Leather dog leads
A leather lead softens and moulds to your hand with use in a way webbing and rope never quite do, which is why plenty of owners stick with them despite needing a bit more care. We stock a small range, including the Ancol leather lead and their Timberwolf line in a few colours.
Why choose leather
Leather is heavier and grips better in a wet hand than most synthetic webbing, and it tends to outlast a lot of fabric leads if it's looked after properly, which is the trade-off most owners are making when they choose it over something cheaper and lower-maintenance.
It's also simply more comfortable over a long walk for a lot of people — there's less of the friction burn a thin nylon lead can give if a dog suddenly pulls, because leather has more give and a wider, softer edge against the hand.
Looking after a leather lead
Leather needs to dry naturally after it gets wet rather than being left near direct heat, which can crack and stiffen it. A leather conditioner or balm applied occasionally keeps it supple and stops it drying out, particularly if it's used through a wet British winter.
Check stitching and any rivets periodically for wear, the same as you would any lead, since it's the hardware and stitching rather than the leather itself that usually fails first on a well-cared-for lead.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Ancol Viva Extend Lead
A 5m retractable dog lead with one-button length control, so the tape can't tangle round legs
From£20.99
Ancol Chain Lead Heavy
A UK-made heritage leather and chrome chain lead, in black or tan, a step up in weight
£13.49
Elasticated Anti-Tangle Dog Lead with Glow-in-the-Dark Finish
A nylon lead with a high-stretch shock-absorbing section and a glow finish, adjustable in length and built so that it does not twist itself into knots, in four colours.
From£17.99
Red Dingo Classic Dog Lead 1.2m
Red Dingo Classic Dog Lead 1.2m in 18 colours, sizes Small to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£16.49
Ancol Chain Lead
A leather-handled chain lead, 80cm, combining a soft grip with a strong chrome chain
£10.49
Halti Anatomy Lead
A 2-metre bungee lead with clips at both ends and a close control handle
From£27.99
Halti Training Lead
A double-ended training lead with two trigger clips, adjustable to three lengths
From£10.99
Halti Double Ended Lead
A double-ended, multi-purpose dog lead for training, road walks or two dogs
£19.99
Harlequin Slip Lead with Rubber Stopper — 2 Lengths
A colourful 1cm slip lead with a rubber stopper for quick, secure control — available in two lengths.
From£13.49
Halti Walking Lead Black
A 1.2m walking lead with a reflective strip and a neoprene handle, for daily use
£13.99
Red Dingo Reflective Bones Dog Lead 1.2m
Red Dingo Reflective Bones Dog Lead 1.2m in four colours, sizes Small to Large. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£21.99
Common questions
- Are leather leads better than nylon or webbing?
- Neither is objectively better — leather tends to be more comfortable in the hand and can last longer if cared for, while nylon and webbing are lower maintenance and often cheaper. It comes down to how much upkeep you're willing to do.
- How do I stop a leather lead from drying out?
- Let it air dry away from direct heat after it gets wet, and apply a leather conditioner or balm occasionally, more often if it's used regularly through wet weather. A lead left to dry stiff and untreated will crack faster.
- Can a leather lead get wet?
- Yes, but it should be dried naturally afterwards rather than left near a radiator or in direct sun, both of which can make leather crack and stiffen over time.
- How long does a leather lead usually last?
- With reasonable care — drying properly and conditioning occasionally — a good leather lead can outlast several cheaper synthetic ones, though heavy daily use and a strong puller will wear any lead down faster than occasional use.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.