Best Type Of Leash For Border Collies
Finding a leash for border collies is a tough job. These amazing household pets were traditionally sheepdogs. Working the farm doesn’t require a leash, so it takes a bit of some trial and error to find out what works best. I’ve had Baby, my border collie, for nearly four years now, and we’ve gone through our fair share of dog leashes.
I’ll go over some pros and cons based on my experience. As you know, each border collie has their own personality and yours may take well to any specific type of leash listed or not listed here. Hopefully, unlike myself, you won’t need to go through so many before finding the perfect fit.
Standard Dog Leash For Border Collies
Pros:
- Distinguishing color to showcase dogs gender.
- Small enough to keep a close eye on a puppy.
- Short leash is great for training.
Cons:
- Border collie puppy will quickly outgrow this leash.
- Limited distance available for curious pup.
- Not very comfortable on hand while walking.
Initially when I first found my border collie, I was highly under-prepared! I knew they were high energy, and needed tons of exercise. Luckily, I understood this aspect. What I didn’t piece together is just how strong a border collie can be. All that running and playing ultimately leads to a lot of muscle strength.
Pros:
- More durable for growing puppy.
- Easy to use collar hook.
- Small enough to store anywhere.
Cons:
- Not long enough leash for exploring border collie.
- When dog tugs this leash is very uncomfortable to hold onto.
It certainly didn’t take long to realize that my tiny little pup was growing more each day. As each day passed I realized that I would need to make some changes to our walk schedule. I needed to switch from a collar to a vest/harness. Also, I needed a leash that could handle the amount of energy Baby had.
I did a lot of research and realized that a retractable leash may benefit all of us for a better stroll around the neighborhood. We have gone through a few of these leashes, because they don’t last a long time. I still find them better than my original standard choices. We use ours every day, sometimes more than once per day.
Retractable Leash For Border Collies
I highly recommend retractable leashes for your dog, even if you prefer to keep them on a shorter six foot range. Most that I have used are around 16 feet long. Some advertise an even longer leash length, but I don’t see the need for my border collie to go any farther during our walks or runs.
A retractable dog leash gives your pup a little more freedom, while still keeping you in control of the distance. You have the ability to lock the leash in place at a comfortable length. You can also push a button every now and then to slow your dogs walking pace down a bit.
When I first purchased this leash I was extremely excited to have more control while walking my border collie. Once while out my husband had the leash and I ended up in front of my dog. She took off running and I got tangled from behind. The back of my legs were sliced to the point of bleeding from this very dangerous cord. This is when I decided to look for a different option.
Pros:
- Ergonomic grip handle making holding effortless.
- Stylish design.
- Flexibility to allow border collie to roam.
Cons:
- Extremely dangerous cord.
- Doesn’t last very long.
- Doesn’t retract very easily.
A retractable dog leash is great for many things. One use that tends to be perfect for our high energy gal, is jumping up and down on rocks or short cement walls. The free flowing leash allows her to move around as she pleases without it getting in the way.
During one of our road trips we made a stop at the LBJ State Park. Baby was able to climb around and also enjoy a nice walk before hitting the road. While exploring the trails here you can pass by American Bison and Texas Longhorns grazing.
Anytime we travel we like to find places to exercise our border collie while she remains on her leash. A retractable leash gives her the freedom she deserves after several hours in the backseat.
Pros:
- Tangle-free design works pretty well.
- Comfortable grip handle for long walks.
- Anti-slip grasp adds extra security.
Cons:
- Leash buttons stick from time to time, making it hard to push it in place.
- Button stopped working with leash fully extended. Tried reeling in and it remained stuck but just at a shorter distance.
- Not as heavy duty as advertised.
Having comfort on your hand while walking is extremely important when you have such a strong breed. Border collies are always on the move and can sometimes tug pretty hard. All of the retractable dog leashes that I have purchased have all had a comfort grip area with a natural feeling design for hand placement while walking.
I’ve gone through several retractable leashes in a fairly short amount of time. Each leash that I have bought typically lasts around six months. The thing that has always been an issue is the buttons either stop working or sorta stick when pressed. Even if the leash is still functional, I will not risk being out and losing control of the distance my border collie can go. She could end up in the road or too close to something she wants to chase after. As soon as a leash starts showing signs of malfunction, then I get a new one asap. I figure it’s all just part of being a responsible border collie owner.
I’m hoping my most recent purchase will last longer than the rest. I sought out a leash that could handle a larger breed dog, even though Baby is under 40 pounds. I believe her strength is what has broken the others. So far so good but I must admit that it’s only been used for about a week now.
Pros:
- Includes a water dish for on the go as well as a roll of waste bags with a holder for them. Also comes with a collar that I have yet to try.
- Heavy duty nylon tape is supposed to withstand up to 110 pounds.
- Comes with a one year warranty.
Cons:
- My husband doesn’t like the color choice too much.
- The freebie bag holder didn’t last a day. The plastic isn’t very durable so it came apart and I had a long trash bag trail behind me while out on a walk.
- The buttons are different than I am used to. Not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just an adjustment.
