I'm looking for a new show lead as my thin resco one is a bit too flimsy now for my bitch in the ring. I have a leather one from Jubilee Leather which is lovely to hold but slightly too large for her. I've just bought a nylon half check which she responds well to, but can't seem to find good shops online that do more sturdier half checks that are both nice but won't break the bank (my leather one cost about £35!).

Any favourites?

Does it matter if the lead is flimsy in the ring only? Just asking because we show Malinois on the exact same leather leads I have for every day normal use for the Papillons -they are about 5 mm wide that's all, yet even 35 kg male dogs haven't managed to break them yet. You don't get the same kind of pulling in the ring that can happen at walks. :) For Paps I use 3 mm leather.

Leather every time. We've always had leather show sets from Accolade (sadly no longer trading). Our latest one came from Essenjay Leather Supplies, they're at Ch shows, it was about £45 but will last forever and worth every penny.

I have only tried hessonite but have been very pleased with them. Not sure what mm mine are but they are very thin indeed and no strong greyhound has broken one yet. Incidentally, I did see someone handling a large, strong dog recently in a very nice lead - it was quite thick and more like a rope. anyone any clues as to where i could find similar?

I buy my show leads from Deva dogware, they have a website (when it's working) and are at some of the champ shows. Not sure how sturdy / wide a lead they do, mine are toys so have quite narrow leads.

The lead I was using was so thin that it offered me no control in the ring, so although the leads I have are only slightly thicker, they are also still quite thin.  So don't mind thin leads, just a bit more substantial with a half check on them, as well as being able to last. I liked the look of the beaded ones, does anyone rate them?

I use either an all in one half check collar and lead made of fine webbing, I bought them at Crufts, my newest girl does best on a loose fine chain wth seperate lead which I vary depending on the colour of the dog