I’m thinking about getting a new collar and leash for my 2 and wondering what everyone’s preferences are. There are SO many brands out there I am not sure what the best ones are. I have heard that Lupine is a very good brand. I also want one that is not going to be too bulky and look nice, and ones that are not the clasp that just snaps into place. Another necessity is a leash with a traffic lead

Most people prefer and recommend Lupine because they'll replace their products even if they're chewed apart.

I'm a fan of Ruffwear leashes. I have the "knot-a-leash" and love it, but it doesn't have a traffic lead. Their Flat Out leash and Roamer leash both do though.

I remember seeing that the Kong leash at Petsmart has a traffic lead. I don't have it, but I have the harness that matches and have been very pleased with the quality thus far.

I just came across the Ruffwear collars and leashes today and thought that they looked very cool, especially the knot a leash and collar, even though it does not have a traffic lead. I think the grey one would look really cool on both of them. RIght now he has one from Indi-Dog out of the UK and I have been happy with it so far. It does not have a buckle or snap connector and I prefer those

I use a training collar to walk them, which I am hoping to wean Nikko off that soon, but he seems to know when the prong collar is off because he will pull really bad, especially if we see people on our walks!

I have every RW collar and leash, and I would recommend the top rope collar and flat-out leash. I LOVE my knot-a-collar and my dogs primarily wear them, but I would never walk them on those collars or anything since you can't really tighten them to the perfect setting. I just keep those on since they hang loose, are relatively thin, and I think they'd have a better chance of staying on if they got out. The top rope collar is the ONLY collar I am comfortable walking with, that buckle is intense.
I love the carabiner on the knot-a-leash and the material it's made out of is sturdy, however it's not very comfortable for reeling your dog in if you need to gain better control of them, and it's short at 4'. I used these for a couple months and recently switched to the flat-out. I like the traffic handle, the leash doesn't hurt my hand if I grab it, it's a bit longer, and I can clip it on my waist or around a pole. The latch on it is very sturdy too and isn't designed to where the clasp could accidentally be opened like a lot of other leash clasps.

Heather! wrote:

I have every RW collar and leash, and I would recommend the top rope collar and flat-out leash. I LOVE my knot-a-collar and my dogs primarily wear them, but I would never walk them on those collars or anything since you can't really tighten them to the perfect setting. I just keep those on since they hang loose, are relatively thin, and I think they'd have a better chance of staying on if they got out. The top rope collar is the ONLY collar I am comfortable walking with, that buckle is intense.
I love the carabiner on the knot-a-leash and the material it's made out of is sturdy, however it's not very comfortable for reeling your dog in if you need to gain better control of them, and it's short at 4'. I used these for a couple months and recently switched to the flat-out. I like the traffic handle, the leash doesn't hurt my hand if I grab it, it's a bit longer, and I can clip it on my waist or around a pole. The latch on it is very sturdy too and isn't designed to where the clasp could accidentally be opened like a lot of other leash clasps.

I like the idea that the clasp is sturdy, I really don't trust plastic clasps to hold if my husky decides he wants to run after a squirrel or rabbit. I'd prefer to get him a collar that he can wear all the time AND I would be able to walk him in it. Right now he has his semi-slip collar and I put a training prong collar on him for walks, but I would like to start getting away from the prong collars, but he would pull way to much, especially if we go somewhere else, like the dog park or PetSmart.

I really like the idea of the Flat Out leash, and being able to hook it to a pole or something if I need to tether him for a short period of time.

I can guarantee you would be very happy with the top rope collar and flat out leash- Jenn, Claudia and myself all use these

Thanks! You have been very helpful!!!

My fellas aren't fond of collars, they do much better on the Easy Walk Harness. I use a Kong Rope Leash (the 4ft one) because the handle is padded and doesn't cut into my hand when they pull.

I am looking into the Ruffwear stuff too