I have just purchased a rolled leather show lead. It is rather stiff at the moment, so do any of you have any ideas how I can soften it up without ruining it? Thanks

Fiona and Saffy

I use either 'Hide Food' or vegetable oil :-)

Wear it!

Sounds silly I know but if it is long enough to go over your shoulder or round your waist you will keep fiddling with it - this is one of the best ways to soften them. Oiling also helps but it is the rubbing in that does most of the softening.

Christine

I find Saddle Soap softens lleather very well

Thanks everyone. I will try some of these.

Fiona and Saffy

Sorry to highjack your thread... but i was wondering if there was a specific type of show lead that you need for certain breeds of dog?
I have staffords, and i know that the prefered is the stafford knot coloars and leads, but they can only be got through mail order - and i have seen the breed shown on other leads, one that looks like a slip-colar and lead? Hope this makes sense, adn hope someone can help me...

Alex

Hi Alex

Most of the Staffies that I have seen are shown on fancy leather leads with all the brass bits etc. Not too chunky either ...

Cockers are shown on thinish material weaved leads with like a slip knot (not very good at explaining things sorry).

Lots of Breeds are shown on little gold check chains which look very nice. My friend with her Newfies shows hers on these but a big stronger than say for a Toy !! hahaha

Nickie is going to be a Richmond if it is close to you on Sunday :D :D

HTH

Dessie :D :D

HI Dessie,

Thanks for the reply - i know the leads you mean for the staffords, rather like them too - but was just wondering if there were any alternatives really!

How are you?
And Nicki - and her 2?

Real shame, would have loved to go to richmond to meet her, and drool over the lovely doggies - but am chained to my desk due to the fact that my dissertation has to be in in 7 days and i am still only half way through the writing up!!!!

Have put a couple of new pics on the piccie site if you, (or anyone else) wants to see how my boy is growing up!?!

Alex x

Hi Alex

Your welcome :D :D

I think these are probably the best collars/leads to use as lots of Staffie exhibitors seem to be almost stringing up their dogs at the Champ Show ie keeping a tight hold of the lead above the dogs head which helps keep the head up ....

Good luck with your dissertation :)

We are all fine - I'm still on Cloud 9 after Douglas' great wins the other weekend. I had a lovely Certificate in the post yesterday showing that he won Best Puppy in Show and the date, judge etc.

Nickie has been away in the UK for a month now .. She comes back on the 11 so it will be nice to catch up with her and see how the girls are :D

BFN

Dessie :D :D

Derryn

Although many Cockers are shown with a nylon weave lead - many are shown with leather. My own for axmple:D and others that I know.

The material for the lead comes down to personal preference. I find leather much softer to hold so that when they are bouncing around - my hands don't get cut to ribbons.

The type of lead used is one that suits the dog and shows it's attributes and character well. Colour is also something to consider. It needs to compliment the dog and not clash or appear to cut it into two.

oh and a final thought - cost - they can be extortionate!!

hth

Pam n the boys

We use several different types, but the favourites are the Resco cordo-hyde ones. They come in a small range of 'natural' colours, and several different widths. Thye look a little like leather at a glance, but are actually a sort of waxed webbing like fabric. Very strong, easy to operate sliding device to alter the neck part, and they fold up in your hand neatly, becasue they are semi-stiff they you can easily find your ideal length each time you are ready to move the dog, wit;hout having to sort of reel-in feet of lead. Also use very fine leather with the dogs who need a choke chain.

Original question about softening leather - traditional method with bridle/saddle leather is to luse Neatsfoot Oil, available in saddlers. This will darken the leather a lot, but softens, helps make it supple and waterproofs. It does smell, though. If you warm it slightly it helps it soak in quicker (note, only warm slightly, once almost fried a brand new show bridle accidentally!)
Gwen

Pam

Yes some Cocker people do use the leather show leads, but I find the weaved ones great, and if you get the correct one they aren't hard on your hands :) You also have a great selection of different colours with these which I'm not sure if you would get in the leather ones :D The cost is probably a third of the Leather Leads as well.

Bart is shown on a Royal Blue Lead, Douglas has a Black and a Lilac Lead, Sebastian was shown on a Beige/Natural Lead.

Maybe when I take Douglas to Crufts next year I might buy him a posh Leather Lead.

Dessie

You can get very soft leather leads that are this way to start with

Christine

Best way to soften leather is to buy Neatsfoot Oil from saddlers, put some in a dish and put it in the microwave until pretty warm, just paint onto leather with brush or soft cloth and it will soak straight in, oil a few times and it will become soft - I make bridles for horses and find it the best and quickest way

lorraine