7 Best Dog Harnesses for Shar-Pei in 2023

The Shar-Pei, originally from China, draws a lot of attention for their wrinkled appearance and body rolls.  Owners of the medium-sized dog can’t resist the triangle-shaped ears and blue-black tongue.  When they are puppies, the Shar-Pei’s chubby rolls are more pronounced.

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The Shar-Pei is a fiercely loyal breed and can be suspicious of strangers.  As this breed of dog is also smart and stubborn, it is essential to start their training at an early age.  Training early helps encourage socialization and proper manners. Harness training at an early age doesn’t have to be complicated.  With the energy of Shar-Pei’s, they will need a walk every day to meet their exercise needs anyways.

With so many dog harnesses on the market, you will quickly notice that not all of them are created equal.  With so many options, choosing the right harness can be overwhelming for any Shar-Pei owner. The goal of this article is to help take that stress off your shoulders and provide some excellent information to help you decide.

In this article, we recommend some of the best harnesses suited for Shar-Pei’s, as well as tips on how to use the harness and other frequently asked questions.  Whether you are buying a harness for your Shar-Pei puppy or an older adult Shar-Pei, we’ll help you find everything you need.

Different Types of Dog Harnesses for Shar-Pei

Veterinarians often recommend harnesses over regular collars for Shar-Peis.  If your pup is not trained to walk with a collar, it can cause pain and damage to his throat.  A harness also provides you better control and directional influence.

There are a few different types of harnesses to choose from.  During training, a Y-shaped harness is usually recommended. The Y-shaped harness is also called a no-pull training harness.  The fastener of the harness is typically fixed to the chest side and the back. The placement of the harness teaches your Shar-Pei that not to shoot out in front of you because it’s uncomfortable to them.

A T-shaped harness typically has a thick strap that runs between the throat and front legs, and a strap that runs across the chest and buckles on the side.  This harness is excellent for long walks and provides comfort as it doesn’t prohibit their movement. It is the easiest harness to put on and has a handy handle on the top.

The most common harness you can find is called the H-shaped harness.  These harnesses are usually made of polyamide nylon, which is durable and flexible.  They tend to be lightweight and are very adjustable.

There are also harnesses geared for dogs that are accustomed to heavy activity, such as skijoring, dog sledding, running, and cycling.  These harnesses have a unique web pattern to focus pressure on the strong part of the pup’s chest. The harnesses are durable and waterproof.

How Do I Ensure the Best Fit for My Shar-Pei?

The Shar-Pei is considered a medium to large dog breed and has short, very coarse fur.  The name Shar-Pei even translates to sand skin, representing how coarse the coat is. However, the Shar-Pei is most widely known for the many wrinkles that are fun to play with.  It is a muscular breed with a broad and deep chest. The chest means it is vital to ensure the best fit of a harness for your dog.

It is essential to find the right-sized harness for your dog.  If the harness is too loose, the dog can slip right out of it. If it is too tight, it can hurt the dog and restrict movement and breathing ability.  Measuring the girth of the chest, according to the harness manufacturer guidelines is crucial to get the size right.

A harness with multiple adjustment points can help to ensure the harness can grow with your dog.  This will also help you by not having to regularly buy a new harness as your dog grows in the beginning.  However, you will end up having to purchase a couple from puppy to full-grown size.

If you are beginning the harness training, it is recommended to look for a Y-shaped training harness with a front clip option.  This can help train the dog not to pull on the harness as it will be uncomfortable to him, and it will affect his gait.

With the short, coarse fur and many wrinkles of a Shar-Pei, it is essential to look for a harness with breathable but durable material.  This will reduce the discomfort of your precious pup and is usually easy to clean up. And durability will ensure that it lasts a long while.

It is also vital to ensure that the leash you use to attach to the harness is also durable.  After all, what good is training your wrinkle baby if the leash snaps?

Overall Best Dog Harness for Shar-Pei

Check out our top recommendations for harnesses, starting with the best overall.

Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness Dog Harness

Best Overall

The Julius-K9 IDC Powerharness dog harness is a T-shaped harness with comfort and durability.  This harness is easy to put on by just slipping it over the head and buckling the chest strap. It is built for durability but is also breathable and comfortable for your Shar-Pei, allowing a full range of motion.

The harness is easy to clean and is water-repellant on the outer shell.  The harness buckles are freeze-proof, so you can still use it regardless of the weather.  The Julius K-9 also has a durable steel D-ring on the back piece to connect the leash to and a handle that you can use to control your dog.  The chest strap has a durable velcro that will not accidentally come undone but is easily adjustable. Be sure to measure your dog’s chest girth for the best fit.

6 More Highly Rated Dog Harnesses for Shar-Pei

Chai’s Choice 3M Reflective Dog Harness

Chai’s Choice 3M Reflective dog harness is a Y-shaped training harness that will keep your dog safe and secure.  It is easy to put on over your dog’s head and is fully padded to protect your pup while wearing it. The harness is an affordable tool to help teach your dog not to pull on their lead.

Chai’s Choice comes in nine bright colors, with reflective material that is great for visibility on those evening walks.  The harness can also be used to secure your dog with a seat belt when going on a car ride. Measuring the chest girth will help to ensure you get the right size harness.

