Need new leash wear. Help?

Melle · Jun 8, 2014

Hi everyone. I've been looking around for a new leash to use with my girl since her thin nylon one has been cutting my hands up when I wrap it or it slides through my fingers :S Don't get me started on when there's an explosion of unexpected chipmunk.

Soooo, I'm looking for recommendations! I'm on a budget with an upper limit of about $30 including shipping, which really puts my ceiling in the mid-20s at most for the lead itself. I've heard so many good things about the EL rope leashes and I have no less than 6 tab open just for looking at them, and then another two tabs for a cheap-but-sturdy braided-end leather leash from Bridgeport Equipment, and the biothane leash from All-K9. So many options, and I'm completely indecisive.

What would you recommend for a young, strong dog with a love for squirrels? Are there any favorites? We're working on perfecting "Leave It" but when rabbits pop out of people's yards, it only leaves time for her instincts, so it's 45lbs of very athletic heft hitting the end of the leash :S

MicksMom · Jun 9, 2014

My favorite leashes are my leather service dog leash from J&J

http://www.jjdog.com/product/Convertible-Service-Dog-Leash/Dog-Leashes

and my biothane ones from AllK-9. I use a 6 foot one for hiking, a 10 ft one for Nosework and a 5 foot one for walking, shopping, etc.

http://www.allk-9.com/leashes-amp-tabs-all-weather-biothane-c-22_24.html

I have a biothane one from someplace else, but I'm really not crazy about it. It's too stiff and heavy (it's the same as my 6ft All K-9 one, just from a different company). The AllK-9 ones really do feel like leather, and are soft and pliable.

stardogs · Jun 9, 2014

I, too, love the J&J service dog leashes. You can get them with brass instead of steel snaps and for about $8 less at Guide Dogs for the Blind's online store: http://store.guidedogs.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_18&products_id=12

For a bit more $$ I do LOVE my Karma Collars leash - super soft right out of the box. The J&J leashes do need to be broken in.

I do like biothane as well - my next leash will probably come from a store owned by a fellow Chaz member: http://fragglerockdesigns.com/

I'm not a huge fan of the Ella's Lead rope leashes for most dogs - the fixtures are quite heavy. I have 3 short leashes from them and rarely use them because of the weight.

MicksMom · Jun 9, 2014

stardogs said:

Are the ones from Guide Dogs for the Blind's made by J&J? The only reason I'm asking is my J&J lead was buttery soft from the get go, and has only gotten softer. Everbody I know who has gotten any kind of leather lead from J&J has said the same thing.

stardogs · Jun 9, 2014

They are totally identical and J&J does mention selling to a service dog groups, so I've always assumed that was the link.

Shai · Jun 9, 2014

I don't like my JJdog service leash much, but love my regular leashes from there. Prefer my Karma leash but only just...

My JJdog leashes have held up to now 6 years of frequent, even daily or many-times-a-day use in all weather.

Red.Apricot · Jun 9, 2014

I like my mendota leash quite a lot. I have the thinner style with a snap, and it's very soft.

teacuptiger · Jun 9, 2014

I LOVE my beta biothane gear from DogWalkies on etsy.com. It's really awesome stuff

*blackrose · Jun 9, 2014

I think I purchased Abrams' biothane leash from AllK9. Love it! Couldn't be happier.

Cynder has a biothane leash from FraggleRockCollars and it is also very nice, but not as "thick" or "soft" as Abrams'. For her, though, it's perfect.

So, my vote is biothane. Although a good leather leash should last you quite a long time. I purchased a leather leash from petsmart roughly 15 years ago and it is still in wonderful shape, minus the clasp. The clasp died. The leash itself, though, is still amazing.

Melle · Jun 9, 2014

teacuptiger said:

Haha I just realized you answer my topic on another forum too

I'll check out DogWalkies and All-K9 again c: I finally think I got the last couple bucks I need today from my allowance, and then I won't be worrying about this fraying Kong leash failing anymore.

I definitely want biothane for a new long line eventually. For her walking leash I'm in between leather and biothane basically, and mayyyyybe checking out the Mountain Rope, since it doesn't look like it'd fray easily.

Oh! and the JJ Dog site, I'll look at that. Thanks for the suggestions so far c:

teacuptiger · Jun 9, 2014

Oh hey, lol. I didn't realize that was you too!!

I've got a long line (beta) from All K9, and just ordered another, shorter one. My longer one has been through hell and is holding very strong! I definitely recommend them too.

