Fixed lead or retractable?
Updated 16 September 2026
A fixed lead is one length, which is what you want on a pavement or in a town. A retractable extends and locks, which gives a dog that walks calmly more room on a path or a towpath.
Most owners keep both kinds of dog lead on the hook by the door and pick by where they are going that day. A town walk and a towpath walk ask for different things, and having the pair covers both.
Whichever you use, clip a long lead to a harness so a dog that reaches the end takes the force across the chest. It is the same reason trainers put a long line on a harness.
Side by side
Fixed lead
One length of webbing or leather, usually one to two metres.
Suits
- Pavements, roads and busy places
- Training walks, where consistency matters
- Dogs still learning to walk on a loose lead
Ones we like
Halti
A double-ended lead with two clips and three adjustable lengths, for training walks and everyday ones.
The lead a trainer often hands you at a first session, and it keeps working afterwards.
Ancol
A handcrafted leather lead that softens with use and lasts for years.
Rub in a little leather balm once a year and it stays supple for years of walks.
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Retractable
A cassette lead that extends to five or eight metres and locks at any length.
Suits
- Quiet paths, towpaths and forest tracks
- Dogs that walk calmly and love to sniff
- Giving a small dog room on a walk
Ones we like
flexi
A heavy-duty retractable tape lead rated for dogs up to 55 kg.
Tape line is easy to see and kind on the hands, and the brake locks it short at a kerb.
flexi
A retractable tape lead with eight metres of line for big dogs on open paths.
Lock it short as you pass other dogs, then let it out again when the path opens.
flexi
A retractable tape lead with an ergonomic adjustable handle for everyday walks.
A good choice if you walk for an hour a day and want a handle shaped for a long hold.
flexi
A light retractable cord lead with five metres of line for small dogs.
Rated for dogs up to 12 kg, so check your dog's weight against that before ordering.
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Common questions
Tape or cord on a retractable lead?
Tape suits a medium or large dog, because the wide line is easy to see and comfortable to hold. Cord keeps the housing light for a small dog, which is why the smaller leads use it.
What weight rating do I need on a retractable lead?
Choose a rating above your dog's weight. The ratings assume a dog walking along beside you, so a little headroom covers the moment a squirrel appears and your dog puts weight on the line.
Harness or collar with a retractable lead?
A harness. Any lead that lets a dog build up a run-up works best clipped to the chest, where the force spreads across the body instead of concentrating at the neck. A retractable clips neatly onto a harness ring.
Other comparisons
Harness or collar
A dog harness spreads lead pressure across the chest while a dog collar carries the ID tag UK law requires, and most dogs are happiest with both.
Front clip or back clip
A front clip on a no pull dog harness turns a dog towards you, while a back clip keeps the lead clear for settled everyday walking.