Flagline Harness by Ruffwear
$69.95
The Ruffwear Flagline harness is a lightweight, compact support harness for three-legged dogs of all sizes. Purchase includes standard shipping and coupon for $5 Off Tripawds E-books.
NOTE: Buy Multiple Ruffwear Products for Instant $10 Rebate!
Description
The Ruffwear Flagline harness is a game-changer for three legged dogs. It’s the leanest and lightest harness yet, and the only Ruffwear harness that slips over your dog’s head making it the easiest to put on front-leg amputees – regardless of which leg is missing.
The Ruffwear Flagline Harness is a Game-Changer for Helping Tripawd Dogs
The Flagline is an incredible new option for Tripawds. It is the first Tripawd support harness by Ruffwear that easily slips over your dog’s head. Just slip it on, buckle up and you’re ready to go.
This means your dog no longer has to balance on two legs when you put it on!
Other Great Flagline Harness Features:
- Compact, light profile. It’s cool to wear on hot days, and is friendly to petite and small breed Tripawds.
- Three leash attachment points. A front-chest loop attachment is great for Tripawds who pull!
- Debris-resistant liner.
Plus, the same great harness support from Ruffwear!
The Flagline harness offers the same great support for three-legged dogs as the Ruffwear Web Master Plus. It also offers chest and belly protection, without need for the additional Brush Guard attachment.
The bottom panel disperses the weight of dogs in the harness, for additional comfort when lifted. The bottom also adds stability to the harness, further minimizing shifting.
A note about front-leg amputees: The Flagline is truly the best harness for front-leg Tripawds yet. But keep in mind that without that fourth leg, all harnesses may shift a bit during the day. When sized and properly adjusted, however, all harnesses we carry have minimal shifting.
NOTE: Base price includes free shipping via USPS Priority Mail. Ruffwear items do not ship same day. Select desired shipping option to rush delivery. ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE THE UNITED STATES. Find Ruffwear international dealers.
Harness Sizing
Take your dog’s girth measurement while standing up for the perfect fit. See this video for measuring help.
- XXS: 13-17 in (33-43 cm)
- XS: 17-22 in (43-56 cm)
- SM: 22-27 in (56-69 cm)
- MED: 27-32 in (69-81 cm)
- LG/XL: 32-42 in (81-107 cm)
NOTE: In between sizes? Choose the larger size. Ruffwear suggests getting the larger size Flagline harness for dogs who measure in between sizes.
NOTE: We recommend not using any three legged dog harness until the surgery has completely healed and stitches or staples are removed. We have heard of no specific cases where any harness has hampered healing, but we believe direct pressure from the straps may irritate the wound. Please consult your veterinarian with any concerns.
We suggest using a soft towel slung under the belly if additional support is required in the meantime. A reusable canvas shopping bag slit down the sides also makes a handy temporary sling / harness for three legged dog. Find instructions for DIY Tripawd sling here.
review & demo video | return policy
Tripawds Flagline Review: Best Support for Three-Legged Dogs!
Tripawds agree: a great front-leg amputee dog harness starts with the Flagline
Nelson’s Flagline Harness Review: a Great Choice for Tripawds!
Add a 3-Paw Patch
Your dog has earned the Tripawds merit badge! Add the patch to your dog’s harness or wear it with pride. These embroidered badges measure 2″ in diameter. No adhesive or Velcro backing, badges require stitching or fabric fusing tape to attach. Ships separately. Do not attach to harness until proper fit is confirmed. Affixing badge voids harness return.
NOTE: Buy Multiple Ruffwear Products for Instant $10 Rebate!
