Best Harnesses For Rottweilers: Ratings, Reviews & Top Picks

Are you searching for the best harness for your Rottweiler? Making the right decision is critical to ensure the health and safety of your Rottweiler. Although Rottweilers need less exercise than other breeds, they still love to get outside. Rotties are durable dogs, and because they love to work, they are hard on everything. You’ll want to make sure all the gear you buy your Rottie is durable. This includes durable dog toys made for power chewers, and even Rottweiler sized dog crates that can stand up to significant wear & tear.

Rottweilers are a very strong-willed breed. They aren’t aggressive, although they are often portrayed that way. They can be stubborn, and because they have been used to pull carts in the past, it can make harness training difficult. Outfitting them with a harness capable of controlling their large size and impressive strength is a must.

But doing so is easier said than done. Many options and harness types are available, which can make selecting the correct one feel overwhelming. To help you make the best choice for your furry friend, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites for the best harness for Rottweiler. Let’s get started!

Harness Types

All harnesses have the same function, which is to distribute weight and pressure evenly among your Rottweiler’s body, but they do this in different ways. Here’s a brief overview of the most common types of harnesses.

Back clip: Most dog owners opt for this type of harness, which has a lead attachment on your dog’s bag. It removes force from their neck and throat to create a safer walking experience. However, this type does little to discourage pulling behavior.

Front clip: A front-clip harness has a lead attachment at the dog’s chest, which is the best way to deal with pullers. If your Rottweiler tries to pull, the position of the leash redirects them towards you.

Front/back clip: As you’ll see with several of the models on this list, many harnesses have both front and back lead attachment points. Great for puppies, these allow you to train them with the front clip. When they learn how to walk on a leash, you can transition to the back clip.

Step-in vs. overhead: Harnesses are either step-in or overhead. As you might guess, a step-in requires your Rottweiler to lift her leg to put it on, whereas you can place the overhead versions over your dog’s body. Overhead harnesses are ideal for senior dogs or large dogs.

Lift: Lift harnesses are ideal for older Rottweilers that may be losing the function of their back legs. They can also be used if your Rottie recently had surgery to repair a torn ACL or other leg injuries.

Adjustability

You’ll see that most harnesses mention how many adjustment points they have. In general, the more adjustment points, the better, which allows you to regulate the size in multiple places to achieve the perfect fit. A properly-fitting harness will prevent any unfortunate escape attempts and be more comfortable for your Rottweiler.

Materials

If you’ve ever gone for a walk with a Rottie, you know how strong they are. This breed will test the harness’s capabilities, which means that you should look for only the most durable materials. The most common materials in harnesses for Rottweilers are nylon and polyester. Nylon is the most durable material you can get, and polyester is a close second. Metal hardware is best for handling the strength of your Rottweiler and preventing any unwanted escapes.

Comfort

Durability should be front and center in your mind when purchasing a harness, but so should comfort.  A comfortable harness will be breathable and possibly have some padding. If you want padding, neoprene is a popular option. It’s very comfortable and won’t cause irritation or chafing. And for maximum breathability that will move and stretch across your Rottweiler’s body, mesh harnesses are the best.

Safety Features

Finally, it’s an excellent idea to consider purchasing a harness with features to keep your Rottweiler safe. We recommend things like reflective trim (which you’ll see on several models on this list), attachment for LEDs, and handles (should you need to grab your Rottweiler unexpectedly).

Best Harnesses For Rottweilers

Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for, there are several different harness brands that can do the job with your Rottie. Each of the models below are great for purebred Rottweilers, but should also work for most Rottie mixes as well. Now it’s time to take an in-depth look at our top Rottweiler harness picks. Here are several of our favorites, in no particular order.

---

Our first pick is an excellent choice for any pet owner looking for maximum versatility. The PetSafe 3 in 1 provides several harness solutions for your Rottweiler at whatever stage they are in their leash training. It can be used as a standard back-clip harness for dogs that know how to walk on a leash or use the no-pull front clip for training.

The third way to use this harness is with the car safety restraint to keep both you and your Rottie safe while on the go. With this model, you won’t have to worry about any distractions in the car.

It has neoprene-lined straps that make wearing the harness comfortable for your dog, even for extended times. The reflective stitching is another handy detail for nighttime excursions. Plus, it can also turn into a standard collar, which makes it a four-in-one product.

We love the options this harness affords pet owners, primarily if you will transport your Rottweiler by car frequently.

---

Next up, we’ve got the Sporn Non-Pull Mesh Dog Harness, which has a no-choke design that can stand up to even the toughest of pullers. It’s easy to put on and take off, and the mesh chest piece is breathable and comfortable for your Rottie. Plus, the padded restraint sleeves add additional comfort under your dog’s front legs.

What distinguishes this harness from other no-pull harnesses is that the lead attachment is on the dog’s back. Most no-pull options have a front clip to discourage pulling, but Sporn achieves this with the padded restraints we just mentioned. When your Rottweiler pulls, the restraints give a tickling sensation that your pup doesn’t like. It doesn’t hurt, but it keeps them from pulling.

We love how simple and effective the design of this harness is—not to mention how good it looks. This choice from Sporn is perfect for Rottweilers with lots of energy, and you certainly can’t beat the price.

