I wouldn't usually post on Xmas day but had a problem on our walk this morning when my rott boy lunged after some birds on the beach and his lead broke.  he had a braw time rampaging through the water chasing birds but if it had been a cat near a busy road the outcome could have been devastating.

It was a flexi lead but before the flexi haters jump in about the horrors of flexi leads, it was locked quite short and the bit that broke was the swivel metal bit that attaches the spring clip to the metal bit on the lead.  I don't know what it is called but it was the metal bits that join the fabric lead to the metal. 

I am well aware that lunging is a training issue and it is one that we are working on but I am looking for a an indestructable lead.  Are there leads that don't have the metal swivel bit so there is only one metal piece?  I have a number of leads in the house that I use with them but they will all be vulnerable to the problem I had with this one.  I don't want a slip lead either as he wears a headcollar so I need something that I can attach the headcollar to.

Any suggrestions?

Horses lungeing rein?
You might be able to shorten to the length that you require but
if those can hold a horse should be able to cope with the weight of a Rottie?

> Horses lungeing rein?

Aaah, the simple solutions are the best.  Thanks for that.  I will have a look.

These are very good as they absorb any sudden jolts and also help to avoid possible handler shoulder injuries: http://www.collarways.co.uk/pages/wacky-walkr/4004

You could use the "X'tension" with a lunging rein/long-line or an extending lead, but I'd attach to a harness rather than a headcollar, or normal collar for that matter, to avoid any possible neck injuries.

I used a harness and long line on my girl that pulls a bit, though saying that she's fine off lead in a safe area as the breed isn't one that goes off thankfully.

Pedlee, these look great but I am looking for something with a bit of length so he has a bit of freedom.  I would also like less 'bits', hoping that the less bits the less that can go wrong though.  I like the idea of them though and would consider them for my other girl who walks great on the lead but has a habit of stopping dead to sniff trees and the like.

Police training lead

Daisy, i use these for normal walks but even they have the swivel bit on the clasp and that is the bit that broke today. I generally like flexi leads but it was the swivel bit rather than the flexi mechanism that failed.

I struggle with long lines as I walk both dogs at once and cant manage a long line with one hand.

CC,

Is there anything on this site that would be of use to you? They would need to be of a certain strength and durability to be used for Police dogs.
http://www.niton999.co.uk/shop/category_show_Leads-And-Harnesses.html

I use these for my boys, they have withstood a lot considering the size and power behind a pulling dog
http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/item--The-HALTI-Training-Lead--haltilead

I use the halti one for my girl (as recommended on here) but will have a look at the police site and see if there is anything suitable.

Every time there is a dog attack it reinforces that we all need to ensure that our dogs are ambassadors for the breed and that the training/exercise kit I use has to be appropriate and effective so I will take some time to find the right equipment. 

I think I will go back to the makers of the flexi leads too, as the metal should not have worn down to the point that it could come off in less than a year.  It was a giant breed one that cost around £40 and is for dogs up to 75kg.  I am sure this is around 11 stone and there is no way my boy is anything like that (I think he is about 8 stone).

http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/en-uk/d8.html

I use the leather encased in a rubber sleeve type and have never had a problem.