Here Are the Best Dog Leashes: Verified

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: November 18, 2022
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Choosing the best dog leash will help you safely take your pup out for walks without fear of them breaking off of their leash and escaping. The best dog leashes will also help you maintain control of your dog in crowded situations while giving them a bit more freedom to explore and sniff when it is safe to do so.

There are so many different dog leashes on the market that it can feel very overwhelming trying to decide which one is right for your dog. We’ve put together reviews of some of the best leashes out there to help you select the one that will keep both you and your dog happy. Continue reading to discover our top picks, including our #1 overall choice!

  1. FunTags 6FT- 4FT Reflective Nylon Dog Leash with Soft Padded Handle
    • Budget-friendly
    • Strong and durable
    • Made of high-density nylon webbing
    • Features reflective threading for higher visibility in low light
    • Padded handle protects your hands from rope burns
    Check Amazon
  2. Logical Leather Dog Leash Water Resistant Leather Lead
    • Made of soft, full-grain leather
    • Durable and long-lasting
    • The handle is designed to help you keep control of your pet
    • The leather resists water damage
    • Features a solid-brass clasp to attach to your dog's collar or harness
    Check Amazon
  3. Ladoogo Reflective Nylon Dog Collar Padded with Soft Neoprene Dog Collars
    • Designed to be comfortable and breathable and features neoprene padding
    • Easy to put on and remove
    • Features a quick-release buckle and a metal D-ring to attach the leash
    • The leash is 5 feet long and constructed from durable, tangle-free climbing rope
    • The collar and the leash include reflective threads to make your pet more visible in low light
    Check Amazon
  4. TUG Tiny 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash with Anti-Slip Handle
    • Well-constructed
    • Budget-friendly
    • Available in 4 sizes
    • The leads are 16 feet long (10 feet for the tiny size)
    • Features a tangle-free mechanism so your dog won't get caught up in the lead
    Check Amazon
  5. iYoShop Dual Dog Leash 360 Swivel No Tangle
    • Available in two sizes
    • 360-degree swivel clasp prevents leashes from tangling
    • Features a shock-absorbing bungee lead so you won't feel like your dog is pulling you
    • You can extend the bungee for more freedom or retract it for more control
    • Made of heavy-duty climbing rope
    Check Amazon

The Top Picks for the Best Dog Leash: Ranked

1. Overall Best: FunTags Reflective Nylon Dog Leash

Our choice for the overall best is the FunTags Reflective Nylon Dog Leash. In addition to being a budget-friendly choice, this leash is also very strong and durable. The nylon fabric features a high-density webbing to keep it intact and prevent dogs from escaping. It also has reflective threading for increased visibility in low lighting conditions.

A padded handle is integrated into the design to keep the owner comfortable and prevent rope burn. The leash also features a 360-degree rotating swivel clasp to ensure the leash doesn’t tangle or twist to provide dogs with the freedom to comfortably explore.

This leash comes in two different lengths and two different widths to accommodate small and large dogs: 4 feet by 3/4 inches, 4 feet by 1 inch, 6 feet by ¾ inches, and 6 feet by 1 inch. It is also available in 12 different colors to match your dog’s harness or collar. A few of the color choices include: red, purple, orange, black, and turquoise.

Some pet parents said that the stitching wasn’t very durable and that the padding on the handle isn’t sufficient.

Pros and Cons of the FunTags Reflective Nylon Dog Leash

ProsCons
This budget-friendly option is also strong and durable.Some buyers said that the stitching isn’t very durable.
It features high-density webbing for strength and reflective threading for increased visibility in low light.The padding on the handle may be insufficient.
It’s available in two lengths and widths to accommodate small and large dogs and comes in 12 colors.
Overall Best
FunTags 6FT- 4FT Reflective Nylon Dog Leash with Soft Padded Handle
  • Budget-friendly
  • Strong and durable
  • Made of high-density nylon webbing
  • Features reflective threading for higher visibility in low light
  • Padded handle protects your hands from rope burns
Check Amazon

2. Best Leather: Logical Leather Dog Leash

Splurge a bit for your pup with this Logical Leather Dog Leash. The full-grain leather leash is designed to be durable and long-lasting. It features a professional-grade handle to help you keep control of your pup and assist in training.

