Traditional Lead – premium leather dog leash

Simple. Functional. Beautiful.

Crafted from soft, durable leather and paired with top quality hardware, this leash is the best of its kind! It is available in your choice of length and width which makes it suitable for any size dog.

Artisan handcrafted in Colorado, USA! See below for measuring and sizing.

Popular sizes are in-stock and ship in 1-2 business days.
Please allow 5-7 business days for made-to-order items!

$55.00 – $68.00

Customize it!

Please allow 5-7 business days for custom made-to-order items!

Description

Our Traditional Leather Dog Lead is the best quality leash you will find anywhere. We use only the highest quality and most durable leather– it is soft to the touch and all edges are beveled for a smooth feel throughout the length of the leash. Each leash features top quality hardware that ensures strength and durability so that you can be confident in your gear. Did we mention that these leashes are quite eye-catching as well? The smaller width leashes feature braids on both ends and larger widths are fastened with screw posts to provide extra durability for large dogs.

Though simple in appearance, this leash was purposefully designed to be both beautiful and functional. There is no stitching to come undone and there are no rivets to wear out. Instead, the smaller width leashes feature leather braids on both ends and the larger width leashes are fastened with screw posts, to offer extra durability for larger dogs. 

Leashes come in different lengths and widths– see information below about the available sizes. 

Leash Lengths:

  • 30 inches
  • 4 feet
  • 5 feet
  • 6 feet

Leash Widths:

  • Lightweight XS (3/8” / 9.5mm width)–for toy and small breed dogs 20 pounds or less. Thinner and more supple option is braided at both ends (not recommended for larger dogs, or dogs that pull).
  • Small (3/8” / 9.5mm width)—Best for smaller and medium sized dogs. Lighter weight leather is braided at both ends; this narrow width is very secure. Small yet strong hardware.
  • Medium (1/2” / 12.7mm width)—*most popular choice!* Great for medium sized dogs, yet sturdy enough for larger dogs. Good for people with petite hands, or who prefer a lighter weight leash. Braided at both ends.
  • Large (5/8” / 15.9mm width)—For larger dogs, size fits well in your hands. A good sturdy weight with larger hardware. Screw posts used for durability at the “dog end” of the lead.
  • Extra Large (3/4” / 19mm width)—Sized for large, giant, and very strong dogs. Great for people who like a big, sturdy leash. Heavy duty hardware. Screw posts used for durability at the “dog end” of the lead.
  • Heavy Duty XXL (1” / 25.4 mm width)— Extra wide for big, strong dogs, and folks with big hands. Heavy duty hardware. Made with triple screw posts on both ends (no braids)

Customize your leash!

You may choose to add features or special hardware to your leash order. Custom leads are our specialty, but please allow extra time for your leash to be custom made to order. Popular custom requests may be selected when you order.

Premium Hardware:

Bolt Snaps are the standard hardware. These are the most reliable leash snaps we’ve found. TAN/brown leather comes with solid brass (gold color), BLACK comes with stainless steel (silver color).

The following specialty snaps are available by request.

  • Scissor/trigger style snaps are available for 1/2″ or wider leashes by request; please know we don’t recommend these as they are not as reliable as our standard options (NOT available on small width).
  • Locking Carabiner Snap (BLD exclusive) comes in all sizes; choose this if you desire a snap that can lock closed, ideal for “Houdini” dogs that somehow shake loose of regular leash snaps. Must be used in the locked position!
  • Alligator Locking Jaw Snaps are available for XL 3/4″ and XXL 1″ wide leashes ONLY. These are heavy-duty snaps designed for working/police/military dog applications. Made in Italy from solid bronze.

Need more? See other hardware options here, and other modifications here.

Looking for a different length? See our shorter Traffic Leads or longer Tracking Leads.

Standard Leather and Hardware Color:

  • Black leather with stainless steel/silver color hardware
  • Tan leather with solid brass (gold color)
*If you'd like to change the hardware color - select “Make with OTHER Color Hardware” in the "Customize It!" section. *Note: brass hardware on collars can stain white/light coated dogs. Sometimes the oil in dogs’ coats can create tarnish, a harmless chemical reaction. 

About our leather:

BLACK LATIGO leather

(Available in all widths.)

Our latigo is a lovely deep black and superior to ordinary leather in texture and quality. Latigo has a high tensile strength and tanned specifically for quality horse tack and premium pet products. Your leash will start out a bit firm yet flexible and will very quickly soften with just a few uses and continues to get better with age. The rich black color will not bleed or fade because it is struck through the leather in the tanning process, not just dyed on the surface. Made in North America from select heavy US native steer hides for durability, Stainless steel (silver color) hardware is standard.

