How to choose a leash

Types of leashes

Often a novice dog breeder gets lost near a counter with a variety of leashes displayed on it - the variety is great, the price range is huge. It's easy to get confused, confused and buy something that isn't really needed. It is better to understand in advance what types of leash designs there are and their purpose.

Leashes can be intended for walking, for training or for exhibitions. There is no need to purchase exhibition ring leashes right away. When the time comes to go to the exhibition, you will select the current height and weight of the dog, or you will want to make a show ring for the dog with your own hands. Perhaps you decide not to take your pet to the exhibition at all, or he belongs to the pet class and is spared the need to take part in the fuss of the exhibition. But in ordinary life, a dog show ring is not needed.

What types of leashes are there?

The basic purpose of a dog leash is to keep the animal close to you. Some dog breeds, classified as fighting dogs, are distinguished by their aggressive nature and walking them without a leash and muzzle is prohibited. A leash is also necessary for those who travel with their pet - you cannot do without a leash in transport.

It is necessary to train your dog and walk it on a leash, especially if it can run away. Leashes are used at exhibitions when the animal must follow certain commands and stay close to the owner. Leashes differ in length, materials from which they are made, and purpose. There are the following types of leashes:

• Nylon or rubberized. Excellent soft leashes, up to 3 meters long. They are durable and designed for walking. Such leashes have a significant drawback - they are easily chewed by dogs. Nylon leashes are also suitable for training.
• Canvas leashes are popular leashes that are kind of predecessors of nylon leashes. The length of a canvas leash can be up to 10 m. Unlike nylon leashes, they are not so easy for an animal to chew through. But canvas leashes are stiffer and, with strong jerks made by the animal during a walk, can cause discomfort to the pet. In addition, such a leash gets wet quickly and takes a long time to dry.
• Leather is an excellent option for a leash, made of soft material. They have a long service life, as they do not wear out, do not tend to stretch and can last quite a long time. It is good to choose leather leashes paired with the same collar.
• Re-stitching is an option that is suitable for training. This leash has proven itself well among dog handlers. The length of the leash is up to 3 m. There is not one carabiner for the leash, but two. Also equipped with rings for fastening. The refastening leash option is suitable for trips and walks, as well as training with an animal on the playground.
• Biothane leashes are a sling coated with a specific substance. This is something of a novelty. For convenience, the surface of the leash has roughness, preventing the leash from sliding in the owner's hand. These leashes are easy to wash, water-repellent and flexible. The undoubted advantage of a biothane leash is its strength. The leash can withstand up to 450 kg of breaking force. Used by professionals.
• A roulette leash for dogs is a modern, convenient accessory that is suitable for walking in cities. To bring the dog closer to him, the owner does not need to wrap the leash around his hand. A special mechanism built into the handle of the leash automatically winds the tape. Most modern roulette leashes have a rubberized handle that prevents slipping in the palm. Depending on the company that produces the leash, its durability will depend. The disadvantage of roulette leashes is that the animal constantly pulls on it. Also, tape measures are not suitable for training classes.

In order to walk an animal or take it to training classes, all of the above leashes are equally suitable.

There is also a separate class of leashes designed for narrow purposes. Among them:

• Chain leash for dogs - suitable for animals that constantly chew on their leash. This leash is unlikely to be suitable for a normal daily walk, as it is made of metal and is quite heavy.
• Controller or driver leash. The leash is made of leather and looks like a loop with a carabiner at the end. Can be combined with a regular leash. Suitable for dogs that need to be kept close and guided through crowds. The lead leash is convenient for training, especially when the animal performs the “Near” commands. The leash does not get tangled in the legs of the owner or trainer, and also does not interfere with the animal itself.
• A fold is a leash designed for walking several dogs at once. If there are several pets living in the house, such a leash is a great find. At the end of the tape of such a leash, there are carabiners - 2,3,4. Due to the fact that there is only one leash and several carabiners, the dogs walk side by side.
• Show leash - or show leash. Also called a dog leash. The cord is made of leather or nylon and is equipped with a special clip to adjust the size of the loop placed around the pet’s neck. Show rings are short and never longer than 1.5 meters. The main purpose is to breed the animal and then show it in the ring. Used for fighting dogs.

There is also a class of special leashes that are not used every day. There are leashes for dogs to stay with their owner while skiing or running. The length of the leashes attached to the belt is adjustable, and the belt has special compartments for a phone or water.

