Harnesses Leads & Collars

Which dog lead for which walk

Traffic control for roads and busy places

The short AK-9 Traffic Control Dog Lead strips out the slack so a medium or large dog stays right by your side on pavements, in crowds and in the vets' waiting room. It runs the AK-9 auto-clamping clasp on firmly woven nylon, and it can extend a regular lead or join a second lead so two dogs walk under control.

The 75cm AK-9 Long Traffic Control Dog Lead is a double handle dog lead: the padded upper handle slips over your wrist when your dog can have some freedom, and the padded lower handle brings them in close. Its combat clip is solid aircraft-grade aluminium, the nylon has reflective tape woven through, and it suits larger, stronger dogs such as Boxers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

Everyday walking with the combat clip

For the daily walk, the AK-9 Combat Clip Dog Lead runs the most secure clasp in the range: it clamps the moment it meets the D-ring on a collar or harness, and releases when you press the two side clips together. Choose the 1.2m length for everyday walking or the 70cm length for close control.

A carabiner lead for strong pullers

Strong dogs are hard on clips, so the AK-9 Carabiner Clip Dog Lead uses a climbing-style carabiner rated to withstand 422kg of pulling force, on 1.2m of firmly woven nylon. The rating refers to the carabiner itself; check the clip, stitching and webbing regularly and replace anything that shows wear.

A slip lead for quick trips and kennels

The AK-9 Dog Slip Lead is a lead and collar in one: a 120cm rope of reflective nylon with an adjustable loop, a rubber stopper and a stainless steel ring, which goes straight over your dog's head with no clip or collar to fasten. Fit it with the sliding ring facing you, so the loop slackens as soon as your dog eases off, and introduce it gradually. A slip lead is not the right choice for a dog that lunges or pulls hard for long periods; for those dogs a well-fitted harness and a fixed lead are kinder.

A long line for recall

Recall is built with distance, and that is what the AK-9 Dog Training Lead gives you. This long line dog lead comes in 5m, 10m and 20m, with a 360° swivel clip so your dog can circle and double back without tangling the line, and a metal D-ring to shorten it. Start with the 5m and step up as recall improves. The Jenny Wren Retractable Dog Lead offers 5m or 8m of range with a quick-stop brake.

A dog harness with handle, sized by chest

The AK-9 Dog Power Harness has a collapsible control handle that sits flat until you need it for a sudden pull, a road crossing or close work. Three layers, a water-resistant breathable shell, insulating felt and a neoprene inner, keep your dog comfortable in British weather, and a curved quick-release buckle makes fitting easy. It runs from a small dog harness for a 4kg terrier to a dog harness for large dogs of 40kg, in 11 colours; measure the chest just behind the front legs and match it to the table.

The bands overlap on purpose. If your dog's chest sits at the top of a band, consider the next size up, and use the weight column as a second check.

A dog collar with handle, sized by neck

The AK-9 Combat Clip Dog Collar is a dog collar for large dogs and broad necks. It has a close-control handle built into the webbing, reflective tape woven through, an aircraft-grade aluminium cam-lock clasp with a matching tri-glide, and a welded 316 stainless steel D-ring for the lead. The 50mm wide collar suits medium to large dogs, strong and working breeds and longer necks; the 32mm narrow collar suits small to medium dogs and shorter necks.

Breed examples are a guide only. Dogs vary by build, age, sex, weight, coat and neck shape, so always measure.

Seen after dark

Winter walks start and finish in the dark, so visibility is built in. The collar has reflective tape woven into its webbing, the slip lead and the long traffic control lead carry the same woven-in tape, and the harness adds glow-in-the-dark patches, charged by daylight, to its reflective stitching. The AK-9 USB-C Rechargeable Harness Torch sits in the torch holder on the Medium, Large and X Large harness or works in your hand, with a zoomable beam and ten modes.

In the car

The AK-9 In-Car Anti-Shock Dog Safety Seat Belt plugs into your vehicle's seatbelt slot and clips to your dog's harness with a 360° swivel combat clip, and an elasticated bungee softens sudden braking. It adjusts from 53cm to 75cm and is for a harness only; never attach it to a collar. AK-9 Vent Locks hold the tailgate ajar for airflow, in 2in, 5in, 8in and 12in openings, but never make it safe to leave a dog in a car on a warm day. The Dog Car Travel Kit groups the harness, the seat belt, the vent locks and a water bottle on one page.

Patches that speak for your dog

A pair of patches for a harness or lead tells people what your dog needs before they reach out, in 23 wordings from Nervous and Reactive to Deaf Dog, Do Not Pet and Assistance Dog, in 110mm or 160mm.

