Tactical dog harnesses are extremely reliable and have been designed to suit a specific purpose for service or military canines. They often include added areas for attaching accessories like lights, saddle bags and backpacks, labels for indicating the dog is in service, and multiple leash attachments. Additionally, the core functions of the harness, such as the lead attachment D-Ring, buckles, and safety straps, have extra features and durability.
All these extra features mean tactical harnesses can be beneficial for pet owners looking for an everyday harness with added functionality to suit their and their dog’s needs.
Why a tactical canine harness might be good for your pet
Dog harnesses like the JULIUS-K9® flagship IDC® Powerharness is perfect for everyday use for most owners. They are built to be durable, safe, and comfortable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Tactical harnesses are specially designed for service canines and so are more suited to larger canine breeds that are more traditionally found in service roles. These include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
As tactical harnesses are geared towards these types of breeds, their primary purpose is to ensure the larger canines are easier to control due to better ergonomic design while also keeping the dog safe and secure, especially when wearing the harness over long periods.
Unlike collars where pressure distribution is isolated to a single location around the dog’s neck and throat, harnesses wrap round the dog’s torso and so pressure is evenly distrusted around the shoulders, upper spine, and chest. With larger breeds, using collars for service work can be uncomfortable for the dog when trying to keep it under control. It can also be dangerous if a continuous amount of pressure is applied to the throat and neck area.
This is what makes harnesses a good choice for all dog owners, regardless of the size of their breed. But a tactical dog harness can be a good choice for larger breed pet owners if their dog is especially active, are undergoing strenuous training, or planning on long walks in demanding terrain.
Practical attachments and accessories
Tactical dog harnesses need to be practical as well as comfortable and secure. They typically have added features and include more attachment areas for accessories that would be beneficial to service canines. These features can also be of great use to pet owners who have specific needs that need to be met which they might not find on regular harnesses. These include:
- Added durability of the D-Ring for strong and energetic dogs.
- Reinforced harness handles for more secure close control.
- More areas for attaching safety lights for improved visibility at night or in low light weather conditions.
- Multiple areas for attaching a double dog lead at the front and back of the harness for further improved handling and better pressure disruption.
- Coverings for areas of the harness, such as the D-ring, for improved security.
- Extra durable and secure clips, buckles, and locks for dogs who break out of regular harnesses.
- Reduced noise from buckles and clips.
- The option to add more dog labels to easily alert people of your dog’s status (i.e. Do Not Pet, Therapy Dog, In Training etc.) or to add reflective strips.
Although everyday pet harnesses can offer some these features, a tactical harness can often do all of these features while also being catered towards larger breeds.
The Tactical IDC® Stealth Powerharness
Buy the Tactical IDC® Stealth Powerharness here
The IDC® Stealth is a tactical dog harness with a robust control handle that was developed for law enforcement and combat canines. However, it has proven popular with regular pet owners who have found its features handy for everyday use.
Noiseless buckles
The ‘stealth’ part of this harness’s name comes from the fact that the buckles and locks are designed to be noiseless. This of course provides a huge tactical benefit for police and combat canines, but pet owners have found it to be an excellent feature. Safety locks and buckles on harnesses made for large breeds need to be bulky, which can generate a lot of noise. With these soundless fixings owners no longer have to put up with this clanking.
Go-Pro attachment
GoPro camcorders are a popular feature for some owners and having a secure place to attach one can be a deciding factor when choosing between two harnesses. They can be very useful for recording training sessions or capturing a scenic walk. The elastic loop on the back of the harness allows you to fit the GoPro securely and will stay firmly in place during high levels of activity.
Anti-slip harness handle
The flat and firm control handle on the back of the harness can be easy grabbed when needed at any moment. It is designed to be anti-slip ensuring that you will always have a firm grip even in wet conditions. A highly durable harness handle is extremely important for service canines, but pet owners of larger, more physical, breeds also know the importance of having close control. This is why many dog owners find a tactical harness to be a good everyday choice as they can be confident the handle is robust enough to always be reliable.
Additionally, the handle can be safely secured down when not needed. This means if the dog is off lead and roaming freely, they won’t get snagged on a branch.
Enlarged surface area for label attachment
Service canines often need to clearly display their role to the public, and police departments and military divisions will want to display their badges. Tactical dog harnesses often have plenty of space to attach these with enlarged Velcro or hook and loop system areas so all the relevant badges can be clearly displayed.
All of the harnesses in the JULIUS-K9® IDC® range have removable side labels allowing you to customise your harness, but as the IDC® Stealth Powerharness is a tactical harness it provides owners far more room to add all the labels they need.
Although most pet owners might just want to add some personalisation with their dog’s name, some people like the option of adding more flair. Dog harness labels can also be very practical, with some owners wanting to display that dog shouldn’t be petted, or it’s a therapy dog, or that it is currently in training.
We have a wide range of pre-printed attachable dog labels and patches, as well as ones allowing you to print your own:
LED light attachment
Being able to add a safety light to your dog’s harness is always useful feature. They allow you to easily spot your dog if you have let them off leash and they keep your dog visible at night. Our Guardian Dog Harness Safety Lights have been designed to easily and securely fit in the elastic loop on the back of the IDC® Stealth Powerharness.
