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Leash shopping for an average dog is no big deal. Just about any leash will do, so long as the dog is 80 pounds or lighter.
Unfortunately, this means that Rottweilers present a bit of a problem.
As a large breed, Rottweilers weigh between 90 and 120 pounds when they’re fully grown. Even the smallest female Rottie will be heavier and stronger than most standard leashes are built to deal with.
If your Rottie is on the large size, then the problem is even more pronounced for you.
Not only does your Rottweiler need a strong leash, but you also have to consider its length, as a long leash gives your Rottie freedom but can make them harder to manage in more active situations like when you’re walking through a crowd.
Furthermore, you should think about your leash’s functionality, durability, and even how it looks. Appearances aren’t everything, but for some people, they certainly do matter.
The good news is that there are many leash options for you and your Rottie.
News that isn’t so good?
There are too many options and not all leashes will be suitable for such a big dog!
I’ve gathered together six of my favorites and split them into categories to make it easy for you to pick the leash that’s a great match for you and your pooch.
We’re going to discuss my favorite leashes for Rottweilers in a moment, but first, I think it’s paramount that we go over the traits you should be seeking in a leash for a Rottie. We’ll explore what sets a Rottweiler’s leash apart from leashes for other breeds and give you some metrics you can use to compare different leashes.
But if you just want to skip ahead and see which leashes made the list you can check them out here:
- Best Overall: Black Rhino Heavy Duty Dog leash for Medium and Large Dogs
- Best on a Budget: CROWATTS 5 FT Strong Dog Leash
- Best for Chewers: Mighty Paw Chew-Proof Dog Leash
- Best Retractable: Alcott KONG Ultimate Retractable Dog Leash
- Premium Pick: ZeusTacK9 BIOTHANE Heavy Duty Tactical Dog Leash
- Most Stylish: MayPaw Heavy Duty Rope Dog Leash
Considerations When Leash Shopping for Your Rottweiler
In some ways, leash shopping for your Rottweiler is similar to leash shopping for other canine breeds. You’ll want to find a leash that’s the appropriate length and suitable durable to last for some years.
These are important considerations and we’ll cover them as well, but what sets apart a Rottweiler’s leash from a leash for an average-sized dog like a Labrador Retriever or a Border Collie?
Most notably, the Rottweiler’s imposing size.
The smallest Rottweilers are as heavy and large as the most impressive Labrador Retrievers. A large and muscular Rottweiler will usually weigh well over 100 pounds, and your average leash just isn’t designed to handle that much power.
Aside from Rottie-level strength and durability, your leash will need to meet other criteria. When comparing leashes, these are the categories you’ll want to compare to determine which leash is your best bet.
Heavy-Duty Strength
Obviously, as mentioned, you’ll need a very strong leash to handle the hard pull of a strong dog like a Rottweiler. Weighing up to 120 pounds or more, these dogs can put some serious stress on a leash, so you’ll need to find a suitably strong leash.
No, seriously, Rottweilers are outrageously strong and it’s practically because they used to pull carts to market from the farm. Check out this video for a demonstration of a Rottweiler pulling an incredible 15,168 pounds!
Many leashes have a maximum weight capacity of just 80 pounds. Even smaller Rottweilers will be over this weight limit, to say nothing of the big behemoths standing well over 100 pounds.
Luckily, many heavy-duty leashes are made for big breeds like Rotties, so you will be able to find leashes that are strong enough to hold your Rottweiler back. Some harnesses can also help manage your Rottie’s pulling too.
After all, the last thing in the world you want to happen with your leash is for it to break when your giant Rottweiler gets overly excited at another dog you run into out in public. That could spell disaster, so sufficient strength should be at the top of your list of leash needs.
Often, the part that breaks on a leash is the clasp. For a strong dog like a Rottweiler, you need a leash with a heavy-duty clasp that won’t break apart when your dog tries to run off after a squirrel!
Length
How far do you wish to allow your dog to stray from you while you walk?
In some situations, such as walking trails in the woods, having extra length on your leash is highly beneficial.
That said, there are plenty of times when the opposite is true. When you’re walking through heavy pedestrian traffic, for instance, you’ll want a short leash and plenty of control over your Rottie.
Some leashes are retractable, allowing you to change the length of the leash at will.
Be careful though, as even the retractable leashes made for large breeds are often not strong enough to handle the likes of a Rottweiler.
You’ll need a special retractable leash to keep a Rottie in check.
Alternatively, you could opt for a leash with two handles, which allows you to switch between the leash’s full length and a shorter second handle when needed.
Another option is to simply purchase a leash that’s right in the middle and then make it work in all situations the best you can. These leashes will generally be about five to six feet in length, which is a good standard length for most activities and situations.
Appearance
Ok, appearance won’t have any effect on a leash’s usability, but it will affect how much you like using the leash! Particularly if you’re a person who cares about style and fashion, a boring or ugly leash might turn you off. Or you might not be able to stand a leash that doesn’t match the color of your Rottie’s collar.
Granted, there are plenty of people, myself included, who pick things on a mostly utilitarian basis. These people won’t give much thought to the appearance of the leash they pick. I barely even attempt to match my pants and shirts.
But some people like to accessorize and they prefer to look slick when they go out to walk their Rottie.
If you’re one of these people, then you might give preference to a leash that you like the looks of, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just make sure that appearances aren’t your main deciding criteria!
Durability
We talked about the overall strength of your leash already, but durability is more about how long it will hold up.
Some leashes start to fray or show signs of damage with minimal use. Other leashes of a higher quality might last for years without showing the slightest sign of wear and tear.
