Best Leather Dog Leash For Your Canine Companion (Updated)
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When it comes time to walk your dog, nothing beats using a leash. After all, it’s how we’ve been training and running alongside our canine friends for decades, and if you want the best leash you can get, leather really is the way to go.
Leather is the perfect mix of classy sophistication and unparalleled durability. Not as tacky as chain, while not as flimsy as nylon. It gives you complete control over your dog’s behavior.
However, would just any leather dog leash do the trick?
Today, we’ll take a look at some of the best leather dog leashes on the market in 2019 that you can treat yourself and your pet with.
The Leatherberg Leather Dog Leash is a practical, durable training and walking leash with an impressive 6-foot reach.
Key Features
Made with 100% Latigo cowhide leather, double stitched for durability
Professional-grade stainless steel clasp prevents the leather leash from tangling
6 feet long
What We Like
The Leatherberg comes in a classy box that instantly gives you a glimpse into the goodness inside. On a side note, it also makes it a great gift idea to your dog lover friend or family member.
Upon opening, you’ll be met with that familiar new leather smell – a good sign! This leather leash is soft and comfortable to the touch. We tried it on our Golden Retriever (and he moves around a lot, mind you), and there was absolutely no pain on my hand, even if he was pulling on the leash like crazy!
The smooth surface of the leash also prevents any fur from collecting, which always gives it that brand-new look.
What We Didn’t Like
Personally, we don’t have any problems with it. Although we’ve heard of some users having theirs break after extended chewing from their dog. Apparently, dogs like that new leather smell, too.
Pros
The one-year warranty makes this a zero-risk purchase
Leather is very soft and comfortable on the hands
Very durable and can stand up to even large and energetic breeds
Cons
Attracts chewing
Personally, we think this is the best leather dog leash for training. It won us over with its durability and comfortable hold.
The Soft Touch Leather Braided Dog Leash is a handmade leash with a gorgeous, intricate braid pattern.
Key Features
Made with naturally tanned 100% leather
Crafted entirely by hand, giving it that classic old-world feel
Backed with a lifetime guarantee
Solid brass hardware with lacquer finish makes the metal hardware rust-proof
6-foot-long and ¾-inch wide
What We Like
Hands down, this is one of the more visually pleasing dog leashes we've seen in a while. The Soft Touch's braided pattern looks gorgeous and is a perfect complement to elegant, majestic breeds.
The craftsmanship on this leash is top-notch, and you can feel that every stitch was made with love and care. Despite looking stylish, it's surprisingly robust. This is a leash that means business and can handle even larger breeds of more than 60 lbs.
Leerburg’s Latigo Leather Dog Leash is a high quality, durable leash handcrafted by the Amish.
Key Features
Made of 100% soft Latigo leather
Stainless steel clasp makes it rust-proof
Pop riveted and sewn snap for the utmost in durability
What We Like
This is one of the better-quality leather leashes we’ve encountered while shopping around for this review. It’s made by the Amish, so there is an unquestionable dedication to craftsmanship that indeed finds its way into the finished product.
The Leerburg leash feels excellent to the touch, which softened nicely into my hand in just a few days of using it. It's also super durable, and we don't see it even slightly breaking anytime soon.
What We Didn’t Like
The price tends to be higher with this leash, but that's natural Considering the craftsmanship that you get.
Pros
The Construction is top-notch
The soft leather finish feels comfortable to touch
Becomes soft and manageable in just a few days
Cons
A bit expensive
For quality craftsmanship and comfort, the Leeburg Dog Leash is one of the best money can buy.
The Highland Farms Select Premier Dog Leash is an inexpensive yet durable dog leash sure to stand the test of time.
Key Features
Made of high-quality brown leather
6-foot long leash
Multiple uses make this leash quite versatile
Rust-resistant metal clip
1-year warranty
What We Like
For dog owners on a tight budget, Highland Farms Select's leather dog leash is your ticket. Despite the lower price, it's still a durable and robust leash, capable of handling up to 500 pounds of force.
The handle is decent and comfortable enough to hold for extended periods. We also like how the handle itself is braided, instead of having metal hardware. This will undoubtedly add durability to this area.
What We Didn’t Like
Unfortunately, this leash isn't water-resistant, so you have to be careful when you use it in less than sunny weather. You might also Consider adding a waterproof coating. They can be found in shoe stores.
Pros
Relatively inexpensive dog leash
One of the stronger leashes we’ve tried at up to 500 pounds of force
The handle has no metal clasp that can come off, adding longevity
The JPettie is a multi-purpose, hands-free leather dog leash perfect for running or biking with your dog.