Roulette leash: price, types

Roulette leash.
In urban environments, tape measures are most convenient for walking. The pet has the ability to run away to the sides, while the leash does not sag or drag through puddles and dust.
Roulettes differ in several ways. A roulette leash can be in the form of a tape or a thin strong cable. Tape is usually used in the design of a roulette leash for large dogs, as well as for the most active and pugnacious ones. For small and calm dogs, the tape measure can be in the form of a cable. Tape is considered stronger, but is easier to twist and get stuck; cable is more convenient to use, but not as strong. The tape measure for dogs is designed for a certain weight of the animal. It is recommended to buy a tape measure with a reserve, that is, if your pet weighs up to 20 kg, choose one that is designed for a weight of 25-30 kg. Especially if your pet is active and doesn’t mind running after the cat or rushing headlong into a fight with the neighbor’s dog.

“Roulette” leashes can be of different lengths, from 2 to 8 meters. The most convenient tape measure for dogs in the city is 5 meters : it is enough for your pet to run around you without getting too tangled in the bushes. If there is absolutely no free-running space in your area, you may need an 8-meter dog tape measure. But long leashes are more likely to get tangled and stuck.

The price depends on the manufacturer, the length of the leash and the weight category. In addition, all sorts of designer features influence the price. For example, you can buy a tape measure, in the body of which, in addition to the leash itself, there is a travel drinking bowl with a bottle of water and a package of bags for dog excrement. The body of the tape measure can be decorated with rhinestones and have a built-in flashlight, convenient for walking in the dark.

Flexi leashes.
Tape measures are made by several companies, and the longevity of your purchase depends directly on the manufacturer. Cheap Chinese roulettes break quickly and are not worth buying. Either the spring breaks, or the stopper mechanism fails, or the leash itself breaks, or the body falls apart. German Flexi tape measures for dogs are noticeably more expensive, but they serve flawlessly for many years. The Flexi dog leash can easily withstand significant loads without breaking even with strong tugs from large dogs. Flexi dog tapes are available in different versions and colors, but all of them are easy to use and reliable.

What to think about when choosing a leash

Think about where and how you plan to use the equipment:

1. Indoors or outdoors.
2. Is it needed for training?
3. How far are you planning to release your pet?
4. Do you want to teach him to walk without a leash?

The information below will help you decide which of the existing types is best suited for your four-legged pet.

Material selection

These days you can find leashes made from a variety of materials. There are even rubber ones, but there is little point in using them. They are very elastic, which can cause inconvenience when walking, as they spring. Perhaps the most common models are nylon. They are quite inexpensive, durable, and come in any color of the rainbow. A nylon leash is good as a first leash for a puppy or miniature breeds as it is very light. They are also suitable for walking dogs that are taught to walk independently. If you have a strong dog that can suddenly pull when he sees a cat or squirrel, he may rub his hand. Therefore, pay attention to leashes with a comfortable handle. Leather is, of course, a favorite material for many owners of four-legged pets. It is incredibly durable and softens over time, becoming even more comfortable. Cotton products are soft and can last quite a long time. They can be hard to find, but if you need a leash for swimming, it's worth the effort. They fit great as they don't slip when wet.

Nylon leash

Optimal leash length for a dog

A small distance between the owner and the pet promotes rapprochement during the first steps with six legs. The dog will feel protected and more confident. Once she gets used to the leash and environment, you can switch to a longer one. Using a tape measure allows you to avoid unnecessary expenses. There are also other advantages of such equipment. When an animal moves outdoors, it often becomes necessary to change the length of the leash so that it does not get tangled in the dog’s legs or get dirty. A tape measure equipped with a lock allows you to do this quickly and easily.

Regular leashes: prices, varieties

For walking with large active dogs and for training, regular dog leashes in the form of a ribbon or cord of various lengths are best suited. At one end there is a carabiner for fastening to the collar, at the other there is a loop for the hand.

Regular leash.
To make such leashes, canvas tape, synthetic braid, parachute lines, leather, and cords are used. The most practical, cheaper and stronger thing is tarpaulin tape. A leather leash for dogs, the price of which is noticeably higher than a canvas leash, is much less durable and not very practical.
In addition, on long leather leashes you have to make unnecessary connections, which further reduces reliability and strength. For walking, a 2-3 meter leash is enough; for training, you may need a longer one, up to 5 m. Leashes for small dogs can be made of a variety of materials. They do not require great strength; they usually play a decorative role.

