Lead recommendations please

[JudyN]

I've lost another lead... it's somewhere in the overgrown brambly area off to the side of a local open space, where Jasper likes to explore and I took the opportunity for a quick comfort break It wasn't till we were about to hit the road again that I realised I'd left the lead behind, and try as I might, I couldn't find it again (and J was getting tired and fed up).

My dog bag has a belt loop, and a detachable strap which works fine in an emergency, and I have a spare lead at home, but now I need a new spare lead, and there's just too much choice nowadays. So could someone please recommend a reliable make of lead? It needs to be 5' long leather, probably 0.5"-0.75" wide, with a clip on one end and loop on the other. I'm happy to pay to get good quality, but some are just silly prices.

 

[Buddy1]

Glad to know I’m not the only one who loses dog leads. Never sure how they manage to fall out of my hands without me noticing.

Heim do really good quality plaited leather leads. Unfortunately, the foxes got into the porch and chewed the last one I had. Zooplus used to sell them at a very reasonable price, but they weren’t available the last time I looked.

Have also bought one of these which was good, but took a while to arrive.
Vivi Bear Handmade Braided Genuine Leather Dog Leads for Large Dogs Training 0.7 Inch Wide By 8.5/6.9/5.2/4ft Long, Dark Brown (5.2ft Long): Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

 

[JudyN]

Thanks Buddy - the Vivi Bear one does look good. Trouble is, I always end up looking at the one-star reviews and start to waver....

Actually, I should really investigate the new pet shop up the road before buyig online, but 5' doesn't seem to be a particularly common length.

 

[Robins mum]

Thanks Buddy - the Vivi Bear one does look good. Trouble is, I always end up looking at the one-star reviews and start to waver....

Actually, I should really investigate the new pet shop up the road before buyig online, but 5' doesn't seem to be a particularly common length.

Perhaps you could take Jasper back to the spot and let him track it down for you? Just point him in roughly the same direction and give him scent from you (as you handled it lots put your fresh scent on the ground a few feet from him and tell him to ‘find it!’ Reward when he finds you scented spot then send him off on the hunt again! It’ll be fun and you may even find the lead!

 

[JudyN]

I did try 'find lead', RM - he knows what 'find' means, and understands it in the context of 'Find Daddy' (or another person's name he knows), but he just looked at me blankly. I've tried 'find car' in the past when I've lost my bearings, and he does understand, but I think he thinks I must have hidden the car to make a game of it and starts looking under bushes and behind trees.....

 

[Inka]

I use https://pawlines.co.uk/
The ones I like are not leather but made of Biothane which looks/feels like leather but are water resistant ( the material used for horse harnesses/reins) my dogs like the water, so a leather collar is not the best for water.
They are a small family business started about 15/20 yrs ago, they make them themselves and so you can get exactly what you want, extra clip. longer length or your own design in fact I see he has used two of my designs I asked him to make for me 15yrs ago and is selling them on his site, both of which I am still using ( did today) and they look and feel like new. But he would make them in leather if you prefer.
The 'Enduro traffic handle' might be a good idea if your Jasper is OK 'off lead' as you just attach it and he 'looks after' it himself it is just a handle and clip so doesn't trail and you can easily get hold his him

 

[JudyN]

Ooh, they look good, Inka, thank you - the leather ones are on the pricey side (bearing in mind this isn't the first time I've lost one), but the Biothane ones are a good price. Jasper does wear a short 'traffic handle' (we call it either his 'grab handle' or 'naughty lead'), but with no loop, so it can't get caught in anything. It's really useful, particularly as he's collar shy, for steering him past dogs, people, etc. I don't want him to approach. Not really suitable for walking him along roads, though, as he could easily pull it out of my hand (though I don't think he realises this). But we quite often find ourselves exploring overgrown areas, so I wouldn't want one with a loop.

 

[Inka]

But we quite often find ourselves exploring overgrown areas, so I wouldn't want one with a loop.

If you can draw what you want, size of clip and/or ring(all brass fitting) length he will make it for you and although his leather is top quality and they are all made beautifully I would never go back to using leather as the Biothane ones are so easy to handle, they feel nice, easy clean, hard wearing and look like new years later

 

[Robins mum]

I did try 'find lead', RM - he knows what 'find' means, and understands it in the context of 'Find Daddy' (or another person's name he knows), but he just looked at me blankly. I've tried 'find car' in the past when I've lost my bearings, and he does understand, but I think he thinks I must have hidden the car to make a game of it and starts looking under bushes and behind trees.....

I did try 'find lead', RM - he knows what 'find' means, and understands it in the context of 'Find Daddy' (or another person's name he knows), but he just looked at me blankly. I've tried 'find car' in the past when I've lost my bearings, and he does understand, but I think he thinks I must have hidden the car to make a game of it and starts looking under bushes and behind trees.....

 

[Robins mum]

Bless him! He sounds such fun and adorable! Dunno then! New lead it is I guess!

 

[JudyN]

I decided against the Biothane lead as it's basically plastic, which I try to avoid, and their leather ones weren't long enough - though they might have been able to do one for me, it would have been very expensive. I decided that the Vivi Bear one was narrower than I really like. The local pet shop had zilch, so after a lot of internet hunting, I've ordered this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-V...001MZWJQK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[Robins mum]

I decided against the Biothane lead as it's basically plastic, which I try to avoid, and their leather ones weren't long enough - though they might have been able to do one for me, it would have been very expensive. I decided that the Vivi Bear one was narrower than I really like. The local pet shop had zilch, so after a lot of internet hunting, I've ordered this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-V...001MZWJQK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[Robins mum]

I made a terrible mistake yesterday and bought two cheap leads one web the other nylon over cord - well Robin can bite through the leads in one go and it’s getting expensive! Anyway he kept at a cat out of the blue last night - did any of you see the smoke coming off my hands!!!! The skin has melted! I’m alright but BIG lesson learned there for sure!