---

Chai’s choice is an excellent option if you love early morning or late night strolls with your pup. It’s pretty hard to miss the 3M reflective material that’s featured on this harness, which will help keep both you and your Rottweiler safe in low-light conditions.

But its fantastic safety features aren’t the only reason this Chai’s Choice harness frequently lands a spot on “best of” lists. The padded chest, which makes for a comfortable fit, and the seat-belt strap, are other reasons users love it. It’s also got a built-in handle at the top for training, and D-rings on both the back and chest provide two lead position options.

We love that the harness is made of durable nylon material and can hold up to some light chewing from your Rottweiler. We also think it looks pretty sleek.

---

If you and your Rottweiler’s favorite thing to do together is to get off the beaten track, this harness may be what you’re looking for. The neck and chest straps are fully adjustable, and it includes V-ring leash attachments and a control loop for added security when needed.

But what’s super fun about this harness is how much storage it has. There’s a crisscross bungee strap that you can use to store essentials, and you can customize it with patches and badges to suit your dog’s personality. However, it doesn’t have a no-pull front ring, so if your Rottweiler is a puller, this is probably not the right harness for them.

We love it for adventure, as it’s both lightweight and water-resistant. You and your dog can have lots of fun without worrying about overheating or a bit of rain.

---

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a Kurgo harness. While there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to this brand, we picked the Tru-Fit Smart Harness for several reasons. It’s an overhead model (perfect for senior dogs) that clips at the top of your dog’s back.

But what makes this harness so impressive is that the inspiration was pulled out of designs used for rock climbers, which you can see in its durable design. Nesting steel buckles give it additional strength during car rides, and the Kurgo Tru-Fit has even been crash-tested. With this harness, you can feel confident that your Rottweiler will be safe and secure on the road.

And of course, this escape-proof harness is so secure that escape artists will have no way of getting out—though, with the padded chest piece, they probably won’t feel the need to.

We love the smart design and the five adjustment points that make achieving the perfect fit a breeze. It can transition well from puppy years to adulthood.

---

Out of all the harnesses on our list, the Harness Lead Dog system probably has the most minimalistic design. But just because it’s streamlined doesn’t mean it lacks features. Its strength is, without a doubt, the most impressive thing about it. It is capable of holding up to 3700 pounds—in other words, a boat!

The one-piece model fits all dogs, and it’s perfect for escape artists, as the design makes it nearly impossible for your Rottweiler to slither out of it. It won’t irritate Rottweiler skin, and it’s super easy to clean.

While it’s not the most effective no-pull harness on our list, it will constrict your Rottie a bit if they pull. It may also take a few tries to learn how to put it on, but you’ll see that it’s well worth it when you figure it out.

We love the versatility that this harness affords dogs of all sizes. If you’ve been having trouble getting other harnesses to fit your Rottie correctly, this one may be what you’ve been searching for!

---

Last up, and we’ve got one of the best pulling solutions on our list. If you’re frustrated with walks that leave your arms and shoulders sore, you may want to try the Halti Dog Harness. It features two leash attachment points that make it easy to control your dog without causing any discomfort. It’s excellent for any stage of training and any age.

The design of the Halti Dog Harness is no-frills, but it does its job. It will keep your Rottweiler secure, and it will fit even large Rottweilers.

We love that you can combine it with Halti’s double-ended training lead to help train your pup. Attach one end of the lead to the chest ring to steer and the other to the back ring to use as a brake.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I use a harness with my Rottweiler?
A: Regardless of the breed, harnesses are generally the best option for outdoor fun with your dog. But this fact is especially true for Rottweilers. The breed tends to have issues with pulling, which, when coupled with their abundance of strength, can make walks a real chore. Rottweilers are strong pullers, and harness training early on will prevent your pup from the possibility of neck injury or windpipe trauma.

Q: How do I select the right size harness for my Rottweiler?
A: Most Rottweilers will require a large or an extra-large harness. However, sizing varies considerably among manufacturers. Most list weight references to guide you, but weight is probably the least helpful fit indicator. Instead, we recommend taking your dog’s measurements to ensure a proper fit.

Q: How important is a correctly fitting harness?
A: Ensuring the proper fit is a crucial aspect of purchasing a harness. If it’s too loose, it will rub against your dog’s skin, leading to hair loss and sore patches over time. It may also put your Rottweiler in danger of strangulation if he gets caught in some vegetation. Too-tight harnesses can cause painful sores and chafing. A properly fitted harness will prevent all these issues.

Q: How do I know if the fit is correct?
A: Luckily, ensuring the proper fit is relatively straightforward, though there are several things to pay attention to. The first is that the harness should lie flat on your dog’s body, and you should be able to fit a finger or two in between their fur and the harness.

Q: Should I use a harness when running with my Rottweiler?
A: We do recommend a harness when running, but there are harnesses specifically made for running activities. Rotties are larger breed dogs. Any running that you do should be shorter in distance to go easier on their joints.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found our picks for the best harness for Rottweiler helpful. As long as you know what to look for in a harness and follow our recommendations on sizing, any of the products on our list will serve you well. Here’s to a long and happy life full of adventures with your furry friend!