Retractable Leash Buyers Guide - The Base Retractable Leash
Welcome to our 4-part Buyers Guide on Retractable Leashes.
This is part 1 and concerns the base retractable leash, the one that started it all.
It was invented in the early 1970s by a German engineer, Manfred Bogdahn. His invention is still being sold by his company Flexi. This base retractable leash is simple and has the excellent benefit of providing your dog with the freedom to explore the world around them without dragging you along. It is comprised of a plastic casing with a reel of wound-up leash inside, and a return spring to keep the leash taught between the dog and their owner. On the outside there is a handle and a stop button that, when pressed, locks the reel to stop it spinning.
The benefits of this base model include:
(1) keeping the leash taught between you and your dog to avoid a tripping hazard,
(2) neatly storing the leash in the casing to minimize tangles and prevent the leash getting caught in hands and fingers.
Currently, Flexi isn’t the only manufacturer of this type of leash, and although they are one of the higher quality manufacturers, brands like Tug are also very competitive.
Base retractable leashes are available with 2 types of leash material, woven cord or nylon webbing tape. The cord type has the advantage of easily retracting into the casing with no risk of twists or kinks jamming the uptake, unlike the tape type, which can jam. However, there are disadvantages. These include the thin leash cord being hard to see and a higher risk of injury if the thin cord wraps over or around a person, or an animal’s extremities. The tape type on the other hand is more visible because of its wider profile and has a lower risk of causing injuries because its wider profile puts less pressure on a person’s extremities.
Another concern with the Base retractable leash, is the simple stop mechanism. Pressing the stop button pushes a block into a toothed wheel, which immediately jams the reel in place. This design is simple and cheap to manufacture. However, it should not be used to stop your dog if they run after something. The immediate stop when moving at speed produces a large force with several possible consequences:
(1) The stop mechanism in the leash is destroyed.
(2) The leash is jerked out of your hand.
(3) The high force of the stop is transferred to your dog your hand, wrist and shoulder causing short and long-term injuries.
This is why Flexi’s instructions clearly say that you must have control of your dog at all times, relying on your dogs recall training to stop your dog and not the stop button.
To summarise: The base retractable leash was revolutionary when it first appeared all those years ago. It keeps the leash taught between you and your dog so there is no tripping hazard, and it allows your dog to have more fun and enjoyment on their walks because they have so much more freedom to explore the world around them.
Pros:
Available in both tape and cord types
Very affordable price
Most models offer a slot or an eyelet where you can clip a treat or bag cannister
Some models even come with a light that either clips on or is built into the leash
Cons:
Beware of cheap copies that lack quality and won’t last more than a couple months
The leash is only practical if you’re dog has perfect recall
The leash stop button is not intuitive
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