I already have a few leashes but want to find a nice leather leash that I can use for training and walking everyday. Our pup comes home in August and this is the last thing on my checklist- a really nice, made-to-last leash. I don't have to get anything immediately because I don't want puppy teeth marks all over it! I'll probably wait until teething has passed!

I already have two leashes:
A 6 ft. Lupine for regular use which can also get wet if there is an impromptu swim.

A 20 ft. Flexi tape for those times we can't be off-leash.

I'm really interested in this leash because of the versatility. It is convertible and can change from 5 ft to 4 ft to 3 ft. It can also be slipped over the head to make a collar/leash combo since there is an extra ring. Do you think this versatility will be useful or would the traditional length be better? Sometimes simpler is better. Thoughts?

http://www.boldleaddesigns.com/bld0510_003.htm


Other recommendations would be appreciated as well.

I have a similar type of leash and LOVE it. With a trained dog, it's great to make a huge loop to wear over one shoulder to the opposite hip, leaving hands free for everything else. Not as comfy as a waist leash, but super convenient. I love being able to tether my dog to the car, a tree, a fence post, etc.

But it's not something I would use for regular walks/training. It's too easy to accidently get fingers caught in the extra loops/snaps/etc... or to accidentaly hit your dog with it. They don't fit into a pocket as well as a regular leash.

I'm waiting to see what is recommended. I lost my old leather lead in the woods and I sure miss it. The replacement one I bought broke immediately.

ETA: so I would recommend a lead like that AND a plain one too!

Great! Thanks for sharing. My parents have a leash that can buckle around a person's waist. I love it!! I can't seem to find another like it. The Lupine leash that I bought should be good for most of our walking but I love the look and feel of a leather leash!

How much should I plan to spend on a well made leash? This one is about $50.

Well... $50 seems like a lot to me..... my last nice one was only $10-15... everything is so expensive now! I'm looking forward to what the others say.

I use a skijoring belt for walking, it's really wide and padded for maximum comfort! I know people who like this one:
http://www.ruffwear.com/Flat-Out-Leash_2

Check these leather leashes from Hogan. They have waist leashes too.

These were recommended to me when I was in your shoes (pre-pup), I bought one and love it.

http://www.hoganleather.com/store/pr...eashes/page/1/

Most of my leather leashes are Premier brand. They have held up quite well (I've got two that are older than Ruby). They only cost in the $10-$15 range (I think). It does take a while to get them broken in, but after that, I love them (and have, in a pinch, made them into a somewhat slip collar, looped them around trees, etc. even though they don't have all the fancy snaps and rings).

__________________
Sarah

Ruby: Topbrass Ravishing Ruby CDX, RAE, JH, AX, OAJ, XF, WCX, CCA, VC, CGC, TT (8/1/04)
Piper: Topbrass Pipe Dream CD, JH, RA, OAP, NJP, WC, CCA (7/19/09)
Sage: Prime Time Sage RN, CGC (10/27/97-12/2/12)

My leather leashes are from a tack shop and they were about $50/each 6 or 7 years ago. I have an older leather leash that I got from a pet supplier that is not nearly the same quality leather as the ones from the tack shop. They have worn really well and I consider them a great investment -- I also get tons of compliments on them and have had a few people threaten to steal them ;-) They've 5 ft. long which I find to be long enough for regular walks and a little less cumbersome for training.

I also recently got a hand braided kangaroo leather lead from a seller on Etsy for obedience training. It's 4 ft long and it's a lot less cumbersome for training. I love it for training, but I don't like it as much for walks.

Dont know about 'the best'....but I have several of these http://www.jjdog.com/Merchant2/merch...ningLeashLEATL

They have lasted nicely and are certainly priced right.
They are not bridal leather. They break in very fast.

Ive used leather stamps to fancy up Liberty's traffic lead and added Chicago screws to the little tab by the braid...

Ive also purchased from LDSLeather very nice products. http://www.ldsleather.com/index.html

__________________
Mary and the Goldens from Maine

"Trace" - Can. CH Bramley's Light Up The Night, CD, RA - (CGC, CCA, TDI-Therapy Dog and Novice DockDock)
"Rumor" - Jackson's Leap of Faith

Waiting at the Bridge
"Lexi" - Wise Teacher and Best-est Puppy Raiser
"Liberty" - Bramley's Golden Moments Libby CD, RE - ASCA-CD, Can. CD - (CGC and TDI-Therapy Dog)

I LOVE the working leashes that can be adjusted to various lengths, used as a shoulder or waist leash, etc. They are the ones I reach for ALL the time.

__________________


Betty and the Dallas crew


“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France

That leash looks neat, although I would be torn - whether to get it covered in puppy teeth marks now, or having the flexibility of it and start breaking it in sooner. My leash experiences with Molson when he was a pup were that I hated using the 6 foot leash for walks - it was too long and both of us were tripping over it, and the 4 foot was too short and didn't give him any freedom or slack when he would stop for a sniff or anything. I wish I had a 5 foot leash at that time but I couldn't find them ANYWHERE.

Now that he's full size we just stick to the regular old 6' lupine ones since they are always getting dirty at baseball games, out walking in the rain, in the forest, water, etc. I'd love to invest in a nice leather one soon though, it's just a matter of finding one that I like.

Oh, I also have a backup leash in my car all the time now for whatever reason - a stray on the side of the road, the one we brought to use breaks, or if we need to clip them together to make a longer leash, etc. etc.

__________________