How to choose a dog leash?

All dog owners sooner or later face the need to buy a leash. Especially if you live in the city, this item becomes the first and most indispensable accessory for walks outside. So how do you choose a leash for your dog? Let's find out.

Today we have prepared the following information for you:

Types of dog leashes - what each one is for and what they can be useful for;
How to choose the right leash - what to look for when buying.

Content

1 Types of dog leashes
2 Recommendations for choosing a leash

Types of dog leashes

As you know, there are several fundamentally different types of dog leashes. Each has its own specific functionality depending on its intended use and circumstances. So which dog leash is best?

Retractable leashes

Retractable dog leashes are probably the most modern and popular. What's so special about them? Compared to traditional leashes, you don't have to constantly twist and turn long reins to let your pet run freely.

Simply hold the device in your hand, and it will automatically reel in the required amount of leash, and whenever you need to stop your dog, just press a button. This makes walking your dog much easier and comes down to just two things: holding the retractable device and pressing a button at the right moment.

What types of retractable leashes are there? Traditionally, they are divided into the following types.

By dog size (there are 4 types of retractable leads) – here you need to be extremely careful and choose a retractable lead that's appropriate for your pet's size, especially if you have a large dog;
By tape length - on average it is from 3 to 8 m (there are also longer options);
By tape type - there are 3 types: cord, ribbon and cable.

Dog leashes range in price from 300 to 15,000 rubles on average. In our opinion, the best stores for price/quality/reliability are:

In Russia - http://www.petshop.ru/catalog/dogs/ruledki/ and https://lubimchik.ru/aksessuari-dlya-zhivotnih/amunicija/ruletki.html
In Ukraine — https://petchoice.ua/sobakam/ruletki

Please note that dog retractable leashes have one significant drawback: they are unlikely to be suitable for hyperactive dogs. They will wear out much faster, shortening their lifespan. Otherwise, they are the best type of leash for walking dogs in the city.

If you have this type of pet, consult with a specialist at the store to determine which model would be most suitable.

Nylon and canvas

These are the same traditional leashes used by the vast majority of dog owners, and they're the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a dog leash. Well, what can you say about them? They're reliable, durable, and inexpensive dog accessories. Unlike their previous counterparts, they have another advantage: these leashes are well-suited for training in obedience training and for guard dogs who spend a lot of time fetching. Only the most diligent dog would be able to chew through such a leash. 🙂

When choosing this type of leash, you need to pay attention to the following things:

Leash length—it should be long enough for your pet and comfortable for you to walk. A 20-meter leash isn't always a good idea unless you know exactly how to use it.
Carabiner. The price of these dog leashes is low, largely due to their widespread demand and the consequently large share of Chinese products on the market, which (while improved recently) are still traditionally known for their low quality. When choosing such a leash, carefully check the carabiner for proper attachment and proper operation of the lock.

Metal chains

Leashes with metal chains are not used very often. Some proponents of these leashes believe they are well suited for dogs prone to chewing on the leash. Furthermore, the chain provides additional resistance for the animal, thus providing additional exercise, which is essential for city dwellers. Many also consider them simply aesthetically pleasing, especially when used with fighting breeds.

These leashes also have their downsides—they're heavy not only for the animal, but also for the owner. Also, holding the chain in freezing temperatures is quite unpleasant.

Leashes

Twin leashes, as they're also called, are special leashes for owners of multiple dogs. If you can train your animals to walk this way, it'll be much easier to control them during walks. This accessory is a regular leash with split (or split, etc.) pet snap hooks. Twin leashes are ideal for show days—when you need to keep several four-legged friends in one place under control—as well as for hunting dogs.

Dog leash

A short leash isn't suitable for traditional dog walking due to its very short length. It's suitable for getting a trained and well-behaved dog to the right place, while maintaining maximum control and keeping it as close as possible. There's not much else to say about it.

Harness

Unlike classic leashes harness The harness is fastened across the dog's entire body. This is typically necessary in two situations: if you have a hyperactive pet who tries to escape every time you walk, or if you have a miniature breed—for small dogs, a harness is a very convenient option for walking outdoors with maximum comfort.

There are also dog leashes made of nylon or leather, but there is nothing special about them and we will not focus your attention on them.

Recommendations for choosing a leash

So, we've more or less covered the different types of leashes. Now let's move on to the basic rules for choosing the right leash for your dog.

Determine your goal. Why do you need a leash? For walks, training, or showing—each type of leash has its own purpose. Answering this question will dramatically narrow your search and increase the likelihood of choosing the best leash for your dog.
How active and obedient is your dog? With calm pets, things are more or less clear, and almost any type of leash will work for them. However, for hyperactive four-legged friends, choosing one requires careful consideration.
Be sure to take into account the dog's weight. It's simple: a large dog needs a leash designed for large dogs, and it should be as strong as possible. For small dogs, durability is less important, but for miniature dogs, for example, the same harness is best.
A little life hack. Choose a leash at a pet store, and if you decide to go with an expensive one, remember the model and order it from a trusted online retailer. It'll usually be 10-20% cheaper there.

We hope you enjoyed this article! If you have anything to add on this topic, please let us know in the comments!

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