What kind of lead do you use and why?

[RottiNkids]

Currently I am in the market for a new lead, I really like the braided rope with slip-knot collar or a leather lead to use with my metal slip-knot collar, but I just can't decide which is best. Like so many other things in America the variety is driving me insane

P.S. My Rottie is 8 months and about 65 lbs at present.

[Patty1231]

I have a braided lead but I really don't use it anymore (should donate it to Rottstock) because it's just too big and cumbersome. I prefer my 6' english bridle leather lead that I ordered from a guy on Ebay and I just love it. It's not too wide, looks good, and feels good. If it's raining, I take an embroidered nylon lead that I found and really like, too.

[jas'smom]

I have a very nice quality bridle leather lead 6' that I use....but the one I use the most is the 4ft gripper leash....

[Judi W]

I select equipment for its utility and not for appearance. Always leather for leads and the lightest weight that will do the job. Good leather lasts forever. That means I don't go for the braided fancy stuff which is not very efficient if you want to fan fold it in your hand. I have different lengths.

[groupieindenial]

It depends, lead for what? walks? training? versatility? I have so many, some to match his collars, but mostly. I use a 6' leather for training. 12" thick braided nylon traffic lead for walks (its confy, and I like to keep him beside me on walks in the neighborhood). Flexi lead for walks on the trails. Tabs for offleash training in controlled environments. I also have this control leash (Or something like that) gives me versatility, I can clip it around my waist so when I leave the house with bags in hand he's still leashed, it has variable lengths, as well as a seatbelt attachment.

It's really all preference. What is it that your looking for a leash for use with?

[RottiNkids]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

It depends, lead for what? walks? training? versatility? I have so many, some to match his collars, but mostly. I use a 6' leather for training. 12" thick braided nylon traffic lead for walks (its confy, and I like to keep him beside me on walks in the neighborhood). Flexi lead for walks on the trails. Tabs for offleash training in controlled environments. I also have this control leash (Or something like that) gives me versatility, I can clip it around my waist so when I leave the house with bags in hand he's still leashed, it has variable lengths, as well as a seatbelt attachment.

It's really all preference. What is it that your looking for a leash for use with?

Walks and training, sorry I should have specified.

[Jamie & Odin]

My favorite leash is a 4' hunting leash. It has an attatchment that a belt goes throug with a clip to attatch to the leash. So I can easily clip foxy to my belt and have my hands free. This is also good for some training exercises because I am not tempted to use her leash (which I am prone to do) too much to guide her but more easily get her focused on my body language and voice.

[Denise L.]

Mostly I use a 6' leather leash. I also have a couple of nylon ones.

I have a 4' but rarely use it.

[Brooke&Ryan]

We have a 6' leather leash that we use as well. We also bought a braided one & will probably be bringing it to Rottstock...because, like Patty, it just isn't comfortable to hold.

We also do have a 4' lead...but I've only used that once or twice.

[StephanieandToby]

My favourite leash is a 6' custom-made harness-leather leash. You clean it with saddle-soap. The clips are marine-brass so they don't rust and there are clips at either end, as well as various loops down the leash to attach the clip...so you can make it different lengths.

[hcelsa]

I've got a couple thin black leather leashes that I use the majority of the time (one's about 4 feet, and ones about 3 feet with just a knot on the end rather than a loop). I also have a thicker 6 foot leather leash, and a 6 foot patterned webbing one that was a gift (I wouldn't bother buying anything other than leather for myself) that I use for casual walks occasionally, to work on stays in herding, or in a pinch when I misplace my preferred leashes (I have a tendency to do this on a regular basis ).

[Miabella]

I prefer leather leads, and I have them in all different lengths. I have a bunch of skinny (3/8") ones in 2', 3', and 4' lengths for training. For walking, Ilsa uses a 5/8" wide 6' lead and Hubie uses a 3/8" wide 6' lead.

[RottiMomCT]

Hmmm...I have, all in leather, two 2 footers, a 3 foot, 4 foot, and a 6 foot leash - all are 1/2 or 3/4 inch wide.

The 6 footer is used for casual walks, the 2 & 3 footers are used in training class, and I use either the 3 or 4 footer in trials. I also have a 30 foot cotton webbing line I use when training outside working on recalls.

I have had the 6 footer for about 4 years and I LOVE it - soft, supple, easy to hold. The 3 footer probably gets as much use as the 6 footer and its getting really nice and soft as well.

[Cherry Heart]

Before we got Arwen I bought a pretty "Electric Blue" Collar and matching nylon 6ft. leash. I even got the collar in the next size up because "This leash will be with us even after she out grows her first collar". Har har.... Joke was on me. Yesterday she ate her nylon leash. We were eating dinner and she aparently pulled it off the chair next to me. I was so proud of her being so good and lying there (She's been being so GOOD!!) that I didn't notice what she had (I always lay out about 5 toys for her to play with during dinner. I didn't see the leash tucked under Squeeky fox ) So today I bought an emergency leash from Wal-Mart. It is a 5ft (seems to be an odd length) black leather leash. It's stiff right now but I am sure it will get broken in. We will be trying to keep a better eye on her, but she has always loved to hold her leash and chew while we walk. Hopefully leather isn't as easy to eat?

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by Cherry Heart

Hopefully leather isn't as easy to eat?

I think you just pay more attention to the leather leads because they cost more. Rocco went through leashes too numerous to count his first year. When we do impromtu parking lot heeling patterns his reward is to grab the leash and we go for a run. This was permitted only AFTER I managed to train him out of recreational leash destruction.