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I bet you love walking with your adorable Shih Tzu puppy. Something that might come handy to all Shih Tzu owners is our list of best harness for Shih Tzu puppies.
Putting a harness on our dogs is the best way to ensure that our walks are completely safe and comfortable for both our dogs and other dogs and their owners.
Harnesses are a great option for dog training and dog walking, and we find them as a more secure option for all dogs, even for small dogs like Shih Tzu.
The most important thing is to find the harness that will fit your Shih Tzu the best. Since all dogs are different, and there are so many types of dog harnesses available today, we did our best to form a list of the top picks for the Shih Tzu breed.
Continue reading and find your favorite among our options.
Best Harness For Shih Tzu: Top 3 Picks
First we will introduce you to our top 3 picks among which all dog owners can find the one that will fit them the best; the premium pick, the budget pick, and the product that brings the best value for the money.
Premium Pick: Joyride Adjustable Harness For Small, Medium, Large Dogs
- Side ring attachments
- Easy on-off technology
- Durable material
- Made for dogs of all sizes
Budget Pick: FEimaX No Pull Step-in Breathable Vest Harness
- Durable alloy hook
- Mesh fabric
- Reflective strips
- Made of high-quality polyester material
Best Value For The Money: Voyager Step-In All Weather Mesh Step In Vest Harness
- Made of non irritating material
- Heavy duty metal D-rings
- Has a hook and loop fastener
- Available in many different colors
What Is A Good Harness For Shih Tzu?
When you search an online browser such as Amazon or Chewy, trying to find the ideal harness for your small breed dog, all might seem overwhelming. There are so many options out there, how should I make my decision? Based on what?
I think all of you will find at least one dog harness in our list of the best harness for Shih Tzu dogs. There are some harnesses that are budget friendly and some that are a bit pricier, but are harnesses of top-quality.
Enjoy reading!
1. ThinkPet No Pull Over Head Vest Harness
- All-round protection
- Reflective straps
- Soft mesh
- Heat exchanger
ThinkPet harness is a reflective, breathable no-pull dog harness. This harness will be soft on your dog’s skin, but at the same time it will reduce dog’s pulling, and will make your walks more pleasant and safe.
ThinkPet harness is lightweight and breathable, so it will not choke your Shih Tzu puppy. Also, this harness has reflective straps, so everybody will easily notice your dog even in the darkest night.
This harness is easy to put on and off, since it has adjustable slide straps on the dog’s neck and chest.
According to the Shih Tzu growth chart, this dog’s weight can vary from 9 to 16 pounds, so, no matter how heavy your dog is, you will easily create a custom fit for a ThinkPet harness on your dog.
This harness has a heat exchanger, which means it will keep your dog cool during summertime – when your Shih Tzu puppy gets in the water, the water will be stored between the polyester mesh.
This way, your Shih Tzu will have a little help enduring those exhausting summer heats!
The manufacturer suggests you should first measure the dog’s chest, its neck, and while doing this, you should leave room for two fingers to fit in – this is the perfect way to know your dog will be completely comfortable wearing a ThinkPet harness. After this, you will be ready to order!
2. Joyride Adjustable Harness For Small, Medium, Large Dogs
- Side ring attachments
- Easy on-off technology
- Durable material
- Made for dogs of all sizes
This harness is our premium choice on the list of best harness for Shih Tzu dogs. So, it is a bit pricier from other products in this list, but we find it durable, safe, and comfortable for all dogs!
Joyride harness is a quality harness for all dog breeds; small dogs, medium-sized dogs, and for large dogs. This is a no-pull harness with 3 side rings for leash attachment. It is a harness you can use for walking, running, or training your Shih Tzu.
We find dog harnesses a better and safer choice than dog collars, and you can definitely not go wrong choosing a high-quality harness like this one. After all, you will not be getting your Shih Tzu a new harness every week! This is something that is worth investing in.
Joyride harness is a no-pull dog harness with side rings which was designed with easy on-off technology, which is something all Shih Tzu owners will enjoy. You will not have problems putting this harness on your dog!
