The 9 Best Dog Leashes Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

No matter if you live in the CBD or the countryside, leashes are a must have. Not only do they keep your dog from running away, they’re also important for safety reasons. And even though your pooch might be well behaved, other dogs you encounter might not be. To prevent any possible dog accidents, dog leashes should always be close at hand.

With leashes, one size doesn’t fit all, so it’s worth spending time researching before picking the one for your pooch. In this article, we’ll help you learn all there is to know to make the right choice. In our quest for the best of the best, we formed an independent expert team comprising veterinarians, canine behaviourists, and devoted dog parents alike to suss out the finest options. 

After months of testing out literally several dozen varieties and sharing our opinions and results, we were finally able to agree on our list below of the best dog leash Australia offers. Check them out to find the top choice for your beloved pooch!

Australia's Best Dog Leashes Reviewed

We’ve covered briefly the types of leashes and their most important features. Next, we share our list of top dog leash choices currently on the market. All of these products have been tried and tested by our panel of independent experts and their frisky dogs, so you can rest assured we've added the best of the best to this list.

This lead from Fur King is the ultimate solution for everyday use. The 1.5 m leash is the perfect length for walkies, it never gets tangled, and it’s water-resistant. What more could we ask for?

Perhaps a leash that has a comfortable handle so your hand doesn’t get sore when your dog pulls? Done! This Fur King leash has that too. The soft foam handle is one of the reasons everyone on our panel loved using this lead.

The lead itself is made from water-resistant heavy-duty synthetic rope. It’s quite bulky (which prevents it from tangling), but also surprisingly lightweight. A joy to use.

The leash is available in black, blue, and red (which is not as many options as our number two option, but still colours I noticed match the Fur King Ultimate Harness, which is also great, by the way). Each lead also features reflective stitching which is nice for added visibility when you walk at night.

Picking the right leash for pups still in training can be difficult. A long leash is great for learning recall, while short ones are ideal for heel training. Does that mean you need to get several leashes of different lengths? Maybe. But a single multi-purpose leash can do all that.

This Dog Nation leash comes in three sizes, setting it apart from our number one choice, which makes it suitable for both small and large pups. There are five vivid colours to choose from, and each of them has reflective stitching that helps with night time visibility. The leash is made of nylon, and the inner side is padded with mesh, which makes it comfortable to hold.

I loved how each end has a stainless zinc-alloy clip and that there are three rings along the length of the leash that allowed me to use it any way I wanted. Longer lengths were great for hiking and country walks, while a double loop created a short lead which was suitable for crowded areas. 

Besides adjustable lengths, you can walk two pooches by attaching each end to their collars. Furthermore, the length also allows you to use it as a hands-free leash that wraps around your waist, similar to our number six choice. The possibilities are endless.

Does your pooch get all wild and jumpy when you encounter another dog during your walks? It can be difficult to control an energetic dog, even if it’s a German Pinscher. However, if your Bernese Mountain Dog does that, it can be disastrous. A moment of negligence can end up in a strained arm, in the best of scenarios. That’s why a good tactical training leash is what our team of independent experts say you need.

This no-pull army tactical leash is made for those medium to large pooches who are yet to learn to follow your pace when going for a walk. It comes in three military-style colours - black, green and khaki. The leash is 96 cm long, which is shorter than the standard length and the other choices on this list. This leash keeps your pooch walking next to you at all times, so you can interfere when required.

The leash has two handles. The regular one at the end of it, and the second close to the buckle. This allows you to quickly pull your dog close to you in case of an emergency. But the main reason why this leash is great for tough-to-control dogs is the bungee design. If your pooch unexpectedly pulls you, the elastic bungee effect will lessen the pressure on your arm and back. The metal clip is military-grade and rotates by 360 degrees, preventing tangles.

If you’re looking for a stylish dog leash, you can’t go wrong with leather. It’s a material that never goes out of style, no matter what the product is. And this leash from Sirius is one of the best leather dog leads in Australia.

One thing you must love about leather is that it doesn’t look tacky, no matter the colour or pattern. This leash from Sirius proves that. Besides a classic brown option, you can choose a vivid red or green one, too. Each of these looks great and can be matched with different collars.

It comes in three sizes, or better said, three width options. For large pooches like German Shepherds, a 1.8 cm-thick leash is a suitable option. For small dogs like Maltese's, a 1 cm will do. In each case, the leash is 150 cm long, just like our number one choice, which is a decent length for everyday city walks.

The handle isn’t reinforced, but with leather leashes, our team of independent experts note that’s not a big issue. Generally, leather is soft on hands, and unless your dog pulls like crazy, you’re safe from rope burns. The clip is sturdy and can withstand great force. There’s also a ring on the handle for attaching a poop bag dispenser.

