The 8 Best Rope Dog Leads: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Looking for the best dog leash out there? Many would agree that rope dog leads look much cuter than other kinds of leads. But are they as effective?

This guide is here to help you find the best rope dog lead available. To discover everything you need to know, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to research the best rope dog lead available in Australia. Our panel of independent experts then spent months testing out the top options, all before we came together to create this guide.

Along with our list of the best rope dog leads, we'll also share tips on what you should look for when shopping for one for your dog. So let's get to it!

Australia's Best Rope Leashes Reviewed 

Now you know the different types of rope leashes and what to look for when shopping for a great one. Next, we share our list of the best rope dog leads in Australia. These are the leads that impressed our team of independent experts whilst keeping our dogs safe and comfortable.

Animals in Charge is a newcomer on the Australian dog gear market and one that we are happy to see! Their products are well-made, really thought out, and super stylish. On top of that, I appreciate that they are fairly affordable too and the company is committed to sustainability in sourcing the materials for their gear. What more is there to ask for?

Ok, everyone on our panel of independent experts can admit that there are some features that the Animals in Charge dog leads don’t have, but if you are simply looking for a quality dog lead, this is a good option. These leads are made from marine-grade rope to ensure strength. The rope is beautifully twisted, but that’s not just for the looks, it makes the rope stronger and gives it a texture that feels nicer in your hand. The endings of the rope are whipped with waxed whipping twine in true marine style.

This is pretty much a classic rope lead: 150 cm in length, a quick-release buckle for your dog's collar and one loop for your hand. The handle loop is the same rope material as the lead and not padded, unlike our number three option. But, the Animals in Charge lead simply looks much more stylish than other similar products. Part of the charm might be the fashionable colour options they offer, including “royal navy”, “forest green”, and “harvest yellow”.

NB: Collars in matching colours are available too to complete your canine companion’s outfit.

Finally, another unique thing about these leads is the hardware which is made of copper. Copper is not often used in dog gear, but it is a good choice: it looks unique, and it can withstand the wear and tear (and all kinds of weather conditions) fairly well. Just be aware that copper tends to develop a patina on the surface over time.

ROGZ Classic Rope Lead is just what one could expect from the name: a simple rope dog lead. A timeless classic, this no-frills lead will let you walk your canine companion safely and in style.

This lead is 180 cm long which is the standard, universal length for dog leads yet longer than our number one choice. It can work for dogs of all sizes, depending on what you are looking for. The rope is thick, but also flexible and quite soft. Thanks to this, you’ll be able to get a comfortable grip on the handle (which is simply a loop of rope).

The unique feature of this lead from ROGZ are the leather components that are used to fix the endings of the rope in place. They not only help make the lead extra sturdy but also look quite elegant.

The only downside our team of independent experts could find on this lead is the quick-release buckle that is used to attach the lead to the collar or harness. While there is nothing wrong with it, we would love to see a buckle that’s a bit sturdier and perhaps bigger.

This leash from Zenify Pets is quite cheap, but don’t let that deter you. It is a decent dog lead with no major faults.

This lead is made from nylon rope. It’s soft and flexible, but also quite thick and bulky (12 mm). As if that were not enough, Zenify added a soft cover on the handle to keep your hands safe from rope burn, unlike our number one and two picks. It's a feature we love to see on those leashes. Ropes made of nylon are lightweight and suitable for all kinds of weather as they don’t absorb lots of water and dry quickly, so that’s always a good thing too.

I also love how Zenify lets you pick between 3 different lengths: 125 cm, 154 cm, or 183 cm (equivalent to 4, 5, and 6 feet) so you can get precisely what your canine companion needs. Another nice feature is the swivelling buckle which prevents the lead from tangling and getting stuck in weird positions.

This slip lead can be a great choice for dogs who like to pull a bit too much, but also for those who don’t. The system is just so easy to use that many never go back to standard leads again after they try this.

So what’s the catch? Well, the lead simply goes over your dog’s head instead of getting attached to the collar. No fiddling around with buckles needed!

Ok, truth be told, I did need to fiddle around with hardware, but only once, when I first put it on my dog. That was to set the movable choke guard in the right spot. The ‘choke guard’ is a small metal piece that prevents the lead from slipping too far and thus choking your dog. In effect, this makes the leash work like a martingale collar and those collars are known to be great for training and restraint [4].

As a side note on its aesthetics, it also comes in a colourful range of styles, similar to our number one choice.

If you're like me and have tried using a dog leash around water, especially salty water, you might have found out that many of them don’t hold up as well as you might have thought. Even exposure to salty air near the sea can make buckles and clips corrode and ruin the rope quite fast.

The solution? The EzyDog Marine Leash. This lead has been created just for those kinds of situations, like our number one lead choice. Let’s start with the main part of the lead: the rope. The rope used here is a 9-mm thick climbing rope, which is strong but also not too thick. The rope connections are covered with silicone protectors. There is also a movable silicone stopper included that allows you to turn this leash into a slip leash, similar to the design of our number four option.

The unique thing about this rope is the clip that attaches to the collar. It has a unique shape that was inspired by the sailing industry. It’s made with stainless steel parts to prevent corrosion and has a unique shape that might be easier to use than standard quick-release buckles.

