Hi all,

I've always used bridle leather leads from pet-needs.  They are excellent.  Unfortunately I've developed some kind of allergy on my hands, and the only things left to eliminate are the dog leads.  I'm wondering if it could be the oil that the leads were treated with - it's a long shot because I've been using these same leads for 8 years and I've only had the allergy for 2 years, but my skin is so bad that I really have to try and get to the bottom of the problem.  So, I thought I'd try another 'brand' of leather lead (can't do nylon, they really tear my hands to pieces, and even if the dogs don't pull, I don't feel as confident using them).  Are there any companies you would recommend?  My only requirements are that they are soft to the touch, but relatively strong.

Thanks,

Clare

And Kangaroo leather?  I've seen this on the Essenjay website, can anyone tell me if this is soft and kind to the hands?

I like lambskin for my Toy breed. It feels soft for sure. Not sure what size your dogs are but the lambskin seems to be wearing well for ours.
You can get the leads and collars from Petcetera.

Thanks, they look great :-)  My dogs are Labs, and since it says for Toy breeds/puppies, I probably need something stronger.... just in case they decide to take off after a cat when they're on lead!!  I will definitely bookmark the link for any future puppy shopping I might need to do ;-)

for everyday use have you tried a halti lead ?  nice soft fabric I have three and have a flatcoat and gsd. Good very strong leads havnt had one break yet.Kangaroo leather ones arnt strong enough for these type of breeds I enquired to essenjay

I know you said not nylon but these
http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/horse-clothing/horsewear/lead-ropes/cottage-craft-comfy-lead-rope.html
don't feel anything like the usual nylon skin rippers and if they are strong enough for a horse......................... not bad price either :-D

My lead is actually a horse lead rope, looks like this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Value-German-Horse-Cotton-Leadrope-Lead-Rein-with-Brass-Trigger-Hook-/160880981311?pt=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=460114772968&hash=item257540f53f

Pretty cheap too. Very strong, quite long, and very comfortable to hold.

I use Outhwaites gundog trigger hook rope leads.  I walk six of mine together and the 12mm soft rope doesn't hurt my hands and gives me good grip, nice and warm too.

dogmatic do really good strong leads,they make a training lead which is very flexible but also has non slip grip rubbery type coating easily held on to in wet horrible weather and just the thing for large strong breeds. I wouldnt buy any other leads after using these for walking GSD .

>  My dogs are Labs, and since it says for Toy breeds/puppies, I probably need something stronger.... just in case they decide to take off after a cat when they're on lead!!

Oh yes, quite right! I use much stronger collars for my large breed. Actually I've had some nice collars from Petiquette who do a couple of different types of leather. Might be worth a look.

I use a leather half check collar and matching lead from 'Dogs & co'. They are excellent quality. I have noticed on their website that they also do a rolled leather gun dog slip lead which I would imagine would be fairly kind to hands. I suffer with Eczema so know how horrible it is to walk strong dogs with very sore hands.

I have the softline leads from Essenjay, beautifully soft from the outset.

> And Kangaroo leather?

> can anyone tell me if this is soft and kind to the hands? <IMG class=qButton title="Quote selected text" alt="Quote selected text" src="/images/mi_quote.gif" width=20 height=10>

Defintely not, it's plaited and not soft to handle.

Hi Clare

I know you mentioned that you want leather but it might be worth having a look at leads from the Kumfi company (Kumfi.com).  I never thought I would say this, but I actually prefer these to leather.  They are very strong, soft, non slippery and really comfortable to handle.  I have both the 'Dual Action' type and the 'Handy' type and find them excellent for my two very strong and active Flatcoats.  They come in a variety of widths and colours, look smart and seem to last for ever.  They wash well and come up like new every time.  I recently borrowed someone's very nice heavy duty leather lead and found it very heavy and quite unwieldy in comparison to my Kumfi versions

My hands get very sore and dry, especially in the winter but these leads do not aggravate that.

Good luck with your search, hope you find the right thing for you.

Blay

Clare is this for general usage or for the show ring? Of the latter then kangaroo and other soft leathers would be sufficient...
What about rope type slip leads, could your hands cope with that and then use a halti or similar if required?

have a look at Hessonite (now the Showdog Company) http://www.theshowdogcompany.co.uk

or Original Handlers--not everything is too dressy/girly etc for big gundogs like Eddie and Melvin!

> for everyday use have you tried a halti lead ?

I'm another halti lead fan, very soft and comfy but thick and strong and really easy to hold on to. I find they give a much better grip than leather, as well as being much softer. I love the different rings on them too for different length leads or slinging round your neck/ clipping round your waist.

The lady from essenjay is very helpful, it would be worth your while contacting her! I have a collar from her, rather usefully I've forgotten what kind of leather it is but she recommended it on the basis that it didn't need oiling even though my dogs swim a lot. Pup is 30+kg so its strong stuff. Send her an email! :)

Oh, forgot to add the reason I suggest it is because its a very soft leather as well as being very strong.