Pooches have to be on a dog lead in most public spaces by law in the UK, but they don't always have to be restrictive, retractable dog leads are the perfect way to give your pet freedom and allow you to feel in control.
With a retractable lead, the leash part is concealed within the handle. The lead extends with your dog and when they get back closer to you, it retracts. These extendable leads also have lock buttons, so if your dog does start pulling away from you, you can choose the length of lead they have.
Best retractable dog leads at a glance:
• Best retractable dog lead overall: TUG Patented Lead – view on Amazon UK
• Best retractable dog lead for smaller dogs: Flexi New Comfort Retractable Dog Lead – view on Viovet
• Best retractable dog lead for bigger dogs: Flexi Extending Dog Lead – view on Amazon UK
There are a few things to consider before buying a retractable lead. For example, do they pull a lot? Do they chew their lead? How strong are they? These factors will contribute to what lead you should choose. If you're training your dog to walk on a lead, a retractable lead isn't suitable as it'll give you less control of their movement. However, if you are looking to give your pooch more free reign, extendable leads are a great choice.
Without any further ado, here are our top picks of the best retractable dog leads on the market.
Best retractable dog leads
Best retractable dog lead overall
TUG This tough and durable TUG Patented Lead is made to last. It is ergonomically designed with a sleek anti-slip handle and easy lock, making your trips a walk in the park. The retraction opening allows you to control your dog from any angle. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a simple and effective retractable dog lead. It's available in various sizes and colours so that you can coordinate with your dog's harness and collar!
TUG is an Amazon's Choice recommended product, with over 100,000 reviews and a rating of 4.3 out of 5. Customers praise its quality and value for money. The handle is comfortable to hold. There's a slightly mixed opinion on the reliability of the retracting tape. For the price and the amount of use the lead will get, it's best to expect it to last up to a year or two.
Pros
- Hugely popular on Amazon and recommended for its quality
- The easy lock works incredibly well
Cons
- Does have a tendency to occasionally jam according to one review
| Sizes: | XS-L |
| Colours: | White, blue, green. red, white and orange |
Best retractable dog lead for smaller dogs
Flexiwww.viovet.co.uk
Even with little legs, smaller dogs still enjoy being free on walks, and this Flexi New Comfort Retractable Dog Lead will allow them to explore. This extendable lead has a compact and stylish design, and thanks to its soft grip and effective braking system, it will give you and your dog a comfortable and safe walk.
In addition, Flex New retractable leads are available for medium and large breeds. Just be sure to choose the product relative to your dog's weight.
Flexi is a popular brand, and online reviews praise the retractable leads' quality and value for money. They're an excellent way to give your dog more freedom while retaining control. Watch out when using them in wet weather, as letting the handle slip out of your hands is easy. Some reviews comment that they would benefit from more grip.
Pros
- Good value for money, according to reviews
- Strong cord, with retractable leads available for medium and large breeds
Cons
- Hand hole is small
| Sizes: | XS-M |
| Colours: | Blue, white, pink, black, red |
Best retractable dog lead for bigger dogs
FlexiIf you have a bigger dog, the customised handle adjustment system on the Flexi Extending Dog Lead will make it easier for you to handle when your pooch pulls on walks. This lead is designed with a two-tone colour scheme and can offer freedom to larger dogs up to 50kg with its ability to extend up to eight metres.
Customers praise this retractable lead for being sturdy and a good size. Albeit, because it is for a bigger dog, the handle is also a bit larger and heavier. But most reviews say they got used to it. They praise the responsiveness of the stop button. Overall, the lead provides peace of mind and ensures that the dog is secure while allowing a bit of freedom.
Pros
- Long lead so your dog can roam without worry
- Very strong and sturdy to hold a large breed dog
Cons
- Less control for small dogs
| Sizes: | L |
| Colours: | Black |
Best retractable dog lead for after-dark walks
Flexiwww.viovet.co.uk
If you and your furry friend enjoy walks at night or in the early mornings, this Flexi Reflective Tape Extending Lead would be a great choice. The retractable lead's highly reflective design guarantees high visibility in the dark and increases safety for you and your pooch. Like all Flexi leads, it is strong and durable, making it an excellent fit for more powerful pooches.
If you regularly take your hound on evening walks, consider getting a light-up dog collar to illuminate them further and you while you're out and about in the dark.
Reviews across the web praise this lead for being comfortable, robust and easy to use. They say Flexi is superior to other dog-lead brands and worth the money. Just be aware that a customer comments that the locking button is tricky if you wear thick gloves.
Pros
- Refletive, so a great choice for night walks
- Robust lead to hold strong dogs
Cons
- Designed for dogs up to 50kg so may not be the best lead for big dogs
| Sizes: | S, M, L |
| Colours: | Neon yellow |
Best retractable dog lead for puppies
FidaTaking puppies on walks can be adorable and a learning experience for the dog and the owner. This Fida Retractable Dog Lead is a bit shorter than others, so you can keep your pet close by as they are training. The handle is designed for comfort, has a one-hand break, and is tangle-free so that you can keep control of your curious pup.
This retractable dog lead is available in various sizes and attractive colours. However, as it is an American import, it will take a bit longer to be delivered.
Customers highly praise the Fida lead for being comfortable to hold with and for fast retraction. However, there are mixed reviews about its strength and noise when the lead is lengthened and retracted. Overwhelmingly it has received positive reviews and the brand is hugely popular, with over 44,000 reviews rating Fida 4.2 out of 5.
