Retractable Dog Lead Extending Leash - Extension Lead with Anti-Slip Brake, Release Button, Anti-Twist Lobster Clip, Soft Grip Handle - For Small, Medium, Large Pets - Blue, 8 Metre

I bought 2 of these some weeks ago so I decided to give them a thorough testing before leaving a review.While for the most part they are solidly built, That I'm afraid is the only positive.I have 2 well fed slightly overweight cocker spaniels so I bought 2 large (8m) retractables and while both weigh far less than 50 kg which these leads supposedly handle they struggle to retract smoothly or with any speed which in my estimation suspect the spring coil inside that controls the retraction is far too weak, sometimes causing the tape to drag along the floor and getting tangled under the legs of the dogs. In comparison to my old tape leads if my dogs come back, they (old ones) retracts at the same speed, never getting trapped or tangled.The locking mechanism, where some have had issues in the reviews I can only validate, It's an annoyance especially if the lead is at full stretch as it is prone to locking inadvertently. A couple of scenarios you need to seriously consider,1 if you are close to a busy road and the lead is at max, If you need to check your dog and retract quickly it may lock inadvertently2 if you are walking your family pet in a field and again, the led is at full stretch, a large dog not on a lead quickly approaches, Yet again you check and retract the lead but it locks, the risks are quite serious and could leave your pet exposed to attack or unwanted attention from other dogs while you struggle to control the situation.I've resorted to going back to my old leads because of this, My dogs safety and control is of the utmost importance as they are essentially a part of my family , so I need the best tools to keep them safe,These new leads don't meet those requirements as I can't trust them to fail at the sign of danger.

The quality of the handle, lead, clip and retraction mechanism is good.But this product gets a poor review because of the annoying lock/stop switch. It's a two-part switch, with an up/down motion and a slide forward-backward motion to lock the lead in the stop position. Nothing unusual here. But the mechanism automatically engages the lock every time you press the stop button downwards. This means that when you press down, and then remove your thumb, the lead stays locked. You have to then slide it to release it.But furthermore, when you slide to release the lock, you slide it in a direction that's counter intuitive based on the more common direction use for other brands. You have the slide forward to release the lock, whereas all other leads I've used you slide backwards.Most leads have three modes - free, stop, and lock. This lead has only free and lock.This presented too annoying a problem, particularly when in a bit of a fluster with many things to juggle at once.

I read many differing reviews before ordering one of these. In the end the colour and the price helped me decide to give it a go.I have a 20kg+ very active spaniel, so took the advice from buying flexi leads and bought a size large.Positives:Easy to holdLightEasy to lock, - no extra step basically as soon as button pressed down.Won't unlock until tension is removed from the leadBrightCheaper than flexi.Negatives:Retraction of lead is slow.Locking mechanism is very easy to deploy, and tension has to be off lead before it will unlock, meaning if you get it wrong it's hard to get the dog in quickly.Tape feels a little more flimsy than a flexi.Some of the things I'm not keen on are just a case of relearning having used flexi for the last 4 years.Overall for the purpose we use an extension lead it is fine (attached to a harness, when walking fields/ places where some freedom is acceptable but still needs to be on lead).It's great for having in my bag, for when doing walks where for the majority of the time pupster will be off lead, but there may be occasions I need more control.I will definitely not be using it near cliffs, close livestock or on roads.EDIT: Lead is now 8 months old. Has had limited use, compared to normal due to Covid, and today the tape snapped off the handle end.I was lucky that I was on an open field away from cars and most livestock, and that my dog has fairly good recall. If we'd chosen a different route it wouldn't have been ducks but sheep she was after.

Normally I have always gone for the original Flexi lead tape. Which I do have also. This was a very inexpensive version. I chose it as it says it can take dogs up to 50kg and secondly for the colour. I have now used it a few times and like the fact it is much lighter than a flexi and feels good in your hand but the difference between the 2 is that the buttons to control and release are far better and safer on a flexi. The buttons on this are much smaller and more difficult to use ending up with dog on long tape locked and it's difficult to retract quickly.All in all I would say for the price it is very good so far once I get the hang of the buttons! As I say I have only used it a few times and time will tell how long it will last. As they say you get what you pay for and I would recommend it for its price and that it is for bigger dogs but is light and comfortable to use - just need to get the hang of the buttons! Ps I still say that if you can afford it the original Flexi is still the best quality and I have some still that are over 10yrs old and going strong!!