Ideal Leash Size

[LuvMyDog_Worldwide]

I find this interesting because one would think that a leather strip is just a leather strip.

Far from it. There are different grades of leather, with real leather it's really about the imperfections or what layer hide is used that could cause weak points, then there's the low end leads made from a reconstituted version of leather...the chipboard of leather that's minced fibre held together with polymers and pressed into a strip. i.e. the average pet shop 'leather' equipment with tacky plastic veneer over the top and a grain stamped into it. A decent bridle leather with properly tied stitching will support a fully grown man standing in stirrups being bounced along over rough ground by a horse, a cheap leather will get wet and split apart into segments, you wouldn't want to give it too much rough treatment. A chipboard leather will just get brittle, split and snap. Apart from that you've hit the nail right on the head, a really decent leather lead is a delight to hold, you can noticably tell the difference, and the smell of real lether lingers for years. If you knew how cheap leather is tanned you'd wash your hands every time you touched it...........

[MaggieRoseLee]

For ONE leash that is always my go-to (and one that can clip onto TWO dogs in a pinch) I use the following. Not sure if everyone really looked at it cause it's a bit confusing looking with all the clips and rings . But what they do is mean the SAME leash can be 4' (clip it to ring closest to dog) or 6' (back off a ring) or longer (just clip end to furthest ring).

You can have hands free by putting it around your shoulder. Or clip/loop it around something if you want to tie your dog quickly to something (like a picnic table or bench) so you can sit and talk and not get jerked by the leash.

BEST THING, is this is my hiking leash. Since both my dogs are off leash most of the time on the hikes I can easily loop this around my shoulder (like you cross a purse around your body) and not lose/drop the darn thing (or have to hold it for miles). BUT if I have to get the dogs leashed it just takes a sec to take off and clip on the dogs!.

[msvette2u]

I prefer a 5' leash which are harder to find than hen's teeth.
6' is too long to manage (for me) and 4' is just too short. I'll go with a 6' over a 4' but 5' is just perfect...I dream of 5' leashes!!!!

[Josie/Zeus]

Originally Posted by LuvMyDog_Worldwide

Apart from that you've hit the nail right on the head, a really decent leather lead is a delight to hold, you can noticably tell the difference, and the smell of real lether lingers for years. If you knew how cheap leather is tanned you'd wash your hands every time you touched it...........

I love my Schweikert 10 ft leather leash, it is sooo soft and that leather smell stays on your hands.

CanisCallidus Online Shop

[buckcho]

Originally Posted by LuvMyDog_Worldwide

Far from it. There are different grades of leather, with real leather it's really about the imperfections or what layer hide is used that could cause weak points, then there's the low end leads made from a reconstituted version of leather...the chipboard of leather that's minced fibre held together with polymers and pressed into a strip. i.e. the average pet shop 'leather' equipment with tacky plastic veneer over the top and a grain stamped into it. A decent bridle leather with properly tied stitching will support a fully grown man standing in stirrups being bounced along over rough ground by a horse, a cheap leather will get wet and split apart into segments, you wouldn't want to give it too much rough treatment. A chipboard leather will just get brittle, split and snap. Apart from that you've hit the nail right on the head, a really decent leather lead is a delight to hold, you can noticably tell the difference, and the smell of real lether lingers for years. If you knew how cheap leather is tanned you'd wash your hands every time you touched it...........

Thanks for sharing that, LuvMyDog. I never would have thought to compare a good lead with bridle leather but it makes a lot of sense to do so, especially in agitation work.

Originally Posted by Josie/Zeus

I love my Schweikert 10 ft leather leash, it is sooo soft and that leather smell stays on your hands.

CanisCallidus Online Shop

Speaking of Schweikert, I've been looking at their leads... been looking at their Fettleder leads. They look nice.

I don't know why I'm so fascinated with leashes ever since I got my dog. I spend a good chunk of my time surfing the web for leads. I have 4 already and don't feel that I've found THE ONE.

Anyway, Thanks everyone for your input. I learned a lot.