The leather material is easy to care for and resists water damage. It is also soft and comfortable to hold while you’re walking your dog, though some buyers said that the leather was thin and stiff. This leash also includes a solid brass clasp to ensure a secure connection to your dog’s collar or harness.

You can purchase this leather leash in 4-, 5-, or 6-foot lengths. It comes in 11 color options including brown, blue, purple, and black. Another customer complaint was that some of the colors didn’t match the photo.

Pros and Cons of the Logical Leather Dog Leash

ProsCons
This leash is made of full-grain leather that resists water damage.Some buyers said that the leather was thin and stiff.
It’s designed to be durable and long lasting and features a professional-grade handle.A few customers said that the color they purchased didn’t match the color in the photo.
It’s soft and comfortable to hold.
This leather leash features a solid-brass clasp to ensure a secure connection to your dog’s collar or harness.
It’s available in 4-, 5-, or 6-foot lengths and comes in 11 colors.
Best Leather
Logical Leather Dog Leash Water Resistant Leather Lead
  • Made of soft, full-grain leather
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • The handle is designed to help you keep control of your pet
  • The leather resists water damage
  • Features a solid-brass clasp to attach to your dog's collar or harness
Check Amazon

3. Best Collar and Leash Combo: Ladoogo Reflective Dog Collar and Leash Set

If you need a collar and a leash for your dog, consider the Ladoogo Reflective Dog Collar and Leash Set. The collar is designed to be comfortable and breathable for dogs and features neoprene padding. It is also designed to be easy to put on and take off and features a quick-release buckle. A metal D-ring is included in the collar’s design to provide a spot to hook up the included leash. Some buyers were dissatisfied with the sizing, with some saying that the collar is too small and others claiming that it is too large.

The leash in this set is 5 feet long and is made from a durable climbing rope material. It features a tangle-free design and hook.

Both the collar and the leash include reflective threads for increased visibility after dark. There are eight different color options available for this set. A few of the choices include: blue, red, black, and purple.

Pros and Cons of the Ladoogo Reflective Dog Collar and Leash Set

ProsCons
The collar features comfortable, breathable neoprene padding and it’s designed to be easy to put on and take off with a quick-release buckle.Some pet parents said that the collar is too small, while others aid that it’s too large.
You can attach the included leash to the collar’s attached metal D-ring.
The leash is 5 feet long and constructed from a durable climbing rope material. It also features a tangle-free design and hook.
The collar and the leash, which come in eight different colors, feature reflective threads for increased visibility in low light.
Best Collar and Leash Combo
Ladoogo Reflective Nylon Dog Collar Padded with Soft Neoprene Dog Collars
  • Designed to be comfortable and breathable and features neoprene padding
  • Easy to put on and remove
  • Features a quick-release buckle and a metal D-ring to attach the leash
  • The leash is 5 feet long and constructed from durable, tangle-free climbing rope
  • The collar and the leash include reflective threads to make your pet more visible in low light
Check Amazon

4. Best Retractable: TUG 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash

Our overall top pick for the best retractable dog leash is the TUG 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash. This is a well-constructed retractable leash that is sure to perform as desired, but it is also reasonably priced making it a budget-friendly option.

The leash comes in four different sizes: tiny (for dogs under 26 pounds), small (for dogs under 35 pounds), medium (for dogs under 55 pounds), and large (for large dogs under 110 pounds). Each leash has a 16-foot adjustable lead (or 10-foot lead for the tiny size). The lead features a tangle-free mechanism to prevent dogs from getting caught up in the lead.

Use your thumb to easily lock or release the lead to maintain control of your dog or give him additional freedom depending on the specific situation. The handle features an ergonomic design to keep handlers comfortable. There are seven different color options available: black, blue, green, gray, red, white, and white/orange.