English Bridle Leather in LONDON TAN

(Available in 1/2 to 1 in. widths)

English bridle has a supple, satin-smooth finish  and satisfying hand feel that is simply unmatched. This high-end leather in London Tan, cherished in the 19th century for the finest horse tack, ages to a warm patina while keeping its light brown and orange tones. This full grain leather is 100% veg tanned with no metals or harsh chemicals from only the best North American cow hides. ("English" refers to the style of tanning rather than a location. It does not darken the same our oiled golden tan leather.) Solid brass (gold colored) hardware is standard.

Golden TAN BRIDLE leather

(Available in small 3/8 in. widths)

This lovely brown 100% American vegetable-tanned leather, made with NO dyes or toxic metallic chemicals. Reminiscent of fine English horse tack. Every golden tan leash is HAND-OILED to bring out the softness, so your leash arrives supple and feels great in your hands immediately and only improves with age. The color will darken with use and age. This is our choice leather for products where a lighter weight material with excellent strength is necessary. Solid brass (gold colored) hardware is standard.

Leather care is easy! Don’t worry too much, and don’t be afraid to use your items — we promise leather is incredibly resilient, and regular weather won’t hurt it. If you think your item looks dirty, dry, or just need a little extra love, pouring a little leather conditioner on a cloth, and rubbing it in like lotion will usually do the trick. Baths and a jaunt in the river are just fine, but you might want to offer a little conditioner to your products afterwards. Saltwater can be harsh, so after a visit to the ocean, a good rinse in fresh water and proper conditioning will help preserve and protect your treasured leash or collar. See our Leather Care page for more specific information.

Lifetime Warranty

We stand behind the quality of our products. Bold Lead Designs’ handcrafted leather & Brahma products that we make in our workshop are guaranteed against defects in materials and craftsmanship for life! If your leather or Brahma leash, training equipment, or harness ever breaks or is damaged from regular use, simply contact Bold Lead Designs for a replacement or repair at no charge. There is no time limit. This is the best warranty in the industry. Warranty is limited to replacement or repair of covered product only, and does not cover things outside of our control such as chewing, neglect, misuse, normal wear, external trauma, or customer alterations. Customer is responsible for all related shipping costs. FYI: Even if the item is not covered it often can be made functional again with a repair for a reasonable cost. Exclusions: Items we don’t make in our workshop, such as accessories and consumable items, and items made of cloth/fabric are excluded. Non-leather and non-Brahma items, bldBASICS, any item sold  "as-is", used, on clearance, that is imperfect and any item marked with a star is excluded from this warranty or guarantee. Some customized options may be excluded from warranty; such excluded items will be sold with information indicating a warranty is not included. 

Limitation of Damages:

Guarantee/Warranty is limited to replacement or repair of product only. Bold Lead Designs, LLC, or its associates, cannot be responsible for any claims or liabilities beyond the scope of the guarantee. Chewing, neglect and misuse, normal wear, external trauma, customer alterations, and items marked with a star void all warranties. No other warranties, expressed or implied, are made. User assumes all responsibility for proper and safe use of product and care of animal. Customer pays for shipping for warranty claims. This warranty is nontransferable. Bold Lead Designs reserves the right to determine if a repair or replacement is covered by our warranty.
Reviews (41)

41 reviews for Traditional Lead – premium leather dog leash

  1. heidihurdy –

    Excelent basic 6′ leash. I do wish they rounded the edges a bit for comfort, but otherwise, very high qualilty.

  2. Jessica Bourke (verified owner) –

    As someone who used to make leather dog leashes— the quality of their products is so incredible that I have stopped making my own and only buy BLD

  3. brookesandstreams –

    The bridle leather was a bit stiff to begin with, but after some use (and puppy chewing on it) it broke in gorgeously. The occasional puppy chewing while walking didn’t damage the leash, just broke it in better!
    This is a great simple leash for standard walks. I like having the O ring on the handle, as I can move it onto the leash and have a slip lead when that would be helpful. It’s also great for clipping the leash around my body when I let him off leash. The 7ft length is about as long as I’d go with just clipping from hip to opposite shoulder — much longer and it’d start getting annoying around my legs.

  4. Katelynn Franczak (verified owner) –

    Gorgeous, soft and supple leather. You can really tell the craftsmanship that has gone into it. I got the large and it feels both sturdy and light in my hands. Love it!

