Unlike some canine accessories which may just be desirable rather than necessary, every dog of any size needs a lead some or all of the time. It is a legal requirement for a dog to be on a lead at all times in certain areas and an owner will be held responsible and suffer legal penalties, and even imprisonment, if a dog causes injury or death through the negligence of the owner who did not have the dog on a lead where compulsory to do so. So, purchase of a dog-lead must be made after consideration of many factors. The features and use of the lead must be considered carefully. There are various types of lead such as basic, training, retractable and leads labelled to warn passer-bys about traits or behaviour of the dog. However, this review is just concerned to present the best basic dog leads.
It is very important to consider the size, weight and level/type of activity of your dog as well as the build, comfort and physical make-up of the owner who may have weak wrists or arthritis, for example. A lead may suit one owner or dog but not another. The bungee-type leads are reported to reduce pulling, for example, but in some cases the dog enjoys the “bounce back” and the problem is exacerbated !
The lead must be short and strong enough to allow an owner to quickly restrain a dog or direct him away from danger to himself or others and yet long enough to allow the dog to move freely. Increasingly popular is a 2nd “traffic” handle allowing the owner to draw the dog near when necessary. The material from which it is made must be considered for durability and ease of cleaning and maintenance. You need a lead which will not need great pulling or yanking to communicate your wishes to the dog. This is actually counter-productive as the dog will resist it eventually and the owner’s arm will be strained and ache. The clip attaching the lead to the collar or harness must be strong and not break when the dog pulls. If it were to snap or fly off at a time of danger and the dog breaks free, there could be serious consequences e.g. accident or injury affecting the dog or others. Some owners, happy with a lead on other grounds, attach a carabiner clip for extra safety. Many handles are now padded for the comfort of the owner but, again, if the lead lacks a padded handle but ticks most other boxes, an owner may decide to just wear comfortably-padded gloves.
Last but not least, some owners frankly admit that the wrong lead can cause dog-walking to become too much of a challenge and a chore but this can change to fun overnight by choosing the right lead !
JBYAMUK 5 FT Strong Dog Lead with Comfortable Padded Handle and Highly Reflective Threads for Small, Medium and Large Dogs (5-FT, Black)
This is a very good basic dog lead and fits small, medium and large dogs. It is very popular, stylish and keenly-priced. The braided nylon is of the climbing-rope variety designed to withstand considerable weight and gives high resistance to chewing. A feature which is much appreciated is that it can be easily shortened via a D-ring. The nylon has reflective threads which gives good visibility when walking a dog at night. It has a doggy poop bag holder and the handle is comfortably padded and adapts to the shape of the walker’s fingers.
KEY FEATURES :
- Nylon climbing-rope which is twice as strong as normal rope
- Comfortable padded handle
- Strong 360-degree swivel clip
SPECIFICATION :
- Brand JYBAMUK
- Weight: 281 g
- Package Dimensions: 25.9 x 17 x 5 cm
- Length: 5 feet
PROS
CONS
- 360-degree swivel metal clip attaches to collar via a safety lock catch
- Very strong. It can withstand up to 700 pounds of impact without breaking.
- Hard to snap as made of 1/2 inch diameter nylon climbing rope
with unique high-density anti-bite layer design inside - Comfortable padded handle. Adapts to shape of finger grips.
- Chew-resistant
- Easily shortened via a D-ring
- Doggy poop bag holder
- Easy to clean
- Handle weak and can snap. Rubber lining can also split.
- Coverings near handle and near clip slide out of place
Sweetie Rope Dog Lead - Innovative Design with Two Padded Handles - Reflective Stitching & O-Ring - 5 FT Long Leash for Medium & Large Sized Pets - Weather Resistant & Strong Material
This basic dog lead is suitable for dogs of medium and large size.
The consensus of many, including a person who has walked many dogs for 50 years and people with many different breeds, sizes and temperaments of dogs, is that this is the best lead that they have ever had. It is made of weather-resistant heavy-duty climbing rope material of a good thickness, half-inch diameter, is reflective and has a 2nd “traffic” handle which has made controlling a dog and bringing it nearer, when necessary, so much easier. The clip to which a collar or harness is attached is also metal, 2-inches and heavy-duty. It is also stylish in orange and black and the handles are webbed and padded and very comfortable. The manufacturer offers a lifetime guarantee in the event of any fault or failure. This is a sign of the quality of the lead and of the customer service.
KEY FEATURES :
- Strong climbing-rope nylon material
- 2nd “traffic” webbed and padded handle
- Tangle-free 2-inch heavy-duty metal clip
- Handle includes an O Ring to attach poo bag holder, clicker and collapsible bowl
SPECIFICATION :
- Brand SWEETIE
- Weight: 240g
- Package Dimensions: 20.7 x 15.9 x 5.1 cm
- Length: 5 ft.
