We all love our dogs. We would do anything for them. We take them for walks, to the vet, even on vacations. We want our time together to be pleasant and relaxing.
One thing all of these events have in common: the leash we use to walk or transport our pets to an from these activities. It makes sense that we would want to give a little thought to what size and length of leash we choose.
We want our pets to be confident and comfortable. We would purposefully never do anything to harm our pets. We don’t often think of what could go wrong. A poorly designed or used leash can cause cuts, burns, spinal injuries, and even permanent nerve damage.
But dogs aren’t the only ones injured by leashes — humans can be too. From 2001 to 2018, there were an estimated 356,746 injuries to humans involving dog leashes. Poorly designed leashes or leashes used incorrectly can cause abrasions, contusions, sprains, and even fractures.
One of the basic questions we should ask when choose the correct leash is how long should a dog leash be. Keep reading below for some considerations and basic suggestions for the safest designs for both dogs and humans.
Types of Dog Leashes
Some dog owners don’t realize how many types of dog leashes are on the market. These include:
- Standard leashes
- Retractable leashes
- Chain leashes
- Bike leashes
- Adjustable leashes
- Martingale leashes
- Multiple dog walking leashes
Can’t decide on just one? For many, the best option is to own multiple leashes. This way dog owners can choose the best leash for the environment and purpose of the walk. With the exception of retractable leashes, all of these options work well when you have very specific needs.
Types of Leash Material
There are many different types of material used for leashes, including poly, nylon and other fabrics, leather, chain, and reflective.
Among these materials, nylon is the cheapest; however, it is still strong enough to control large dogs. It is easy to clean and comes in many different patterns and colors. The only downside is that it can be chewed through and poly, in particular, may cause friction or injury to the dog walker.
Leather leashes are durable as well, but they are not cheap. Also, some dogs love to chew through leather. However, if your dog is well-trained, this type of leash is less abrasive and can last a lifetime.
Chain leashes are often used for dogs who love to chew. However, if the dog does not learn to stop chewing on the chain, it can damage the dog’s teeth.
Reflective leashes are necessary are night.
These are just a few examples, and you can see why it is ideal to own more than one kind of leash.
How Long Should a Dog Leash Be?
The ideal length for a dog leash is generally agreed to be six feet. Of course, this length varies depending on where you walk your dog and the purpose of the walk.
For example, walking dogs in highly trafficked urban areas require a shorter leash. Ideally, the leash should be 4 feet when pedestrian traffic is heavy. This shorter length ensures that the dog leash will not trip up other pedestrians while ensuring that the dog cannot wander into the street.
If you have a giant breed, a traffic length leash, usually 12″ or 24″ in length, is comfortable for both you and the dog when walking in crowded or confined areas. A leash with a built in traffic handle may be the perfect choice!
Leashes longer than six feet are usually used for training purposes. Long dog leashes help teach dogs to respond off-leash and learn other distance behaviors. This training is necessary for owners who do activities like hiking with their dogs.
Buying the Right Dog Leash
How long should a dog leash be? As you can see, the answer isn’t always cut and dry. It depends on the environment and purpose; however, six feet is the general consensus. Truthfully, dog owners should have more than one type of leash on hand to adapt to different environments.
It is a rule of thumb that all dog owners should engage in some training for their dogs, which requires dog leashes for training.
To find a quality dog leash, take a moment to browse our stock.