This might be a totally daft question :D but I've been advised that consideration should be given to the colour of the lead used when showing.  Can one of you experienced show people please advise me whether this is true and if so what is the point of it, or am I just getting my leg pulled! :P  Thanks.

i always use a dark coloured lead for my white girl and a light coloured lead for my dark girl, the reason being it makes my girls stand out against the lead.  i also tend to use something that matches my outfit but will also compilment my girls!!!  could just be me tho!!!

A bit of a complicated one! Different breeds have different trends, but in mine you wouldn't use a black collar and lead with a liver dog, or a brown collar and lead with a black dog. Some people use red or blue collars and leads - red looks flash against sparkling white and black, and is psychologically the 'winning' colour, like the red rosette; but in general most people want the equipment to be as unobtrusive as possible.

What colour is your dog?

I choose a lead that will disappear into my dogs and not spoil their outline! :)

If I were to chose a lead colour to influence the judge subconsciously JG it would be white fringed with green, not just red :D

The dog is pale cream JG - not mine, he belongs to a friend.

Then I'd go for pale cream or light tan - something that won't stand out like a sore thumb and make its neck look stuffy and its shoulders upright.

I would always try and choose a lead as close as possible to the dogs colour - and as thin as possible so it almost looks as if the dog doesn't have a lead on at all. White for white dogs, black for black dogs. Choosing a contrasting colour may make your lead look pretty but can sometimes make your dogs neck look shorter imo.

Thanks very much for your help. :)  Does anyone know a good source of supply for show leads (other than the shows themselves)?

Hi,
I use Accolade for all my show leads.  http://www.accoladeleathercraft.com/httpsdocs/erol.html 
Their leads are good and they are quick to deliver.

Sarah.

Essenjay, really good.
essenjayleathersupplies.co.uk

Either choose a lead that blends into the dogs coat OR a lead that will break up the dog (bright/bold/opposite colour to dog, in order to exagerate or hide faults (make a neck shorter by placing the lead halfway round the neck or make the neck longer by having a lead that matches the dog over the shoulders has always been a known thing ;)

All my show leads are black as I have black dogs.
I like the 'rolled' leather type leads that will sit under the coat rather than on top as the flat ones can sometimes spoil the outline of the neck and shoulders.  Everyone has their preference.

I did once show my black dog on a pink lead for a joke, as I knew that the judge hated the colour pink!! :) :) He saw the funny side!!

I was recommended the accolade leather and have a brilliant set for my older dog.  For the younger one I have a soft braid. www.luxwaycanine.com tel 01303 812440 - they are great at giving advice over the phone.  And as for colour like most here I use a dark lead to blend in with my dog.  I always imagine the pretty coloured ones are for toy dogs but no doubt someone will put me right lol

Louise

Thanks everyone - have passed info on. :)