A webbing lead is at its best on the day you buy it and very slightly worse every day after. Leather does the opposite: it starts stiff, takes the shape of a hand over a few months and then stays that way for years. That is really the only honest argument for paying more for one, and it is a good enough argument on its own.

This is top-grain bridle leather, made in the UK by Ancol's own workforce and sewn down both sides with industrial bonded nylon thread rather than glued or riveted — stitching down both edges is what stops a leather lead giving way where it folds around the clip, which is where they always give way. This one is 1m x 1.9cm; Ancol also make a 60cm x 1.9cm in the same range, and both are rated by them to a maximum weight of 50kg. Matching Timberwolf leather collars are made to go with it.

• Top-grain bridle leather, made in the UK
• Sewn down both sides with industrial bonded nylon thread
• 1m x 1.9cm; Ancol also make a 60cm x 1.9cm
• Rated by Ancol to a maximum weight of 50kg
• Matching Timberwolf leather collars available
• Supplied on packaging that is widely recycled

Leather and British weather need an arrangement. Ancol are unusually straight about this and it is worth reading twice: the leather is natural and porous, so if it gets wet some of the natural dye can run, and a lead that has been soaked has to air-dry on its own — no radiator, no hairdryer, because heat is what turns a good lead into a board. They also ask for a leather conditioner once a year, which is a maintenance job most people are not expecting when they buy a lead. If your walk is two hours of rain and a river, buy webbing for that and keep this for the rest of the week.

Who it's for: owners who would rather buy one lead and keep it, walkers who like the weight and grip of leather in the hand, and anyone who has already worn through two nylon leads on the same dog.