Does your gentle giant, your magnificent Bernese Mountain Dog, pull on the leash like a small tractor? You love your Berner’s strength, but walks can become a workout you didn’t sign up for! Finding the perfect harness for these big, beautiful dogs is tricky. Standard harnesses often pinch their thick necks or rub their sensitive shoulders. Many owners buy the wrong size or style, leading to uncomfortable walks for both dog and human.
We understand the struggle. You want a harness that keeps your Berner safe, comfortable, and under control during those exciting neighborhood strolls or park adventures. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explore the best features, materials, and styles specifically designed to fit the unique build of a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Keep reading to discover the top-rated, pressure-free harnesses that will transform your walks from a tug-of-war into a pleasant outing. Let’s find the perfect fit for your loyal companion right now!
Top Harness For Bernese Mountain Dog Recommendations
- Large Dog Harness - Recommended Breeds: Medium to Large Dogs, such as Siberian Husky, Labrador, German Shepherd, Akita, Chow Chow, Schnauzer Giant，American Pit Bull Terrier, etc. Please measure your dog's neck and check girth carefully before purchasing this present for your puppy. Make your puppy stand out with this Classic Black Harness!
- No Pull, No Choke - Our non-pulling dog harness is specially designed with 2 metal leash rings for safer dog walks. Use the chest attachment clip to stop your dog from pulling on walks, perfect for dog training or dogs who tend to pull. The back one is great for casual walks, jogging, hiking, etc
- Easy to Use - This hassle-free overhead harness is easy to put on and take off with its 2 fast-release buckles. Slide the harness over your dog's head, buckle it up, adjust the straps, and here you go! Grab the top handle for additional control. Lightweight and easy to clean
- Fully Adjustable - This adjustable harness features 4 easy adjusting straps around the body. You can use its 2 neck straps and 2 chest straps to create a perfect fit for your dog with some room of growth. No worries about slipping out or choking
- Safe and Comfortable - Your dog will enjoy the daily walk in this comfort dog harness! Made of sturdy polyester oxford and padded with soft cushion to protect your dog's skin. Breathable air mesh keeps your dog cool during outdoor activities. Super bright reflective strips ensure a safe walk both day and night
- No Pull Dog Harness: Whether you're working on training or need a day-to-day harness for handling your dog, our walking harness provides increased control while allowing your dog a full range of motion
- Rain Defender: Rain or shine the no pull harness is constructed from 500-denier polyester with Rain Defender durable water repellent (DWR) technology repelling light rain and maintaining its form up to daily use no matter the conditions
- Adjustability: The martingale chest strap provides your pets a no-pull function. The over-the-head outfitting, yoke style harness, fully-adjustable chest and belly strap paired with spacer mesh backing for breathability maintains adjustability and without compromising comfort
- Low Light Visibility: Stitched with reflective low light stitching increasing low-light visibility, ensuring your pets safety and visibility in dimly light conditions
- Sizing: Small (Chest Girth: 16"- 20") Medium (Chest Girth 21"- 28") Large (Chest Girth 26"- 35") Extra Large (Chest Girth 33"- 46") See sizing chart in images
- 【No Pull & No Choke Design】: This harness simply goes through the dog's head, snaps on the belly and that's the end of it. Besides, the D-ring on the chest strap is used for no pull dog training and guiding direction, and the O-ring on the back is used for daily dog walking. The triangular design on both sides of this no pull harness helps to distribute the pulling force, so you don't have to worry about the dog choking when suddenly pulling.
- 【Soft Velvet Padded & Durable】: With soft thicken and wider fleece pads used beneath the strap of neck, back and handle atop, this dog harness could reduce friction from movement and protect the health of the dog's skin. It also uses superior nylon material to ensure long-lasting use.
- 【Leash Double Handle & Elastic Band】: You can use the top handle for casual dog walking, and the center handle for controlling the direction of the dog, easily guiding it through crowded areas and preventing storming in case of accidents. And the springy design of the leash really absorbs the pull from large strong dogs without tugging on your wrist and shoulder.
- 【Neck & Chest Adjustable】: SlowTon dog harness is equipped with adjustable loop for both neck and chest girth, and the quick-release buckle allows for quick donning. No matter what kind of breed and shape, it provides proper length after adjusting to fit your dog's neck and chest, which is perfectly designed for walking, jogging, running, hiking and training.
- 【Tangle-free Leash & Reflective】: The heavy-duty 360°swivel metal hook ensures no tangle. Plus, it has an elastic bungee and 2 padded handles, which is great for walking training of city dogs, or wandering off in country. Furthermore, its super bright reflective strips ensure a safe walk both day and night. And it comes with 2 hook and loop straps, a regular one Support Dog and the reflective one DO NOT PET.
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- [UPDATED VESION, EASY TO PUT ON & TAKE OFF] This dog harness has 3 buckles( One is on the neck with Lockable, two are on the chest), NO NEED go through dog’s head. This will let your dog loves to wear harness!