Walking an energetic dog can be quite a task, but what if you’re a proud pet parent of two such dogs? This is how it goes in  my household, and I daily wonder if walking them at a different time is a better option than having both hands busy. But there’s a middle ground, and that’s a double dog leash.

The main leash is 20 cm long. One end has a soft foam ergonomic handle, while the other features an anti-tangle swivel. This little thing assures that no matter which way your pooches go, they won’t get tangled up. From experience, I can say that’s something you’d inevitably struggle with when walking your canine friends on separate leashes.

To the other side of the swivel, two leashes are attached. Each of them is 120 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. Both leashes have a high-quality clip at the end.

The leash comes in three colour combinations - blue/black, red/black and orange/yellow. Since it’s made of nylon, each of these vivid colours is reflective and visible in low-light situations. The nylon itself is durable and strong enough for large pooches.

One downside to this leash is that you can’t remove any leash part from the swivel, which means it can’t be used for only one dog and you can’t replace the main part with a longer one.

Dogs love running. If you do too, there’s no reason why your canine companion can’t join you in that activity. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should run with a leash in your hand. There are hands-free leashes on the market that allow you and your pooch some extra mobility.

Before we get into this product, keep in mind that this leash is intended for dogs with on-leash and basic command training. The whole idea behind this concept is that your pooch is supposed to follow your path and your pace. Do not try this style of leash out if you can't trust that your dog won't run in front of you or veer off the path - trust me, it won't end pretty for either of you!

Unlike the other options on this list, it's a hands-free leash that comes with an adjustable waist belt that closes with a snap buckle. There are D-rings on each side, where you can attach the leash. The belt is 2.5 cm wide, and the length can be adjusted from 70 cm to 120 cm.

The leash has a dual bungee design. What we love about this is that it absorbs jerks and minimises the possibility of strains for both you and your pooch. It features two handles, one at the middle and the other close to the clip. There are two D-rings along the length of the leash, which gives you a variety of different ways to use it. The leash is black, with reflective colours around the handles.

There’s no reason why well-behaved pups shouldn’t enjoy the freedom of movement during walks. However, here in Australia, all dogs have to be on a leash in public places unless in a designated off-leash area. But with a retractable leash, both you and your pooch can enjoy every day walks while staying on the right side of the law. The market is flooded with brands that offer this type of leash, but our team of independent experts agree that the TUG stands out above the rest. 

This retractable leash comes in sizes ranging from Tiny to Large. No matter if you own a Chihuahua or a Tibetan Mastiff, you can find a leash suitable for your dog’s weight. The tape is made of woven nylon, like our number five option. Since it’s tested for strength, you don’t have to worry about it accidentally snapping when your pooch suddenly pulls. The tape is 5 m long, which allows your canine companion to roam around freely.

Related: Best Retractable Dog Lead Australia.

The quick lock system allows you to control how far your pooch can go, as well as to close the gap between you two, all with a simple push of a button. The retraction opening allows the leash to move in any direction while avoiding tangling. While it might look bulky, this leash is lightweight and has a very comfortable ergonomic anti-slip handle.

Pet gear can be quite expensive. You might spend more on a high-quality leash than you would on a nice pair of jeans. But just because the market is full of overpriced pet accessories, it doesn’t mean you can’t find an excellent product that doesn’t break the bank. This dog leash from Zenify Pets is a good example.

Related: Best Rope Dog Leads Australia.

I love how this leash comes in 6 vivid colours, so you can find the one that matches your dog’s collar. You can also choose from three length options - 1.2 m, 1.5 m and 1.8 m. The leash is made of heavy-duty nylon rope, just like those used for mountain climbing.

This type of rope dog lead has a bit of elasticity, which helps with sprain prevention. It’s very durable but also lightweight, and suitable for both small and large dogs. Furthermore, it’s water-resistant and chew-proof, which makes it great for puppies too.

The handle is covered with foam, like the Fur King lead in our number one spot, which prevents rope burn when your pooch pulls. The other end features a heavy-duty quick-release clasp, that rotates 360 degrees, preventing twisting. The clasp is big enough to be used as a slip lead in case of a collar snap while you’re outside. Finally, the reflective threads allow the leash to be visible at night.

There’s an insane choice of leashes on the market, but a lot of them require dogs to be leash trained in order to use them. What this means is they need to know basic training commands, like stay and come. This agility lead from AmaGood is exactly what you need to get your pooch to that point.