PROS
CONS
- Lifetime guarantee
- 5 ft length
- Half inch diameter
- Strong. Made of strong but elasticated climbing rope
- 2 comfortable handles. Each padded. 2nd handle at mid-length can be used when needing dog closer as in traffic.
- Does not tangle easily.
- Handy O ring on handle can be used to attach poop bag
- Can be used to walk 2 dogs with a splitter
- O ring is fitted on the main handle so you can clip it shut to wear in a loop around your neck when your dog is off the lead.
- Easy to clean
- Strong 2” heavy-duty metal swivel clip
- Weather-resistant
- Danger of dog getting leg stuck in 2nd handle loop if dog lead allowed to trail behind
Rope Dog Lead with Soft Padded Handle and High Reflective Threads, 5FT Durable Rope Twist Lead in Strong Pulling Support all Size Dogs
This is also a good basic dog lead suitable for dogs of all sizes. It is made of mountain-climbing braided rope nylon with reflective threads and is chew-resistant. The 360-degree clip prevents twists and turns and helps the dog not to escape from its collar. The diameter is half-inch which helps add to the strength. It is also stylishly designed and has a comfortable padded neoprene/rubber handle. It is also easy to clean.
KEY FEATURES :
- Mountain-climbing braided rope material
- 360-degree clip prevents twists and turns
- Both sides of lead fitted with strong rubber ring
SPECIFICATION :
- Brand U-PICKS
- Weight: 209 g
- Package Dimensions: 24.3 x 17.6 x 4.4 cm
- Length: 5 feet
PROS
CONS
- Metal clip turns 360 degrees to prevent lead twisting and turning.
Clip hard to escape from collar. - Strong mountain-climbing braided rope
- Comfortable non-slip neoprene/rubber padded handle
- Chew-resistant
- Rubber parts at top and bottom of lead can come off soon, exposing thread and risking it falling apart sooner.
- Can stretch significantly, making the lead longer than intended.
- Handle breaks easily
- Rubber piece near clip can come away
Just Pet Zone Strong Dog Lead 5 Feet - Hands-Free Running dog Lead Reflective Stitching - Zero Shock Shock-Absorbing Technology. by Just Pet Zone
This is designed to absorb shocks suffered by the walker when dog pulls. It is a bungee-type material. It also has an innovative padded handle which wraps around the hand of the walker and provides not only good grip but comfort, much appreciated by those with weak wrists. The trim of the lead is reflective. The clasp is heavy-duty with a locking clip which cannot get accidentally undone and allow dog to escape. Clasp easy to attach and detach from collar or harness.
KEY FEATURES :
- Innovative padded handle which wraps around the hand
- Buckle on handle is released and connected quickly
- Bungee-type lead with shock-absorbing section
SPECIFICATION :
- Brand JUST PET ZONE
- Weight 141 g
- Package Dimensions 29.7 x 10.1 x 3.3 cm
- Length 5 feet (adjustable)
PROS
CONS
- Padded Handle worn like a glove and adjusts to hands of different sizes. Useful for those with weak wrists.
- Bungee-type lead helps reduce strain on owner when dog jerks
- Heavy clasp with locking clip which cannot get accidentally undone and allow dog to escape. Clasp easy to attach and detach from collar or harness
- Easy to clean
- When dog pulls, the point where the hand goes through the buckle will tighten and press into hand, which can cause discomfort.
MEKEET Large Dog Lead Leash, 1.5m Double Handles Dog Lead Heavy Duty Strong Nylon Reflective Dog Leash with 2 Padded Handles Extra Traffic Lead for Safety Training Walking Medium & Large Sized Pets by MEKEET
This is suitable for medium and large dogs. It is made of strong nylon and is reflective. It is wider than normal, being 1 inch thick. It also has a convenient metal buckle or gunmetal-finished D-ring onto which you can hang doggy poo bags, portable bags or oher useful objects and makes walking with your pet easier as everything is to hand. It has 2 padded handles. The 2nd is a “traffic” handle which lets the walker draw the dog closer in areas of pedestrian or vehicular traffic and so protects the dog, passers-by and vehicles.
KEY FEATURES :
- Strong nylon
- Useful D-ring for hanging objects
- 2nd padded “traffic” handle
SPECIFICATION :
- BRAND MEKEET
- Item Weight 222 g
- Package Dimensions 15.4 x 10.2 x 2.8 cm
- Length 6 ft.
PROS
CONS
- Strong nylon
- Padded 1st handle and padded 2nd “traffic” handle
- Gunmetal-finished D-ring fitted to the leash to easily clip on attachments like poop bag holders.
- Wider than normal – 1 inch
- Strong nylon
- Padded 1st handle and padded 2nd “traffic” handle
- Gunmetal-finished D-ring fitted to the leash to easily clip on attachments like poop bag holders.
- Wider than normal – 1 inch
