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The best harness for a shih tzu dog breed will make it easy to train or walk your little friend. When looking for a harness, you need one that will be safe for your dog too. So, make sure this is something that you always keep in mind when buying the harness.
Now that you are ready to start looking for the best harness, we made it easy by reviewing the top models in the market. We will look at them in detail so that you can pick the best harness for the job.
Below is a table with a quick summary of what to expect with each of the reviewed harnesses. Let us check them out.
| Harness | Brand | Expert Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness |  | Check Price |
 | Rabbitgoo Small Dog Harness | | Check Price |
 | Chai’s Choice Best Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness | | Check Price |
 | PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness |  | Check Price |
 | Gooby Perfect Fit X Harness | | Check Price |
How to Choose the Best Harness for a Shih Tzu
Breathable Material
The Shih Tzu dog breed is double-coated. This means that it might end up overheating in the hot weather when you have it wearing a thick and non-ventilated harness. It is then recommended that you pick a highly breathable harness for a dog breed such as shih tzu. Look at the material the manufacturer uses to make the harness to see if it is breathable or not.
Adjustability
Shih tzus might not be the same size so it is important to get a harness that allows for adjustability. When the harness is adjustable, it is easy to find the custom fit for your dog generally. Being adjustable also means that the harness does not rub too much against the dog’s skin thus irritating it.
Always go for a model with multiple adjustability options. This will ensure that you have the best harness for a shih tzu that also keeps it comfortable.
Padding
As part of keeping the dog breed comfortable, back padding is necessary. Since shih tzu can be prone to AVDD disease and herniated discs, you need to protect its spine by having a padded harness. The padding can also be great for distributing the pressure over the chest and belly to keep the pet comfortable.
The Material Type
The best harness for a shih tzu can be made of different materials. What is important is that you understand what you would be getting with each material so that you can get the right one for the dog.
The most common materials used to make the harnesses include nylon, polyester, leather, cotton, mesh, and neoprene.
The nylon material has many properties that make it a great choice for a dog harness. For many people, they find it being a highly durable option to own today. It is also good in terms of water resistance and it is often easy to clean.
The polyester material is also a popular option to get as a dog harness material. It is more abrasion resistant compared to the nylon material. However, it is not the strongest material to get for your pet.
A mesh harness main selling point would be that it is extremely breathable. You should then find a lot more people going for it if they have to train their dogs more often. The breathability keeps the dog comfortable all the time.
The Type of Harness
If you are going to end up with the best harness for a shih tzu, then you need to know the different types available. The most common options would be the walking harnesses, vest harnesses, reflective harnesses, no-pull harnesses, and car harnesses.
Each of the harness would have different applications depending on their construction. For those who want something for daily use walking the dog, then go for the walking harness. They tend to be easy to put on and take off the dog.
The reflective harness would be ideal for those who have to walk their dogs at night. They should make it easy to spot the dog from a distance. On overall, they can increase the safety of the dog.
A car harness would be ideal for those who like to drive a lot with their dogs in the car. Having a harness that allows to secure the dog in the car should improve the pet’s safety and your safety too.
Top 5 Best Harnesses for a Shih Tzu
Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick: RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Product Name: RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Product Description: This is regarded as a top choice for the best harness for a shih tzu because of it is design. The manufacturer made it great for extended wear. You will notice that it is lightweight so that it does not wear down the dog especially such a small breed. It is still designed to be easy for putting on and taking off whenever the need arises. Thanks to its construction, it is also great for all-day outdoor adventures that you might have as the dog owner. It is also easily customizable to suit your needs. There are four convenient points of adjustment. As such, it can be customized to fit your pet for that snug fit that it needs. The model also comes with a reflective trim that helps with visibility at night. You should always be able to notice where the dog is in a dark environment.
Offer price: 21
Currency: usd
Availability: InStock
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Sturdiness
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Comfort
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Security
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Fitting
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Size
Overall
Summary
The harness comes in multiple sizes from extra small to large. It comes down to where you would want to use it. As a result, the owner can choose the right size for a shih tzu dog breed.
The harness is further padded for the best comfort that the dog needs. As such, the dog can be wearing it the whole day without it being too much for the dog.