  5. SK (verified owner) –

    I use the 6-foot length for both training and competing in Obedience/Rally trials, (when a six-footer is required at lower levels). The leather feels amazing in your hands – very pliable and super soft. Pair it with a matching BLD Quick Release collar, and you’ll be looking snazzy in the ring – if only for your own enjoyment. Every single thing I’ve gotten from BLD has been absolutely worth the money, and I can’t imagine using anyone else’s leashes.

  6. Gerald Salerno (verified owner) –

    Great Leash! The black leather looks great and the quality is superb. I ordered the 5′ leash and it is the leash and I am probably going to order in 4′ as well for city walks. This is the best leash I have seen anywhere and I am really happy that it is made in America!

  7. schneirfamily@gmail.com (verified owner) –

    In the past, I’d have to go to a dog show to get a lead of this quality. Very strong, comfortable in the hand, excellent. Thank you again for a great purchase.

  8. Gabio (verified owner) –

    I love my leash, I prefer 4ft leashes and you can rarely get them with all the features I wanted so I got this leash customized with a traffic handle, a ring on the line, plus a clash on the loop. This make it perfect for securing my dog when I am eating or have to run into a store. The traffic handle gives perfect control when needed without my having to worry about loosing my grip. By far the best dog leash I have ever owned!! (I went ahead and gave it a once over with neatsfoot just to help speed up breaking in but I was already pretty soft before that!)

  9. Graeme (verified owner) –

    Thank you for my order,which I have received.I am impressed with your “Traditional Lead”.All ready have had comments from friends etc saying how nice it looks.Nothing in New Zealand comes close to design and price.Thank you Regards Graeme

  10. Gisela Mueller (verified owner) –

    we have a 43 lb French Brittany who will be 3 years old at the end of the year. He likes to pull on his leash whenever there is quail or rabbits around…. We are using the 6 ft leash for several months and this is our first leather leash. I am happy to say there is no more leash burn….. The leash is also sturdy, and looks like new despite heavy use (and abuse ;). The light brown color beautifully matches my dog’s fur color and we are getting lots of compliments.

  11. Kali (verified owner) –

    My new favorite training leash! I have the tan & brass, 3/8th wide six foot leash for my 22lb Corgi. Lightweight but very durable and has a great feel. Breaking in beautifully. I had them add a floating o-ring to the handle so I can clip it around my waist when she is off-leash, or inconspicuously attach a long line to the leash when practicing long-distance stays. The snap is also the perfect balance of possessing strength without being heavy or bulky.

  12. Ron (verified owner) –

    After a nylon leash I had been using for a few years failed (the snap fell apart) while I was walking one of my greyhounds last weekend, I decided it was time to replace a couple of older leashes with something better.
    I had a couple of requirements: leather and made in the USA. After looking at a number of websites, I found BLD. I liked the look of their products and the sound of their organization, so I ordered a couple of the traditional 4-foot leashes, size medium.
    I called the company the next day to ask a couple of questions and spoke with a young lady who was pleasant, professional and efficient.
    The leashes arrived two days later (Colorado to South Carolina in two days, very nice!). Beautiful leather, rock solid hardware and obvious craftsmanship. Combine theses facts with the lifetime guarantee, I know I chose wisely. They are perfect!
    I certainly plan to make future purchases from BLD and am already recommending them to my friends.

  13. Sheila (verified owner) –

    I love this leash! I purchased the 1/2″ and when it arrived I thought it looked too thin because I’ve gotten used to using wider leashes. But after just the first use I fell in love with it. It’s perfect! It looks beautiful, it’s soft, smooth, and feels great in my hands. I have small hands but my husband does not and this leash works great for either of us.

  14. Lisa (verified owner) –

    Purchased Black Latigo 5 ft meadium lead for my English Cream Golden Retriever. This lead is so soft i t is exactly what I was looking for. Quick shipping. Plan on ordering another 6 ft lead. Thank you for making a quality product at an affordable price.

  15. Jill Pinder and Eli –

    I ordered a 6 foot lead for everyday use with my GSD. I love the construction, soft feel in my hands and the durability of this beautiful leather leash. Everyone should have a leash like this.

  16. Shannan Meehan (verified owner) –

    I loved this leash so much I ordered a spare! These are high quality leather that get softer and better with age while maintaining durability. The leather has stood up very well to the crazy Chicago weather with very little care. I love these leashes and would highly recommend them.

