Harness for rescue operations and descents with a dog

The Vartoviy K9 rescue harness is professional gear for lifting, lowering, transporting and evacuating dogs in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. The design supports the body along its full length and distributes the load evenly, protecting the animal's spine and joints during suspension. The outer layer is hydrophobic Cordura 500D in bright SAR orange with a 3M reflective trim around the perimeter, making the dog visible up to 80 m in the dark. The load-bearing straps withstand a test load of 1200 kgf, and the D-ring is made of stainless steel. Available in 4 sizes for dogs weighing 12–65 kg; the harness goes on in ~15 seconds with one hand. Price — 3 800 ₴, made in Kyiv, delivery across Ukraine and to the EU.

Design

• Full-length body support with openings for the front and rear legs.
• Two handles: a main one at the withers and an auxiliary one at the croup — for controlled lifting and handling.
• 80 mm contact pads on the chest and belt for gentle pressure distribution.
• A frame of 38 mm polyamide straps with three-point adjustment to the dog's anatomy.
• 2M or magnetic buckles (depending on configuration) — for quick on and off.

Materials and safety

• Outer layer — hydrophobic Cordura 500D in SAR orange.
• Lining — nylon mesh with an antibacterial treatment and 8 mm polyethylene foam.
• 3M reflective trim around the whole perimeter — visibility up to 80 m.
• Stainless-steel D-ring, 5 mm in diameter.
• Load-bearing straps test load — 1200 kgf.

Visibility in SAR operations

The bright SAR-orange Cordura reads well against vegetation, snow, rocks and rubble even at dusk, while the 3M reflective trim around the harness returns the light of torches and headlights, making the dog visible up to 80 m in the dark. This combination of color and reflectivity is critical during night searches, work in smoke-filled spaces and on debris, where the handler must constantly track the animal's position.

Sizes and fitting

The harness comes in 4 sizes for dogs weighing 12 to 65 kg. Use weight only as a rough guide — the exact size is determined by chest girth. To pick the model accurately, take three measurements: chest girth right behind the front legs, neck girth, and back length from the withers to the base of the tail.

Weight is a guide; the exact size is set by chest girth. Send the measurements and we'll recommend one.

Use cases

• Search-and-rescue work with K9 teams.
• Searching for people under rubble and in collapsed buildings.
• Evacuating injured or weakened dogs from a danger zone.
• Lifting and lowering an animal in places with limited access.
• Mountain rescue operations on difficult terrain.

What's in the kit

• Harness with two handles (a main one at the withers and an auxiliary one at the croup).
• Contact pads on the chest and belt for load distribution.
• Instructions for sizing by measurements.

Why Vartoviy K9

• In-house production in Kyiv with control of every seam.
• Hydrophobic Cordura 500D that doesn't absorb moisture and dirt.
• Load-bearing straps with a 1200 kgf test load.
• SAR visibility thanks to the orange color and 3M reflective trim.
• 12-month warranty.
• Free Nova Poshta delivery across Ukraine and delivery to the EU.

FAQ

What load does the harness withstand?

The harness's load-bearing straps are tested to a 1200 kgf load, and the stainless-steel D-ring is 5 mm in diameter — which covers, with a large margin, the real weight of dogs up to 65 kg under dynamic jerks during lifting.

Is the dog clearly visible at night?

Yes. The combination of bright SAR-orange Cordura and the 3M reflective trim around the perimeter ensures the dog is visible up to 80 m in the dark — in the light of torches, headlights or floodlights.

How long does it take to put on?

The harness goes on in about 15 seconds with one hand. Three-point adjustment lets you set the fit once for a specific dog and then put the gear on quickly.

How do I choose the right size?

The range has 4 sizes for dogs of 12–65 kg. Take weight as a guide and determine the exact size by chest girth. If in doubt, send us the measurements and we'll recommend a model.

Can the harness be washed?

Yes. The outer layer of hydrophobic Cordura tolerates hand or delicate washing at 30 °C. Dry the harness flat, without wringing or direct heat sources.

How does the main handle differ from the auxiliary one?

The main handle sits at the withers and is used for basic lifting and handling the dog, while the auxiliary one at the croup helps support the rear of the body — together they provide controlled suspension with even load distribution.

Read more about choosing a rescue harness on our blog, compare the model with the tactical harness option, learn how to take measurements, or browse the whole category Rescue gear.