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Buy Side from WSJ is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of The Wall Street Journal newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content. Learn more. Rope Climbing
As every dog parent knows, a leash is literally your furry family member’s lifeline. That single strip of material can mean the difference between a safe and protected pooch and imminent danger—running astray, coming snout to snout with an aggressive hound or sprinting into traffic. Which is why it’s so important for your pup’s leash to fit properly. Sure, you may want one that looks nice, but every other feature of a dog leash is more important than fashion.
Finding the best leash depends on a few crucial factors, including your dog’s size. For example, you’ll want a lightweight leash for a small dog, says certified dog behaviorist Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting in Washington, D.C. And this includes the leash clip, the metal piece that attaches to the harness. On the other hand, if you have a large dog, you want a sturdier leash to withstand any pulling, DeWillems says.
Keeping your dog’s age in mind is another must from both a growth and behavioral standpoint. “A 5-pound puppy can quickly become an 80-pound adult, and using the same leash for each stage is not advisable,” says Kremmling, Colo.-based Julie Burgess, a certified dog trainer at Senior Tail Waggers , which offers advice about older pets.
The other big thing to consider is length. While 6 feet or under is ideal for crowded spaces when you need to keep your pup close, DeWillems says “longer leashes can improve the quality of walks for both the dog and the guardian.” She suggests using an 8- or 10-foot leash for neighborhood walks, which gives your dog more space to sniff and strut, and for hikes or romps in nature, DeWillems suggests lines over 20 feet.
While they may allow more freedom, nearly every expert we spoke with advised against retractable leashes (also known as flexi-leads). “These come with a risk of burns or lacerations if the leash rubs against or wraps around your or your dog’s skin,” DeWillems says. They can also be challenging to reel in quickly in case of an emergency. And if your dog pulls suddenly, you can easily lose your grip on the leash, Burgess notes.
For Burgess, the Baapet leash is the lead to beat. It’s cotton, which minimizes the friction in your hand, it has a padded handle and sturdy clasp, it’s reflective and it can handle the brute force of a fuzzy monster in squirrel pursuit. The leash “comes in five different lengths, fits small to extra-large dogs, is excellent for hiking, daily walks, running, or training and features reflective strips that make it easier to see your dog in low light or at night.”
DeWillems, recommends a long leash for taking your dog on hikes. “A long leash, 15 to 25 feet, allows your dog freedom to move and run at their natural pace while sniffing and exploring without risking the safety of critters who live on and near the trail,” she says. Her top recommendation is the Nimble Waterproof Dog Leash , which comes in lengths from 5 to 50 feet and a range of bright colors. It’s made of biothane, a rubber alternative, which makes it sturdy and easy to clean. Viper’s Biothane Working Lead is another highly regarded alternative.
Come neighborhood stroll, woodsy romp or traffic walk, a leash that does it all is the perfect fit for a Fido on the go. Adrienne Carson, vice president of training and behavior at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J., says the High Tail Hikes Hands Free + Convertible Brass Leash , with clips on both ends, is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. “This leash can be clipped across your body for a hands-free experience, attached to two different pieces of equipment such as a harness and a collar for extra security on a walk or used as a brief tether or to walk two dogs at once,” Carson says. It comes in 22 hues, should you and your BFF want to color coordinate your look.
A hands-free option like iYoShop’s dog leash can be an owner’s best friend because it bestows the ultimate freedom of movement, Burgess says. The accompanying clip belt secures around your waist, so you can talk on the phone, fish around in your pockets or jog with abandon while your dog does its thing (although you give up a little bit of control if you don’t have your hands on the leash). Burgess appreciates the zippered pouch, which “can hold your keys, phone, wallet and treats” and the two handles along the length, which provide even more control over your dog.
If your daily walks are more like power struggles with a pooch who either protests by lying down mid-street or bucks backward in a game of tug-o’-war, a coupler leash, which has two clips, affords the kind of security that can withstand any level of defiance. Kimberlee Tolentino, head trainer and owner of Lugaru K9 Training in Port Orchard, Wash., recommends the Mighty Paw Leash Coupler to provide peace of mind, just in case your dog wiggles out of its collar or harness. “Having a leash with two clips allows you to clip one to the primary walking tool like a harness, and the other to a collar for emergencies,” she says. It’s made from weather-resistant nylon climbers’ rope, so you can rest assured it’s super sturdy.
Pups in the city have to contend with a special breed of issues, including traffic and crowds. To navigate with ease, DeWillems depends on the Max and Neo Dog Gear Nylon Reflective Double Dog Leash , which has a traffic handle near the bottom of the leash that “is good for emergencies or tricky situations where you need to keep your dog close,” she says. The other major perk is the reflective stitching, which is ideal for night walks. “Cars being able to see you and your dog at night can be lifesaving.”