How to measure your dog

For the harness, run a soft tape around the chest at its widest point, just behind the front legs, snug but not tight, and match it to the chest column above. For the collar, measure around the neck where the collar will sit, then check the two-finger rule once it is on: two fingers should slide comfortably between the collar and your dog's neck. Our guide to measuring your dog for a harness takes you through it step by step.

For the garden and days out

The Dog Tie-Down Metal Ground Stake is a 42cm corkscrew dog stake in rust-proof zinc-plated steel that screws 23cm into the ground to anchor your own lead or tether, with a revolving attachment so the line does not wind up; stay with your dog. The Dogsbody Portable Dog Water Bottle fills its own bowl with one hand and drains unused water back into the bottle, in 380ml or 500ml.

Whatever you choose, check the clip, stitching and webbing regularly and replace anything that shows wear. If your dog pulls hard or lunges, a qualified trainer can help make walks calmer for both of you.

Frequently asked questions

Which dog lead is right for a dog that pulls?

Look at the hardware and the handles rather than any promise. The AK-9 Carabiner Clip Dog Lead uses a climbing-style carabiner rated to 422kg, the Long Traffic Control Dog Lead gives you a padded lower handle for close control, and the Power Harness adds a collapsible grab handle. None of them stops a dog pulling by itself; a qualified trainer can help with that.

How do I measure my dog for the AK-9 harness?

Stand your dog square and run a soft tape around the chest at its widest point, just behind the front legs, snug but not tight. Match that figure to the chest column: Mini-Mini 40–53cm, Mini 49–67cm, Size 0 58–76cm, Size 1 63–85cm, Size 2 71–96cm. If your dog sits at the top of a band, consider the next size up and use the weight column as a second check.

How do I measure my dog for the AK-9 collar?

Measure around the neck where the collar will sit. Small fits a 35–44cm neck, Medium 40–53cm and Large 45–64cm. Once the collar is on and adjusted with the tri-glide, you should be able to slide two fingers comfortably between the collar and your dog's neck. Breed examples on the product page are a guide only; always measure.

Is the slip lead suitable for my dog?

The AK-9 Dog Slip Lead is a lead and collar in one, with an adjustable loop set by a rubber stopper and a stainless steel ring. It suits quick trips, kennel runs and calm walkers, fitted with the sliding ring facing you so the loop slackens when your dog eases off. Introduce it gradually. It is not the right choice for a dog that lunges or pulls hard for long periods.

What is the combat clip?

The combat clip is the AK-9 auto-clamping clasp. It 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, so it does not pop open on its own. It is the clasp on the Combat Clip Dog Lead, the Traffic Control leads and the in-car seat belt.

Which lead should I use for recall training?

A long line. The AK-9 Dog Training Lead comes in 5m, 10m and 20m, with a 360° swivel clip so your dog can circle and double back without tangling, and a metal D-ring to shorten it when you want a tighter hold. Start with 5m for garden work and early training, then step up as recall improves. Use it in open, safe spaces and keep it from wrapping around legs.

Can I use the AK-9 harness in the car?

Yes. The AK-9 In-Car Anti-Shock Dog Safety Seat Belt plugs into the seatbelt slot and clips to the D-ring on the harness with a 360° swivel combat clip, and its elasticated bungee softens sudden braking. It is designed for a harness only; never attach it to a collar. Check the harness fit before each journey and use a size that matches your dog's chest measurement.

What are the patches for?

The pair of patches for a harness or lead lets your dog's needs be read from a distance. There are 23 wordings, from Nervous, Anxious, Reactive and Space Needed to Deaf Dog, Blind Dog, Do Not Pet, Training, Assistance Dog and Guide Dog, in two sizes, 110mm and 160mm. They are sold as a pair and suit the AK-9 harness or lead.

Are the AK-9 leads reflective?

Some are. The Dog Slip Lead and the Long Traffic Control Dog Lead have reflective tape woven into the nylon, the Combat Clip Dog Collar has reflective webbing, the in-car seat belt has reflective tape, and the Power Harness pairs reflective stitching with glow-in-the-dark patches. The Combat Clip, Carabiner Clip, Traffic Control and Training leads are not described as reflective, so pair them with a reflective collar or harness after dark.

What weight does the carabiner lead take?

The climbing-style carabiner on the AK-9 Carabiner Clip Dog Lead is rated to withstand up to 422kg of pulling force, which is why it suits strong, powerful dogs. The rating refers to the carabiner clip itself, not the whole lead; the lead is 1.2m of firmly woven nylon. Inspect the clip, stitching and webbing regularly and replace the lead if it shows wear.