Homes with both a cat and a dog tend to run on a careful truce: separate bowls, separate beds, and a dog who gets the walks while the cat supervises from the window ledge. The cat may have the run of the house, but outdoors the dog is the one representing the family, which makes the harness worth a little thought.
Here are the questions to work through when choosing one that carries the dog’s own face and name.
What should the harness be made of?
This one blends polyester, neoprene and mesh, and its strap adjusts. The design goes on by sublimation, a heat process that bonds the artwork into the fabric instead of layering it over the surface.
How do I choose a size?
Choose from XS, S, M or L. Measure the chest and then the neck with a soft tape, ideally while the cat is elsewhere and not batting at the tape. Write the numbers down before ordering, then use the adjustable strap for the final fit.
Why not just buy a plain one?
A plain harness in a solid colour does the basic job, but it carries nothing of your dog’s personality. In a busy park, several dogs may wear the same model. A harness that puts your own dog’s face and name on its chest panel is instantly theirs, and it is a cheerful thing to see heading out of the door each morning.
How does the personalisation work?
Little Red Cute builds each personalised dog harness from a single photo. Once the upload is in and a style chosen, the illustration of your dog is created from that photo, name and all. You get a preview of the completed design on screen; you pay once you have approved it, and production waits for that approval too. Each harness is made only once ordered, in Singapore.
The photo needs to be sharp and taken in good light, with the face showing and turned roughly towards you. Phone pictures are fine. Try to catch the dog without the cat photobombing in the corner, so the face is the focus.
Can the cat get something too?
Harness, collar, leash and bandana are all dog items, but the shop also makes shirts and hoodies that carry a pet’s face in embroidery thread on the front, so the cat can be on your jumper even if it refuses to go for walks.
The cat will keep its window seat. The dog, meanwhile, gets to carry its own face around the neighbourhood.
