What to Look for in a Dog Leash
When you head out with your dog, the right leash is more than a restraint, it’s a communication tool. You should consider your dog’s temperament (hyper, calm, easily startled, etc.) and size along with the activity in which you plan to use the leash.
Activity
The leash you use for daily walks will likely be different than the leash you use when you take your dog hiking. “Most leash laws require or refer to a 6 foot leash length, Alison Buehler, dog trainer with CPDT-KA and CSAT certifications, shared with The Spruce Pets. “There are 4 foot leashes for dogs who need to be kept closer for safety, and longer lengths for recall exercises or hiking”
- Daily Walks: For most dogs a six-foot leash is suitable. If you dog is smaller, you can look for a thinner leash that will weigh less than a thicker version with the same length.
- Hiking: For outdoor adventures, a leash should be durable, designed to withstand the elements, and easy to clean. You can go longer in length to let your dog more freely explore nature, but a leash with a handle mid way is ideal for situations in which you need to pull your dog closer. You should also pair the leash with a harness for hiking (our top tested picks for the Best Dog Harness for Hiking) that is equipped with handle on the back giving you extra control to pick up your dog, like the Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness.
- Crowded Areas: A six foot leash (or even a four foot leash) with a second handle positioned closer to the leash connector will give you the ability to keep your dog close in crowded areas. This will also give you more control anytime your dog needs to be reigned in.
- Recall Training: For recall exercise Buehler recommends a leash length of at least 15 to 20 feet. It’s main purpose is for the facilitation of recall training exercises. In a wide open space, you can keep your dog securely tether while you practice training your dog to come to you when you call their name.
Leash Styles
- Standard: The most common type of leash and one that is recommended for all dog parents to have in their rotation. It has a loop handle and can be made of webbing, leather, or cotton. It easily connects to your dog’s collar or harness.
- No-Pull: Generally speaking, a standard leash used in tandem with a no-pull harness—one that connects the leash in front at a dog’s chest—can be used to teach a dog not to pull while walking. Our Best for Pulling selection, the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Nylon Dog Harness & Leash, is a streamlined choice that will outfit your dog with the harness and the leash they need for training. We also recommend our pick for Best Harness Alternative for Pulling, the ThunderLeash Nylon Dog Leash, which wraps around a dog’s torso and connects to their collar.
- Unfortunately, use of the walking gear alone will not train a dog not to pull. Training your dog not to pull typically requires the human holding the leash to come to a firm standstill as soon as the dog starts to pull. Once the dog stops pulling, they can receive a small treat as a reward. You can repeat this until the dog ultimately understands that pulling puts an end to the fun.
- Hands-Free: This style of leash is designed to be worn around the waist, crossbody, or over one shoulder to keep both of your human hands free. It’s not recommended for use with a puppy, a dog that pulls on their leash, or with a reactive dog.
- Non-Verbal Communication: A leash with a descriptor boldly embroidered—such as in training, deaf, needs space, nervous, etc.—is an easy way to communicate to others what your dog needs
- Long Leash: From 10 to 50 feet, a long leash is ideal for recall training. In a wide open space, you can allow your dog to explore while you safely practice calling out to them and giving them a reward when they come to you.
- Retractable Leash: This type of leash, characterized by a handle with a button to let out and bring in a lead, has been known to cause painful lacerations to dog limbs and human hands. We do have one our list of recommendations that we tested, the Flexi New Neon Retractable Dog Leash, but many trainers, including Buehler, do not recommended this style of leash because the retracting of the cord poses a potential danger to both dogs and humans. Flexi, based in Germany, has been optimizing retractable leads for dogs since the 1970s and put their retractable leashes through rigorous testing to prevent injury.
- Slip-On: This type of leash should only be used as a temporary solve to rescue a stray or in an emergency. It is long rope with a loop on one end and a ring on the other so it can be looped around itself removing the need for a collar or harness attachment. It is not comfortable for the dog or the human.
Hardware Connector
The clip or clasp hardware on a leash (the part that will connect the leash to your dog’s collar or harness) should be durable and sturdy. Many are made our of nickel, aluminum, or steel that has been treated to with stand the elements and resist rust.
- Bolt Clip: This type of clip has a button that pulls down a bar. Upon release of the button, the bar is released and the leash is attached. The Max and Neo Nylon Reflective leash and the Kurgo Quantum 6-in-1 leash are equipped with a bolt clip.
- Carabiner: This type of clip has a bar that is pushed in allowing the hook to grab the d-ring on a dog’s collar or harness. Once you let go the bar springs back to a closed position. With some leashes, like the Airleash from Zee.Dog, there is a shaft that can be moved over the moveable bar to lock the carabiner in a closed position.
- Trigger Snap: This type of closer has a protruding handle that when pushed down will open up the clasp for connection to a collar or harness.
Material
- Nylon: Flat nylon webbing is commonly used for dog leashes. The material is durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and dries quickly.
- PVC/Biothane/TPU: These thermoplastic coatings are applied to webbing to create dog accessories that are flexible, waterproof, and very strong. You might experience a slight plastic smell with some products.
- Leather: Derived from animal skins or hides, leather leashes are strong, flexible, and durable. Leather can often be embossed or stamped as a method to personalize the leash.
- Cotton: Cotton fabric covering webbing or reinforced with interfacing can be used to create a leash. This fabrication is more delicate than others and often used for leashes that will be used for a special occasion, like a dog birthday party or a wedding.
- Nylon Rope: Inspired by the ropes used on boats, nylon rope leashes are durable and, while not entirely chew-proof, can withstand some chomping from a canine.
Standout Features
- Second Handle: In addition to the primary handle or loop, the additional handle, also referred to as the traffic handle, is closer to the leash connection point. It’s purpose is to give a human more control should they need to pull their dog in closer.
- Poop Bag Carrier Connection: This is usually a D-ring or an O-ring positioned close to the primary handle. It can be used to connect a poop bag carrier, but some also use it for carrying a collapsible bowl.
- Illumination: Reflective strips, stitching, and LED lights can be incorporated into the construction of a leash for extra visibility in low light. If you often take your dog for a walk while it is still dark outside having reflective accessories for both of you is highly recommended.
How We Tested Dog Leashes
We selected 27 of the latest dog leashes available and sent each one to a real home with a real dog for real-world testing. Each of our canines, along with their respective human, were assigned a leash that would serve their needs.
Over the course of two week, our participants incorporated the leash into their routine gathering insights about their experience with the leash, how it impacted their dog’s behavior, and how it was used, which included daily walks, recall training, no-pull training, hiking, and jogging. We also asked our real world testers to take photos of the leash in use. At the end of our testing trail, they shared their feedback on their assigned leash within the following categories: Ease of Use, Quality, Durability, Ease of Cleaning, and Value.
Equipped with this first-hand information, we ranked and categorized our top picks to simplify your search for the ideal dog leash (or leashes) to suit your dog’s needs, habits, and preferences.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
This roundup was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.
For this story, we consulted with several dog trainers including Alison Buehler, Dog Trainer with CPDT-KA and CSAT certifications, Dharma Dog NYC and Erin Gianella, KPT-CTP, owner of Perfect Pals Dog Training in Denver, and Marissa Sunny, CPDT-KA, senior dog lifesaving specialist for Best Friends Animal Society.
A previous version of this story was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo who has been writing about pets and animals for several decades. She has a rescue dog and has fostered more than three dozen dogs and puppies so she’s tried lots of different leashes. Pet health and safety are very important to DiLonardo and she’s always researching the latest products to keep the dogs in her care healthy and safe.