This harness is a perfect choice for dog walking and dog training. It is made of durable material, so, once you invest in this harness, you will know it will last for a long time.
This is also a reflective harness, so you will not have to worry whether people will spot you and your Shih Tzu during your night walks.
3. Classic Dog Harness For Puppies, Toy Breeds, & Extra-Small Dogs
- Heavy-duty buckle
- No-choke & no-pull design
- Dual padding
- Made of eco-friendly materials
If you think that the best harness for a Shih Tzu should be an eco-friendly dog harness, then the Classic Dog Harness might be the right choice for you.
This harness is made of recycled water bottles; it is also ultra padded, which means your puppy will be comfortable during both hot and cold days.
This harness is made for the smallest dog breeds; the manufacturer suggests all dog owners carefully measure and order a harness in accordance with their size chart.
Classic dog harness is made of durable, non-toxic mesh fabric, which is also breathable and will be super comfortable for Shih Tzu puppies. This harness’ anti-rub technology is one additional fantastic trait of this product.
This harness is machine-washable. It also has a heavy-duty buckle, so, even if your Shih Tzu is an escape artist, this harness will keep it under your control.
What is also important to emphasize about this product is that it has a high-rise design with cushions, which is essential to prevent tracheal collapse in dogs.
4. LMOBXEVL Small Dog Vest Harness And Leash Set For Walking Escape Proof
- Step-in harness
- Reflective strips
- Quick release buckles
- Sturdy metal double d-rings
LMOBXEVL Small Dog Harness is the next product on our list of best dog harness for Shih Tzu dogs.
If you prefer a step-in type of harness, this one will be a great harness for your puppy!
The LMOBXEVL harness has a breathable soft air mesh, and a hook and loop bonging on the top, which makes this harness a great option for all Shih Tzu escape artists.
This harness has D-rings made of metal, which makes it durable and completely safe for dog walking and training.
This harness’ strips are made of reflective material, so your dog will be highly visible at all times. Together with a dog harness you will get a dog leash, therefore, you will not have to buy any additional pet supplies.
Your Shih Tzu will easily step into this harness, and, with these quick snap buckles, you will be ready for a walk in no time!
5. FEimaX No Pull Step-in Breathable Vest Harness
- Durable alloy hook
- Mesh fabric
- Reflective strips
- Made of high-quality polyester material
FEimaX dog harness is the next product on our list of best Shih Tzu harnesses. This is our choice for budget pick, so, this harness will not cost you a lot of money, but will function perfectly!
This is a step-in harness, made of quality polyester material. It has an alloy traction hook on the back, so Shih Tzu owners will easily attach a traction rope to control their pooches while walking or training them.
Thanks to the reflective straps on this harness, everybody will easily spot your puppy even in low-light conditions.
If you are worried about whether it will be a problem to put this harness on your dog or take it off – you have no reason to worry, since once the velcro is attached, you will be able to fasten the buckle very easily.
This harness has a no-choke and no-pull design for your dog’s maximum comfort and safety.
6. Pawtitas Dog Vest Harness With Breathable Air Mesh
- Breathable mesh material
- Sturdy 2 D-rings
- Quick-release buckle
- Lightweight harness
Pawtitas dog harness is a perfect dog harness for extra small puppies, such as Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, etc.
This harness is made with breathable air mesh and has a quick-release buckle. This means your Shih Tzu will be perfectly comfortable wearing this harness, and you will also enjoy how easy this harness is to put on and take off!
There are many awesome training collars for all dog breeds on the market nowadays, but we find dog harnesses as an additional marvelous solution for both dog training and dog walking.
Pawtitas dog harness is lightweight, so your Shih Tzu will walk normally, without feeling any kind of pressure on its chest or back.
This harness also has durable D-rings for leash attachment.
7. Voyager Step-In All Weather Mesh Step In Vest Harness
- Made of non irritating material
- Heavy duty metal D-rings
- Has a hook and loop fastener
- Available in many different colors
This harness is our pick for a product that brings the best value for the money.
