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From tangle-free leashes to luxury in leather, it’ll be a walk in the park...
Among the most essential bits of kit for any dog owner is – you guessed it – a lead. So whether you’re one of the thousands of people who decided to get a dog during lockdown – or whether you’ve just got a pup or you have had dogs in your family for years – a good dog lead is a must-have accessory.
Standard leads are the most common – these come in a range of lengths, widths and materials and are ideal for walking and training dogs who are generally well behaved. Retractable and stretchy leads are great for dogs that like exploring, training leads are just the ticket for pups, and multi-purpose leads are great if you need flexibility.
Make sure the length is right – you’ll need to think about both the size of your dog and how much freedom you want them to have. And comfort matters too – nobody wants to get home from a dog walk with a fistful of blisters. Reflectivity can be important, especially for darker mornings and evenings. And if you have a puller of a dog, make sure your lead is strong enough.
Your lead should ideally be hardwearing, easy to clean and last you years. Then, of course, there’s the aesthetics – think about the look you like, and remember you can pair up many leads with a matching collar. We tested for all these things with different sized dogs over at least two walks each.
Rope leads are lightweight and strong but aren’t always the most comfy. Nylon is the most affordable material and the easiest to clean, as well as being comfortable to hold, but it doesn’t have as much give and isn’t as soft as some lead materials – plus, dogs that chew may make a meal of it – literally.
Leather leads give a lovely traditional look, and are strong and durable, but remember they aren’t as waterproof as some and can weaken over time – we’ve only included leads with top-notch leather.
We have no shortage of dogs – big and small, young and old – among our family and friends, all of whom champ at the bit when the word “walkies!" is uttered. There’s Benny the young and spritely Cypriot rescue dog, Steve the slightly older Labradoodle, Daisy the 11-year-old Cairn Terrier and not forgetting the grand old dame of the bunch, Poppy, the 16-year-old Labrador cross.
So, armed with fistfuls of leads, we spent the past weeks marching these various hounds through rural Worcestershire to test comfort, style and practicality. Only when the canine seal of approval came through loud and clear (or, in some cases, our own seal of approval instead, if it meant holding them back from the likes of traffic on the lanes or sheep in the fields) did they make the cut.
With many of our roundups, there’s one product that ticks the most boxes and wins us over by a long shot. But with dog leads, it really is about finding the best one for your individual needs – an eight-year-old ridgeback is going to need a very different lead than a dachsund. Forced to pick, we’re going with the stunning and practical Mutts & Hounds mustard camello leather & grey tweed dog lead – if nothing else, you’ll be the talk of the town due to your great taste.
Make sure your pet always looks on point with our review of the best dog collars