- [NO PULL WITH 2 HOOK LOOPS] There are 2 sturdy metal hook loops for leash attachment. If you use the front hook on the chest, it will reduce the pulling a lot and make going for a walk more enjoyable. As usual, most people like to use the back hook.
- [REFLECTIVE MATERIAL] The reflective material will be really nice when it gets dark. Also, your dog will be saw easily. This reflective material can make drivers have long time to react, which ensure your dog’s safety!
- [USEFUL & SOFT HANDLES] You will like this handle on the back,it is helpful in controlling dogs a bit closer to you when they are trying to lunge at something. Also, it is convenient to assist dogs into the car.
- [100% BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE] If any products quality really exits, a refund or replacement will be available.
- Perfect Fit: Sizing does NOT directly correspond to your pet's breed or weight; Ensure the ideal fit by MEASURING your pet with our Size Guide and referring to our sizing chart before ordering; Not for large dogs
- Comfort All Year: Made with a soft and breathable air mesh, this lightweight, fast drying harness ensures maximum comfort for your pet during walks, regardless of the season
- Enhanced Visibility: Featuring two reflective bands, this harness increases your pet's visibility during morning and evening strolls, keeping them safe in low light conditions
- Triple Security: Our harness provides three layers of protection with a secure hook and loop fastener, a sturdy buckle, and double D-rings, ensuring your pet's safety at all times
- Easy to Use: Enjoy hassle-free walks with this simple, easy-to-wear vest harness. Just let your pet step in, clip the harness, and you are ready to go
- 3 RING NO PULL TECHNOLOGY: Helping to eliminate harmful choking and discourage pulling while walking. This gives owners 3 different leash attachment points as well, allowing you to find what option is best for yourself and your pup!
- DURABLE AND COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The Essential harness is made of heavy duty and high quality materials, including 3 reinforced rings for leash attachment points, soft and breathable mesh underside for all day comfort and sturdy nylon handle and nylon straps for long term durability.
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE: Both the chest and belly strap are fully adjustable for the perfect fit for small dogs, medium dogs and large dogs. Our harness is also fully equipped for nighttime safety with a reflective chest strap and reflective trim lining that outlines our harness helping to keep your dog safe anytime, day or night.
- EASIEST HARNESS TO USE: Our harness can be put on and off in under 3 seconds making it the perfect choice for everyday walking, running, training, hiking or wherever your day and active lifestyle takes you!
- OUR MISSION: ShawnCo is a small business proudly owned in the USA. Our mission is to celebrate the endless love and loyalty of man's best friend- giving back to dogs, who have given us so much and changed our lives forever
- Quick & Easy Fit: This dog harness comes with two convenient quick-release buckles, making it a breeze to dress your furry friend. Just slip it over your dog's head, fasten the buckles, and you're all set. The straps around the neck, chest, and belly are easily adjustable to ensure a perfect fit for your dog.
- Durable & Comfortable: The dog harness is crafted with heavy duty and high quality materials, featuring two metal rings and two nylon handles that can withstand strong pulling forces. The breathable and soft mesh padding ensures comfort, and the neck cushioning prevents any choking or discomfort around the neck.
- Easy Control: The front metal leash ring is designed for no-pull control, making it perfect for training or dogs that frequently pull, while the rear ring is ideal for leisurely walks, jogging, or hiking. The dog harness features horizontal and vertical nylon handles for easy grip on your dog.
- Guardian of Nighttime Protection: The reflective strip design alerts pedestrians and vehicles during nighttime walks, providing a safe walking experience for you and your beloved dog.
- This dog harness is available in four sizes - Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large - to suit your dog's needs. Before purchasing, please take accurate measurements of your dog's neck, chest, and belly girth, and select the appropriate size according to our size chart for a perfect fit.
- 【 NO PULL & NO CHOKE 】tobeDRI dog harness featured with 2 strong metal delta shape-rings on front and back for leash attaching, front clip prevent pulling and back for relaxed walking. The 2 rings are sewn with durable thick nylon webbing and enforced box stitches and bartacks that preventing ripped off even pulling hardly. Pulling pressure is evenly distributed to the body to prevent choking
- 【 EASY TO USE AND LOCKING SECURITY 】The dog harness with simple design and quick snap buckles which make it easy to put on and take off. Locking feature on both snaps makes it more secure, 100% ensures no accidentally detachment. 4 easy size adjustors at neck and chest for easy adjusting to fit your dog perfectly, even with some room of growth. Perfect for daily walking, running, hiking, training, hunting, outdoor adventure and more!
