Last Updated on November 28, 2025 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
Get the Right Harness for Your Maremma Sheepdog
We train our Maremmas with harnesses, not collars - here's what you need for pickup day
When you pick up your Prancing Pony Farm Maremma puppy, you’ll need a properly fitted harness (not a collar) for safe transport and training. We use Blue 9 Balance Harnesses with all our puppies and can have one ready for you at pickup, or you can purchase a similar harness elsewhere and bring it with you.
Collar & Harness Essentials for LGDs
Let’s talk about collars vs. harnesses for Livestock Guardian Dogs…
You’ll notice I’m recommending a harness instead of walking your puppy in a collar. Here’s why:
Why harnesses are better for LGDs:
- Distributes pressure across the chest instead of the delicate neck
- Gives you better control without causing discomfort
- Front-clip design naturally discourages pulling (no harsh corrections needed)
- Safer for growing puppies who are still learning leash manners
- Perfect fit for deep-chested livestock guardian dog breeds
- Durable enough for working dogs
Collars are for ID tags, not walking (at least initially). Once your dog is fully leash-trained and mature, you can transition to collar walking if you prefer. But for the first 6-12 months? Harness all the way.
The Harness I use and Recommend
After testing many brands over the years, I exclusively use and sell Balance Harnesses by Blue-9. They’re specifically designed for deep-chested breeds (perfect for Maremmas), incredibly durable, and the front-clip design makes training so much easier.
These are physical products available directly from Prancing Pony Farm:
I actually stock these harnesses and leashes at the farm.
How to purchase:
- In-person pickup: Order your harness when you reserve your puppy, and it’ll be ready when you arrive. No shipping costs!
- Shipping with your puppy: I’ll attach the harness to your puppy’s travel crate
- Ship to your home: Available with shipping fee
Not sure what size your dog needs? Email me and I’ll let you know.
Harness Sizing Guide for Maremmas
Choose the right size based on your puppy’s age at pickup:
3-5 months old: Size Medium
- This fits most puppies picked up at our standard 12-14 week pickup window
6-12 months old: Medium/Large or Large
- Most puppies need Medium/Large
- Larger/faster-growing puppies may need Large sooner
- Contact us if you’re unsure about your specific puppy
1-2 years old (juvenile/adult dogs): Medium/Large or Large
- Most males and some females need Large
- Most females fit Medium/Large as adults
- We’ll advise you on your specific dog’s size
Not sure which size? Just ask us! We know your puppy and can tell you exactly what size they need.
Order Your Harness Below - Regular or Refective Options
What About a Leash for Your LGD?
Recommended Addition: 6-foot Leash or 15-Foot Long Line
For training purposes, we typically walk our dogs on a 15-foot long line or a 6-foot leash. This gives your Maremma more freedom to explore while maintaining control during training.
Features we look for:
- Heavy-duty construction for large dogs
- Comfortable padded handle
- Reflective stitching for safety
- 360° swivel clip to prevent tangling
Leash Options - Regular or Reflective - Order Below
Why This Matters:
Your Maremma puppy is a significant investment in your livestock’s safety and your family’s peace of mind. Starting with the right equipment – even something as simple as a proper harness – sets you both up for training success from day one.
We’ve refined our equipment recommendations through years of experience raising and training Maremmas. The Blue 9 Balance Harness has proven itself as the most comfortable, safe, and effective option for our puppies and adult dogs.
🐑 WORRIED ABOUT CHOOSING THE WRONG LGD?
Most livestock guardian dog failures happen during breeder selection, not training.
Find out what to look for (and what red flags to avoid) before you invest in an LGD.
