How to Make a Harness for Pomeranians

If you own a Pomeranian, you know what a lively, entertaining and loyal animal they can be. However, the delicate throat of this little dog is no match for a normal leash and collar combo, and store-bought harnesses can be too rough for your Pom̵7;s sensitive skin and long hair. Dogs that pull on leashes or have respiratory problems should wear a harness while walking rather than a traditional leash. A Pomeranian̵7;s esophagus is soft, so it's susceptible to pressure. Make your own walking vest for a gentle way to walk your Pom, and specially fit it to your dog̵7;s body.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 to 2 yards of patterned fabric
  • 1 to 2 yards of sew-in or iron-on fusible interfacing
  • Paper
  • Pencil or fabric pen
  • Measuring tape
  • Metal D-Ring
  • 2 1/2 inch sew-in Velcro
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a patterned fabric for the harness, then iron it.

    • 2

      Take your Pomeranian̵7;s measurements. Measure the dog around the neck, along the spine to halfway down the dog̵7;s body, and around the dog̵7;s girth (the widest point of the ribs). Add 4 inches to these measurements to allow room for seams and room for the Pomeranian̵7;s thick hair. Record the measurements to make your pattern.

    • 3

      Draw your pattern on paper using the dog̵7;s measurements. Draw a horizontal line that's the length of the dog's neck to halfway down its back, then draw a vertical line at one end of this line using the dog's neck measurement. Draw a second line at the other end of the horizontal line using the dog's body measurement. When you're finished, the lines should resemble a capital "H" with both lines centered and the neck line shorter than the body line.

    • 4

      On your pattern, draw a straight line completely around the measurement lines (resembling a capital "H"), allowing 2 1/2 inches around the lines to allow room for sewing.

    • 5

      Cut out two pieces of the fabric you have chosen and one piece of interfacing using your pattern. If you're using iron-on interface, iron it to the back (the unpatterned side) of one of your pieces of fabric.

    • 6

      Cut out a rectangle at the body measurement line out of your fabric. This rectangle should be 4 inches wide and half as long as your dog̵7;s body measurement. This is where the D-ring will be attached for the leash hook.

    • 7

      Layer your fabric and the interface. You should layer the fabric so that the pattern is showing on either side. The interface should be on the inside.

    • 8

      Sew the edges of the cloth and interface together as if you were sewing a pantleg hem by folding over the edges twice. Use a straight stitch if you're hand sewing, and a small-to-medium straight stitch setting if you're using a sewing machine.

    • 9

      Sew the sides of the rectangle that you cut out in Step 5, then thread the D-ring to the middle of the rectangle. Fold the rectangle of fabric at the D-ring and sew a straight stitch on either side of the D-Ring. Sew the rectangle together on each side all the way around and attach it to the middle part of the dog harness, on the part where your dog's back will be. The D-ring should be located close to the dog̵7;s shoulders when your Pomeranian is wearing the completed harness.

    • 10

      Attach the Velcro to the dog harness. Attach the hook, or rough side, to one end of the neck measurement and the loop, or soft side, to the other end of the neck measurement. Repeat for the girth measurement.

    • 11

      Fit the harness to your Pomeranian. Make adjustments if necessary. You should be able to fit one finger comfortably between the harness and your dog̵7;s skin for a proper fit.