How to choose the best and safest lead for your dog

Much like finding the best dog harness or collar, choosing the right lead for your dog's behaviour, size and breed is important. For small walks or bathroom breaks, a standard nylon dog lead might work for you. If you have a dog that excessively pulls, you may want to look for a lead that gives you more control, like an adjustable lead. Leads help keep yourself and your pup safe and secure. They can help keep those in surrounding areas safe, especially if your dog is prone to lunging or getting overexcited when another pup is in sight. 

It can be overwhelming when choosing the right leash for your dog. An incorrectly fitted lead could make any behavioural issues worse, or potentially put your dog in harm's way. Between the different types, materials, and clasps available, we’ve covered many bases so you can make an informed choice based on the needs of your pooch.

The standard dog lead is probably what comes to mind when you picture a lead. It's usually flat and made out of nylon, but they’re available in various lengths, colours and widths so you can choose one best suited to yourself and your pet. If you’re prone to nylon rope burn, there are softer materials available, such as neoprene and soft webbed rope. The standard dog lead is usually intended for basic training and everyday walks. It offers a solid amount of control, but may not be the best option for a heavy puller. 

The retractable lead has a handle with a tension-loaded nylon cord, that usually extends to between 5 and 8 metres. Retractable leads are great for roaming open spaces, or for well-trained dogs with good recall.

However, they are not as durable as the other options on our list and can encourage pulling. The more your dog pulls against the tension of the leash, the more freedom they are given.

Due to the length of the cord and retractable mechanism, your pooch can also get pinched, burned, or tangled in the cord. Additionally, retractable leads offer the least amount of control, so we don’t recommend them for dogs that pull. If you want to give your four-legged friend extra freedom to roam, we highly recommend a long leash or adjustable leash – they’re much more durable and safer than retractable leads.

You won’t see the chain leash used all that much, but it's still around, and mostly used for big, heavy dogs. As you’d expect, chain leashes have a nylon or leather handle with steel links or chains and a clip to attach to the collar or harness. They’re a solid choice If your dog likes to take out their frustration by chewing through their leash. The downside is they are quite heavy, and not suited to small dogs.

The Martingale, or slip leash, is essentially a leash and a collar in one. It tightens when it is pulled and is commonly used in veterinary clinics to correct pulling behaviour on stray or temporarily-held dogs. The leash stays taught when pulled against, so is useful for escape artists or dogs with narrow necks. As such, it can be effective as a short-term leash to help with pulling. However, we’d recommend opting for a no-pull harness instead, which is a much better option for correcting pulling behaviour.

This leash was originally designed to train sighthounds, such as greyhounds and whippets, who are known for having heads narrower than their necks. This lead is also useful for escape artists who seem to slip out of their collars, hence the name.  

Not all materials are created equally. Some are more durable than others and are built to last, but are accompanied by a high price that reflects this. Others are affordable but difficult to clean. The best way to approach the variety of materials available is to assess what qualities you value in a leash and the needs of your dog. Is your four-legged friend prone to pulling? Are you prone to rope burn? Does your dog have allergies, or are they sensitive to certain materials? Your choice of leash will reflect this.

Not all materials are created equally. Some are more durable than others and are built to last, but are accompanied by a high price that reflects this. Others are affordable but difficult to clean. The best way to approach the variety of materials available is to assess what qualities you value in a leash and the needs of your dog. Is your four-legged friend prone to pulling? Are you prone to rope burn? Does your dog have allergies, or are they sensitive to certain materials? Your choice of leash will reflect this.

Rope leashes are a comfortable and durable option, and are built to withstand heavy pulling. Many rope leashes are made from synthetic fibres like nylon, polyester, and polypropylene making them softer and more durable than a simple nylon leash.

If your dog has sensitive skin, allergies, or an inflammatory skin condition, they may respond well to a hemp lead. Hemp leads are hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, and are made from hemp webbing. They’re odour resistant, but also quite durable, and an affordable option for dogs with skin issues. Pugs, Shar Peis, and Bulldogs, for example, are particularly susceptible to skin inflammation due to their wrinkles and folds.

Leather leads are a durable option for the stylish, indoor pet. Leads made of real leather can be pricey but are fortunately built to last. While they are durable, if your dog is an avid chewer, a leather lead probably won’t stop them. They’re also not the best choice for outdoor dogs, as they can be tough to clean.

To determine what lead is the safest option for you and your pet, ask yourself the following:

• What material is it made from? Does my dog have any skin allergies or conditions that I need to take into consideration? 
• Is my dog a chewer? Do I need something durable that will deter him or her from trying to snack on the lead?
• Is my dog a puller? Do I need extra control to discourage this behaviour?
• What's the price point? Do I value affordability over quality? Or do I want something cheap that will probably be replaced in a few months?

Buying dog leads can be overwhelming when there are so many different materials and types of leads. It's worth looking into each one and seeing what might work best for you.