If you’ve been looking at rope leads (including those on our list) for a while, and they all seem a bit too long, this 120-cm long option from Blueberry Pet might be what you are looking for.

Our team of independent experts quickly discovered that the shorter length on this lead tended to work nicely for strong dogs that just seem to pull a bit too much no matter what. In those cases, having a shorter lead helped us have better control over the dog. As a plus, this option from Blueberry Pet also features a neoprene cover on the handle, like our number three lead, to make the experience more comfortable for you.

The lead is made with soft but sturdy patterned polyester rope. I love the colours and was able to choose between bright blue, purple, or red for my pupper, all of which are quite adorable.

If you are looking for a longer version of the common rope lead, then this is one option. The AMASENG lead is almost 5 metres long (15 feet). Made with 10 mm thick polyester rope, it looks just like the other ropes leads on our list so far, only much longer.

The leash includes all the standard features, plus nice padding on the handle like our number three and six choices.

When I received this leash, I also received two aluminium carabiniers with it, which increased the versatility of the leash. Everyone on our panel of independent experts loved the versatility of this lead. You can use it for training your dog, giving more freedom during walkies, or tying the dog to a stake or tree as needed.

If you are looking for a check cord to help train your dog, or, well, simply want a very long dog lead, then this option from SportDOG is a good choice.

The design of this product is quite simple. It is a long rope attached to a quick-release buckle. The rope is 30 feet long which translates to just above 9 metres. The rope is thick which helps prevent tangles. The colour is bright orange which adds to the visibility and, like our number seven choice, the rope floats on water.

The quick-release buckle is made of brass. As we mentioned before, brass is not as good as stainless steel but is better than many other options. Our panel of experts agreed that it will hold up for quite some time, even when exposed to the elements.

What I Look for in a Rope Dog Leash

Before you start shopping around for the best rope dog lead, there are certain factors our team of independent experts learned are the most important to consider. Namely:

Length

The first thing to consider when buying a lead for your dog is the length you are looking for. This will always depend on the size of your dog and the way you plan to use the lead (cause they don’t all work the same).

In case your brain doesn’t work in imperial units, that translates to a length in the range between 120  and180 centimetres. This is generally a good length for walkies. On the other hand, if you want to try recall training you’ll need a much longer leash (up to 10 m). This type of lead can also be helpful for situations where you want to give your dog freedom but can’t let them run free.

Material

The other main consideration when it comes to rope leads is the material they are made of, as not all ropes are made the same.

The term ‘mountain climbing rope’ is still quite vague, as there are different kinds of ropes that can be used in mountain climbing. It’s a whole science, but for our purpose today it’s enough to say that mountain climbing rope is usually made of nylon and has a very high breaking strength which makes it a good option for a dog leash too.

Another common material is polyester which usually has less stretch and strength than nylon, but is also durable and UV-resistant.

Cotton is another fairly common option. Cotton rope is typically used to make tug-of-war toys, but can also be used for leads. Cotton rope is all-natural, hypoallergenic, and will eventually biodegrade, but unfortunately, it has inferior features to synthetic ropes. It’s simply not as durable, it is susceptible to mildew, and if it gets wet it will get rather heavy and take ages to dry. [3]

Handle

Perhaps the most important feature, at least on your side, of a rope lead is the handle. With many rope leads, the handle is a simple loop of rope. While this type of handle works well in most situations, especially if the rope is thick, I learnt it can quickly get uncomfortable  when my dog suddenly decided to pull on the lead.

If that’s the type of dog you have on your hands too, then it’s perhaps best to look for rope leads that have additional padding on the handle.

Hardware

The hardware on a lead can often determine its durability. After all, a dog lead without a buckle is simply a rope. The quick-release buckle that connects the lead to the collar or harness can often be its weakest point, so it’s a feature that’s worth paying attention to.

When it comes to metal hardware in dog leads, the best option is stainless steel, but that’s quite difficult to find. A decent alternative is copper, which does not rust and is fairly resistant to corrosion.

My Final Verdict

If you are looking for a simple dog lead that works and looks amazing, then our team of independent experts recommend the Animals in Charge lead. Those are simply beautiful, and they are made in Australia with quality materials.

On the other hand, the Friends Forever Dog Rope Leash is a useful slip leash that’s also quite affordable, in case that’s what you are after.

References

1. Schade, V. February 11, 2021. “Tips for Leash Training Your Dog”. PetMD. Retrieved February 18, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/evr_dg_tips-for-how-to-leash-train-a-dog
2. Marson, Cathy.  February 25, 2019 “Choosing Your Dog's Leash”. Retrieved February 18, 2023. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-choose-the-right-kind-of-dog-leash
3. Lane, Barry. May 4, 2020. “21 Different Types of Rope and Their Uses”. Nord. Retrieved February 18, 2023. https://nordarchitecture.com/diy/types-of-rope/
4. MIller, Pat. March 29, 2001. “Limited Slip Collars: Best for Dog Training and Restraint”. Whole Dog Journal. Retrieved February 18, 2023. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/collars-harnesses-leashes-muzzles/limited-slip-collars-best-for-dog-training-and-restraint/