This leash comes in four lengths, from 4.5 m to 15 m. If you’re only starting with obedience training, 4.5 m is more than enough to practice basic commands. On the other hand, a 15 metre leash is ideal for practising the infamous “come” command. You’re giving your pup enough space to roam, but in case you don’t get a response, you can pull the leash and bring the mischievous pooch back.

But I discovered that’s not the only thing this leash is good for! Fifteen metres was great for taking my pup hiking and swimming or taking him anywhere where off-leash pups aren’t allowed.

Related: Best Long Leads Australia.

The leash is 10 cm wide, which is more than most obedience leashes on the market. It’s not chew-proof, but it won’t snap if your playful pup decides to carry it in the snout. It’s made of nylon, which makes it sturdy and waterproof. There are 4 colour options to choose from - blue, red, black and rainbow.

How I Choose The Right Leash For Dogs

There’s an endless amount of leashes on the market, so choosing the right one might seem like an impossible task. Besides picking a specific type of leash, you also need to take the material and length into consideration, as well as different features it might have. Our panel of independent experts share some ideas to make it easy:

Type Of Leash

There are different types of dog leashes. The two major ones are standard and retractable leashes. The first one is the most common. One end features a handle while the other has a clip or a carabiner. This type of leash can be made of different materials, ranging from nylon to leather. When it comes to length, that usually ranges from 1.2 to 1.8 metres. A standard leash is always a great option, whether it’s training or everyday walking (1).

A retractable leash allows you to change the distance between you and your pooch during the walk. The mechanism works by itself, as it always retracts the leash excess into the handle. You can allow your dog to go the full distance, but you can also lock the length with a button.

This type of leash gives the dog the freedom of movement, which is great for well-behaved canines. However, for dogs who aren’t used to walking nicely on leash, this type of lead can be disastrous.

Material

Dog leashes come in a variety of materials, and each of them has its own pros and cons. The most common leash material is nylon which is strong and affordable. It’s water-resistant and lightweight. However, nylon isn’t chew-proof, it’s not that durable and can cause rope burn if it doesn’t have a padded handle - ouch!

Leather is another common dog leash material. It’s pricey but it looks stylish and can last a lifetime. Just like nylon, it’s susceptible to chewing. However, unlike the previous material, leather is forgiving on the hands and doesn’t rub against the skin.

Is there a chew-proof option? Yes, it’s a chain leash. Since it’s made of metal, it can be quite heavy. For puppies and smaller dogs, make sure to pick as light a chain as possible.

Length

The standard dog leash is 1.8 metres long. This length gives your pooch enough space to explore the surroundings without too much slack. Furthermore, in case of an emergency, you can easily pull your dog to your side (2).

If you live in a crowded city centre, a leash shorter than 1.2 metres is a better option. It keeps your dog by your side, preventing tangles around other people or light poles.

On the other hand, if you’re searching for an obedience training leash, our team of pros suggest you go for one that’s a couple of metres long. These allow you to keep the distance from your dog while still being in control.

Features

Besides being a necessary piece of dog gear, leashes are also a fashion accessory. They come in a variety of colours and patterns, and can be matched with your dog’s collar but also your outfit. Additionally, most leashes have reflective details, which make you visible at nighttime.

Clips and padded handles are other features you should pay attention to. A clip or carabiner needs to be sturdy in order not to break when your pooch suddenly pulls. A handle, on the other hand, protects your joints from spraining in such a situation.

My Final Verdict

Buying a suitable leash is crucial. There’s nothing worse than a lead snapping halfway into the walk, and you end up chasing your pooch around the neighbourhood. A leash is one of those things worth investing in time and money.

Our team of independent experts saved your time by giving you a list of the best dog leads there are in Australia. The multi-purpose leash from Fur King is our top pick for several reasons. It’s sturdy, can be used in multiple ways and there are multiple colour choices.

However, if your dog is a strong puller, I think the Dog Nation leash will be a better option. Its bungee design protects your joints from spraining in case of sudden pulls. Whichever leash you pick, make sure it’s suitable for both your and your dog’s needs.

References

1. Madson, C.  March 17, 2023. “Choosing Your Dog's Leash”. Preventive Vet. Retrieved April 26, 2023. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-choose-the-right-kind-of-dog-leash
2.  “Long vs. Short Dog Leashes: How to Choose”. May 31, 2022. Orvis News. Retrieved April 26, 2023. https://news.orvis.com/dogs/long-vs-short-dog-leashes-choose
3. “How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on the Leash”.  April 06, 2015. PetMD. Retrieved April 26, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/how-stop-your-dog-pulling-leash
4. Coates J, April 14, 2014. “Second Thoughts on Retractable Leashes”. PetMD. Retrieved April 26, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2014/april/second-thoughts-retractable-leashes-31573