I am looking for a comfortable lead for ME, I thought I had cracked it when i recently bought a rubber handled one with webbing leash part, but if my dog pulls away for any reason I end up with "rope burns" on my hand as the lead runs through. 

So, any ideas on a material which could work, I usually hold the handle in the hand opposite my dog and then hold the leash part in my other, so it goes across the front of my body, if this info is of any practical use to anyone.    Are the neoprene leads any good?

You can't beat leather but it needs to be proper, expensive soft leather, not the harsh kind you tend to find in most petshops. A good leather lead will cost you at least £20 but will last the lifetimes of several dogs and just get nicer and nicer with use.

I can only echo MarianneB's comment.  I won't use anything else but good quality leather leads.  Expensive but they do literally last a lifetime.  I prefer the plaited ones rather than those with the clasps stitched on.  I have some that I still use that were purchased in 1992 :-o I have even unplaited them and replaced the clasps when they went rusty (being soaked in seawater doesn't do them any good).  I replaced them with brass clasps and they are still going strong.  Kind on (y)our hands too :-)

The Halti training lead is quite comfortable and, as it's quite long, it suits the sort of cross body holding you describe.  In fact I sometime walk my non puller with the lead over my head on the opposite shoulder (a bit like a messenger bag if that makes sense?).  I don't ever walk with it fully extended but it's really handy for hooking him up somewhere when I need to - for his post walk wash for instance, or when to grappling 2 dogs and the poo pick up!

The Halti is my 'all purpose' walking lead as it doesn't mind mud, water or brambles either :)  I have leads for every occasion - it's another of my dog buying habits...

I use the round webbing leads - they look like rope, but coloured.  I have one for each of my dogs in a different colour to match their collars :-D

Bought mine at Wilkinsons years ago and they are still going strong, I also have thinner ones now since I'm carrying three in the same hand and have very small hands, got a bargain with those, £1 each in Tesco instead of £6    

I think it very much depends though on the size of your dog and whether they are prone to pulling/lunging.  you can get away with lightweight leads with my 10k dogs, but may need a different kind of lead for a much larger dog ;)

Leather training lead for me I have all my 5dogs on leather leads. some of the leads I have had over twenty years.  worth the money.

I use rope leads made by Outhwaites rope makers.

I find them comfy, don't hurt my hands and are squishy and I can manage quite happily with five of them in my hand at once.

I find leather slippery when wet, and takes ages to get soft when new.

I have the most gorgeous leather training lead that I bought at crufts a few years back.  It cost an arm and a leg and was made by a german ( i think) man. He was hand making them there.

I love it so much, I don't use it enough as I tend to have mine on rope slips for general use, but I will often use it just to justify having it.  Sad I know, but it is my most favourite lead lol !

I have a leather lead with chamfered edges, about half and inch wide and quite thick and it is so supple from use. 

It has the plaited ends and brass catch.  Now if I could get another one already like that ;) 

I bought one made of a non slip synthetic rein material to use as a show lead, ti is bright blue, and is Inka's show lead.

Now I would love a leather training lead - I adore leather, but don't have the finances!
I have a tin of Neat's Foot Oil which is a great investment if you have leather tack for your dogs - it makes it really supple, waterproof, and a lead treated with it will literally last years, probably more than one dog's lifetime. Especially needed here by the sea, as salt water does tend to dry out leather and/or rot any stitching over time. For that reason I also prefer solid brass fittings where possible.

As a compromise, I find the Halti training leads already mentioned very useful and comfortable - or a Mekuti double-ended lead.

Mine are just the cheapy nylon or whatever ones, they seem to work ok...

Rope leads from Wilkinson's here also.  Last years and I have one puller and never had rope burn.

I have the most gorgeous leather training lead that I bought at crufts a few years back.  It cost an arm and a leg and was made by a german ( i think) man. He was hand making them there.

I bought my replacement brass clasps from him :-)  Didn't need the leads as well at the time but do remember thinking they were lovely. 

My favourite lead is also the Halti lead. I've never actually used Halti's, but the Halti lead is double length and excellent if you should perhaps lose one lead whilst out, have been known to unclip the lead and clip both dogs onto the one. Plenty of length, very soft material, and I've used mine daily for about 4 years (so far).

