The best kind of harness for a Shih Tzu
A well-fitted, chest-led harness suits a Shih Tzu better than a collar for everyday walking, because it spreads any pulling pressure across the chest rather than the neck and throat. Look for soft, wide straps that will not drag through their long coat, and a size range that goes small enough for a breed that typically weighs only four to eight kilograms.
Why a harness over a collar
Shih Tzus are a short-muzzled, small-breed dog, and pressure on the throat from a collar and lead, particularly from an enthusiastic puller, sits closer to their airway than it would on a longer-nosed breed. A harness that clips at the chest or back moves that pressure away from the neck entirely, which is one of the more consistently repeated pieces of advice for brachycephalic and small toy breeds generally.
It is not just about pulling. Shih Tzus can also be prone to eye problems given how prominent their eyes are, and any increase in pressure around the head and neck is worth avoiding where there is a simple alternative, which a well-designed harness is.
What to look for in the fit
Go for a harness with an adjustable chest strap and girth so it can be fitted snugly without digging in, since a loose harness on a small, wriggly dog is one that can be backed out of, and a tight one will rub. Two-finger clearance between the strap and the body at every adjustment point is the usual rule of thumb.
Wide, padded straps in a smooth fabric cause less friction against a Shih Tzu's long, silky coat than thin webbing does, which matters for a coat that mats and tangles easily. A step-in style or one with a single quick-clip buckle also means less fiddling with a coat that has already been brushed out for the day.
What we'd point you towards
A no-pull design with a front chest ring, such as our No-Pull Dog Harness & Lead Set, gives extra steering control for a small dog that has not quite learned loose-lead walking yet, without any pressure reaching the neck. For a dog that already walks nicely, a simpler soft mesh harness in a small size is often all that is needed.
Whichever style you choose, check the smallest size available actually comes down far enough for an adult Shih Tzu's chest girth, since some harness ranges start their sizing for dogs noticeably larger than a toy breed.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Red Dingo Classic Dog H-Harness
Red Dingo Classic Dog H-Harness in ten colours, sizes XS to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£19.99
Red Dingo Design Dog H-Harness
Red Dingo Design Dog H-Harness in 25 designs, sizes XS to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£22.49
Halti Anatomy Harness
A three-clip harness with neoprene padding that keeps a pulling dog's weight off its neck
From£37.99
Red Dingo Classic No-Pull Dog Harness
Red Dingo Classic No-Pull Dog Harness in two colours, sizes Small to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£13.99
Company of Animals Carsafe Crash Tested Harness
A car harness crash tested to 32kg, that doubles as a walking harness
From£29.99
Padded No-Pull Dog Harness Vest
A soft padded vest harness that spreads pressure evenly across the chest for comfortable, no-pull control. Adjustable straps, breathable mesh lining and reflective trim make everyday walks safer.
From£35.99
Soft Leather Dog Harness And Lead Set
A studded faux-leather chest harness with a matching clip lead, designed for small dogs and puppies. The padded straps spread pressure across the chest for comfortable, secure everyday walks.
From£14.99
Ancol Padded Harness
A padded dog harness with a reflective band, in a range of sizes and colours
From£13.79
Red Dingo Mesh Dog Harness
Red Dingo Mesh Dog Harness in six designs, sizes XX-Small to XX-Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£25.99
Ancol Comfort Mesh Harness
A padded air-mesh dog harness for a cool, comfortable fit, in a range of sizes and colours
From£13.99
Faux-Leather Dog Harness & Lead Set
A smart faux-leather harness and matching lead set with gold-tone hardware and quick-release buckles. The padded, adjustable harness spreads pressure comfortably for stylish, secure walks. Suits small dogs and cats.
From£13.99
Padded Vest-Style Dog Harness
A padded vest harness that spreads pressure across the chest for no-choke walks.
From£14.99
Common questions
- Is a harness definitely better than a collar for a Shih Tzu?
- For walking on a lead, yes, a harness is generally the better choice because it takes pressure off the throat entirely. A well-fitted collar is still fine for holding an ID tag day to day; the harness is what should be attached to the lead.
- How do I measure my Shih Tzu for a harness?
- Measure around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, and around the girth where the harness will sit. Compare both measurements to the specific harness's own size chart rather than relying on a generic small or medium label, since sizing varies a lot between brands.
- Will a harness ruin my Shih Tzu's coat?
- A well-fitted harness in a smooth, wide material should not damage the coat with normal use, but check regularly for matting or rubbing under the straps, especially in warmer months when the coat can get damp. Brushing the area the harness sits over helps prevent tangles building up unnoticed.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.