The best lead depends on the dog and the walk, so this page compares eight leads by type: a standard lead, retractables, a bungee lead, a long line, a hands free belt and a double lead for two dogs. Every fact below comes from the Amazon Australia listing, and every rating is the one shown on that listing.
If you are not sure where to start, buy the Halti Training Lead. If you already know you want a retractable, a long line or a belt, jump to that section.
Best dog leash overall: Halti Training Lead
Best dog leash overall: the Halti Training Lead, because its 2 m lead has a double carabiner the listing says can be used in 7 different ways, with versatile length settings, in a light fabric for everyday use in any weather.
The listing describes a 2 m lead in size large and desert sand, with two carabiners that give versatile length settings. It calls the lightweight, high quality fabric strong and comfortable for everyday use in any weather. For dogs that pull, the listing says to combine it with a Halti head harness or anti pull harness for leash training. It holds 4.6 stars from more than 31,000 ratings.
It suits owners who want one lead that can be a short walking lead one day and a longer or hands free lead the next. The honest catch: a count that large on one size and colour listing may be shared across other Halti leads, and it is a training lead rather than a plain short lead.
Best retractable for big dogs: Flexi Classic Tape Retractable Lead
Best retractable for big dogs: the Flexi Classic Tape Retractable Lead in Large, because it gives an 8 m tape for dogs up to 50 kg with a chrome hook.
The listing gives an 8 m strap tape, a maximum dog weight of 50 kg and a chrome hook, and says it can be expanded with an LED lighting system. It holds 4.6 stars from more than 27,000 ratings, almost the same as the Halti.
It suits a big dog that does best with room to roam on a quiet walk. The honest catch: retractables give less close control than a fixed lead, and this large size is listed for dogs up to 50 kg, not for a small dog.
Best standard lead: FunTags Reflective Dog Leash
Best standard lead: the FunTags Reflective Dog Leash, because it is a plain nylon lead of about 1.8 m with a soft padded handle and reflective threading.
The listing describes a lead of about 1.8 m in nylon with high density webbing, a padded handle, luminous reflective threading and a 360 degree rotating clasp. The 2.0 cm width is listed for small to medium dogs and the 2.5 cm width for medium to large dogs, and this listing is the 2.5 cm black lead for large and medium dogs. It holds 4.6 stars from more than 9,600 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants an ordinary lead without extras. The honest catch: it has no features beyond the padded handle, reflective thread and swivel clasp.
Best bungee lead: Excellent Elite Spanker Bungee Leash
Best bungee lead: the Excellent Elite Spanker Bungee Leash, because it uses 900D nylon with a metal buckle and two control handles, one at the end and one padded near the clip.
The listing describes elastic bands that expand about 30 cm, a metal hook it says withstands around 200 kg of tension after testing, and an adjustable rectangular metal clasp. It says the lead suits medium and large dogs, and it holds 4.6 stars from more than 7,900 ratings.
It suits owners of medium and large dogs who want a handle close to the clip for quick control. The honest catch: the listing is written for medium and large dogs, and the tactical styling is not to everyone's taste.
Best retractable for small dogs: TUG 360 Tangle Free Retractable Lead
Best retractable for small dogs: the TUG 360 Tangle Free Retractable Lead, because its 5 m tape moves 360 degrees without tangling and has a one handed brake, pause and lock.
The listing gives three sizes: small for dogs under 16 kg, medium under 25 kg and large under 50 kg. It describes a 5 m nylon tape, easy adjust retraction, a quick lock and unlock you work with your thumb, and an anti slip TPE grip. It holds 4.5 stars from more than 21,000 ratings, a count that covers the small, medium and large sizes on this listing.
It suits small and medium dogs on open walks. The honest catch: this is the small size for dogs under 16 kg, so bigger dogs need the medium or large size.
Best long line: Petescort Long Training Lead
Best long line: the Petescort Long Training Lead, because it comes in lengths from about 4.6 m to about 15.2 m in a light material the listing says does not absorb water.
The listing describes a lead of about 4.6 m and about 2 cm wide, with reinforced stitching and a nickel plated swivel clip. It also comes in lengths of about 6.1 m, 9.1 m and 15.2 m. The listing names recall training, hiking, camping, swimming, backyard and beach use, and says the lead floats when submerged. It holds 4.5 stars from more than 5,600 ratings.
It suits recall training in a park or on the beach. The honest catch: the rating count looks shared with a different lead from the same seller.
Best hands free: UPET Hands Free Dog Leash
Best hands free: the UPET Hands Free Dog Leash, because it is built for running and walking and comes with two rolls of waste bags.
The listing describes an adjustable waist belt, bungees that absorb sudden pulls, two handles, reflective stripes, nylon with metal clips, and a removable zipper bag for a phone, keys, cards and poop bags. It says the design is meant to ease strain on the shoulder, wrist and back. It holds 4.4 stars from 46 ratings.
It suits runners and hikers who want both hands free. The honest catch: only 46 ratings back it, so it is a thin count to judge it on.
