Different dog leash types

Over the past few decades, pets have become an essential part of our family. If we travel or we are going on holiday, we always think about them and about their needs. But what happens to them when we move to another country?

If we decide to move abroad, we must be aware of the applicable laws and regulations in the country of destination in order to avoid any unexpected problems. In this article we are going to talk about dogs, our faithful companions, and the different dog leash types we can use if we live in Spain.

Taking our dogs out into the street

As we said before, each country has its own habits and regulations regarding pets, and more specifically, regarding dogs. Depending on their breed, their size and the places we decide to visit, we will have to be careful about certain issues, including the leash, which is an essential accessory.

In case you don't know it, in Spain it is compulsory to keep your dog on a leash when you go out in the street and in public places where there is no area specifically designated for them. In public parks, for example, there is usually an area reserved for dogs, where they can run around freely and play with other dogs.  

But beyond these exceptions, you should always take your dog out in the street on a leash; your dog has to be identified with its chip, and you should also carry its vaccination card and liability insurance even if your dog is considered a PPP (in Spain, this acronym stands for “potentially dangerous dog”) or not. In such a case, your dog must also wear a muzzle.

Don’t miss out our article about: Dangerous Dog Insurance.

Leashes and their colour coding

Since your dog must always be on a leash when you leave the house, it is very useful to know the different dog leash types which are available on the market. Also, it is advisable to know which is the right colour that suits your pet's personality. Forget about your favourite colour, think about what your dog is like and please take note:

Red: As you can imagine, the colour red is always synonymous with danger. This leash will be suitable for your pet if it is not yet educated, or if it is aggressive and/or dangerous for other dogs and their owners. With this leash we send a clear message: stay away. Everything helps when it comes to avoiding problems, like the possibility that our dog may bite someone in the street.

Green: On the contrary, the green leash speaks of a friendly, sociable dog, who in general terms relates very well to other dogs and to passers-by who come to greet and play with him.

Orange: The orange leash stands somewhere in between red and green leashes. If your dog is an animal that does not particularly enjoy the company of other dogs because he has a more territorial personality, this one could be a good choice. You could also choose this colour if your dog is sick or if, for any other reason, your pet needs to be away from other animals.

Purple: The purple leash is also used as a warning. In this case, it indicates that the dog is not allowed to be fed by other people. This could be due to an allergy, a health problem or if the dog is on a strict diet for any reason.

Yellow: This is the colour of the most unpredictable dogs. Yellow leashes are reserved for nervous dogs, who might attack someone or who simply react impulsively to other people. They could also be used for dogs that are easily frightened or do not obey their master at first. As you can see, it is not synonymous with danger, but with unpredictability.

Blue: This is the colour that identifies service dogs, i.e., therapy dogs, dogs that accompany blind people, or dogs that are being trained. In general, it is advisable not to touch them or to interact with these dogs while they are performing their work, as this may distract or confuse them.

White: White leashes identify dogs that have a disability, usually referring to vision or hearing problems. Identifying this kind of animal is very useful, as it allows other people to know that the animal has special needs.

The perfect leash for your dog

Beyond the colours, the following criteria should be taken into account when choosing the perfect leash:

Your dog's size: in other words, how much it weighs and how tall it is. Your dog's size will help you to know what material will work best for him. You can then decide if you want a basic nylon lead or if you need a cord leash for stronger dogs.

The character of your dog: We have already seen that it is not the same walking with nervous, restless dogs (for which you can choose a more resistant leash made of leather) or with older and calmer dogs (these could wear an extendable leash, for example).

Type of use: Going for a walk in the park is not the same as going on a trip or training your dog. In the latter case, we could go for a short and more resistant leash, made of cord or leather.

Safety first

As you can see, every kind of leash can help you depending on the occasion and the kind of animal you have. But above all, the most important thing is the safety of your pet and those around it.

There is nothing more unpleasant than having a mishap with your pet and not knowing who to contact. That's the reason why it is important to keep your pet's insurance up to date, so that it is covered in case an unexpected incident arrives. You can take a look here at Pet insurance in Spain from Caser Expat

As you can see, our dogs don't just need good food, time and affection from us. They also need that we pay attention to the laws and regulations that directly affect them on a day-to-day basis. I hope this article has been useful and will give you some inspiration for the next leash you need to buy. See you soon!