I normally use a slip figure of 8 head lead on my strong boy and couldn't walk him without it as he jolts off to sniff at things and my arm sockets bear the brunt! recently when we were away we had a dog walking service who are trained IMDT (institute of modern trainers) who said they were not allowed to use (or don't advise on) slip type leads like the figure of 8 one. Instead they used an easy walk harness.
My question is do they work?? I Have spent so much money on different leads I don't want to buy anymore without recommendation, my boy really isn't keen on the figure of 8 one and tries to get it off. He is a long silky coat gundog which is thick and a good amount of chest feathering and my 2nd question is would the easy walker rub his fur away?? I show him and don't want bald or missing patches! This harness looks like it goes across the chest.

I have used a dogmatic which was good but he has grown out of it on his muzzle and the next size up would be too big around his neck.

I have used one of these types of harness on my GR. The D ring for the lead is on front of the harness that goes across the chest and I found it very effective in stopping my dog from pulling as she has nothing to pull against. It's a bit of a fiddle to get it fitting correctly so that it's close fitting in all areas without being overtight. I didn't find that it rubbed Isla's hair away, but she has a dense undercoat and her topcoat is not particularly long yet.
I have now moved onto a similar harness called a Freedom no pull (I think) mainly because that also has a further D ring for lead connection on the back of the harness. I use the front fastening if I want good control of the dog on a short lead and the back fastening when on a flexi or long lead. I always use a harness with flexi's or long leads, not the collar. The Freedom harness comes complete with a double ended lead for clipping onto the front and back for lots of control.

Have you ever considered the K9 Bridle.This is best and kindest head collar we have ever used.Never been a fan of the harness

Mmm sounds good but don't want coat rubbed, ok s
For distances I suppose.
Will look at the k9 bridle

I have just bought a mekcuti harness for Brooke (fcr ) it works very well for her particularly as she wont walk at all with a headcollar of any type. I am not a fan of harnesses from my point of view but do think properly fitted they are better for the dog. The two loop kind whatever make are the only ones I can see working in a pulling dog.Tellington touch do a good one as do extra dog in fact I think  they are the same and are fleecelined. Mecuti give you a 0 day return guarantee which is why I went with them  but do make sure it fits properly many don't. Having said all that my 40kg gsd I have tried on a harness and collar with double end ed lead and I still don't have the control I have with a headcollar. The head collar I like is the martingale one available on ebay that releases when they arnt pulling and is fleece lined. A lot don't release when the dog isnt pulling but stay tight  Yes I have tried loads of different things and this is one area iof his training I cant resolve and without the headcollar I don't feel in control
My dog walker walks him happily on a collar so if it were me and they can manage on a well fitted two ring harness that s what I would get, what you do when you are walking is you choice not theirs. have heard good things about the easy walk but never used one. Just looked at k9 and remember I had one of those and wasn't to happy. The only one I would now use is the martingale on because it attaches from behind and releases as I said when the dog isnt pulling s they get reward for walking properly

We have front leading harnesses for especially walking in busy places as well as other occasions and they are a dream. With a potential of around 80 kgs on the end of the leads when the youngest is fully grown too, they are magical and worth any fiddling. We brought ours back from being abroad and we look as if we have the best behaved dogs in town when they wear them and there's no hair loss or rubbing or overworked muscles.

Thanks is that the easy walk harness you use Elly?

I will also check out the other one too.

I was only going to change to make it nicer for my dog and if the easy walker is that good I would like to try it, it was just the worry of fur being damaged.

No its not but I don't have the packaging anymore so Im not sure of the make, sorry.

Elly does it have a label on the harness as I too would be really interested to know what the make is :-)

I use an Easywalk harness on some of the dogs I walk and it is fab. Originally bought it to get through Nando's awkward stage where he did pull somewhat- but mostly for my Mum who had back troubles and can't afford to have a near 40kg GSD straining on a lead.

I think they're fab and better at reducing pulling than a Perfect Fit harness- but overall still prefer the perfect fit as Nando walks to heel anyway.

It does sometimes rub short coated breeds but if you put it on upside down (with belly strap over shoulders and shoulder strap under belly) it doesn't rub.

This is it http://youtu.be/f5BqXXiKMYw Walk Right.

if you put it on upside down presumably it still works as well??

Works exactly the same! It's just the belly strap is in a different place.