Voyager dog harness is a step-in dog harness which is made of a soft, breathable air mesh. This harness is lightweight, so, if on some days your Shih Tzu will be wearing this harness for a couple of hours, you will not have to worry this harness will burden your small dog.
The Voyager harness has two reflective bands on the sides, so you will always be sure other dog owners will notice your small pooch. This harness also has double D-rings for leash attachment, and a hook and loop fastener.
Since this harness is made of breathable mesh material, it will keep your Shih Tzu cool during the summertime season. Also, it will work as an insulation in winter! So, your Shih Tzu will be comfortable in all weather conditions wearing a Voyager dog harness.
We have another great news for all dog owners who like their dogs to always look fashionable. The Voyager dog harness comes in a wide range of colors; so, you can even pair the color of your Shih Tzu’s coat with the color of this dog harness!
8. EcoBark Eco-Friendly Max Comfort Harnesses
- Anti-rub technology
- Made of planet-friendly materials
- Dual padding
- Many color choices
EcoBark dog harness is an over-the-head harness made for small dogs, toy breed dogs, and teacup dogs.
All owners of smaller dogs such as Shih Tzu might have encountered the problem of finding a harness that will fit their tiny dog just right. You will not have to worry about this with the EcoBark harness, since it is designed especially for small dogs!
This harness is durable, light weight, and comfortable. The quilted cover of this harness is designed to protect your pooch from friction from the strap rubbing against his leg and chest.
So, your Shih Tzu will be as comfortable as possible while wearing the EcoBark Harness, and at the same time you will be able to control its movements.
This harness is another harness from our list that is eco-friendly – it is made from recycled water bottles. EcoBark harness is also ultra-padded for your pooch to be comfortable during both snowy and hot days.
This harness is machine-washable. One additional advantage is that it has a high-rise cushioned design, which is great for preventing trachea collapsing in dogs.
EcoBark dog harness is available in many different colors, such as black, blue, grey, green, orange, pink, etc.
9. Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure Dog Harness
- Made with scratch-resistant oxford material
- Two leash attachment points
- Can also be used as a seat belt
- Soft sponge padding
Chai’s Choice dog harness is a reflective vest harness with two leash attachment clips. You can also find a matching collar and leash from the same manufacturer if you want to fully equip your Shih Tzu.
This harness is made of sturdy, oxford material and it has adjustable straps, so you will be able to find the perfect fit for your Shih Tzu. Two leash attachment points are located on the dog’s chest and on the back.
Chai’s Choice harness has a soft sponge padding for your dog to feel comfortable, and is super easy to put on and take off.
All dog owners should also remember the importance of dog safety while driving in a car. There is one additional reason why Chai’s Choice harness is awesome – it has a sturdy handle for looping the seat belt.
This way, you will know your Shih Tzu is perfectly safe driving in a car with you.
This manufacturer has been successfully producing and selling pet supplies since 2014.
What is also important to emphasize is that this dog harness is also great for dogs that have an injury or for dogs that have difficulty moving.
Chai’s Choice harness provides more support and control, so even dogs with some difficulty will find it easier to walk and climb stairs wearing this dog harness.
10. Puppia RiteFit Soft Vest Harness With Adjustable Neck
- Double D-rings
- Breathable soft-mesh
- Perfect harness for dogs that fall between sizes
If you are unsure which harness size you should order for your Shih Tzu, the Puppia RiteFit vest harness might be the right choice for you.
This harness has a neck adjustability, so it will fit perfectly even those dogs that fall in between sizes. This harness is not only comfortable; it is also fashionable – all other dog owners will for sure want to know more when they see your Shih Tzu wearing this stylish harness.
The Puppia harness will provide you with more control over your dog’s movement, but will not put any pressure on the dog’s neck and chest.
This harness is made of soft and breathable material for your dog to feel comfortable and safe.
11. Rabbitgoo Dog Harness, No-Pull Pet Harness
- No-pull chest ring
- Two metal leash attachments
- Fast release buckles
- Ideal for small dogs
Rabbitgoo dog harness is our last product on the list of best harness for Shih Tzu dogs. It may be the last, but it is certainly no less valuable!
