Best dog leashes: Keep your pooch safe and under control (2024)

Whatever activity you love to do with your pooch, the best dog leashes ensure that they stay safe and you can keep them under control when you need to.

At the very least a good dog leash needs to be strong, durable and functional for everyday use. You need to think about the maximum load the lead can take and what length you need. If you have a large breed like a Great Dane you need to make sure that your chosen leash is up to the task.

Get the wrong load and it won’t be long before it breaks and your fur baby runs off into the distance. At the other end of the scale, you don’t want a big thick lead weighing down your toy breed when out for a walk. So it's critical you choose a leash that matches your dog’s weight.

Typically your everyday walking lead is around six feet, but if you are leash training your dog or are in a particularly busy area, you should think about getting a shorter lead to give you more control over your canine.

But you might want something beyond the basic features. Try a bungee style leash for flexibility and comfort, or think about a hands-free leash for when you go running or hiking. What if you've got two dogs? A dual leash extension is a great way to keep both under control with just one hand.

Whatever you and your doggo need, our guide will help you choose the best leash for you and your dog.Be sure to check out our guide to the best dog harnesses too if you're looking for both great control and all-round comfort for your pooch.

Our pick of the best dog leashes

If you have a strong and active dog or a four-legged friend who likes to pull on his lead, like our tester Sarah's dog Duke, then the Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Leash could be the best dog leash for you.

Along with praising the sleek and classic silver coloring, Sarah liked the fact that the leash material (which is crafted from real, dry-treated dynamic climbing rope and finished with custom-designed clamps and a stainless steel swivel clip) was soft and flexible to the touch, but extremely strong and sturdy. Duke is pretty muscular and Sarah has had issues in the past where her dog would pull too hard, causing the collar to snap from the leash or the leash/handle to break —but not anymore! Sarah refers to the quality-led Lifetime Leash as a total 'game changer'.

Our tester Sarah found that the leash didn't pick up dirt or was affected by the changes in weather. One of her biggest pet peeves about leashes is how quickly they get dirty, and we agree! But after several weeks of using this leash, Sarah is amazed that the product still looks brand new and doesn't have an unappealing aroma to it.

If we had to pick one negative, we'd say that the leash could be a bit too long for medium-sized dogs. "But that could also be a personal preference on my part," our tester says. Plus, we're happy to report that there are 5-foot-long leashes available, as well as an 8-foot-long option to choose from.

This leash isn't cheap at over $70, however, the fact it lasts for a lifetime makes the cost justifiable and we like that this means less waste.

If you want a strong, tough, durable dog leash that is built to last and can cope with dog breeds from 0-150 pounds then you really need to be taking a look at this top quality dog leash from iYoShop.

There’s no messing about here. This nylon rope–inspired dog leash has based itself on mountain climbing gear so you know it's going to be tough and long-lasting. The manufacturer claims it could be the only leash you’ll ever need. And they may well be right when it comes to straightforward everyday use.

So what do you get? The leash comes in three different sizes and a host of colors, so not only do you get a rugged leash, but six cool colors to choose from. The extra small is the perfect choice for toy breeds with a maximum load of eight pounds and five feet of lead.

The next size up - small - sticks with the length but ups the maximum load to 25 pounds. Heading into the medium and large sizes you get a bit more variety. Keeping up the super strength theme is a one inch thick lead with an impressive maximum load of 150 pounds. That’s strong enough for large and extra large breeds such as Mastiff, Newfoundlands and Great Danes. And you have the choice of a six or four foot lead length.

A super strong clasp ensures that your pet pooch isn’t going to break away and the sturdy stitching is neatly covered inside its own casing to add extra strength. A thick soft padded handle adds comfort and stops the leash digging into your hand when your fur baby is pulling. And a velcro attachable zipper pouch is perfect for storing keys and carrying poop bags when out and about.

This budget busting dog leash brings with it all the basic features that you need in an everyday lead, but without having to spend big. A durable and functional dog leash, it is made from a strong high-quality, woven nylon material and boasts a nickel-coated clip and simple integrated handle that means it can take the strain without you having to worry about it breaking.

