Best dog leads 2026, tried and tested on walks with an energetic golden retriever

Classically handsome and designed to last, this leather lead offers unbeatable quality. It’s handmade out of oak bark-tanned British bridle leather, one of the oldest and most natural methods of turning hide into durable, beautiful and characterful leather. It’s naturally incredibly strong, yet supple. When I tested it out on Lowen with the matching collar, lead and collar performed exceptionally well, proving comfortable to hold and able to handle a bit of excitable pulling.

The leather is offset perfectly with the chunky solid brass trigger hook and O ring at the handle end, allowing you to hook it up and sling it cross body when the dog is off lead. I couldn’t get enough of the classic design, and neither could Lowen, if her proud-as-punch face is anything to go by. If you're looking for a fine lead to go the distance, this is it.

Cheaper than a jar of Nescafé, this Petface lead offers incredibly good value. The neoprene padded handle is really comfy to wear, and an unexpected but welcome design addition for such a budget model.

Made of nylon, the lead itself is incredibly lightweight and feels like basically nothing when coiled up in your pocket. It's also easy to wash in a sink and dries out super quickly, without the maintenance needed for leather leads.

As a budget lead, it doesn't feel the most luxurious and I wouldn't expect it to last a dog's lifetime. That said, for a dog that doesn't pull a lot, it could still last a long time.

This is a practical, lightweight option for anyone looking to save their pennies, although I’d advise against it for anyone whose four-legged friends like to chew…

I couldn't get enough of this delightful lead, with its heritage design in charming hot pink reverse lining. It has the Harris Tweed Authority label, reflecting its status as a protected, high-quality fabric legally defined as 100 per cent pure virgin wool, dyed, spun and finished in the Outer Hebrides.

The lead might look pretty, but it's not a case of style over substance. The strong nylon inner core adds some serious muscle, making this lead feel substantial enough on walks with Lowen, who is pushing 30kg and not afraid of the occasional lunge.

It offers a little natural weather resistance, but this wouldn't be my first choice for a walk in a downpour. You'll also want to take good care of it to avoid too much pilling or fuzz on the wool fibres. Overall, this is a truly stunning lead.

This is a really well-designed, robust retractable lead for bigger dogs. Lowen's big for a female golden retriever, and when she’s on heat and restricted to lead walks, this is a lifesaver, as it allows her the ability to roam a bit further.

It's supremely comfortable to hold, thanks to the clever adjustable handle. Simply scroll the little roller up to adjust, and hey presto, you have a bespoke fit for your hand. It is, though, overall quite heavy to hold.

The nylon tape-style lead is robust and intended for dogs up to 50kg. I wouldn't want a 50kg dog pulling at the end of the 5m lead setting, though.

Essentially, this is the perfect choice for a countryside walk followed by the pub, when your dog can snooze securely at your feet. It has eyelets to adjust its length, but also to secure your dog to just about anything, by fastening the unclipped handle around said object, then securing to the appropriate eyelet.

This was my first time trying out a slip collar (these are designed to slip on and off your canine companion with ease), and I have to say I loved the ease of it. It's made from hardwearing rope, and the lead is handmade in England from Italian leather and kitted out with solid brass fittings. All in all, this is a good looking, incredibly well-designed lead.

If you've got a fish for a dog, this totally waterproof lead will be revelation for beach dog walks. It has been for Lowen and I, as it also wipes clean and holds onto zero wet dog smell.

It’s made with biothane, a polyester webbing with a waterproof PVC coating, which remains flexible in all weather conditions and is tough enough to likely withstand chewing better than nylon or rope, although it's not totally chew-proof, should that be a concern.

The waterproofing does make the lead feel quite plastic-y, which some walkers might struggle with, but if you're sick of soggy leads then I would recommend looking into this as a solution.

The Swiss army knife of dog leads, this lead adapts to different dogs, walks and training scenarios. It has a double-ended design and various attachments for close control, hands-free use, and for longer walks with the harness.

One of the key attractions is the shock-absorbing bungee, which can absorb sudden jerks or lunges when walking with an energetic, unpredictable or young dog. You can also deactivate this if you prefer.

I tend to walk Lowen pretty close to heel when we're walking to our destination, and then let her off on arrival, for which the close control handle is ideal. I also appreciated the reflective detailing, a great addition for early morning or late evening walkers.

Handmade with genuine Liberty London fabric, this delightful floral lead is a pleasure to use. Every time it catches my eye, it's like a little jolt of spring.

As to how it holds up on a dog walk? Well, the cotton fabric is incredibly soft to hold, while the nylon inner core lends the lead strength. It's also incredibly lightweight, so you can chuck it in your pocket or bag and forget it's even there.

Cotton is annoyingly absorbent, though, so this wouldn't be my pick for a mizzly walk on the beach. And despite the inner core, it's not super meaty compared with some of the other leads Lowen and I tested, so I wouldn't use this on a big dog who wants to go places fast.

However, for a lightweight, everyday lead to make your walks just that little more joyful, look no further.

If you're looking to do some training or a range of activities with your best four-legged friend, then this is a one-lead solution. It lead enables you to walk (or run) your dog hands-free, cross body, with a harness or just, you know, the standard way, thanks to two trigger clasps, two fixed D-rings and a movable perfect-fit adjuster.

Bonus points were awarded for the fact it’s totally waterproof, ideal for walking and training in all sort of terrains and weather. Plus, as the waterproof material is tough, it won’t fray or soak up that wet dog smell like other fabrics can.