- 【 DURABILITY 】Made of durable nylon webbing, enhanced high density nylon oxford, breathable mesh lining and strong accessories including buckle, size adjustors
- 【 EASY CLEANING 】Machine washable is easy for daily use. All metal accessories are rust-proof
- 【 REFLECTIVE 】Reflective stitching maintains high visibility at night for safety
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Bernese Mountain Dog Harness
Bernese Mountain Dogs are big, strong, and beautiful. They need a harness that fits well and keeps them safe. Choosing the right harness is important for walks and training. This guide will help you find the best one for your gentle giant.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, look for specific things that make a harness great for a Berner.
- No-Pull Design: Many Bernese pull when they walk. A harness with a front clip helps guide your dog gently without hurting their neck.
- Sturdy Handle: A strong handle on the back is very useful. You can use it to quickly guide your dog, lift them over small obstacles, or keep them close in busy areas.
- Reflective Stitching: Since these dogs are large, visibility is key. Look for bright stitching or reflective strips for safe evening walks.
- Easy Adjustment: You need many adjustment points. Berners have deep chests, so the harness must fit snugly around the girth but allow shoulder movement.
Important Materials for Durability and Comfort
The material decides how long the harness lasts and how comfortable your dog feels wearing it all day.
Durable Outer Shells
Most high-quality harnesses use strong nylon webbing or durable polyester.
- Nylon Webbing: This is tough and resists tearing. It holds up well against a strong dog pulling.
- Breathable Mesh: Because Bernese have thick coats, look for mesh panels, especially under the chest and belly. This keeps them cooler during summer hikes.
Comfortable Padding
Padding prevents chafing, which is a common problem on large breeds.
- Neoprene Padding: This soft material dries fast and cushions pressure points where the straps cross the chest and shoulders.
- Soft Lining: Ensure the inside lining feels smooth against your dog’s fur. Rough materials can rub the coat away over time.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all harnesses are made equally. Pay attention to the small details.
What Makes a Harness High Quality?
Strong hardware makes a huge difference.
- Metal Buckles and D-Rings: Choose heavy-duty metal (like zinc alloy or stainless steel) for the leash attachment points. Plastic clips can break under the strain of a 100-pound dog.
- Reinforced Stitching: Look for double or box stitching where straps meet rings. This prevents seams from ripping apart.
What Reduces Harness Quality?
Cheap construction leads to quick failure.
- Thin Straps: If the straps look skinny, they probably cannot handle a powerful pull.
- Flimsy Plastic Hardware: Avoid harnesses that use thin, brittle plastic for the main buckles.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you use the harness every day.
For Daily Walks
For neighborhood walks, prioritize ease of use. A harness that slips over the head or has two quick-release buckles is best. You want to get your dog ready fast!
For Training and Control
If you are actively training your Berner not to pull, the no-pull front clip is essential. This design redirects their forward momentum sideways, making pulling less rewarding for the dog.
For Adventure and Hiking
If you take your dog hiking, the top handle becomes crucial. It lets you assist your dog up steep rocks or pull them back quickly from a ledge. Make sure the harness covers enough of the chest area for stability.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Bernese Mountain Dog Harnesses
Q: What size harness should I buy for my Bernese Mountain Dog?
A: Measure your dog’s chest girth (the widest part behind the front legs) and neck circumference. Most Berners need an Extra Large (XL) size, but always check the brand’s specific sizing chart against your measurements.
Q: Should I get a harness or a collar for my Berner?
A: A harness is much safer for large breeds like Bernese. Collars can put too much pressure on their throat and windpipe if they pull hard. Harnesses distribute the force across the chest.
Q: Are reflective harnesses necessary?
A: Yes, they greatly improve safety. Bernese Mountain Dogs are dark-colored, so reflective stitching helps cars and bikes see you clearly during dawn or dusk walks.
Q: How tight should the harness be?
A: You should be able to fit two fingers snugly between the harness straps and your dog’s body at the thickest points. It should not be so tight that it restricts shoulder movement, but not so loose that it slides around.
Q: What is the best type of buckle material?
A: Metal buckles are the best choice for strength and longevity. If you use plastic, ensure it is a heavy-duty, high-strength polymer.
Q: Can a harness cause rubbing or chafing?
A: Yes, especially under the armpits or on the chest bone if the fit is wrong or the material is rough. Look for harnesses with soft neoprene padding in those areas.
Q: Do I need a special harness for pulling?
A: If your dog pulls, look for a “dual-clip” or “front-clip” harness. These attach the leash to a ring on the chest, which steers the dog toward you when they pull.
Q: How do I clean a nylon harness?
A: You usually clean them by hand washing with mild soap and warm water. Hang the harness to air dry completely before storing it.
Q: Should I buy a harness with a handle?
A: It is highly recommended for large, strong breeds. The handle gives you instant control in emergencies or when navigating crowded spaces.
Q: Are step-in harnesses good for Bernese?
A: Step-in harnesses are easy to put on, but they often do not offer the same secure, custom fit around the deep chest of a Bernese Mountain Dog as a traditional strap harness.