Some buyers reported design issues, such as problems with the spring mechanism and not having a leash extender.

Pros and Cons of the TUG 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash with Anti-Slip Handle 

ProsCons
This retractable dog leash is available in four sizes to accommodate dogs under 26 pounds and under 110 pounds.Some buyers reported design issues, including problems with the spring mechanism and not having a leash extender.
With the exception of the tiny size, which has a 10-foot lead, each leash has a 16-foot adjustable lead that features a tangle-free mechanism.
It’s available in the following colors: black, blue, green, gray, red, white, and white/orange.
Best Retractable
TUG Tiny 360° Tangle-Free Retractable Dog Leash with Anti-Slip Handle
  • Well-constructed
  • Budget-friendly
  • Available in 4 sizes
  • The leads are 16 feet long (10 feet for the tiny size)
  • Features a tangle-free mechanism so your dog won't get caught up in the lead
Check Amazon

5. Best Double Dog Leash: ¡YoShop Dual Dog Leash

We found that there was a lot to love about the iYoShop Dual Dog Leash. This leash is available in two different sizes for small dogs (between 8 and 25 pounds) and medium/large dogs (between 25 and 150 pounds). The 360-degree swivel clasp works to prevent leashes from tangling up if your dogs cross sides as you walk.

The leash features a shock-absorbing bungee lead that works to reduce that feeling of being pulled when your dog becomes too excited on its leash. You can extend the bungee to provide your dogs with more freedom or keep them closer to you for greater control. It can adjust to between 20 and 35 inches. However, some buyers said that the stretch of the bungee material give them less control over their dog.

The leash is made using a heavy-duty climbing rope that has reflective threads woven into it to increase nighttime visibility. A comfortable padded handle is also integrated into the design to keep owners comfortable while on a walk. iYoShop also added a waste bag ring just below the handle to keep waste bags within easy reach.

You can purchase this double leash in six colors. Choose from black, blue, green, pink, purple, and red.

Pros and Cons of the iYoShop Dual Dog Leash 360 Swivel No Tangle

ProsCons
This leash is designed to walk two dogs simultaneously and features a 360-degree swivel clasp to prevent their leashes from tangling if they cross sides.Some buyers don’t like the bungee material’s stretch, because they think it gives them less control over their dogs.
The leash is available in two sizes: one for small dogs weighing eight to 25 pounds and another for medium/large dogs weight 25 through 150 pounds.
This leash features a bungee that stretches to give your dog more freedom, has reflective threads designed to provide increased nighttime visibility, and has a comfortable padded handle.
It’s available in six colors: black, blue, green, pink, purple, and red.
Overall Best
iYoShop Dual Dog Leash 360 Swivel No Tangle
  • Available in two sizes
  • 360-degree swivel clasp prevents leashes from tangling
  • Features a shock-absorbing bungee lead so you won't feel like your dog is pulling you
  • You can extend the bungee for more freedom or retract it for more control
  • Made of heavy-duty climbing rope
Check Amazon

The Different Types of Dog Leashes: Pros and Cons Compared

There are many different types of leashes out there. Some of the most common types include nylon leashes, leather leashes, chain leashes, and retractable leashes. Each leash type comes with its own pros and cons.

Nylon Leashes

ProsCons
Nylon is a strong and durable material that’s easy to clean.Some dogs may chew through nylon leashes.
Nylon leashes are relatively inexpensive.They can cause friction burns for the handler when trying to control a dog that’s pulling.
Nylon is available in a wide range of colors.

Leather Leashes

ProsCons
Leather is stylish and attractive.Leather is more expensive than some other materials.
It’s a durable material that will last a long time, and it’s even resistant to some chewing.It’s not available in as many colors as nylon leashes.
It’s comfortable for handlers to grip.

Chain Leashes

ProsCons
This heavy-duty material resists chewers.It may be too heavy for small dogs.
It may be a good solution for pullers.Chan can hurt a handler’s hands when they’re trying to rein a dog in.