Additional information
| Size | XXS: 13-17 in, XS: 17-22 in, SM: 22-27 in, MED: 27-32 in, LG/XL: 32-42 in |
|---|---|
| Color | Blue Dusk, Lichen Green, Sage Green, Salmon Pink, Basalt Gray, Alpenglow Pink |
16 reviews for Flagline Harness by Ruffwear
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Katina Smothers (verified owner) –
I adopted Biscuit from the pound when he was just 6 months old. He was diagnosed with a rare form of synovial cell cancer in his elbow joint just after he turned 8 years old. It has been a tough road, but he is going stronger every day. Biscuit has always been an athlete and removing his front leg has not slowed him down. My boy has been a front leg amputee dog for 3 months now and I have been through 2 harnesses and one collar, none of which worked for him; they either slipped off or he was able to hook it with his mouth and chew through it. When I got the Flagline harness by Ruffwear it fit exceptionally well. Biscuit was not able to get ahold of it to chew through it and it also doesn’t slip off during our walks. Another thing Biscuit and I like about the Flagline harness is I don’t have to lift him up on two legs to put his arm through. With his other harnesses it bothered him that I had to lift him and thread his arm through one side. With the Flagline harness I just slip it over his head and snap the straps around his body securely, it’s super easy to put on and Biscuit’s walking with his head held high. Another great feature about the Flagline harness is it stays put and doesn’t shift to one side, I also like the added security of the handle just in case he needs assistance. I definitely recommend this harness to any front leg amputee dog.
jerry –
Katina thank you sooooo much for your feedback! We are so hoppy it works well for Biscuit, what a lucky dawg! Thanks for sharing!
Marcia –
Five stars before I’ve even ordered it! Haha!! Though I haven’t even bought it yet, I’m VERY happy to see Ruffwear finally added a connector clip to BOTH sides of the middle strap, as opposed to the pain-in-the-butt slide padded straps featured on the Web Master! I’ve asked for this upgrade more than once! My dog is big so lifting him up, to get his leg through is not so fun and taking that Velcro belly strap off and on every time, is way too much work, plus that belly strap loses it’s shape over time, rolls around and causes chaffing.
The other advantage the new design appears to have, is much better chest coverage – cause let’s face it – for the moment this is also functioning as a travel safety harness. Can’t wait to get it… been dealing with “not good enough” for almost nine years.
jennysm0m –
We were encouraged to get this harness for our newly amputated Golden Retriever before her surgery, to help the Medical staff gently get her to stand post operatively. It has been a god send for us at home for Jenny!
Karla Haynes (verified owner) –
I am excited that my harness arrived today. I’m not sure how it goes on though. I can’t find any directions. I want to be sure it is on correctly. I put it on her but I’m not sure if I did it right. Is there a link? The only thing it says is begin here. 1. Remove from package. 2. Put on dog. 3. Go outside. I got it out of the package. And I can get her outside. But putting it on I’m not sure if I did it right. Thanks for any guidance.
admin –
🙂 Ruffwear apparently assumes it is obvious with their directions. You’ve likely done it correctly: Slip harness over the head, connect the buckles, and go! And yes, we have this video showing how to put on the Flagline harness. Contact us directly if you need additional assistance.
Christine Basso (verified owner) –
4.5 Stars. This is a very nice, sturdy harness for my rear legged amputee. I wanted one w/enough back length for the second set of straps and especially the handle to help steady and support Zora’s rear end, as needed. Zora is a 1 year old smaller “Fox Red” Labrador who is a very strong puller (she stays she’s sniffing) and quite the zig-zagger on walks. After receiving this yesterday, I purchased the Core Cooler pad that goes with it. The reason for the. -.5 star is that took me 45 minutes to get the straps adjusted. As someone mentioned, there are no real instructions, and it’s just very hard to figure out the strapping adjustments for some reason. I’ve had 3 tripods since 2012 so not a complete neophyte on equipment and actually highly recommend the Custom Support Pet Suit for larger dogs – (though I had to add a lot of soft padding spots for the sharper edges on that harness for a barely furred, thin-skinned greyhound). The FLAGLINE harness just happens to be the perfect shape, coverage and weight for my current little 44 lb. girl and we did a neighborhood walk last night to check it out. I am quite impressed with the fit for this particular tripod and will definitely get the same model for this dog if it ever wears out. Thank You VERY MUCH to the Tripawd group for reviews of harnesses and other equipment, I did a lot of research including all the Tripawds reviews and did purchase from this site.
