How to Find a Leash and Collar for your Bulldog

There are many different types of leashes available these days for you Bulldog or other large breed of dog. From the standard leather or nylon leash to a metal “choke” collar, to the retractable type leashes that let you have the leash as long or as short as you want. The type of leash you want to get depends on your Bulldog and your walking routine. Here is a quick breakdown of the different types of leashes for your Bulldog, along with the pros and cons for each one.

Standard Collars

A standard collar is the typical collar that most dogs have, typically made out of nylon or leather that goes around your Bulldog’s neck. The major drawback of this type of collar is that when your Bulldog starts to pull on the leash it will choke him. Most dogs, including Bulldogs, don’t realize that they can stop being choked if they simply stop pulling and they never learn to stop doing so. See some of the other types of collars and harnesses below.

Harnesses

Although a harness makes walking easier on your Bulldog by not choking him, it also makes it easy to pull for hours on end without getting tired or hurting himself. Think about it, harnesses were designed for dogs to pull sleds and other objects with ease for a long time. They make it easy to pull a sled through snow so of course it will be easy for your Bulldog to pull on his leash when you take him for a walk. So be prepared that your Bulldog will probably be pulling more once you put a harness on him. There are other types of collars that don’t make it so easy to pull but still give your Bulldog a comfortable walk. For example, see gentle leaders below.

Gentle Leaders

A gentle leader is a type of collar that goes around your Bulldog’s face and puts the pressure on his nose when he wants to pull on the leash. Some people say that it looks uncomfortable, especially for Bulldogs with their short nose, however most Bulldogs do not seem to mind at all. The only thing that may be uncomfortable is when the dog begins to pull on the leash, this puts more pressure on his nose and makes him want to back off and walk slower. This is good because it makes your dog walk at a consistent speed close to how fast you want to walk. Eventually your Bulldog will learn not to pull or tug on the leash and you can even discontinue use of the gentle leader once your Bulldog has learned how to walk properly.

Standard Leash

A standard leash is usually made out of a material like nylon or leather. It is a simple leash that is only one length. This is good for most dogs as it doesn’t let them go too far away from their owner. Most standard leashes are anywhere from 4’ to 8’ in length. This is the standard type of leash that most owners get for walking their Bulldog

Retractable Leash

A retractable leash is good for Bulldogs that are a little more obedient than others as it gives them a lot more leniency when it comes to how far they can go. Most retractable leashes can go up to 25 or 30 feet but do have a button that stops it at any length you want if you don’t want your Bulldog to go any farther. This is good if your Bulldog sees something that catches his attention but you don’t want him to go any farther. You simply push the button and he will not be able to go any farther.

Chain Leashes and Collars/Choke Chain

Some people like the look of chain collars and leashes because they make your Bulldog look tough. Others like the choke chain type collar that chokes your Bulldog as soon as he goes too far. However, most dog trainers and owners find these types of collars and leashes to be inhumane and cruel. They also weigh a lot more than most other types of leashes and collars. Some bigger breeds like Bulldogs don’t mind a chain collar or leash compared to smaller breeds of dogs but they are still not recommended.

Whatever type of leash and collar you decide on for your Bulldog, make sure it is comfortable for both you and your canine companion. This will make your walks together much more comfortable for you and your Bulldog. Make sure it fits your Bulldog and his walking style but keeps him safe and close enough to you in case something happens.