Retractable Leashes

ProsCons
These leashes allow well-trained dogs to go further to explore.This type of leash can make it more difficult to keep dogs under control.
They can let dogs use the bathroom while the owner stays dry under a shelter on a rainy day.They can potentially wrapped around the handler and injure them and their dog.
They can snap and allow the dog to escape.

How to Choose the Best Leash for Your Dog

Keep the features shared below in mind as you shop for the best leash for your dog. Using these to guide your search can help you choose a leash that offers everything you and your dog need.

Material

First, decide what leash material you’d prefer. Nylon and leather are two of the most popular choices. Both materials are heavy-duty and durable. Leather is a bit more of a splurge, but can also last a lot longer than nylon. Nylon comes in a wider array of colors, but could still be destroyed by dogs who really like to chew their leashes. You can also find rope, chain, and retractable leashes.

Length

Next, consider how long of a leash you would like. Many areas have laws that limit the length to 6 feet, but the law in your area may vary. A shorter leash can be best for pullers and can give you more control of your dog, while a longer leash can be good to give well-trained dogs a bit more freedom to explore.

Dog Size and Strength

The size of your dog and its strength should also be considered. Large dogs will be stronger than small dogs and will often need a sturdier leash to keep them from pulling.

Budget

Finally, keep your budget in mind when shopping for a leash. Are you looking to splurge and buy something fancy and stylish for your dog, or would you rather save your money by purchasing something practical, yet more economically priced?

Our Criteria and Experience — How We Chose the Best

When creating our list of the best dog leashes on the market, we researched numerous dog leashes. Factors we considered were how well the leashes were constructed, how comfortable it was for the dog walker to hold the leashes, how easy (or not) it was to keep control of the dog, and how well the leashes kept dogs safe. Here are a few additional observations about each of these leashes:

  • For our #1 Best Overall choice, we like the added padding on the handle of this leash and that it makes it more comfortable to hold your dog while walking. However, we don’t love that the reflective stitching is only on one side of the leash and wish it was on both sides for increased visibility.
  • For a great leather leash, our #2 choice is a great buy. After getting a close-up view of this leash, we can tell that it is built to last and made using high-quality full-grain leather. We wish that the 360-degree clasp rotated a bit more easily, though.
  • We like that our #3 leash and collar are sold as a set and find that the reflective threads are a nice addition for increased visibility. However, we are unsure that the leash will be strong enough for a larger dog, especially one that likes to pull.

Up Next…

About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

Here Are the Best Dog Leashes: Verified FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the best kind of leash for a dog?

A traditional 4- or 6-foot leash made of nylon or leather is a good choice for a dog. A length of 6 feet provides dogs with enough freedom, while still ensuring owners are able to maintain control of their pup. Leather and nylon are also both very durable materials and can hold up well to large dogs and small dogs alike.

What is the most secure dog leash?

If you have a large dog or are looking for a leash for pullers, choosing a heavy-duty leash is a good idea. Some leashes designed for pullers or to prevent dogs from escaping are made from braided rope. The braided design of the rope adds extra stability and ensures that you maintain control of your dog.

What is the best leash for training a dog?

If you’re working outdoor training for your dog, choosing a 6- to 10-foot nylon leash is probably best. A 30- to 50-foot leash may be necessary if you are working to train your pup using distance commands. For indoor training, long and thin rounded nylon leashes tend to work best since they won’t get stuck under furniture in the home as easily as flat leashes.

What is a good leash length?

When walking your dog outdoors, a leash with a length between 4 and 6 feet is typically best. A 6-foot leash can be better for giving your dog a bit more freedom to explore, while a 4-foot leash may be better when you need to keep your dog close by, such as when walking through a more crowded city.

Is a retractable leash bad?

Many experts do not feel like a retractable leash is the best overall choice for a few different reasons. Retractable leashes often extend too long and can allow dogs to get too far ahead of their handler. With the dog this far away, should they become threatened by an aggressive dog, it will be extremely difficult to reign them in and get control. Retractable leashes are also more likely to break when stretched so far out. It is also possible for them to become tangled around the dog handler, which can lead to potentially serious injuries.

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