Harnesses For German Shepherd

If you are looking for a harness that fits your German Shepherds, then continue reading.

Harnesses are excellent devices that can help with walking and training your German shepherd. Yes, I know most people will recommend collars but this device has proven to be more efficient in leading the dog around where it wants to go.

The German shepherd is a dog that was bred for herding. Today, they are often used as police dogs, guard dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are highly intelligent and very active dogs that need a lot of exercises.

A harness will help keep your German shepherd under control while walking. It will also distribute the force of the pull and lessen the pressure on your dog’s neck and throat.

Tips For Choosing Best Harness For German Shepherd

There are many types of harnesses available, so take your time and do some research to find the best one for your dog.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important information you’ll need to make an informed selection about which harness to buy for your German Shepherd.

Sturdiness: Because this is such a boisterous and energetic breed, when choosing a harness for your German shepherd, make sure you get one that is sturdy and well made. The German Shepherd is a pretty large dog, and they can exert a lot of force when they begin pulling. As such, you need something that is super-durable.

Most harnesses aren’t made for dogs weighing more than 100 pounds. Because of their extreme size, most harnesses are simply not strong enough. You should avoid harnesses that are only held in place by velcro and any harnesses constructed of flimsy or poor-quality material.

The clips or snaps that connect the entire system together are one of the most crucial things to inspect. If these are faulty, the whole harness is jeopardized. This isn’t acceptable when you consider how territorial German Shepherds may be. If one of them fractures a harness at the wrong moment, the consequences can be devastating.

Plastic snaps are acceptable only if they are thick. Check to see whether the plastic is solid; a hollow piece will tend to collapse and deform. This makes it rather simple for the clasp to come apart. Steel buckles and snaps are superior and should be preferred.

The straps of the harness must also be evaluated. We’ve seen some fantastic harnesses with thin straps. This is not an issue for a little dog. However, your pet will need a model with thick straps, preferably made of nylon or leather. The width of the straps is also beneficial, but thickness matters more than breadth.

Strong Leash: You should also consider the leash’s connection. If you don’t have a strong leash attachment, your powerful harness will be of little use. The most preferred way to attach a leash to the mainframe of the harness is by attaching it to a steel ring, but double-check that the steel ring is firmly attached to the harness. It is equally important for the leash to be very durable too, or else even a heavy-duty harness won’t be of much use.

Comfort: Comfort is another important factor to consider. You don’t want your dog to be unhappy while wearing this harness, and even little discomfort can make them grumpy. Check for sharp edges that might poke their skin or abrasive surfaces that may irritate and cause discomfort. In general, some harness designs are superior than others in terms of comfort.

Breathability is an added benefit. Not all harnesses need or provide this feature, but a breathable fabric harness can be a lifesaver during hot and humid weather. The thick fur of this dog makes them poorly suited for heat. Putting on a non-breathable harness will only make them hotter and more uncomfortable. Trimming your dog’s fur will surely help them beat the heat.

Proper Fit: The harness should fit your dog correctly and be adjustable to accommodate his or her growing body. Some harnesses have just one adjustment point, while others may have up to four. When a harness is hanging freely on the dog’s body, it loses some of its effectiveness since the dog can slip out.

Do not tighten the harness too much. Ensure appropriate tightness using the two-finger rule to check. Two fingers should be able to fit between the chest strap and the dogs’ skin.

Easy to Use: Another thing to consider when purchasing a harness for your German shepherd is the ease of use. Some harnesses are difficult to put on and take off, especially if your dog resists. If the harness has many straps, putting it on and taking it off may be difficult.

Handles: A harness with a handle on the top is a good option, as it gives you another point of contact if your dog gets out of control and begins to pull hard. To exert complete control, you’ll need both hands; a harness handle gives you a second point of contact.

Considering all the above points, let’s take a look at the 5 best harnesses for German Shepherd dogs.

1. Icefang Tactical Harness

Tactical harnesses are designed for the military and police dogs. As a result, they tend to be more robust. This product also complies with the same as it is constructed of thick nylon completely.

Another good feature about this harness is that there are steel clips instead of plastic ones. This is not commonly found. There is a plastic clip on the belly strap, but at least it’s thick. The velcro pad on top offers the flexibility to add some carry pouches, which often turns out very useful.

The top handle is very well-engineered. It has more leverage because it is in the front and the dog cannot utilize any slack. However, one of several stitching points isn’t adequately reinforced.

Because of the higher cost of this harness, any flaw in its durability is not desirable. To be honest, it just has certain flaws in specific places, but one of them is the steel D-ring where the leash connects, which is a significant issue.