  17. SK (verified owner) –

    My Jack Russell Terrier busted out of a leash bc the bolt snap just popped open & stayed that way, also the leather was about to break. (It was only about 4 yrs. old) I searched & got a scissor clasped one that only came in a size that was too heavy for him & a leash that was thick for my hands. I felt terrible that it was such a heavy clasp but opted for safety. Then, a friend told me about Bold Lead Designs. There were so many choices! I read that the bolt snaps were the most reliable, more than the scissor snap I had gotten “to be safe.” No throughly confused, I decided to call to consult w/someone. Katrina was amazing–went over all the pros & cons of all the choices. I ended up w/the the traditional leash w/bolt snap and the leash is great! My dog doesn’t have a huge clasp weighing him down and the 1/2″ leash is better in my hand—after just a week I can feel the leather softening! The bolt snap seems secure, the craftsmanship is beautiful, and the customer service is great. I feel this will last a lifetime; but if I end up needing another leash or accessory I will most definitely get it f/Bold Lead Designs!

  18. Lynda Costello (verified owner) –

    I bought the bridle leather 6′ and liked it so much I bought the 4′ in latigo leather. I have a 146.6lb 15 month old Newfoundland so wanted a strong leash, easy on the hands. (I am 75). I could not be more pleased with both leashes. Highly recommend BLD!

  19. Shelly Legault –

    Another great product from Bold Lead Designs! High quality and very durable great for everyday use. I bought this product a couple months ago and it has worn in very nice, one of the best leather leashes I have bought!

  20. Alex (verified owner) –

    i bought the 5-foot 5/8″ tan lead more than 1.5 years ago. When I first received it I was impressed with the quality of the leather and craftsmanship. I’ve never seen such a nice leash for the prices offered by BLD. The leash is still holding up fantasticly. It’s now much darker and has become very pliable with use. I have no doubt it will last a lifetime if properly taken care of. I plan on buying several more this Christmas to share with my dog loving friends!

  21. Mary (verified owner) –

    Absolutely love the medium 6ft leather leash with the perfect pace leather halter. Excellent quality leather and craftsmanship. I would have gone with a large or extra large for our Bernese Mountain dog if I were using it with a regular collar. Since she does not pull with the perfect pace, the medium is light and more than strong enough to use with her.

  22. Morgan –

    Super strong and durable leather, I never wanted to buy a leather leash for the onset time because so many others I had seen were stiff and broke apart but I finally caved after hearing so many people rave about BLD and I’m so glad I did! The leash came out of the box super flexible and easy to hold and it only gets better with use. I was worried that the medium size would have trouble holding up to my large, strong dogs and my client’s dogs but it seems to get stronger everyday! I will never go back to nylon

  23. Darren Beck (verified owner) –

    I have a Staffordshire bull terrier and had this lead about 2 or 3 years its six foot long perfect for my needs. Beautifully made and gets better with age. Will out live any dog. Perfect
    ..

  24. Gary (verified owner) –

    Love my leash! Soft quality leather and Bold Lead was very helpful in making the customizations I wanted.

  25. Patricia Miller (verified owner) –

    As a dog trainer, I have lots of leashes. But I didn’t have the perfect “everyday” leash for my Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Well, I finally found it. I was able to order the length I wanted and the bells and whistles (loose ring on the handle, fixed ring on the leash) that made it completely functional. The leather and workmanship are impeccable and all for a super reasonable price! Will definitely recommend to my students.

  26. Heather –

    I special ordered the 1/2″ 6 foot lead with a stainless steel snap and I LOVE IT!

    I have a great dane and we do obedience training/competition and I wanted a high quality, black, braided end lead and BLD had just what I was looking for.

    The customer service was great…I must have called 3 times to ask questions about snap options and the best width leather to use for my petite hands and I totally got steered in the right direction and am extremely happy with my purchase.

    I also bought a matching training tab and the set gets quite a but of attention at class.

    Thank you BLD!

  27. Ann M (verified owner) –

    Stunning workmanship! This is beautiful soft flexible leather. I got the dark finish and it is gorgeous. No break in. It all it’s soft right out of the package. . . I highly recommend this – this is beautiful work – beautiful craftsmanship.

  28. Chris Brown (verified owner) –

    Great leash for everyday use. Looks great on my dog and is nice to hang on to.

  29. Debbie (verified owner) –

    I have a 3 foot and a 6 foot, 1/2 inch for competition. It’s narrow enough to wrap many times into one hand, but strong enough to feel confident when walking about the trial grounds. It’s simple yet beautiful. I’ve seen my peers’ leather leashes and many of them are losing the stitching but it won’t happen to a braided leash. This leash is also buttery soft and becomes unbelievably more so as it ages. Just make sure you follow BLDs care instructions and that you actually use the leash. It’s so soft, so strong and a classic design that goes with any fancy or plain collar or harness.