I'll be honest, I used to have a leather walking leash. It's still alive and doing well, I just... never use it anymore. I went from leather to EL rope (which I do still love and will use a matching leash with my BAMF! collar), but I think I'm always going to have beta biothane from now on. It lasts forever, always looks brand new after you wipe it off with a wet cloth. Or even just run it through water.

Melle · Jun 9, 2014

Slowly narrowing down my options! I'm really convinced about Biothane, no questions there.

Then I found this lead on EBay that someone recommended: Pre-Oiled Leather Braided Leash
It looks NICE and strong.

And lastly I'm looking at the EL Mountain Rope in red w/ tubing. It'd cost a little more, but I could probably manage that.

Her regular leash doesn't go through too much trauma anymore. She used to bite the lead and snatch it and try to play tug when I first adopted her, but she doesn't know, and we don't even use it for hiking like her long line, but I like knowing I have something absolutely durable, well-constructed, and won't get all frayed or shredded quickly

I'm so used to cheapy things and their issues.

Tortilla · Jun 9, 2014

teacuptiger said:

This.

Red.Apricot said:

And this!

I have a biothane leash from DogWalkies that I love (for Paris) and a mendota rope leash for Seamus. I really like both! The biothane is great for trails and is really resistant against water and mud and stuff. It's held up brilliantly!

Here is a pic of the two leashes.

I also have a zumi leash that I really like as well! It's a bit lighter than my mendota leash which I like.

Melle · Jun 9, 2014

Just realized my post got spam-filtered for having a link to the lead :S

But yeah, it basically said I'm pretty sold on the biothane and leather leads. Still not sure which one I'll get...wonder if I should get the brown bridle leather...or a black biothane lead with elegant brass...

Or I could get red if I wanted to match the color scheme of her accessories.

Torch · Jun 9, 2014

I recommend leather above everything else. I have put good quality leather leashes through hell for the last 20 years without ever having one break, as long as they're properly cared for. And they're going to be the best on your hands.

Melle · Jun 9, 2014

Great!

I keep reading about different types of hardware - how much does it really matter whether or not I go with stainless steel or brass?

I've never had hardware fail and she's just a 45lb dog, not a dinosaur, but the way people talk about the strength differences between brass and stainless steel and regular bolt snaps and trigger snaps makes me paranoid and gives me a headache.

JacksonsMom · Jun 9, 2014

My favorite biothane leash was from AllK-9. That came so soft yet sturdy, I just love the allk9 leashes. I have a 40ft long line from them too.

But we mostly use our Ella's Lead leather. The 5/8" tan came sooo soft and it's only gotten softer. I love the trigger snaps too. We have a black one that came a bit stiffer but it's still a very nice leash and we love it.

I rotate based upon what collar he is wearing basically lOL. I only have 2 leashes so I can matchy-match.

I keep wantign to try other leashes but every time I get them I end up selling them because they don't get used. I use my leather ones too much.

Melle · Jun 9, 2014

Ironically I found a leather lead that I *think* you mentioned on DF in a conversation about leashes and that happens to be the one I'm considering for leather - it's on Ebay.

I have this horrific vision of forgetting to put it in my drawer one day and coming home to finding it eaten :S

True story, one time I forgot to put her leather hunt collar away and came home to find only the buckles and nameplate on the floor as she smacked her lips. I need to learn not to rush out the house for school, or work.

JacksonsMom · Jun 10, 2014

Melle said:

Oh yeah, I still have that leash... if you want it. I actually have it for sale, lol, again simply because color doesn't match his collar and I already have the other two. I'm weird haha. The hardware is a bit large for Jackson too, it would definitely be better for a medium/large dog. But it's actually a really nice leash!! I was very happy with the quality.

But this is the listing for it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390682051992&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

Ours is brown, 6ft, silver hardware and 3/4 wide. Wait it might be 5/8. I'll double check. But it would be fine for a larger dog. I'd sell it for $17 shipped - it's basically brand new. I bought it for around $26. Don't feel obligated at all -just offering it up!

Melle · Jun 10, 2014

That'd be love for my wallet! Haha. $17 including or not including shipping? My folks aren't too keen on me spending in the first place, especially since I basically fork them the cash and they do the actual transactions, so I have to limit myself awfully to their will.

I'm not sure how nickle hardware holds up to her though. I haven't used it in a while since I keep hearing things in the big dog communities about nickle snaps snapping :X (snaps snapping, that sounded snazzy).

Does the plating matter though? I'm assuming it's steel or something underneath, but they don't say.

Need new leash wear. Help?

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