There are not a lot of frills with this lead - you get what you pay for - but what you do get works well. The leash is available in six different sizes ranging from extra small right through to large, making it an ideal choice for dogs up to 80 pounds. Ideal for Airedale Terrier, German Shepherds, Boxers and similar breeds, but nothing larger than these.

Each size in the range is different so you will need to choose what suits your fur baby and your needs best. The XS and Small are both six foot in length, but the Small has a wider lead ⅝ inch lead, so you might want to go for the extra width and load to put less strain on the lead.

Going up the scale the Medium size has a three quarter inch wide lead, but comes in four and six foot lengths. The six foot works well for everyday, while the four foot is a good choice for close control when training.

The Large ups the lead width to one inch so it can take a bigger load, and again it comes in both four and six foot lengths, so you can choose which works best for you. But at this price point you can afford to invest in both.

Want to give your pet pooch more fun and freedom when out on a walk, but also want to keep control at the same time? Then a retractable leash is a great choice. Even if your pet pooch disappears out of sight you still have them on the leash. You can stop them going any further and slowly reel them back in when needed.

The TUG 360° Tangle-Free, Heavy Duty Retractable Dog Leash is made for most dog breeds. It comes in four different sizes ranging from Tiny through to Large. The extra small is the perfect choice for breeds under 26 pounds like Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier and Chihuahuas.

To help keep control of your pet pooch when out walking or training the leash incorporates two padded handles for ease and comfort. The top handle is for everyday use while the bottom handle allows you to take almost complete control when in busy areas or near other dogs. If out at night reflective stitching helps you get seen.

A metal 360 degree rotating clasp attaches the leash to your dog's collar and not only eases the strain on the leash but also stops it twisting and getting tangled round their neck.

A smart addition is the inclusion of a seat belt buckle which fits into most cars. Not only does this keep them safe and secure when travelling, but it also means you don’t have the hassle of purchasing a separate safety leash just for your vehicle.

Have you got two dogs but want to keep them on a single leash when you are out for a walk? Then this specially designed dual dog lead could be just what you need. You can say goodbye to tangled leads and having both hands occupied when out with two of your fur friends. This Takes Two leash turns your everyday single leash into a Y-shaped, dual dog leash with a tangle-free swivel joint that’s perfect for two of your pet pooches. If you are feeling brave - and have more than two dogs - you could double up and take four dogs for a walk with just two leashes.

A single steel ring takes the strain with two adjustable straps attached to the ring. This means that you can add any single leash you already own and just clip each ‘mini’ leash onto your dog's collar.

They are both made from strong durable nylon with some heavy stitching to take the strain. Both are adjustable via a plastic buckle that is functional rather than fantastic. But this does mean you can adjust independently to get the perfect fit for both dogs on the leash. At their shortest the leash is around five inches but can be stretched out to around 8 inches.

It does work with two dogs of contrasting sizes, It doesn’t have the strength or length for large dogs. But it does make a good choice for medium dogs and smaller dogs.

How to choose the best dog leash

Type of leash

There are a host of different dog leashes so you need to pick one that best suits your breed. A standard six foot lead is a good choice for everyday use and training. These are typically made from nylon and leather and are strong enough for most breeds.

Width and load

The width of leash typically equates to how strong it is and what sort of load the lead can withstand. A thinner leash is much less likely to be able to take the strain that a thicker leash can. If you have a larger breed of dog it makes sense to have a thicker lead that can withstand the load of a heavy dog. But if you have a smaller dog look for a thinner lead that is not too heavy for their size.

Length of leash

A shorter leash gives pet owners more control over their pet pooch. A three to six foot lead is ideal for everyday use and training. Obviously the smaller length is ideal for a smaller dog while the longer length is better for a bigger dog for most occasions.

But if you are training your dog to walk by your side and/or out in a busy street, you might want a shorter three or four foot lead so you keep control. Alternatively, you can wrap a six foot lead around your hand to whatever length you want.