Leather Dog Leash Buying Guide

By HOW'S YOUR DOG, a Trusted eBay Powerseller

Why choose a leather leash?

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.

 
Thank you for reading our Guide.  We welcome your ideas or comments about our suggestions.  Check out our Hawai'ian Cowboy's 100% Hand Braided Harness Leather Dog Leashes in our eBay store HERE ! You will never find a leash of this quality in any pet store or dog supply warehouse, as our leather is tanned with a mixture of oils and tallow that other tanners don't use and then air-dried (not commercial heated dryer) for up to three weeks before it is being hand cut into pieces.

You may also visit our HOW’S YOUR DOG eBay Store where we offer premium pet products at 20-70% off retail prices, with “FREE Shipping to U.S. 50 States”, "Low Price Guarantee", and "Truly Memorable Customer Care".

Like this Guide?  If you found it helpful, please be sure to click on the "YES" button below!   Your vote is not only very much appreciated...your "YES VOTE" will help keep this Guide on the top page so it can also give others a better shopping experience!