Leather does sound good I have to say... both mine have leather collars, wouldn't use anything else now. They put up with regular swimming & have never had any problems with good quality black. Got a lovely pink leather collar for my bitch once, and it leeched pink dye all over her lovely light gold coat....!!! Got my boy's collar about 4 years ago, after he had broken I don't know how many nylon ones with the plastic catches. It's a bit old looking now, but is soft as anything and I'm sure will last another 4 years!

That's the thing with leather, strong as anything, but quite hard to start with, goes lovely and soft with age.

Have got quite a collection of collars and leads now, no point in getting rid as good to use for new puppies or any other dogs who may just come along....:).

I have Rogz leads they are extremely comfortable to hold, length suits also to hold as you describe, leather training leads were a favorite but found the majority too heavy for my dogs. The Rogz come in a range of colours, each dog has their own pattern here so if releasing its easy to identify the correct dog.

I have always used leather for my gsd's, they last a lifetime and IMHO can't be beaten. We use Halti training leads for new members at dog club, as they are versatile and soft to the hands.

I wouldn't be without leather leads. I buy mine from Essenjay, the softline ones. Beautiful and so soft on the hands.

Essenjay

We save up for an item at a time unless I am feeling very very flush :)

Beautiful leads and collars--hard to know what to pick!

i use the same as DILL also from Wilkinsons..we have JRT and a Cav. Never had any problems with these.

That's the ones, Feel some new Softline leads will need to be justified some way ;)

Now black or brown?

I like the halti taining lead too. I do have leather the same as the police use when we tried a training class  run by an ex policedog handler.  I think I need to try some of that neets oil I just dont find it comfortably and if Whispa pulls it hurts my hands

I'm currently lusting after some of the rounded leather leads from Glenwood, after walking a friend's dogs on them at Border Union. Good prices too, and if you mention the Collienet site you get them slightly cheaper too.

'Unfortunately' the lead I thought had been mislaid to justify my purchase has re-surfaced. I do have a very bad lead habit, so I might go ahead anyway ...

M.

I think you mean Toon and Linda van Drunen.  They are from Holland.  They usually have a stand at Crufts, and I also found them again at the World Show in Stockholm.  My friend that was with me never has any other make of lead.

Their leather goods are unsurpassable, and last for many years.  I also have leather leads bought from shows in Norway which suit me as they have the Swedish designed clips that are easier for my fumbly fingers, and harder to accidentally open.  I also have a Deva leather collar and lead set which is very good.

Quality, soft leather is kinder to hands than anything, and doesn't get slippery when wet.

I totally agree with the other posts that you can't beat leather leads,we have various ones made for showing and general excerise all by the local saddler they are lovely and comfy to use today I had to give a display with our Boxer and our group has to have red webbing leads,my hands are sore now so i would go for a leather one.

> I think I need to try some of that neets oil I just dont find it comfortably and if Whispa pulls it hurts my hands

Just thought I should mention that Neatsfoot Oil is an animal product - it's oil made from cows' hooves - in case anyone reading has a moral or ethical objection to using it (mind you leather is an animal product too!). But it does make leather very supple. A large tin fom a saddlery shop is less than £5. I apply a lot and let it soak in, or even pour a little into a small tub and coat the collar or lead thoroughly. Then the next day carefully wipe off the excess with paper towel and keep wiping until no more grease comes off, working the leather in my hands as I do so. They can go quite some time without needing another treatment; indeed a lead belonging to my mother was just a normal cheap stiff-ish leather lead from a pet shop bought 30 years ago, but I treated it when new, and it became really soft & supple. I don't think it had another treatment and was still in use when her last dog died about 4 years ago.

Sounds just what I need looks like a trip to the saddlery asap would be nice to have a soft leather lead it cost £20 which I thought was expensive so would like to enjoy using it.
Thanks

> Sounds just what I need looks like a trip to the saddlery asap would be nice to have a soft leather lead it cost £20 which I thought was expensive so would like to enjoy using it. Thanks

You're welcome :)
It's quite an old-fashioned thing these days, and perhaps there are more modern leather treatments out there that do the job as well, but while looking for it again a few years ago I got sold something instead that really didn't do the job. I am not keen on trying any modern leather treatments unless someone can suggest anything, they are usually more expensive as well, and maybe I'm being old & stubborn but if it ain't broke don't fix it :) Mine's in an orange tin bottle - Vanner & Prest Neatsfoot Compound (Carr & Day & Martin).