When guiding your furry guy or girl on daily jaunts, the last thing you need is a heavy leash weighing you down. The Mendota Lightweight Braided Snap Dog Leash is the top pick of Annie Grossman, a certified dog trainer and owner of School for the Dogs in New York City, due to its notably light construction, strong build and lightweight clasp. Another perk: Because the leash is made with polypropylene (a type of plastic), it’s waterproof and fray resistant.
Just like you wouldn’t outfit an adult in infant clothes, you shouldn’t use the same leash for a Chihuahua as you would for a mastiff. The general idea is the bigger the dog, the stronger the leash you need. For her giant clients, Altadena, Calif.-based certified dog trainer and pet expert Nicole Ellis prefers the Sleepypod Power Leash . “It’s strength-rated for over 1,000 pounds (most leashes are to 200 to 300 pounds), so I feel safe walking the biggest pullers with it,” she says. Ellis also praises the traffic handle near the bottom. “This is one of the only leashes I have found that I can hook to the front clip of my dog’s harness and still be able to hold the traffic handle—in most leashes, it’s too low for me to be able to use,” she says.
It’s a routine that happens on repeat. Every time your pup comes into contact with someone else’s, the inevitable dance ensues. In pursuit of a fluffy new friend, your pup goes round and round, wrapping you with the leash like a human tetherball pole. That’s where the Jenico Swivel Leash comes in. “It has a 360-degree lockable hook, so you can continue to face one direction, even if your dog turns in circles,” Burgess says. Other standout features include a shock-absorbing reflective bungee cord that controls and cushions any pulling or tension. And Burgess likes that it comes in nearly two dozen different sizes to fit dogs of any size or breed.
Puppies and nipping are a foregone conclusion. In their minds, a leash is just another chew toy. Because of this, Carol Osborne, D.V.M., founder and director of the Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center and Pet Clinic in Ohio, swears by the PetSafe Gentle Leader , which has an adjustable headset that keeps the dog’s mouth 90% closed without resistance. “This helps ensure a good walk minus nipping and the indiscriminate ingestion of everything on the path,” she says. It’s also great for energetic dogs who pull, since the strap lies across the dog’s nose, thwarting the natural instinct to pull against pressure.
If your best bud is pint-size, a teeny leash is in need to accommodate that small (but no less mighty) stature. DeWillems’ go-to is the PetSafe Premier Leash because it comes in a lightweight ⅜-inch iteration. “It can be hard to find accommodations for little dogs; the thin ⅜-inch width of the fabric allows it to be lightweight and comfortable for dogs under 10 pounds,” she says. Chihuahuas, Yorkies, mini-pins—consider yourselves seen.
All that daily trekking—in the elements, through muddy terrain—can quickly cause your leash to collect dirt, debris and mildew. Enter Palomine Lines , which are made from biothane. Milwaukee-based Mindy Waite, Ph.D., a certified dog behaviorist at Senior Tail Waggers , hails this leash for its easy cleaning, moisture-wicking prowess and weightless construction. “They are also stain- and odor-resistant, and they fit nicely in your hand if you need to hold the leash in certain ways for dogs who pull,” she says. The leash comes in multiple widths and clips to correspond with your dog’s size.
Unless your dog has a reflective collar or is naturally bioluminescent, bedtime walks can be dangerous, especially if you have to cross the street. To make sure that precious floof is visible after dark, Carson puts her trust in the Mendota Pet Snap Leash in High Viz Yellow for its reflective powers. Though it’s a rope design, it has a broken-in feel and is crafted from polypropylene, so it’s waterproof, easy to clean and machine washable, she says.
A leash that lasts is basically the stuff of urban legend—the fraying, the wear and tear, the dirt, the stink—we can go on. However, Ellis discovered a unicorn: The Signature K9 Standard Obedience Leash . What makes this reign supreme is its handcrafted, hand-stitched construction. But the real standout: “The high-quality leather holds up for years,” Ellis says. What’s surprising about this style is its softness and manageability for everyday use. It comes in five sizes.
Silk Taffeta Sometimes, a pup needs to stretch its front and hind legs a little. Getting out in the great outdoors on a long tether gives your furry friend the room to roam, DeWillems says. She adores the Trailblazing Tails Long Line, which gives her clients the glory to run with the wind in their fur. “The long line allows your dog to get important aerobic exercise in a similar way to being off-leash, without the risks,” she says. DeWillems also applauds the biothane construction, for its strength (even the ⅜-inch-width has a tested break strength of 375 pounds) and its ability to “slide through grass, around rocks, through bushes, etc., way more easily than traditional nylon leashes.”