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5 best leather dog leashes for 2023, approved by vets
Updated February 2, 2023
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When welcoming a new puppy or dog into your home, a leash is among the first and most essential purchases. You’ll want to find a dog leash that offers the best combination of function, durability, comfort, and style for you and your pet. But how do you determine the best dog leash for your lifestyle? When it comes to leashes, aside from desired length, you must first determine what material you’re looking for. While a nylon leash is a solid option, some owners opt for more durable or eye-catching materials like leather.
Choosing the best leather dog leash can be difficult, so we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. We independently tested each of these products on real dogs to help give inside insight and narrow down your search for the best leather leash for you and your pup.
Best leather dog leashes, reviewed
- Best leather dog leash overall: Logical Leather Dog Leash
- Best for durability: Soft Touch Collars Leather Braided Two-Tone Handle Dog Leash
- Best for style: Blueberry Pet Polyester Fabric Webbing & Soft Genuine Leather Dog Leash
- Best for comfort: Fairwin Leather Dog Leash
- Best for small dogs: Frisco Top Grain Leather Leash
Best leather dog leash overall: Logical Leather Dog Leash
Our top choice for the best leather dog leash on the market
Logical Leather Dog Leash
Why we recommend this leash
The Logical Leather Dog Leash checks just about all of the boxes many pet owners desire in a leather dog leash and is our best overall choice. Tested for up to 245 pounds of force, this full-grain leather leash is supremely strong and durable, without sacrificing style or comfort. While the handle can be a bit stiff at first, the leather becomes more supple with use. Made of 100% genuine leather with brass hardware, this thoughtfully-designed leash is also backed by a lifetime guarantee, offering owners peace of mind in the event of any incidents.
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Combines classic style with durability | ✗ Lightly stiff at first |
| ✓ Water-resistant full grain leather | ✗ Clip can be somewhat cumbersome |
| ✓ Professional-grade strength suitable even for working dogs |
Features of the Logical Leather Dog Leash
- Sizes: 4, 5, or 6 feet long, all ⅝ inch wide. We tested the 6-foot leash.
- Colors/Patterns: 11 available colors. We tested the classic brown.
- Materials: Full grain leather, nickel-plated brass hardware
- Number in a package: One
How the Logical Leather Dog Leash feels
Like many leather products, this leash may require some breaking in to reach its full level of comfortability. The clip can also be a bit cumbersome, especially with squirmy dogs. Overall though, while not the most comfortable leash we sampled, this product still passed the test to earn our top overall choice nod.
Best for durability: Soft Touch Collars Leather Braided Two-Tone Handle Dog Leash
Heavy-duty hand-stitched leather with solid brass hardware
Soft Touch Collars Leather Braided Two-Tone Handle Dog Leash
Why we recommend this leash
If a strong leather leash is your top priority, the Soft Touch Collars Leather Braided Two-Tone Handle Dog Leash may be a good idea for you. The hand-stitched leather is tanned throughout and braided in certain spots to improve durability and offer a unique design. The clasp and other hardware are made from rust-resistant solid brass designed to last longer. The two-toned handle also features light padding and supple leather to improve comfort for owners while they’re holding this leash.
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Clips on easily | ✗ No reflective materials |
| ✓ Extra sturdy and durable | ✗ May be too heavy for medium or small dogs |
| ✓ Stylish braiding and two-tone handle |
Features of the Soft Touch Collars Leather Braided Two-Tone Handle Dog Leash
- Sizes: 4 feet long and 1/2 inch wide, 6 feet long and ¾ inch wide. We tested the 6 ft. option.
- Colors/Patterns: Black, Black Pink, Brown, Brown Pink, Tan Teal, Tan Coral. We tested the brown.
- Materials: Leather, brass hardware
- Number in a package: One
How the Soft Touch Collars Leather Braided Two-Tone Handle Dog Leash feels
One of the first things we noticed about this leash was how heavy it feels in your hand. While some owners prefer some heft in their leather dog leash, we felt this might be a bit cumbersome for some pups. Therefore, we would not recommend this leash for smaller dogs.
Best for style: Blueberry Pet Polyester Fabric Webbing & Soft Genuine Leather Dog Leash
An eye-catching design combining two-toned polyester and leather
Blueberry Pet Polyester Fabric Webbing & Soft Genuine Leather Dog Leash
Why we recommend this leash
A concern among owners skeptical of leather dog leashes is the lack of design options. The Blueberry Pet Polyester & Soft Genuine Leather Dog Leash solves this issue by combining colorful navy and olive polyester with handsome leather accents. The result is a stylish, yet sturdy, leash that will have your pet turning heads each time you stroll down the sidewalk. The padded collar for comfort is another reason we consider this leash an attractive option
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Comfortable padded handle | ✗ Only features leather on some parts |
| ✓ Stylish two-toned design | ✗ Susceptible to water damage |
| ✓ Combines leather with polyester |
Features of the Blueberry Pet Polyester Fabric Webbing & Soft Genuine Leather Dog Leash
- Sizes: 4 or 6 feet long, 1 inch wide. We tested the 4 ft. option.