To transport or drive large dogs in crowded places, leashes are used. This simple design consists of a durable leather or canvas hand loop to which a carabiner is attached. A walker is convenient only if the dog’s height allows you to hold it by the collar without bending over.

What material to choose a leash from?

Nylon leashes

Leather

Leather is a natural material, if it is well processed and taken care of and treated with leather conditioner, it will last a very long time.

They are very durable.

It does not harm the dog if it bites or chews it.

The main disadvantage is that they are expensive and require maintenance; their length rarely exceeds 1-2 meters.

Tarpaulin

Light and flexible, do not deteriorate under the influence of water and humidity. Cheap.

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The main disadvantage is that they wear out quickly and are not very attractive aesthetically.

Metal chain

They look impressive on large dogs and are relatively inexpensive.

They have serious disadvantages:

• Heavy and ineffective when training a dog;
• They can damage the dog’s mouth and teeth if it bites or starts gnawing;
• A sudden jerk may damage your hand.

Rubber and other elastic materials

The worst material for leashes. The dog will constantly pull you in different directions, and you will not be able to effectively control its movements.

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Show rings, nooses

Ring leash.
A garrote leash is not exactly the execution weapon that comes to mind.
Its design is such that when the leash is pulled, the sliding loop puts pressure on the dog’s neck and forces it to reduce the tension. This design is used during training, when practicing movement next to the owner. Sometimes a noose is used for especially active dogs on walks. The principle of the noose can be used to make a show leash. The goal of the show ring is to make the dog show its best side. The pet must hold its head high, not hunch its back, and the leash itself must remain invisible and not distract the judges’ attention from the animal itself. If you are going to a show, consult with an experienced handler who will advise you on the most suitable show ring.

How to choose the right leash

Choosing a suitable leash for your pet is a responsible task. When choosing, you need to pay attention not only to the material from which the leash is made, but also to the size and types. Depending on the weight category, leashes come in the following sizes:

• iini – for decorative dog breeds;
• S - leashes for small breed dogs;
• M - for medium-sized dogs;
• L - for large breeds of dogs;
• giant - for real giants.

The leash can be short - from 1 to 3 meters (suitable for protection and participation in exhibitions) and long - from 3 to 10 meters (great for daily walks.

A canvas dog leash is an excellent and fairly budget-friendly purchase.

If your pet doesn’t chew on its leash, then you can safely take such an accessory. A leather dog leash is more practical than a canvas leash, does not get wet or deteriorate over time, but is highly expensive. These leashes are suitable for training and training.

A chain leash for a dog is not the best choice. Made of metal, such a leash can injure the animal itself and the owner’s hands during a jerk. You cannot hold such a leash under tension, as this will cause discomfort to the animal. A chain leash is used at exhibitions for beauty.

Homemade leash

Homemade leash.
Handicrafts have now become fashionable again. Handmade dog equipment is found everywhere. Many people make leashes with their own hands , and they decorate the pet like no other factory product.
You can also sew a leash yourself if for some reason you are not satisfied with the assortment in the pet store. To cope with this task, you don’t even have to look on the Internet for a master class “How to make a leash for a dog with your own hands.” It is enough to buy a strong, reliable carabiner, canvas tape or parachute lanyard, reinforced threads. At one end you attach a carabiner, stitching the tape in several lines, and at the other end you make a loop for your hand. The joints can be covered with leather overlays, and good decorative rivets can be placed on top of them at the nearest shoe shop. For small dogs, the leash can be woven from leather laces, synthetic fibers or ribbons. Sometimes such leashes are even crocheted. Extraordinarily beautiful designer leashes are often sold for a very respectable price, comparable to the cost of the dog itself. Sometimes they are even decorated with Swarovski crystals, or even precious stones and metals.

If you have 2 dogs

Double leash.
For walks with two dogs, it is convenient to use not two different leashes, but one common one. Two leashes are bound to get tangled, especially if your pets are active and mobile. For exhibitions and short walks, you can use a fold. The bundle clings to the carabiner of the leash.
To walk in a pack, dogs must be specially accustomed to relatively synchronous movement. The short length of the fold does not give them much freedom of movement. Another option is to attach carabiners to both ends of the leash. This leash for two dogs gives them greater freedom of movement than a dog leash. In this case, the leash is needed at least 3-4 meters in total length.

Recently, a tape measure for two dogs has appeared on the shelves of pet stores. However, this design is quite cumbersome, and the cables still get tangled. This device is quite expensive, and the price does not quite correspond to the practicality of the tape measure.