victoriana2pie (verified owner) –
Correction to my Review of 6/13/2020. The Core Cooler add-on pad is NOT compatible with the Flagline harness. I spoke with Ruffwear Support, and the correct cooling vest that IS compatible with the Flagline harness is the “Jet Stream Cooling Vest”. Exchange was easy and Zora thinks she is quite the Cool Tripod in the ‘hood and stays very cool in the humid/hot weather. Easy to put on and light weight. Does not constrict front leg movement of an active little tripod. Very good fit for this size dog (approx. 45#) and easily fits underneath the Flagline harness . (*My greyhounds use the larger Swamp Cooler cooling vest*.)
admin –
Thanks for the update! That is why we do not offer the Brush Guard with the Flagline, as we do with the “Web Master Plus“.
Sue –
I bought this for my sharpei and it fit his chest as pee the size chart but it was so long in the body he couldn’t pee because it covered him up and I couldn’t adjust it. I wish the harness had the equal measurements in length
jerry –
Hi Sue, we are so sorry it didn’t work out for your pup. Some dogs just have really unique bodies that require a different approach when it comes to a harness. Over the years we’ve seen a very small percentage of dogs who just didn’t fit into a Flagline or Webmaster. If you ever have any questions about the gear that we love, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we’ll try to help.
k0dab3ar (verified owner) –
Hi everyone, my name is Koda Bear. I am a 105lb Rotti and a newbie member to the ranks of Tripawds. My mom got me this harness and it really-really helps support me, it looks very sporty on me, there is no lifting of the one and only leg I have up front and fits me like the champion I am; I love it! There is a very nice even support system under my chest so mom can help me build both my stamina and muscles. She lets me explore my new body but I know she is always there to help me when I ask and even if I do not ask. I hope this helps others because harnesses fit everybody differently. Finding the best one may take a little time but so very worth it. Thank you Jerry for your patience! I love my new tiny clothes!
Scott (verified owner) –
Love the harness. It has been great for our newly adopted 10yr old front amputee. With some help for us, he’s able to walk much further. What would be nice though are straps that are much longer than the handle so we wouldn’t have to bend over while helping him along. At 55lbs it is taking a toll on his owners’ backs :-). Any recommendations for either a way to add straps to this, or perhaps another harness option altogether?
admin –
Thanks for the feedback. Longer handles or straps would interfere with the intended use of the harness – hiking, and outdoor adventures. You could attach a shoulder strap to the handle and loops to provide better leverage. Or, consider the Get A Grip Harness which has longer handles and an optional shoulder strap for dogs requiring additional assistance.
jerry –
Hi Scott! Glad you are finding the Flagline useful, and super excited that your pup is doing so well on three. We do have harnesses that have a shoulder strap, but I don’t recommend them for your dog. Here’s why: first, the harnesses I link to are for dogs with very limited mobility due to surgery or age. It sounds like your pup is doing pretty well and some adjustments need to be made to his physical activity. I’m not a rehab vet, but we interview them all the time and the consensus is that once a dog sits down on a walk, they’ve gone too far. It’s one of their pain signals. So instead of a harness, please consider taking advantage of the Tripawds Foundation Rehab Reimbursment Program which will cover the cost of your dog’s first assessment (up to $200). These visits are invaluable so that you can learn what to expect, how to help him get stronger so his walks can be longer, and all sorts of cool things!
Amber (verified owner) –
Useless! I bought this specifically because my dog is missing a front leg and this one was the most recommended. It is overpriced trash.
I’ve spent hours doing micro adjustments to get the harness to stop twisting and shifting and it just keeps moving. I have to constantly stop the walk to fix it. Within a half mile the harness is completely sideways. Yes, I measured my dog to get the right size. I do not recommended this and the return policy is awful. If you have a dog missing a front leg look elsewhere.
jerry –
Amber, we are so sorry for the experience you are having with the Flagline. It’s the first negative review we’ve ever received for it, so I have a feeling there is something else going on. We do not have a record of you contacting us about this, nor a return request. If you are so inclined, feel free to contact us to discuss.