  30. Rob C. –

    Spoke about this leash to a friend and then got one as a gift. I have a husky and they are known to be pretty direct when walking. This leash allows both the freedom that she wants and the control that I need. An excellent product, very well made. I’ll be making future purchases.

  31. Amy (verified owner) –

    This was my first leather lead ever, after over 40 years with dogs, and I will never go back! I purchased this in 1/2″ in tan not long after I brought my Bearded Collie puppy home a couple of years ago, on a friend’s recommendation. I have 3 dogs and one or the other has it on every day, now that the Beardie has mostly taken possession of the 8-way! I love the braiding and how easy it is on my hands. The more it “ages” the better it feels and the prettier it becomes. I have occasionally used the Bick’s conditioner on it, or a bit of Neatsfoot Oil as recommended by BLD, but it has really needed very little care.

  32. donambrose –

    Just received a 6 foot lead. It truly is a thing of beauty. Thank you for your craftsmanship it is very much valued.

    Donald A.

  33. MZ (verified owner) –

    I just wanted to let you know that I love your leads and collars. I had been searching for the perfect lead/collar combination for my Bernese pups. I had ordered from other places, and the product wasn’t quite right (cheap-feeling hardware, uneven leather width, unfinished edges, etc.). Your leashes and collars are perfect. Outstanding-quality hardware (love the screw-in rivets), thoughtful design (like the double d-ring on the collar), and substantial feel. I’ll be back for the tan leather versions soon.

  34. Nicole T (verified owner) –

    Lovely quality lead, and the golden tan color is gorgeous and eye catching. I got this delivered at 4pm and it was in use at obedience class by 6pm that night. Leather is soft and smooth and very supple. I’ve gotten leads from other sources that oil the heck out of poor quality leather and try to pass it off as soft leather. No worries like that with the Bold Leads! They are awesome at first touch, no break in needed.

  35. Rosemary Nea (verified owner) –

    I received the leashes that I ordered & just want to say WOW! Thank you so much. They are beautiful & well made. The leather is not only substantial but supple. I ordered 2 standard 6ft black leads, a brown traffic lead, & a black 8-way lead. The standards will of course be for everyday walks. The traffic is for my very large Anatolian who I like to keep close when I take her into social situations, & the 8-way will be used when I go on transports for various rescue groups. I feel certain that they will be well used & long lived!
    I also appreciate the travel water bowl & 2 key rings you sent along with the order. :)
    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
    Rosemary

  36. Mark. S. (verified owner) –

    Thank You, exactly what I was looking for.

  37. Adam (verified owner) –

    I have been searching for a quality leather leash for some time and I have finally found it in this one. The quality and craftsmanship are top notch and I couldn’t be any more happy with my purchase. This was definitely money well spent. I like a light leash for training and walks so I opted for the medium size, it’s every bit of strong to satisfy my 60 pound bulldog. Katrina’s customer service and attentiveness to my order was top notch and I received my package in no time. Great company, great product, don’t hesitate, buy now!

  38. Emily –

    I purchased a BLD leash (mine is the medium or small, I believe) in black Latigo leather at a local boutique. I LOVE it. Years of equestrian sports have left me almost unbearably picky about leather gear. This is first lead I’ve handled in a LONG time that wowed me with the quality. It’s thick and sturdy and yet so, so soft. It conditions up beautifully and holds up in the weather (so far). The craftsman ship and detail on the braided/twisted portions is just stunning.

    I haven’t been so in love with a leash in long time. The price on this stuff is excellent too. Think about it… $25 for a crappy, poorly made leather leash at a box store, or $33 for a beautiful lead that will last you a lifetime? The math is easy.

  39. Andrew –

    Coming from the horse industry I have a strong desire to own quality leather gear that has the right feel and durability to it along with looking great , I search for a few weeks before I stumbled upon Bold Lead Design and I couldnt be happier with the leashes I have received from this company , as great as they look in the photos they are even better in person.

  40. Stephanie B –

    Love this leash – I use it every day for my Springer Spaniel. The leather quality and craftsmanship are excellent (and I should know – I used to work for a custom saddler!) I recommend this product as a great basic leash for my dog obedience students – durable, high quality, easy to care for, and comfortable to hold.

  41. Olimpia (verified owner) –

    I looked for a good leather leash for a while and was so excited when I found and received this one. The leather is excellent; finally a high-quality leather that is a beautiful color, comfortable, durable (and won’t stain my dogs’ necks orange in a light rain, like that cheap stuff!) It’s been the best simple but beautiful leash I’ve found anywhere.

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