Pros
- Lead is designed to prevent tangles
- Comfy handle to grip
- Extremely popular and well reviewed brand
Cons
- A shorter lead than some on the list
| Sizes: | XS-L |
| Colours: | Black, blue, coffee, green, navy, orange, red, white |
Best retractable dog lead for hiking
TagloryAre you and your dog big fans of outdoor adventures? Then this Taglory No-Tangle Retractable Dog Lead is perfect for when you and your pal hit the trails. This super-strong extendable lead has a spring in the lock made from resilient stainless steel, so you won't need to worry about it breaking. The lead is also tangle-free, so you and your dog can enjoy your hike and not have to overthink.
This is another popular brand for retractable dog leads. Over 13,200 reviews rate Taglory 4.3 out of 5. The leads are available in two sizes and four colours.
Customers say the lead is a good length, and the button is effective at locking and unlocking the line. The handle is comfortable to grip, and it's good value for money. However, there are mixed reviews about it breaking within months and the line getting tangled. The vast majority of reviews are positive, and if you have a large dog and want something more durable, Taglory has a Reflective Rope Dog Leash.
Pros
- Great value for money and comfortable to hold
- Stainless steel lock so it's durable and designed for outdoor pursuits
Cons
- Some reviewers wished it retracted too quickly
| Sizes: | M |
| Colours: | Blue, green, pink, purple |
Best retractable dog lead for chewers
FiyadeThis eight-metre Fiyade Dog Retractable Lead is chew-proof due to a line of cable steel wire running through the nylon lead. An additional line can be connected via the sturdy hoops and hooks, so walking two dogs on the same lead is possible. It has a tangle-free design with 360° swivel hooks. Plus, there's an ergonomic handle for you to hold; it even has a removable poop bag dispenser attached. This is a practical and heavy-duty choice for medium to large dogs.
Customers say the lead handle is quite heavy to hold, and the retraction is a bit hit-and-miss. However, reviews praise the lead for being chew-proof and robust enough to hold lively and strong dogs.
Pros
- The addition of steel wire makes the lead chew-proof
- Strong lead that can hold larger and more lively dogs
Cons
- Retraction is a bit hit-and-miss
| Sizes: | 8-metre for medium to large dogs up to 110lbs |
| Colours: | Black and white |
Best retractable dog lead for running with your dog
FlexiThe Flexi XL giant strap belt has a tape dispenser that ensures the line doesn't get tangled, even when it dispenses at an angle. Additional features, such as the reflective line and ergonomic yet compact handle, make it a good retractable lead for running with your dog. It dispenses up to eight metres, giving your dog some freedom in a safe and open space.
Customers praise the lead for being bright and staying tangle-free. While it's a bit more expensive than other leads, it is robust and a safe option.
Pros
- The tape has been rigorously tested to ensure it doesn't jam, even if it dispenses at an angle
- Range of sizes so you can find the option that best suits your dog
- Neon-coloured tape means the lead is visible in low-light conditions
Cons
- Quite heavy to hold
| Sizes: | XS-XL |
| Colours: | Black/Neon |
Best retractable dog lead for two dogs
WigziThe Wigzi Two Dog Retractable Non-Tangling Dog Leash certainly stands out for its design, unlike other retractable leads. It has some innovative features, such as a gel handle that makes it more comfortable to grip. The handle has two colour-coded lines with separate brakes. Plus, the mechanism spins to prevent tangles and allows both dogs individual freedom of movement.
Customers say this is a great lead for keeping one hand free when walking two dogs. While some have found it robust, a minority of reviews comment on the lead snapping or fraying. We'd recommend that if you have particularly strong dogs that pull, it would be best to have them on separate leads.
Pros
- It works; walk two dogs and keep one hand free
- Separate retractable controls for each dog
Cons
- Not ideal for walking two strong dogs
| Sizes: | S/M |
| Colours: | Grey |
How we chose the best retractable dog leads
All of these retractable dog leads have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered strength, quality and value in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching retractable dog leads to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
And, with pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by us and our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
FAQs
Why do dogs pull on their lead?
Dogs usually pull on their lead out of excitement and curiosity as they are exposed to new environments. However, too much pulling can strain their neck and hurt you as well as they tug.
If your pooch is a puller, you may be better off getting them a specially designed lead for dogs that pull that you can use while you're training them to stop.
How do I stop my dog from pulling on extendable leads?
According to experts at Tails.com, there are many ways you can train your dog not to pull. Here are some training tips:
Heel
‘Heel’ is a great command to introduce when you’re getting a puppy used to its first lead.
1. When your dog tries to run off, say ‘heel’ in a clear, calm voice to get their attention.
2. Wait until they look back at you – this will make the lead go slack.
3. At that moment, reward them with a treat.
4. Repeat until you can use the ‘heel’ command to keep the lead slack and your dog’s attention focused on you.
Stop
Stopping a walk every time your dog pulls is a great way to teach them that walks are less fun when they try to do their own thing.
1. When your dog pulls on the lead, say ‘stop’ in a loud but calm voice.
2. Stand still until your dog stops pulling and the lead goes slack.
3. Repeat!
Stop & turn
Dogs usually pull because they’ve seen or smelt something exciting. The ‘stop and turn’ technique teaches your dog that pulling isn’t an effective way to get where they want to go. It also gets their attention firmly back on you. Use ‘stop and turn’ like this:
1. When your dog pulls, say ‘stop’ in a loud, clear, calm voice.
2. Immediately change direction or turn in a tight circle.
3. Reward your dog when they follow you.
4. Repeat!
Ellen Kinsey is a previous contributor for Take a Break. She has now left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.