Importance of a Good Leash
The best dog leash should be the correct size and sturdiness for your dog. If you want to walk your dog, you’re going to need a good dog leash! Read on to learn all about how to choose the best fit for your pet!
If you choose the wrong leash, it can be devastating for your pet. Your dog could potentially break their leash and put themselves in a dangerous situation.
Conversely, a well-chosen leash, when used correctly, can be a great tool for fun walks. However, if your dog pulls while on leash, you should see our Best Dog Harness article to ensure they do not harm themselves.
A Warning on Retractable Leashes
We NEVER recommend using a retractable leash. They are incredibly dangerous to both you and your pet. Your reaction time will never be as fast as your pet’s and thousands of cases show how quickly they can end up in the street. DO NOT choose a retractable leash for your pet.
Five Best Dog Leashes
As a certified dog trainer, I have worked with a wide variety of dogs who struggle while walking on a leash. Using trial and error, I have worked to find the best dog leash for your pet.
Each of these leashes has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: durability, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog leash is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, ergonomy, and more.
Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog leashes available!
All-Around Favorite Dog Leash
[amazon-element asin=”B078MYFT8D” fields=”title”]
Review Highlights:
“… This leash made it SO MUCH easier to keep control of her. Last night my husband said, “You like that leash, don’t you?” I absolutely do! …”
“… I’m pleased to say that this is one of the best leashes I’ve ever used! It is comfortable to hold, and after a while of successfully walking her beside me I forget it’s on my wrist …”
“… This is a great leash! I have a lot of hand pain and this leash has been a huge help…I can’t say enough about how much more comfortable it makes our walks …”
[amazon-element asin=”B078MYFT8D” fields=”button,new-price”]
This is a great standard dog leash for medium and large breed dogs. It is also suitable for larger small breeds, but potentially too bulky for toy-sized breeds. It is sturdily built, with a padded handle for extra comfort.
Feature Highlights:
- Made with heavy-duty rock climbing rope.
- Comfortable padded handles for easy walking.
- Money-back guarantee!
It can be difficult to find a great leash for all-around use. This product provides the perfect combination of strength, durability, comfort, and a little bit of style. To top it all off, it is also reflective for added visibility in low light.
This leash uses heavy-duty rock climbing rope, and with a 1/2 inch diameter, you know your dog won’t easily snap this leash! Though it is durable and strong, this leash is also lightweight and not too bulky. Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Chow Chows, Bulldogs, Beagles, and more.
Best Indestructible Dog Leash
[amazon-element asin=”B075FM1MFZ” fields=”title”]
Review Highlights:
“… [My dog] likes to keep the leash in his mouth while we walk… while he has it in his mouth, he’s chomping away. Now, when he turns around to put the leash in his mouth, he lets it go immediately …”
“… My dog would chew all the other leashes. This one she does not. Love the soft rubber cushion add on handle …”
“… Before we had this leash, our puppy ruined and chewed through two regular leashes. She’s had this one for several months and it is holding up without a single tooth fray. Definitely recommend …”
[amazon-element asin=”B075FM1MFZ” fields=”button,new-price”]
If you have a dog who chews on their leash, you might find it an incredible hassle to take them for a walk. Many dogs actively gnaw on their leash while walking. If your dog does this, it can weaken your leash and potentially put them in danger. Thankfully, this product prevents that from happening!
Feature Highlights:
- Measures 4 ft. long for easy control.
- Reinforced nylon is highly durable.
- Durable metal clasp keeps your dog safely connected to the leash.
With a stout chain as the first few feet, your dog will not chew through this leash. However, if you have ever held a chain leash with a pulling dog, you will probably feel the blisters forming just thinking about it! Thankfully, the upper portion of this leash has a durable nylon construction and a padded handle for your comfort.
By using a leash with chain in the first few feet, you ensure your dog cannot chew through the leash and put themself in harm’s way. However, you should ensure that your dog does not continue attempting to chew the chain, as it can damage their teeth. Most take a bite or two and give up! Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and more.