Pros
✔️It is easily adjustable for a snug fit
✔️The harness is available in multiple sizes
✔️The harness is padded for comfort
Cons
❌It could use more reflective trim pieces
Runner’s Up
Rabbitgoo Small Dog Harnesss
This is a small dog harness so it should be perfect as the best harness for a shih tzu. You will also find the same harness available in multiple sizes. Just make sure that you get the right one for your dog. Always refer to the manufacturer chart to get the right size for your pet.
The same harness comes in different colors. It is possible to get yourself the best harness depending on what color you like. Still, it is a versatile harness as it can work for corgi, pug, terrier, and Havanese breeds.
The harness design makes it to be a no pull or no choke type of harness. This is an important safety feature especially for a dog that likes to pull during training. You can even take the dog with you for causal walks, hiking or jogging without any worry.
Being adjustable means that it can fit your dog better. There are four adjustment straps to make it easier for setting up your harness better for that snug fit.
Chai’s Choice Best Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness
This one stands out for being the best harness for a Shih Tzu because of the material used to make it. The outer layer is made of the scratch-resistant oxford material. This type of material is great for outdoor use especially if you have a playful dog.
There is also the lightweight duraflex buckle on the model that further improves the tensile strength of the harness. It is also good for promoting the overall loading capacity of the harness.
Another thing to like about this dog harness should be the ergonomic design. This allows you to easily put on or take off the harness from the dog. In addition, the harness is lightweight and comfortable. The soft sponge padding should make it an ideal choice for anyone who wants a dog harness.
The strap adjustments you get with this model allows for a custom fitting of the dog harness. Regardless of your Shih Tzu size, you will find it being easy to find something snug for the dog.
There are also safety features on the dog harness. The nylon webbing with the additional 3M reflective material makes the harness visible in the dark. It should be visible to other people to keep your pet safe.
PoyPet No Pull Dog Harness
This is a new version dog harness that should appeal to many people who want the best harness for a Shih Tzu. Being a newer version, we find that its design has improved to make it better for various dogs other than the Shih Tzu.
The model comes with 2 easy to use buckles so that you can adjust the harness for a perfect fit. These buckles also make it easy to put on or take off the harness from the dog. As such, you can easily take the dog for a walk when your want.
It is also a comfortable dog harness for your pet because of the padding. Even if you have to make the dog wear the harness for the whole day, it will still be comfortable.
Many people also love it for offering a cozy fit. The dual elastic belly straps should make it easy to fit the strap over the pet. The stretchability will also reduce the strain and risk of the pet getting hurt.
Gooby Perfect Fit X Harness
If you are in the market for the best harness for shih tzu dog, then this is a nice choice too. The model is built to be the easiest to use as that is what people want something that the pet can wear and take off with ease.
The harness is also available in various colors and sizes. So, depending on what is your favorite color, it is easy to pick the one that you like. Also, the sizes are different so that you can pick the right now. If you have to use it on a Shih Tzu breed, then go for the small size.
If you have to clean the harness, you will find it being easy as it is machine washable. The result is that you can always have a clean harness for the pet.
The use of bright colors for the harness should make it great for using the harness in dark areas and the dog will still have good visibility. This is a feature that would be great to offer safety to your pet.
FAQs
What is the best size of harness to use for shih tzu?
We recommend that you use the small or extra small harness depending on the size of your dog. Just make sure that the harness allows for additional adjustments so that it can fit the pet even better.
Can a harness keep the shih tzu dog from pulling?
Not necessarily. All you need to do is get the no-pull dog harness for the pet if it tends to have the pulling behavior. Such a harness would make it easier for you to control the dog each time it pulls.
What type of materials are the best for a dog harness?
The most common materials would be nylon, mesh, polyester, cotton, leather, and neoprene. Just make sure that the material offers the best durability so that you do not have to keep buying new harnesses all the time.
Conclusion
Harnesses can all be fun for your dog until they hurt it. When this happens, you are to blame because you did not take the time to find the best harness for a shih tzu. It is why all the models we have reviewed above will give you the best comfort for the pet and make it easier to walk it on overall.
The best part about these harnesses is that they are all affordable. As a result, you do not have an excuse for not giving the pet the best harness that is comfortable and safe.