Blueberry Pet 3M Reflective Padded Dog Harness

The Blueberry Pet 3M reflective padded dog harness is a Y-shaped training harness that is cushy, lightweight, and durable.  It has a metal D-ring to discourage pulling and four easily adjustable straps. We love the multi-colored straps that give this harness some pizazz.

This affordable harness has reflective stripes and a reflective triangle on top for added night safety.  The vests on the chest and the back aid in pull control with weight distribution. The vests are also removable from the straps for easy cleaning.

Best Pet Supplies Voyager Mesh Dog Harness

Best Pet Supplies Voyager mesh dog harness is very affordable, lightweight, and breathable.  This training harness is good for up to 30 pounds, making this a great transition harness for in-between the puppy stage and full-grown.  The natural placement of the chest piece makes it difficult for your dog to chew on it while wearing it.

This is a one-piece, step-in harness and is equipped with 2 D-rings to attach the leash to.  With high-quality mesh fabric, it is light enough to allow airflow for your dogs’ comfort. Be sure to measure the chest girth and lower neck circumference to get the best fit for your dog.

EzyDog Chest Plate Dog Harness

The EzyDog Chest Plate dog harness has a foam chest piece for extra comfort.  This harness is virtually escape-proof for those squirmy pups with its adjustable straps and hugging chest piece.  It has reflective stitching and comes in many different colors.

This harness is easy and quick to take on or off, with two buckles on the side, and the straps are adjustable.  It also comes with a detachable, swiveling car restraint for the exciting trips. The rust-proof D-ring for the leash adds to the durability.  Be sure to measure your dog’s chest girth and lower neck circumference for the best fit.

EzyDog Quick Fit Dog Harness

The EzyDog Quick Fit dog harness is lightweight and adjustable.  It has a neoprene strap harness with a padded chest strap that runs just under the neck and a strap across the chest.  The harness is super easy to adjust for a secure fit and will not chafe or pinch your pooch.

This harness has one buckle on the chest strap and includes an ID tag holder.  It has a stainless-steel D-ring for the leash and reflective stitching throughout it for added visibility.  This harness is excellent for the sporty Shar-Pei and their humans.

Best Harness for a Shar-Pei Puppy

Puppia Soft Vest Dog Harness

The Puppia Soft Vest dog harness is as it states, a soft vest harness.  This comfortable one-piece harness is practically escape-proof, providing some ease to harness training your puppy.  It has a Velcro closure across the back for extra security.

The harness has soft air-mesh padding and two D-rings to attach a leash to.  It is 100% polyester and prevents chafing. Since it is made of polyester, be careful when you clean it as polyester will shrink in a washer.  If your puppy is already on the verge of two sizes, get the bigger size so he will have some room to grow.

Tips for Getting Your Shar-Pei Accustomed to Using a Harness

Harnesses are great to use for Shar-Pei dogs as they tend to pull at their leashes.  Pulling at a leash can hurt your dog and restrict their breathing. Veterinarians are more likely to recommend using a harness over a leash for that reason.  The following are some tips that can help your Shar-Pei become more accustomed to using a harness.

  1. Start by letting your pup wear the harness around the house
  2. Give him treats and show affection while he has the harness on
  3. Put the leash on the harness and let him walk around the house on his own
  4. Make him come to you while wearing the harness and leash, rewarding him when he does
  5. Practice walking him with the harness and leash inside the house before going for outside walks
  6. Offer praise and rewards as he walks with you
  7. Start with short walks outside, offering rewards and praise when he listens, making the walks longer each time

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Make Sure I Get the Right Sized Harness for My Shar-Pei Puppy?

There are two measurement areas.  First, measure the girth of their chest, just behind their front legs and straight up around the body, with a measuring tape.  Pull it snug (but not tight) and make sure there are two fingers width between the tape and your puppy’s chest. Second, measure around the lower neck.  Be sure to go a size up if your pups’ measurements are on the border of the next size up. Plus, this will give your puppy some room to grow, which they will quickly do.

What Type of Harness Is Appropriate for My Shar-Pei’s Activity Level?

Shar-Peis have a moderate energy level.  They are not hyper, but they do enjoy walks with their humans as they are loyal and want to protect their humans at all times.  When on walks, they have been known to be pullers. It is recommended to train them not to pull by using a Y-shaped harness before moving into a T-shaped or H-shaped harness.  They will be more apt to pull out of a T-shaped and H-shaped harness.

How Do I Put the Harness On?

It depends upon the harness.  T-shaped harnesses slip on over the head and then strap around the chest.  Some of the Y-shaped harnesses slip over the head, but some have to be stepped into.  And all H-shaped harnesses are stepped into. Always check the instructions that come with the harness.

How Much Do I Need to Adjust the Straps?

Adjusting the straps can be time-consuming as you may have to adjust them several times before they’re right.  Continue to adjust until there is a 2-finger width between the harness and your dog’s chest. You want to make sure the harness is snug but not pinching into them.

Conclusion

Using a harness for a Shar-Pei is an excellent idea for these doggies humans.  It provides a measure of security and control over pulling and will not choke or harm your beloved fur baby.  This is also an important control measure if your Shar-Pei feels a need to be protective or lunges at something.  But not all harnesses work all that well. Browse through the seven highly rated harnesses provided in this article to see what would work best for you.

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