This harness is recommended for smaller dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Corgis, Pugs, etc. This is a non-pulling dog harness featuring two metal leash rings. You can use the front attachment clip to stop your dog from pulling – so, this is a great tool for dog training.
You can use the back clip attachment for casual walks or jogging with your furry friend.
This over-head harness has two fast-release buckles, which makes it super easy to use. Rabbitgoo dog harness is also easy to clean and is lightweight.
Since it has four easy adjusting straps, you will not have to worry your Shih Tzu will choke or slip out of this harness.
Rabbitgoo dog harness is made of durable nylon oxford, and it is ultra-padded, so will be extra gentle to your dog’s sensitive skin.
FAQs
We would definitely say that Shih Tzu needs a harness. In fact, it is recommended that we replace collars with harnesses on all dogs at times, even small dogs like the Shih Tzu.
When you put a harness on your dog during a walk, you will have better control over his movement.
In addition, the harness, when you choose the right size for your dog, will not put extra pressure on his chest, neck, and back.
So, with a harness, you can actually prevent various health problems in your furry friend, such as breathing problems or back problems.
If your dog likes to pull you whenever he sees something interesting during a walk, a harness will be the ideal solution for you.
Technically, a Shih Tzu can wear a harness all day, but we would not recommend doing this. Simply, there is no need for this. You should put a harness on your Shih Tzu during training sessions and during walks.
This way, you will feel safe, and your puppy will be comfortable. But, at all other times, such as while napping in its crate, or chilling at home – your Shih Tzu should not wear a harness or collar.
A harness you pick for your Shih Tzu should be a comfortable one, but this still does not mean that it can not cause skin irritations if a dog wears it for too long.
Just like you don’t spend your free time wearing some business outfit, you should also enable your dog to feel unrestrained while at home.
There are many purposes of a Shih Tzu wearing a harness.
First, harnesses can be very helpful in avoiding injuries to your pooch, such as throat damage or back pain. Furthermore, harnesses are much more practical than collars and leashes.
You’ve probably seen the leash get tangled around your dog’s legs many times. For this reason, the harness is a much more practical option.
Also, the harness will be very useful in controlling the dog’s pulling during the walk.
Generally speaking, Shih Tzu dogs are quite sensitive and fragile dogs, therefore, we should not put any extra pressure on their bodies. For this reason, it’s a good idea to replace your dog’s collar with a harness sometimes.
This does not mean that your pooch should wear a harness all the time; you can certainly still put a collar on him sometimes. However, once your dog gets used to the harness, we believe that walks will be more pleasant and safer for both you and him.
All manufacturers of dog harnesses have their own sizes and an explanation of how to measure a dog. In order for the harness to be functional and comfortable for your Shih Tzu, it is crucial that you choose the right size.
If you cannot adjust the harness adequately, and if it is wide or narrow for your puppy – there is no point in the dog wearing it.
Since every Shih Tzu does not weigh the same and is not the same size, we cannot say that there is a universal harness size for each of these dogs.
What you need to do is measure your dog’s chest and neck circumference as suggested by the manufacturer. After this, you should choose the size according to the obtained measurements.
Summary
Harnesses are definitely a great walking and training tool, and we recommend all dog owners to have one. Hopefully, you have found your favorite in our list of best harness for Shih Tzu puppies.
Sometimes, you will not get the right harness on your first try. But, you need to be sure the harness your small dog wears is perfectly comfortable for it.
If you notice that the dog has not gotten used to the harness even after a few days of wearing it, and that you need to persuade him for a long time until you manage to put it on him, it is very likely that the harness does not suit him.
For some dogs, a step-in harness will be a better idea, while others will prefer an over-the-head harness.
You can find a variety of harnesses on our list, from budget-friendly options to some slightly more expensive, high-quality choices. For all those dog owners who prefer eco-friendly products, harnesses made from recycled materials are also on the list.
Finally, we would like to emphasize once again the practicality and benefits of dog harnesses. This tool will make walking with your pet easier, and will not cause any harm to it; we believe that this is the only important thing for every dog lover!
Read Next:
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