The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Leads for Your Pooch

With so much choice on the market these days, it can be difficult to find the right dog lead for everyday use. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll through your favourite park, or embarking on a more challenging hike with your dog, having the correct dog lead for your needs is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the both of you. 

From hands free dog leads to your traditional clip lead, it can sometimes feel confusing and overwhelming to work out what kind of leash is best suited for you and your dog. 

In this guide, we will explore three different types of dog lead, as well as their uses and features, to help you find the best dog leads for your needs. 

Are Traditional Dog Leads the Best Dog Leads? 

Firstly, what is a ‘traditional’ dog lead? To put it simply, when we talk about traditional dog leads, we mean a leash that features a clip at the base and a handle at the top. These leashes have been used for many years, and some dog owners might even be wondering why you would ever need anything other than a traditional dog leash. 

These kinds of leads are fixed at one length, most commonly between 4-5ft (1.2m-1.5m). These leashes work great for general walks with your dog, and if you tend to stick to usual walking routes or leisurely strolls around the park. 

Typical materials for this kind of leash range for cheaper, nylon webbing, to quality leather.  The strength of such leads all depends on how they are made and the materials used to make them. If you have a strong dog, or one that is more prone to pulling, it is recommended that you look at sturdier options such as Biothane, a strong and durable waterproof webbing. It's also always important to assess the quality of the hardware used on the leads themselves, and whether the clip has a high enough breaking strength to withstand the full force of your dog pulling on it. 

There isn't anything wrong with these leads as such, and if they work for you and your dog, then you don't need to look any further. However, if you struggle with recall, or are trying (and somewhat failing) to nail your dog walking to heel, then you may be interested in learning about the other kinds of dog leads available on the market. 

Long Dog Leads & Longlines 

When it comes to long dog leads, there are several different options on the market. Some owners opt for a retractable or 'flexi' leash for convenience, since these give your dog the freedom to explore to a certain point. However, flexi-leads have been subject to controversy in recent years, and have been linked to many dangerous accidents, from causing injuries to humans, to the lead itself splitting under the force of a dog running. 

If your dog isn't particularly strong, and is extremely unlikely to ever bolt after something unexpectedly (we're clearly talking about squirrels here 👀) then most dog owners won't experience any issues with these kinds of leads. However, if you have a strong or unpredictable dog on your hands, then it's recommended that you consider different options when it comes to a long dog lead. 

But, what options are available? Firstly, multi-way leads are perfect since they provide you with the option of changing the lead up based on your requirements. That means you can create a short, 'traditional' style lead when it's required, or a long lead up to three meters in length without needing to carry around multiple different leashes. 

Another alternative to retractable leashes is a longline. Some dog owners do find these a little less convenient, as they do not neatly ravel themselves back into a container, however, these are a safer alternative to provide your dog with freedom whilst remaining on a lead. 

You may have already used a longline in the past, and struggled with how difficult they can be to clean. If that's you, then opt for an easy-to-clean one made from waterproof webbing or Biothane. Plus, if you're worried about a long line being difficult to lug around on walks whilst you're not using it, you can even grab a super hands longline holder to make it easier to carry whilst not in use. 

Hands Free Dog Leads 

Last, but by no means least, is the hands free dog lead! We've already mentioned these leashes above in passing, but we need to share the full extent of what these leads can provide, and why they make the best dog leads. 

You've probably already gathered that you can use these to walk hands free with your dog. Simply attach the leash securely around your waist or shoulder (depending on your preference) and you can enjoy hands free walks with your dog, freeing up your hands for optimal treat dispensing, carrying used poop bags, or more importantly - a coffee! 

These leashes offer so much more than just hands free walking, and there are so many reasons they're the real star of the show. They are made complete with a clip on either end, meaning you can:  

• Create a short 'traditional' lead 
• Opt for a long lead up to 3 meters in length 
• Use the attachments to create a lead somewhere in-between in length 
• Attach it to two points on your dog for extra security and control 

These leads far outperform traditional leads, especially if you are looking for something that can serve multiple different purposes without the need to carry around several different leads when heading out for a walk. 

What dog lead is right for my dog? 

Choosing the best dog leads for your dog is often personal preference, and there are no hard and fast rules about what kind of leash is best suited to you. Much like people, every dog is different which means they bring different needs and challenges with them, too. Finding a lead that works for you and your dog is, ultimately, the most important thing. 

Dog owners also have many different preferences when it comes to material. Some would prefer soft cotton rope leads for maximum comfort, whilst others prefer leather because they like how it wears overtime. 

It won't come as a surprise that our top pick is always a biothane dog lead, as they are strong, durable, stink proof, low maintenance and come in an array of different colours to suit every pup. Plus, they're a happy medium between the two materials mentioned above, since they're soft and flexible to hold, and also extremely easy to keep in good condition. 

Buying a new lead for your dog 

Whether you’re wanting to try out a hands-free dog lead, or just upgrade your pup’s wardrobe with a new traditional clip lead, we offer a variety of different leads to suit every dog’s (and owners!) different needs at Liv Like Busby. 

Shop below and discover why our customers say they’re ‘never disappointed’ with our dog accessories!