Rob (verified owner) –
My 100+ lb. Akita recently lost a front leg to cancer. Although he’s adapting really well, he still sometimes stumbles and walking on hard surfaces can be a little tough on him. I’ve tried to provide him with some extra support using various harnesses and it was really tough to find one that give him good support, didn’t hurt me, and did not interfere with the surgery scar. The Flagline hits on all counts. It’s comfortable for him and I can give him constant support during a walk without either of us getting uncomfortable. It took a couple of tries to adjust it, but the online video helped a lot and it went relatively easily.
I gave it 4 stars only because I wish the material came up higher on the sides. There’s a lot of exposed strap and I feel it make chafe him on long walks. A nice touch might be a matching sleeve that can be slipped over the strap (and maybe some velcro to attach it to the existing material) to provide some extra padding. I might look for some velcro luggage handle covers to do the job.
admin –
Thanks for the feedback!
mischief –
I’ve been a fan of RuffWear for many years. I purchased the Flagline harness for my tripawd to give me the lift option when needed. I have come to expect a quality product that is highly adjustable from RuffWear and this harness doesn’t disappoint in these areas. I’ve seen many people tout the lightweight construction as a positive of this harness, but I find it a bit of a detractor. Where the lower panel meets the straps that go around the neck, the fabric tends to twist. I’ve also seen the “lobes” of fabric by the rear-most snaps fold under. The Front Range harness, which I’ve used on my four-legged dog for 5+ years, has never had any of these issues. It’s not a major drawback, but I do need to take care when harnessing my tripawd up to make sure everything is laying flat and comfortable.
PB&J 4 Hazel –
We unfortunately had to amputate our baby girls front right leg due to bone cancer recently and we searched everywhere for harnesses to help our new tripawd. We got the flag line for our Great Dane girl and it has been a lifesaver for us and her new “leash” on life as she gets excited and hops to the front door each time we take it off the hook. Excellent product for our new tripawd and she lowers her head to slide it on with ease!
Christine B (verified owner) –
This is my 4th Ruffwear Flagline harness in over 3 years for the same rear leg tripod. It is a very good harness for rear leg tripods. Zora recently had TPLO surgery on her remaining rear leg, after 3 years of tripod’ing thru life. This specific harness is lifesaver for our post-surgery needs. We are purchasing this new Ruffwear, same Flatline, color just for girl-dog fun 😉 ** We also purchased and highly recommend the Help ‘Em Up harness, though that took us a little longer to get adjusted correctly for the Rear-end ‘around the tail’ straps. Our amputee ‘hump’, in our case, just makes it a little harder to get the most comfortable fit for peeing ;-o. It is a great harness for solid rear end support of an amputee – which we desperately needed early on post-TPLO surgery. **
Rory’s mom (verified owner) –
This harness has been the greatest tool to the happiness of my 3 legged 50 lb senior dog, now 15 years old! She lost her front right leg a few years back. It’s a little tricky to adjust but once you do, it’s very secure and has been a lifesaver on walks when she gets tired, in and out of the car etc. I’m able to adjust it in the colder months to go over a coat etc.
Fernando Guerrero –
I have been researching from different manufacturers and the flagline/swamp cooler were the best choices. Tripawd has all the information regarding every harness and how their used and applied. So anyone stating there’s no info. Is not researching/reading what they’re looking for. It took me 30+days of research prior to purchase. I recently had to amputate my mini schnauzer rear leg, and this harness although still not being used. Has actually been tested on her sister. The harness clips, fits and properly lifts the body like carrying a suitcase. My girls are 15 and 22lbs. Fitment is right below the ribcage/abdomen. She’s able to squat and urinate. Doesn’t cause discomfort and the Store brands with a handle are dangerous as they can choke their necks as Ive tried many. I purchased the XS so they work for me. Owners tend to discriminate on products without properly researching the products. My only negative issue which doesn’t deduct a star, as size of product doesn’t work for everyone, is the handle. I can only fit 3 fingers comfortably and squeezes using the pinky. The size of the handle is short so the opening is 2 3/4″ wide, my digits are 3 1/4″ wide. But I do understand, because of the size of the harness. Lastly, If you look at it, it fits one way, adjust the straps is on the owner due to size of pet.
Thanks for reading.