out is their adjustability, meaning the vast majority of dog breeds will get a great fit. I wanted to review the Ruffwear Flagline for you because I know this harness is such wonderful quality, and not only is it quality? I’ve seen it in a number of practical, real-life situations where it thrives. It’s a tool I recommend regularly to my clients based on these experiences.