If you’re looking for a dog retractable leash, then you’ve come to the right place.
In over 20 hours I compared around 50 different products and selected the five best lines.
Among them is my personal test winner, the Flexi Giant Professional retractable leash.
It has a length of 10 m and offers your dog a lot of freedom of movement. It can withstand a maximum load of 50 kg and is therefore also suitable for larger dogs that pull.
My winner from the test does not have to be your favorite. That’s why I’ve described four more extendable dog leashes with their advantages and disadvantages.
My retractable leash favourites
product test
The test winner: Flexi Giant Professional
The Flexi Giant Professional is a retractable leash for large dogs because it is extra stable. Even if your dog pulls hard, the leash can withstand a weight of up to 50 kg.
The extendable dog leash itself has a weight of 860 g. As a result, it is not particularly heavy and does not tire your arm so quickly, even on longer walks.
There is a chrome-plated hook at the end of the dog leash. The robust hook is attached to the collar and also withstands greater loads.
If you are out with the dog for a long time, it is important to have a comfortable grip on the retractable leash. This model has a soft handle that fits particularly well in the hand. This allows you to lead your dog safely.
The classic: Flexi Classic dog leash
If you are looking for a sleek and simple extendable dog leash, then the Flexi Classic dog leash is ideal for you. The dog leash is almost 8 m long and is ideal for a short walk.
The retractable leash can be combined with a multi-box or an LED lighting system. This means that you are clearly visible even when you go for a walk in the evening.
The leash is suitable for dogs up to 20 kg. Due to the low load weight, the leash is ideal for small to medium-sized dogs.
At the end there is a carabiner that you attach to the collar or a dog harness. The carabiner has the advantage that it is easy to open but also closes securely.
The leash has an ergonomic handle. This allows you to hold the leash relaxed in your hand. A brake button, which the leash also has, is particularly important. This allows you to limit the length at any time.
The safe one: DDOXX retractable leash reflective
The DDOXX retractable leash is equipped with reflectors or the leash itself is reflective. This means that there are no dangerous situations because you cannot be seen at dusk or in the evening.
The leash itself is made of nylon and the material is very durable. Even if your dog bites the leash, it will survive without any problems.
There is a bolt carabiner at the end of the line. It is designed for high pulling power and has a 360° swivel joint. This gives your dog a lot of freedom of movement and there is little risk of the leash becoming too twisted.
What I really liked about this leash is the leash control button. This gives you the option of setting a fixed length and you can unlock it again with just a push of a button.
The sporty one: Pecute dog leash
The Pecute dog leash has a feeder that goes in all directions. This makes it ideal if not only is your dog very agile, but you need a retractable dog leash for jogging, for example.
What I particularly liked about this dog leash is the shock absorber band. The leash has a flexible area in the front area. If your dog suddenly changes direction, it won’t pull at your arm and you can react more flexibly.
The dog leash has reflective seams. This not only makes it particularly robust, the leash is also easy to see in the dark when light hits it.
An additional small container is attached to the retractable leash. You can stow a poop bag in it, for example, or put your apartment key in it, so you don’t have to carry any additional containers with you when jogging.
The simplist: GC dog leash
The GC dog leash is a retractable leash that is suitable for large dogs. The leash can withstand loads of up to 50 kg, which makes it suitable for agile and strong pulling dogs.
It has a length of 5 m. Compared to other retractable leashes, it is one of the shorter models, but has the advantage that the leash is more robust.
The benefit of this model is that it has a tangle-free band. The opening is designed so that the leash can be unwound and rewound in any direction. This makes you more flexible and safer on the go, because you can quickly roll up the leash again.
The handle of the retractable leash is ergonomically designed. As a result, the leash not only sits comfortably in your hand, it does not unnecessarily strain your muscles because you can easily hold the handle.
Purchase advice – reel leash
What length is ideal for a dog retractable leash?
Basically, there is no right or wrong length for an extendable dog leash. The average length is between 5 and 10 m.
There are also a few models that have a length of 15 m. Here, however, you should keep in mind that a length of 15 m is a very large range of motion and this is usually only suitable for dogs that are not very agile, as the length can also pose dangers.
The longer the dog retractable leash, the harder it is to control the dog. That’s why many dog owners tend to have a medium length. Agile dogs should rather be kept on a short leash of no more than 5 m.
Can a dog retractable leash be used as a double leash?
In theory, this is possible if you use a double line as an extension. In practice, however, you should refrain from doing so, as this can quickly lead to unnecessary dangerous situations.
If a dog pulls in a different direction, it is difficult to control the animals. This can lead to stressful situations along the way, especially if the dogs do not have a consistent pace.
Alternatively, you can also use a dog leash.
How is a dog retractable leash used correctly?
A retractable leash offers more flexibility and freedom of movement compared to a conventional leash.
The advantage of the leash is that you can adjust the length more flexibly. If there is a lot going on, you can lead the dog on a short leash. If you have space and are on a dirt road, you can make the line longer.
The dog can also determine its pace more individually, since it has the option of unwinding the leash itself. With a hold button you can set the limits at any time.
The retractable leash is a good alternative if there are no suitable freewheeling areas. You still have the dog on a leash, which provides security, but can give your four-legged friend plenty of freedom of movement.
Are there dogs for which a retractable leash is not suitable?
This question cannot be answered with a general yes or no. Basically, there are retractable leashes that are also suitable for heavy and strong pulling dogs.
However, it is an advantage if the dog is able to walk well on a leash and reacts when you have to change the length of the leash.
Retractable leashes are only suitable to a limited extent for agile and young dogs that do not walk well on a leash. Although you can offer them more freedom of movement, you should always make sure that the length does not lead to dangerous situations.
Can a defective dog retractable leash be repaired?
A well-known chess point of dog retractable leashes is the roll-up mechanism. This is particularly stressed when the line is completely unwound.
If you make sure that the extendable dog leash is not completely unwound and that the last 20 cm remain on the roll, many leashes will last much longer.
In high-quality models, the roll-up mechanism can be exchanged. With very cheap models, the dog leash can usually no longer be repaired.
Is a dog retractable leash suitable for training?
Yes, a dog retractable leash can definitely be used for dog training. The retractable leash is ideal if, for example, you train young dogs to come back to you. The leash then offers the flexibility to vary the distance.
Nevertheless, you have the dog under control with the leash and he cannot simply run away. You can also use it to build trust and keep doing obedience exercises with your dog.
In addition to a retractable leash, you can also use an extra training leash for dogs for dog training.
What should you watch out for when using a retractable leash for jogging?
If you need the extendable dog leash for jogging, make sure the leash is as flexible as possible. The carabiner should be equipped with a swivel joint. As a result, the leash cannot twist as much and the dog has more flexibility in movement.
It is also ideal if the leash itself can be rolled up and down in all directions. In this case, the opening is not a narrow slit, but circular. A small disadvantage with this opening is that the line can sometimes become twisted.
It is also an advantage if the leash for jogging has an elastic part. This way you won’t suddenly be yanked in a different direction while running if your dog wants to run somewhere else or has spotted something interesting.
What functions should a retractable leash for dogs have?
Retractable leashes usually have a button that can be used to rewind the leash. In addition, there is often the possibility to set the button differently.
Some models have a locking function. This allows the line length to be set and can only be changed again when you loosen the button.
This feature is particularly useful when you are walking in a busy pedestrian zone, for example, and need to keep your dog close to you. As a result, the dog cannot simply pull out the leash on its own.
How is a dog retractable leash maintained?
As a rule, the dog retractable leash can be…