Key Features
Made of high quality, soft leather
2 feet long and 0.47-inch wide leather strap
Self-floating ring option allows you to walk your dog hands-free
Coupler allows for multiple leashes and P-leash for smaller dogs
1-year warranty
What We Like
As far as versatility goes, the JPettie has it right in the bag. One of our most favorite features is the hands-free handle. Just attach it over your shoulder and use your hands for something else. We like doing this when carrying a lot of stuff while walking around town.
It also comes with a longer and shorter leash, so you can use it in all kinds of situations. Have a puppy? Use the short leash. Running around the park? Bring out the longer one.
What We Didn’t Like
When not using the hands-free option, the handle can be a bit small for those with larger hands, making holding it pretty awkward.
Pros
The multi-purpose clasp makes this a very versatile dog leash
Hands-free operation is so convenient—you might use it often!
Relatively inexpensive for all the features it has
Cons
Handle loop might be a bit small for some people
Overall, we like how versatile the JPettie is. It's undoubtedly a leash that you'll use for quite some time. Perfect for people who own multiple sized breeds!
The Fairwin Leather Dog Leash is a military-grade, braided leash made for extended walks and training.
Key Features
Made with genuine US leather
Copper alloy metal clips
6-foot long leash
Two-year warranty with a 60-day money-back guarantee
What We Like
Fairwin Leather Dog Leash is a relatively durable and decent leash made with 100% US leather. It's made explicitly for law enforcement dogs of medium sizes, such as Beagles and Shetland Sheepdogs.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t use it in casual, everyday settings. The Fairwin Leash is, in fact, perfect for long walks or extended training sessions. We find it's also comfortable to use, too.
What We Didn’t Like
This leash is not as chew-proof as other leather leashes. It’s best not to leave your dog unsupervised with a leather leash anyhow, though.
Pros
The two-year warranty gives you peace of mind and confidence in its durability
Works really well with medium dog breeds
Really comfortable to touch
Cons
Not as resistant to chewing
Not entirely made in the USA
If you want a sturdy, military-grade leash, consider this Fairwin leash. It’s durable and will get the job done.
Overall Rating - 4.4 / 5.0
Leather Leash Buying Guide
Now that we’ve had a look at some of the best leather leashes on the market, let’s look at some of the things you’ll want to consider before buying a leather leash.
Why Use a Leather Leash?
A leash made with leather material provides the best combination of style, comfort, and durability. They're a step up from nylon leashes that break easily while looking more stylish and not as "harsh" looking like a chain leash.
Leather leashes are sturdy enough to hold on to even the most energetic of dogs. And while they're not wholly chew-proof, they hold up to it pretty well. Leather material is also comfortable to touch, especially after a few months when it has adapted to the shape of your hand.
The only downside of leather is that it needs a bit more maintenance than nylon or chain. A regular application of leather condition will do wonders in maintaining its look and durability.
Types of Leashes
There are many different kinds of leashes available on the market. What you pick will come down to your dog’s breed and how you like to walk your dog.
Standard leashes
This is the most common type of leash and is available in a wider variety of materials. They come in a range of fixed lengths from 4 to 8 feet and are suitable for regular walks. They provide a good range of motion, as well as a decent amount of control over your dog.
Adjustable leashes
A step up from standard leashes, adjustable leashes allow you to shorten or extended the length to suit your needs. They work by adding or removing extra loops to increase the total length of your leash by up to 6 feet. This versatility allows you to use a shorter leash for dog training, or a longer length for casual walks, for instance.
Retractable leashes
For those who want to adjust the length of their leashes on the fly, a retractable leash is a good pick. This works similar to a retractable measuring tape, with a locking mechanism to keep your leash at a set length.
However, retractable leashes give you a little less control compared to a standard or adjustable leash. Some also put your dog at risk of rope burn, making these leashes a bit controversial among dog experts.
Special purpose leashes
Aside from the standard ones, there are plenty of specialized leashes that are fantastic in certain situations.
An example is the bike leash, which is an adjustable leash that attaches to your bike’s frame. This allows your dog to run alongside you while you read a bicycle, and the adjustable length gives them a safe distance buffer to catch up or slow down.
For road trips, a seat belt leash is essential. This is a shorter leash that is designed to attach to your car's seat belt. This allows your dog to sit securely in place without resorting to a crate or cage while you drive.
If you’re serious in training your dog, using a long line leash is a great option. This can extend up to 150 feet long and is essential for training your dog in long sits or recalls. It gives you plenty of distance from your dog, without losing too much control.
Final Thoughts
To be honest, we had quite a hard time picking the best leather dog leash in this review. The fact is that we were overwhelmed with the number of quality options out there, and each is as durable and functional as the other.
We hope our review has helped shine a little light on this sophisticated corner of the dog leash world. Let us know in the comments which you choose. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
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