I can't get on with leather leads at all and I have had several. My leads often get soaking wet and just dry out in a heap in the car,  I find leather goes hard in these circumstances. I use the halti training lead already mentioned. It's a beautiful soft webbing and long enough to clip two dogs onto if you have to. I chuck them in the washing machine now and again and have had the same ones for several years now.

I also use halti training leads ..you have good control and can extend it in areas where you want to give a bit more freedom then when you release it can carry it by clipping it across your body, as we have 3 its much easier than carrying a handful of leads.

If you are just looking for a lead I brought a leading rain from a saddler's it is very soft and it doesn't hurt your hands if the dog pulls. It was a fraction on the cost of a dog lead and now wouldn't use anything else. I had a leather one but it used to slide through my fingers when he pulled and he is very strong.

Oooooooh you lot are talkign my language lol - I rediscovered a leather lead I made about mmm, 5 years ago in a cupboard. Not actually the best leather (thin bridle shoulder) as its gone all scruffy down the edges but sooooooooooooooooo soft.

I prefer leather leads (i would, i make them) - but tell me, why do most of my dogs have horrid webbing ones?? I must get on and make some more leather ones!

Whilst we are on teh topic - who prefers a loose ring in the handle so that you can halve the length of the lead - I am never sure if people like them 'as standard' or not. (I do, but I also prefer a five/six foot lead as standard rather than the 4ft ones most people like).

a couple of other things whilst im here - (insomnia!)...

Dont soak leather in oil - leather is a bunch of fibres all packed together densely. You soften it by some oil, some moving it around in your hands - if you soften it by soaking in oil you can make those fibres swell up too much and really ruin it. Top quality leather usually survives it a few times... poorer quality (and most of the leather available in the dog sector of the pet trade is very low quality) leather goes spongey and horrid, stretches and breaks. So go easy - rub your hands with a little oil and then play wtih the leather letting the warmth of your hands do the work.

DONT use saddle soap - i have boxes and boxes of leather around the house, some new, some ancient, some middle aged - some used some not at all. The only items that have ever gone mouldy... are those that have had glycerine based saddle soap on them. It isnt good for leather - it is good for making things look dark and shiny, which isnt what you want!

> who prefers a loose ring in the handle so that you can halve the length of the lead

I do - it makes it so easy to clip the lead around a post or even a chair leg :)

> DONT use saddle soap - i have boxes and boxes of leather around the house, some new, some ancient, some middle aged - some used some not at all. The only items that have ever gone mouldy... are those that have had glycerine based saddle soap on them. It isnt good for leather - it is good for making things look dark and shiny, which isnt what you want!

That's really interesting, and something I'd never thought of. I always clean my dog leads with saddle soap when I'm cleaning the horses' tack, and they are always lovely and soft. I've never had them go mouldy - but they are used every day and cleaned once a week. But then I HAVE seen tack go mouldy when it has been saddle soaped and badly stored.

What do you think is really the very best thing to treat leather leads with?

I go for Dogmatic non-slip ones every time.  They are essentially a leather lead encased in rubber (except for the handle) that has nodules all over it.  The dog can pull all it likes and the lead will not slip through your hands making blisters, segs, burns or any other wound to your hand and fingers. 

Mild detergent that will dissolve grease - so in practice the tiniest dash of washing up liquid in some warm water. Clean well with a soft cloth, dry, and then use a really small amount of fat/wax based stuff.

I use Sedgewicks leather conditioner because I buy sedgewicks leather, i figure they know whats good for their own leather, and that is a solid 'balm' made from fats and beeswax, the fat softens and the wax keeps out excess moisture. I rub that on with my bare hands (smells a bit um, 'animally' but its worth it) and then polish off a bit later with a soft cloth.

Thanks :-)

theemax, i have sent you a PM :)