AK-9

The hardware story

Most dog leads fail at the clip, so the range starts there. The combat clip on the Combat Clip Dog Lead clamps the moment it meets a D-ring and releases only when you press both side clips together. On the Long Traffic Control Dog Lead it is solid aircraft-grade aluminium, backed by two padded handles. The Carabiner Clip Dog Lead takes a different route: a climbing-style carabiner rated to 422kg of pulling force. The Combat Clip Dog Collar carries the same thinking round the neck, with an aircraft-grade aluminium cam-lock clasp, a welded 316 stainless steel D-ring and a close-control handle in reflective webbing. The combat clip, carabiner and traffic leads are firmly woven nylon with a ring on the handle for a treat bag, a poo-bag dispenser or a hands-free belt, and several were designed and tested in-house by our office dogs, Ruby and Boyo.

Leads for every kind of walk

The short Traffic Control Dog Lead strips out slack beside roads and in crowds, and joins to a second lead for two dogs. The Dog Slip Lead is a lead and collar in one, 120cm of reflective rope with an adjustable loop, for quick trips and kennels; fit it carefully, introduce it gradually, and keep it for dogs that walk calmly rather than dogs that lunge or pull hard. The Dog Training Lead is a long line in 5m, 10m and 20m with a 360° swivel clip, for recall work on the beach or in the field.

The harness, the dark and the car

The Dog Power Harness has a collapsible control handle, three weather layers with a neoprene inner, a curved quick-release buckle, and glow-in-the-dark patches alongside reflective stitching, in five sizes by chest measurement and 11 colours. From Medium up it carries the USB-C Rechargeable Harness Torch, a 126g zoomable torch with ten modes that also works in your hand. For journeys, the In-Car Anti-Shock Dog Safety Seat Belt plugs into the seatbelt slot and clips to the harness, never a collar, with a bungee to soften sudden braking, and AK-9 Vent Locks hold the boot ajar for airflow in four sizes, though never as a reason to leave a dog in a warm car. The Dog Car Travel Kit gathers those pieces on one page.

Rest after the walk

The High Raised Dog Bed lifts your dog onto breathable mesh on a powder-coated steel frame that dries fast and wipes clean, with an absorbent Noodle Cover for wet, muddy dogs and a Replacement Mesh Cover to keep the frame in service. You will find all three, with sizing help, in our raised dog beds category. The Pet First Aid Kit for Emergency Care, in a rugged canvas case, rounds off the range for days out.

Browse the full range of dog leads, collars and harnesses, where you will also find the harness and collar size tables if you are unsure which size to order. As with any dog gear, check clips, stitching and webbing regularly and replace anything that shows wear.

Frequently asked questions

What is AK-9?

AK-9 is the Vetfleece range of dog leads, a collar, a harness and car-travel gear built for dogs that pull, work and walk in all weathers. The common threads are metal hardware, a handle where you need one and reflective or glow-in-the-dark detail for the dark. It also includes a raised dog bed, a rechargeable torch and a pet first aid kit.

What is the AK-9 combat clip?

It is an auto-clamping clasp. The clip clamps the moment it meets an anchor point such as the D-ring on a collar or harness, and releases only when you press the two side clips together. You will find it on the Combat Clip Dog Lead, both Traffic Control leads and the in-car seat belt; on the Long Traffic Control lead it is solid aircraft-grade aluminium.

Which AK-9 lead suits a strong dog?

The Carabiner Clip Dog Lead runs a climbing-style carabiner rated to withstand 422kg of pulling force on 1.2m of firmly woven nylon. The 75cm Long Traffic Control Dog Lead adds two padded handles, the lower one for close control, and an aircraft-grade aluminium clip. Neither stops a dog pulling; pair them with a well-fitted harness and, if needed, help from a trainer.

Does AK-9 make a harness for small dogs?

Yes. The Dog Power Harness starts at Mini-Mini (XS) for a 40–53cm chest and a 4–7kg dog, then Mini (S) for 49–67cm and 7–15kg, and runs up to Size 2 (XL) for a 71–96cm chest and 28–40kg. Every size has the collapsible control handle, three weather layers and glow patches; the torch holder is on Medium, Large and X Large only.

Can I clip the AK-9 seat belt to my dog's collar?

No. The In-Car Anti-Shock Dog Safety Seat Belt is designed for a harness only. It plugs into the seatbelt slot and clips to the harness D-ring with a 360° swivel combat clip, so any pressure from sudden braking is spread across the chest rather than the neck. Attach it to a well-fitting harness such as the AK-9 Power Harness.

Does the AK-9 torch fit every harness size?

The torch and accessory holder is on the Medium (Size 0), Large (Size 1) and X Large (Size 2) Power Harness. The two smallest sizes do not have it. The USB-C Rechargeable Harness Torch also works as a handheld torch, with a wrist strap, a zoomable beam and ten lighting modes, and it charges in around two to three hours.