I tested the EzyDog X-Link on Indie and Shelby, including on Shelby’s deep coonhound chest. What stood out immediately was the broad padded chest plate, strong leash attachment hardware and unusually prominent reflective detailing.
It’s a harness I like, but the fit is quite specific. I had to size up from EzyDog’s guidance for my deep-chested dogs, and that broad chest plate that works so nicely on Shelby could be excessive on a narrower dog.
My EzyDog X-Link Verdict
- Tested on: Indie and Shelby
- Best feature: Broad padded chest plate and excellent reflectivity
- Best suited to: Broad- or deep-chested dogs needing a substantial everyday walking harness
- Main drawback: Fit can be quirky, particularly on narrower chests
- Leash attachments: Front and back
- Crash tested: No — I would not use it as a vehicle restraint
- Would I recommend it? Yes, for the right body shape
This is not a sponsored post, however, this harness was provided free of charge by Ezy Dog in order for me to review!
This does, in no way colour my review or my words, this is my honest and true opinion of the product
Introducing The EzyDog X-Link Harness
Pros & Cons
The X-Link is a really interesting harness. With elastic involved on the ‘girth’ strap, stainless steel leash attachment points, and a strong set of nylon webbing. Then when coupled with a generous and padded chest plate it makes for an interesting harness choice for your dog.
This is an over-the-head, y-shapes harness, so if your dog is sensitive to over-the-head harnesses, it may be best to seek another harness.
Pros
Cons
What I Love About The EzyDog X-Link Harness
Likely the most reflective harness I’ve ever seen.
Maybe bar the Non-Stop Line harness, this harness has the most obvious reflective strips of any harness I’ve tried. What’s most unusual is that the chest has it’s own reflective strips! Which is really freaking clever, because a typical dog who is
Broad chest padding
This makes this harness pretty uniquely suited for broad chested dogs and bull breeds. The broadness of this chest plate is a bit of a double edged sword, it’s going to make it inappropriate for the more narrow chested breeds (silken windhounds etc) but for every other breed? It means that your dog, no matter how they pull, turn or twist, they’ll spread every inch of the weight across their entire chest.
However, please don’t imagine that this is going to encourage your dog to pull because it won’t. It would be a great choice if your dog does pull whilst you’re training them though, you can check out How To Stop Your Dog Pulling On A Leash to help you on your way!
Clever & Strong Leash Fixture
Firstly, EzyDog have elected to use the strongest material possible for the connections for their harness – which gives me great faith in this harness. I love when a harness invests in their equipment – and their customers!
I know this is such a small feature, but it’s massively considerate of EzyDog – and that’s the fact that the back attachment point has been ever so slightly curved upwards. This is done to make it easier for us to attach a leash and to do so quickly.
These may be small parts of a harness, but it is also one of the most important features of a harness and should not be underestimated!
What I Don’t Love About The EzyDog X-Link Harness
The fit is a little quirky
I found, with my deep-chested dogs, that I had to size up compared to what the website suggests. because my instinct says it’s meant to sit up on the chest, because that’s how it feels right per the straps and structures.
That said? When I did size up it was fitted easily enough such that both Indie and Shelby (it’s a little large for Lucy!) and I was really pleased to see the fit.
Broad chest padding
But … Ali… you put that in the good things too? Why is it good and bad?
Well, because it’s really broad. The XL is, at it’s widest point, 4.5 inches. That’s significant, that’s broader than my hand – which means that any dog who has a normal size chest, it may be a little cosy on them. You can see on Shelby above that it’s close to being a problem.
Luckily, it’s not for a problem for Shelby, or Indie, but it may come close if your dog is a little slim across the chest.
It’s a little pricey.
I wouldn’t choose it purely on price. The reason I’d buy the X-Link is the combination of its broad padding, reflective detailing, front and back leash attachments and the way it fits a substantial chest. If your dog doesn’t benefit from those things, there are plenty of simpler harnesses to compare in my tested dog harness guide.
Do I Recommend EzyDog X-Link Harness?
I do actually! I find that it doesn’t collect fur, it doesn’t pinch or create problems, it washes well, it allows for a full range of motion, and it’s got both the back and chest attachments that I love for teaching a loose lead walk.
I like this harness a lot. For me, this is more suited for a city-dog or a dog who spends a lot of time on leash, but it’s also perfect for off leash activities and hiking. The only limitation of this harness, is that it’s not crash tested and it’s broad chest plate may not be suitable for some dogs.
For broad- and deep-chested dogs, I think the EzyDog X-Link is particularly worth considering. I wouldn’t call any harness universally perfect for a body type, though: check that the chest plate isn’t crowding the shoulders or sitting too wide for your individual dog.
Not sure the X-link is for you, or would you like to find the perfect leash to go with this? Why not go see how it ranks compared to other harnesses?
Author, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a professional, qualified, and multi-award winning trainer is the founder of rebarkable. She has always believed animals deserve kindness and champions force free methods. Believing that dog guardians will all choose the kindest options if proper information is provided, she aims to help all dog guardians who need it and make dog training as accessible as possible
Ali lives win Maryland, US with her husband and her three dogs.
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