Advantages:

• Incredibly thick and reinforced at many points
• Top handle is appropriately positioned
• Velcro gives room for adding accessories
• Strong steel and thick solid plastic clips
• Liner that is breathable

Disadvantages

• Lacking reinforcement at several important areas
• The harness is makes clicking noises as the dog strolls
• Several buckles

2. Winsee No-Pull Pet harness With Collar

This is yet another vest-style harness, and it appears to be quite well made. The straps are thick and the stitching seems firm, so you should have no trouble holding your German Shepherd with it.

The bright reflective colors on this harness make it ideal for keeping dogs safe from being hit by cars at night. This one has two points of adjustment, which isn’t as comfortable as other brands’ versions. However, based on the breathability of the fabric, it appears to be well-made.

One of the most appealing aspects of this harness is its low price. It’s also clearly intended for big dogs, which is another bonus in our book.

This harness comes accompanied with a nylon dog collar, but we can’t ascertain its utility. A collar is not required with a harness. Furthermore, there would be no purpose unless the collar was connected to the harness in some manner, and it isn’t. It simply appears as a fancy add-on.

Advantages:

• The stitching and reinforcement are good
• Rather inexpensive
• Available in a variety of sizes
• Comes with 1-year warranty

Disadvantages:

• May not adjust snugly
• The D-ring at the front isn’t well reinforced
• The collar isn’t of much use
• Clips are not very strong

3. Bolux Dog Harness

This harness is appropriate for a German Shepherd, but due to the presence of velcro, it may not be durable enough. Velcro isn’t what is keeping it together, but you can’t depend on it to keep a big dog in line.

This harness features really wide straps, making it difficult for a dog to break. It has a huge head aperture, which decreases the risk of choking, but makes it easier for the dog to slip through.

The Bolux Dog Harness is the cheapest harness on our list, which is its best part. We suggest this model to customers on a budget who are willing to make few modifications. This harness could use more stitching and better buckles.

Advantages:

• Minimalist design with just sufficient reinforcement
• The straps are rather thick and wide
• Doesn’t put strain on the dog’s neck
• Very bright and reflective
• Budget-friendly

Disadvantages:

• A German Shepherd can navigate and slip through it
• Majorly depends on velcro
• Buckles do not seem very strong

4. Tri-Cloud Sports Tactical Dog Harness

Though quite expensive, it is nevertheless a great value for the money. This is a tactical harness that appears to be ready for real work.

This one includes MOLLE straps instead of Velcro, allowing you to attach pouches and gear to it. This makes the lengthy excursions a breeze. In terms of robustness, this product just stands out. Every part of it is strengthened, including the top handle. It also has a second handle at the back which provides additional support.

The only issue with this model is that it has several straps. It takes a bit longer to put on and take off, but it’s it’s undoubtedly sturdy enough to be worth the effort. The chest strap is designed to prevent pulling and is far enough away from the dog’s throat to rule out any potential of choking.

Advantages:

• Well-reinforced and long-lasting
• MOLLE gear
• Leash ring is conveniently placed on top instead of front
• The chest strap prevents pulling but there is no choking hazard
• Better control with a second handle in the back

Disadvantages:

• Takes more time to put on
• High priced

5. Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness

The Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness is ideal for a German Shepherd owing to its superior design. This harness for German shepherds can be safely and securely fitted to your dog’s size and shape thanks to the joint system that uses interchangeable patches and Velcro regions. The lockable handle of this harness provides added security. Furthermore, this harness is made of OEKO-TEX material and has very strong metal buckles that work efficiently even in frosty and chilly weather. This harness is really heavyduty and durable.

The Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness is made of breathable, comfortable material that is also very sturdy. Those are qualities that virtually any dog owner will appreciate, especially if their pet will be wearing this harness for several hours.

This harness also doubles up as a visibility vest as it has a pretty reflective grey line on the chest strap and also at its edges. These pieces, when combined, make your dog visible from long distances even in dark. Thus, this dog harness is one of the best options for seeing-eye dogs. Even more, the Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness includes side pouches for carrying small items easily.

Advantages:

• Several adjusting features
• Sturdy and durable
• Strong buckles
• Made of breathable material
• Provides nice visibility due to reflective areas
• Side pouches for carrying small items

Disadvantages:

• Takes a little more time and effort to put on

Wrap-up

After going through all of these options and their features, it’s clear why they’re among the most popular and well-liked of their type. These harnesses for German Shepherd will undoubtedly improve your as well as your dog’s life, owing to their usefulness, functionality, and dependability. They’re considered to be some of the best among those designed specifically for German Shepherds.

So whatever type suits you best when it comes to buying an efficient harness for German Shepherd, definitely don’t look any further than the ones on our list!