- Colors/Patterns: Olive and navy polyester with brown leather
- Materials: Polyester, leather, metal hardware
- Number in a package: One
How the Blueberry Pet Polyester Fabric Webbing & Soft Genuine Leather Dog Leash feels
Since it’s largely made of polyester, this product is a bit more lightweight than some other leather leashes. The supple leather does feel nice in the hands, though we have yet to test this product in the rain to determine how well the polyester will hold up in wet conditions.
Best for comfort: Fairwin Leather Dog Leash
Supple Italian leather puts a premium on owner comfort
Fairwin Leather Dog Leash 6 Foot
Why we recommend this leash
Not all leather is created equal. The Fairwin Leather Dog Leash offers luxuriously soft imported Italian leather throughout, and that’s where this leash stands out when it comes to comfortability. The suede-like feel of the underside especially impressed our testers, and the thickness of the leather also scored points for sturdiness. At the other end of the leash, the braided leather attachment to the high-tensile copper clasp creates an extra-durable connection intended to withstand pressure and pulling even from larger dogs.
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Supple, suede-like underside | ✗ No reflective materials |
| ✓ Heavy-duty clasp | ✗ Non-traditional design for a leather leash |
| ✓ Thicker than leather leashes |
Features of the Fairwin Leather Dog Leash
- Sizes: 6 feet long, ½, ⅝, ¾, or 1 inch wide. We tested the ⅝ inch wide option.
- Colors/Patterns: Brown or black. We tested the brown option.
- Materials: Leather, copper hardware
- Number in a package: One
How the Fairwin Leather Dog Leash 6 Foot feels
Among all the leather dog leashes we tested, the Fairwin 6 Foot model was the most supple and felt the best in our hands. The clasp also clipped on easily to a dog collar and harness. Lastly, this leash comes in a variety of widths, making it a good choice for dogs of all sizes.
Best for small dogs: Frisco Top Grain Leather Leash
Simple, lightweight, and ideal for dogs on the smaller side
Frisco Top Grain Leather Leash
Why we recommend this leash
Leather dog leashes are naturally heftier than their nylon or polyester counterparts, but that doesn’t mean options don’t exist. For those looking for a lighter leather leash, we recommend the Frisco Top Grain Leather Leash. Handcrafted from Latigo leather, this budget-friendly leash has a luxurious look that belies its affordable price tag.
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Soft and lightweight leather | ✗ Not recommended for especially strong dogs or those who pull |
| ✓ Budget-friendly | ✗ Clip is on the smaller side |
Features of the Frisco Top Grain Leather Leash
- Sizes: 6 feet long, ⅝ or ¾ inch wide. We tested the ⅝ inch wide option.
- Colors/Patterns: Brown or black. We tested the brown option.
- Materials: Leather, metal hardware
- Number in a package: One
How the Frisco Top Grain Leather Leash feels
While far from flimsy, this leash is among the more lightweight leather leashes we tested. It’s easily portable and storable, but may not offer the same sturdiness as other, heavier products. For this reason, we feel the Frisco leash is the best choice for smaller or medium-sized dogs.
How to choose a leather dog leash
Leather dog leashes are a great option for dog owners looking to add comfort, durability, and style to their daily walks. There are several styles of leather dog leash, and some models place a premium on certain features over others. When choosing a leash, make sure it’s the proper size and style for both you and your pet.
Leather vs. nylon leashes
Nylon dog leashes are consistently popular among dog owners due to their affordability and ease of use. Leather dog leashes are often a bit more expensive, but can offer stylish and more sturdy options than many everyday nylon leashes.
How we chose the best leather dog leash
The betterpet lab developed a set of criteria for leashes, then put them to the test in real-world situations. These factors include:
- Size. Leashes often come in a variety of both lengths and widths. Common measurements include 4 or 6 feet long and between ½ and 1 inch wide.
- Features. We looked at each leather dog leash’s particular features. Is it made with high-quality materials? Does the design comfortably fit your hand? Our testers evaluated how well the leash performed with those features in mind.
- Durability. We know pet parents expect gear that lasts. We determined how durable and sturdy each leather leash so that you can make an informed decision.
- Maintenance. Our testers also considered how easy it was to keep the leash clean. Some leather dog leashes are waterproof, while others might fare worse over time in inclement weather.
Why trust betterpet?
The writers, editors, and staff of betterpet are pet parents, and we know the value of accurate, trustworthy information. Because of this, the content we create is reviewed and approved by our vets. We tested these leather dog leashes on real dogs, so that when we say a product is best, it comes from firsthand experience.
Frequently asked questions
What type of leash is best for dogs?
The short answer is, there is no “best” type of leash. When it comes to leashes, preference depends on both the owner and the pet. Some owners prefer a basic nylon option, while others prefer to show some more style with a leather dog leash.
Can leather dog leashes get wet?
Yes, many leather leashes are waterproof or water-resistant, meaning they’re designed to be able to get wet. You should always dry leather as soon as possible, however, and never use heat to speed up drying.
What are the pros and cons of leather vs. nylon leashes?
In general, leather dog leashes are made with higher-quality materials than leather leashes. For this reason, they are often more expensive than leashes made with nylon or other materials. Leather leashes are often built to last long but may not be the best option for pet owners living in areas where rain or snow is frequent. Leather leashes also often can elevate your pup’s style with such as braided accents and brass hardware. While nylon leashes are easier on the wallet, a good leather leash can be a great investment when given the proper care.
