A leash, or lead, is the most important piece of safety equipment your dog will ever have. It keeps him out of traffic and next to you should he try to herd a little kid who may appear to your Shepherd like a stray calf. And while it may not stop him from talking trash to the dog walking on the other side of the street, it will keep the two dogs apart. The key to leading your dog on a leash is control: You must control your dog, not vice versa. To accomplish that feat, you need a strong, reliable leash. There are plenty of materials that leashes can be made of but best of all is a leather leash. This is because it is the most durable and skin-friendly, and can last for decades or more when cared for properly.
With
today's high prices and poor
quality everywhere, we know that
your search for and purchase of
a quality leather dog leash is
an important decision.
Therefore, as a leather leash
manufacturer, it's probably the
case that we're even more
particular about our leather dog
leashes than you are.
• The Size
The size of the leash depends on
the size of your dog and
personal preference.
The leash length depends on what you find comfortable and gives you the most control. Some owners like longer leashes (4' or 6') while some prefer shorter (e.g., traffic leads). A leather leash length of 4' or 6' is usually sufficient for walks or basic obedience exercises as they will give enough length for your dog to roam a little but allows you to maintain a great deal of control.
As for the width, the bigger your dog, the wider his leash should be. If you're choosing a leash for a puppy, buy with his adult size in mind whenever possible. Of course, a 1" leash may be fine for an adult German Shepherd Dog, but may not be suitable for him as a puppy.
In general, if using a leather leash it should be about one quarter inch wide for a dog of 15 pounds or less, one half inch for dogs up to 45 pounds, three quarters of an inch wide for dogs up to 100 pounds and one inch for dogs over 100 pounds.
• The Leather
Choose top-grain leather,
period. When a hide is split
into layers, the surface layer
is referred to as the top
grain. Top grain leather is the
strongest, most durable while
also being the most supple and
soft part of the hide. It is
less susceptible to cracking or
tearing compared to the lower
layer (split grain) on the hide.
Choose leather that is cut out of the backs - no necks, no bellies or flanks. This prevents stretch and weakness in the leather.
Choose oil-tanned leather as dog leads as this method benefits from durability and flexibility. Oil-tanned leather can be distinguished from other leather processing by its semi-glossy (waxy) surface.
• The Snap
Besides choosing the right type
of leather, one of the most
important things you should look
at on a leash is its metal bolt
snap. Although bolt snaps come
in a variety of designs and made
out of various materials, they
need to be the finest quality
material and construction
possible and must pass specific,
very high breaking strength
tests. When a bolt snap fails,
it can result in a loose dog
that could cause many problems
and possible injury to himself.
A solid brass snap that is heat treated offers beauty and extra durability. A heavy-duty stainless steel snap with a stainless steel interior spring is suitable for maximum corrosion resistance. A nickel plated snap is ideal for price sensitive customers but can cause skin allergies in dogs and people.
• The Construction
The next thing to look for in a
good leash is to see how the
snap is attached to the leather
leash. If the leash is wide
enough, the snaps should be
professionally braided, stitched
or pop-riveted. Whether ends
are stitched, riveted or
braided, the attachment method
should not diminish the ability
to handle the leash or pose any
possible abrasion or laceration
hazards.