A small dog straining on a collar puts all of that force through the windpipe, which is exactly where a toy breed can least afford it. A vest harness spreads the same pull across the chest and shoulders instead, and this one does it with soft mesh rather than webbing straps, so there is no thin band digging in behind the front legs on every walk.

The mesh is the reason it works in summer as well as winter. Air moves through it, so a dog already carrying a coat does not end up wearing a padded panel in July. The matching lead comes in the box, which saves hunting for something that suits it, and while the pom-pom trim around the edge is decoration rather than function, it does make a small dog considerably easier to pick out at dusk.

• Padded mesh vest spreads pressure off the neck
• Matching lead supplied in the set
• Adjustable fit in small, medium and large
• Breathable mesh for warm-weather walks
• Pom-pom trim, in black or pink
• Very light, at 57g to 68g depending on size

On sizing: harnesses are measured at the chest girth, taken with a tape right behind the front legs, and that figure rather than your dog's weight decides the size. Sets like this run small, so a dog sitting between two sizes should take the larger. A harness fits properly when you can slide two fingers flat under any strap and no more than that.

Who it's for: Owners of small dogs and puppies who want the lead off the neck without paying for a heavy padded rig.