Best for two dogs: PetBonus Double Dog Lead
Best for two dogs: the PetBonus Double Dog Lead, because 360 degree swivel clasps stop the pair tangling and four padded handles let you hold it comfortably.
The listing describes four soft padded handles, reflective stitching along the lead, double nylon webbing and weatherproof nylon. The lead extends from about 74 to 97 cm, and the package includes a collapsible dog bowl and a waste bag dispenser. It holds 4.6 stars from more than 2,200 ratings.
It suits households that walk two dogs together. The honest catch: it only suits walking two dogs at once.
How to choose a dog leash
Pick the type of lead first
A fixed lead, like the Halti or FunTags, keeps your dog at a set distance. A retractable, like the Flexi or TUG, gives a long tape you can lock. A bungee lead adds elastic to the lead, a long line is for training at distance, a belt frees your hands and a double lead handles two dogs. Choose the walk you do most.
Match the lead to your dog's weight
Retractables are sized by dog weight. The TUG lists small under 16 kg, medium under 25 kg and large under 50 kg, and the Flexi Large is listed up to 50 kg. Fixed leads go by width instead: the FunTags lists 2.0 cm for small to medium dogs and 2.5 cm for medium to large dogs.
Think about length
A lead of about 1.8 to 2 m covers everyday walks. A retractable gives 5 m or 8 m of tape, and a long line starts at about 4.6 m. A longer lead means more distance between you and your dog, which is why training lines are a separate buy.
If your dog pulls
The Halti listing says to pair its lead with a Halti head harness or anti pull harness for leash training. A bungee lead such as the Excellent Elite Spanker adds an elastic section the listing says cushions sudden changes of direction. Our dog harness guide compares harnesses to pair with a lead.
Handles and clasps
Padded handles and swivel clasps are what separate a comfortable lead from a basic one. The FunTags and PetBonus list padded handles and swivel clasps, and the Excellent Elite Spanker has a second handle near the clip for quick control. Check what clip type suits your collar or harness: our dog collar guide covers the collar end.
Reflective threading
The FunTags, UPET and PetBonus listings all describe reflective threading or stripes, which the listings say add visibility at night. If you walk early or late, it is worth having.
The UPET comes with two rolls of waste bags, and the PetBonus package includes a collapsible bowl and a waste bag dispenser. If you want more bags, see our dog poop bag guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog leash in Australia?
For most dogs the Halti Training Lead is the best all rounder: a 2 m lead with two carabiners that the listing says gives 7 ways to use it. If you want a plain, simple lead, the FunTags nylon lead is the straightforward choice, and the Flexi Classic suits big dogs that want room.
What is the best retractable dog leash?
It depends on the size of your dog. The Flexi Classic Large gives an 8 m tape for dogs up to 50 kg, and the TUG 360 Small gives a 5 m tape for dogs under 16 kg. Both are retractables, which give less close control than a fixed lead, so choose by weight first.
What is the best hands free dog leash?
The UPET Hands Free Dog Leash is our pick. The listing describes a waist belt, bungee shock absorption, two handles, reflective stripes and a removable zipper pouch for a phone and keys, built for running and walking. It has only 46 ratings so far, so treat it as promising rather than proven.
What is the best dog leash for a dog that pulls?
The Halti Training Lead is the pick, because the listing says to combine it with a Halti head harness or anti pull harness for leash training. The Excellent Elite Spanker bungee lead has an elastic section the listing says cushions sudden pulls. Our dog harness guide covers the harness side.
What is the best dog leash for small dogs?
The TUG 360 Small is made for dogs under 16 kg, with a 5 m retractable tape. For a fixed lead, the FunTags listing gives a 2.0 cm width for small to medium dogs and 2.5 cm for medium to large dogs, so choose the narrower width for a small dog.
What is the strongest dog lead?
The Excellent Elite Spanker listing describes 900D nylon and a metal hook it says withstands around 200 kg of tension after testing. The Flexi Classic is listed for dogs up to 50 kg. Those are the listings' own figures, and the Halti Training Lead is described as robust and reliable.
How long should a dog lead be?
A 2 m lead like the Halti Training Lead or a lead of about 1.8 m like the FunTags suits everyday walks. Retractables such as the Flexi Classic give 8 m, and the Petescort long line runs from about 4.6 m up to about 15.2 m for recall training.
What lead is best for walking two dogs?
The PetBonus Double Dog Lead is built for it. The listing describes 360 degree swivel clasps to stop the two dogs tangling, four padded handles and reflective stitching, and the lead extends from about 74 to 97 cm. It only suits walking two dogs at once.
Do these leads clip to a collar or a harness?
Either. The FunTags listing says its hook secures to a collar or a harness, the Excellent Elite Spanker listing says its metal hook attaches to a dog vest or collar, and the Halti listing says to combine the lead with a Halti head harness or anti pull harness for a dog that pulls. Our dog harness guide compares harnesses.