Best Value Dog Leash
[amazon-element asin=”B000OGP9WE” fields=”title”]
Review Highlights:
“… Nice basic leash! Nice and lightweight, just like I wanted. Sturdy clip. I think this leash would be good for other small animals too, like a ferret …”
“… We’ve had this leash for over three years and it has worked great for us thus far… it’s been basically used every day for three years… All in all, great leash …”
“… I’m so happy with my purchase! The leash is well-made and the material is strong… I’m very pleased that the width of the leash is wide enough to not tear into my skin… The material’s stitching is strong to prevent ripping …”
[amazon-element asin=”B000OGP9WE” fields=”button,new-price”]
If you’re on the search for a basic dog leash made of durable nylon, this product is the choice for you. You get all the value that you’re searching for, while still receiving a simple and sturdy product.
Feature Highlights:
- Choose from 6 different colors and five different lengths and widths.
- Bright colors are easily visible in low light.
- Easy-to-use lightweight leash.
If you’re looking for a standard leash to use on a smaller breed or a dog that doesn’t pull extensively, this leash is a great choice. It has a sturdy build that is lightweight and great for most dogs.
This product is a great value choice for the right dog or small animal. You can also easily use this product for cats and other small animals on leash, as the clasp does not weigh them down like other, larger leashes. Recommended for: Greyhounds, Beagles, Maltese, Pitbulls, Cats, and more.
Best Dog Leash for Small Breeds
[amazon-element asin=”B071HXW36C” fields=”title”]
Review Highlights:
“… I am so happy with this purchase. I purchased two of these and they are excellent quality leashes with reflective threading that shines even in the daylight …”
“… This one is just perfect. It is light weight and has the padded handle, it feels very comfortable, yet durable… i ordered a second one …”
“… Light weight, perfect for a small dog. It doesn’t weight down the dogs neck yet it’s strong. It comes in so many colors and it has refective stitches …”
[amazon-element asin=”B071HXW36C” fields=”button,new-price”]
This leash is a great choice for a small breed dog. It provides sturdy material for even the most adamant little pullers, but is also lightweight and not overly bulky.
Feature Highlights:
- Durable yet lightweight design for small breeds.
- Made with sturdy nylon to prevent rips or tears.
- Reflective stitching is easily visible in low light.
Basically, this leash is a smaller and lighter version of a sturdy, larger dog leash. Many small dog leashes forfeit durability and visibility, providing you with a thin line of nylon that your dog can easily chew through. Not the case with this product!
With this leash, you can breathe easy knowing you are using a safe and long-lasting product for your pet. It is perfectly designed for both durability and comfort, with a padded handle and light materials that don’t weigh down your dog. Recommended for: Shih-Tzus, French Bulldogs, Spaniels, Pomeranians, and more!
Best Dog Leash for Large Breeds
[amazon-element asin=”B01L4TERZY” fields=”title”]
Review Highlights:
“… This leash is just as durable and more comfy… and half the cost… My hands were beginning to ache… from the previous leashes. I literally heard my hands say thank you! …”
“… This is the best leash ever! This leash solves all my issues! I have NO problems walking him now …”
“… This is a wonderful leash. The two handles are amazing. The handles are also SO comfy – they are padded with squishy foam-like material, and don’t bother you at all to hold. No rope burn with this leash! …”
[amazon-element asin=”B01L4TERZY” fields=”button,new-price”]
Basic leashes just don’t cut it for some large breed dogs. Larger dogs can be powerful pullers, and you need to keep your dog safe with a sturdy and durable leash. This product is a great choice for larger and stronger dog breeds.
Feature Highlights:
- Dual handles for easy control of your dog.
- Updated with stronger clip for even the most adamant pullers.
- Premium quality nylon backed with a 1-year warranty.
When it comes to large breed dogs, this dual leash has you covered. You can use the standard handle for more casual situations, and the closer handle when you need more control over your dog. The added bonus of the padded handles ensures a comfortable and sturdy grip on your pet.
This leash is a great choice for large breed dogs. You can rely on the sturdy materials to keep your dog safe. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Boxers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and more.
![Closeup of a beautiful Red Angus cowPhoto by: U.S. Department of Agriculture [pubic domain]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/](https://animals.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Red-Angus-4-100x75.jpg "Red Angus")