When it comes to durability, you’ll usually be making a tradeoff with price. Pricier leashes are often built more durably and will last longer, though that’s not a hard and fast rule.
Cheaper leashes are often produced with inferior materials and workmanship. Even though it’s cheaper up front, if you have to replace it several times to a single lifespan of a more expensive leash, then it’s perhaps not such a great deal after all.
Suitable for Chewers?
Not all Rottweilers are chewers, but if yours is, you’ll have to give special consideration to the leash you buy.
When a Rottweiler chews, they can do some serious damage in a very short period of time. Rotties have powerful jaws and large teeth that can make short work of just about anything.
Most leashes are not built to withstand chewing from any dog, let alone a dog with the kind of power and teeth that Rotties have.
Don’t worry though, you’re not out of luck.
Chew-proof leashes exist. For your average Rottweiler, they might not be necessary, but for a Rottweiler that chews, a chew-proof leash could be the only answer.
The good news is that these are not much costlier than your average leash. Chew-proof leashes are generally made from metal chains like a choke chain collar or they’re crafted from steel cable like the kind you’d use to hitch your Rottie in the yard.
For Rottweilers that chew, I’ve recommended my favorite chew-proof leash below.
Comfort
Leash selection won’t have a major impact on your Rottie’s comfort, but it could have a major effect on yours. It’s your wrist that the leash will be around and your arm that your Rottie will be pulling on.
You’ll want to look for a leash with ample padding to protect your wrist. You don’t want something that’s hard and will rub as this could easily cause blisters over time.
Instead, search for something that’s well-padded with a soft material like neoprene or cloth.
Price
Price shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when leash shopping for your Rottweiler, but it could be the major determining factor. Not everyone wants to spend a lot of money on their dog leash.
Thankfully, there are plenty of low-priced leash options that are ideal for Rottweilers.
On the other hand, many more expensive choices offer some premium features like retractable length or highly padded handles for improved comfort.
If you’re budget shopping for your Rottweiler’s leash, then make sure to check out my best budget recommendation below.
The 6 Best Leashes for Rottweilers
That’s enough discussion about desirable leash qualities. Now, let’s talk about some actual leashes!
There are tons of leashes available, but the following six are my absolute favorites for Rottweilers.
To help you sort through them, I’ve divided them into categories. Each of these is my top pick in a particular category, such as best on a budget, best for chewers, or best overall.
Best Overall: Black Rhino Heavy Duty Dog leash for Medium and Large Dogs
- TWO HANDLES - Our leash has two strategically placed handles. One handle allows for the leash to fully...
- BETTER CONTROL - Use the long leash for casual walks, runs, or jogs and also for allowing your dog the...
For many products, I believe that simple is often better. Well, this leash from Black Rhino manages to be simple but packed with features you didn’t even realize you need, which is why it’s my favorite leash for Rottweilers overall.
First of all, this is a very heavy-duty leash that’s designed to work with large-breed dogs. It’s so durable that there’s even a money-back guarantee ensuring your satisfaction.
What’s most interesting about this leash are the two handles. One loop handle is at the far end like a standard leash. When using this handle, you’ll have all six feet of available leash between you and your Rottie.
Need more control?
There’s a second handle about a foot behind the clasp where the leash attaches to your Rottie’s collar. This allows you to hold your Rottweiler very close, which is ideal for situations like crowds or crossing a high-traffic street.
Both loop handles are heavily padded with thick neoprene for your comfort. The entire leash is also triple-stitched with reflective thread to provide some safety when you’re walking your Rottie at night or in the early morning.
Here’s a convenient feature you never realized you needed: a poop bag holder! This leash has a small carrier attached to it that you can keep bags for cleaning up your Rottie’s messes and you’ll never be caught without one again!
For those concerned with aesthetics, there are nine different colors to choose from. You can even get a matching collar for your Rottie, but it’s sold separately.
Combining heavy-duty strength with features that make this leash comfortable, convenient, and highly usable, this Black Rhino leash is my top choice for Rottweilers.
You can check out all the great features and the current price of this leash, plus read more than 2,300 five-star reviews on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: Loaded with features you didn’t know you needed, it’s a great combination of convenient, useful, and strong.
What I wish it had: Overall, I’m satisfied with everything this leash offers and even surprised by some of the extras like the poop-bag carrier.
Best on a Budget: CROWATTS 5 FT Strong Dog Leash
- ✅This 5ft dog leash is made of 1/2 inch diameter climbing rope, it is strong and durable.
- ✅The handle is padded by neoprene. It is comfortable and soft touch, will protect your hands while...
When you’re budget shopping for a Rottie leash, you don’t need anything fancy and attractive. Rather, you’re looking for something strong, simple, durable, and most of all affordable.
The CROWATTS strong dog leash is a winner in all of these categories and still provides you a few extra features for comfort. For example, the loop handle on this leash is heavily padded for user comfort, which is important when a 100-pound Rottweiler is pulling on the other end!
Unfortunately, that neoprene padding is probably the least durable part of the whole leash. If it drags on rough ground or gets chewed on by your Rottie, you can probably say goodbye to the padding, though the leash itself will almost certainly be fine.
This leash is a rope leash, so it’s thick and round rather than flat like the most common types of leashes you’ll find at any box store.
Instead of standard rope though, this leash is crafted from super strong climbing rope that’s ½-inch thick. As you can imagine, this makes for an incredibly durable and tough leash that’s strong enough to handle the likes of your big old bear of a Rottie.
Even though you’re not purchasing this leash for the aesthetics, you still do get some visual options. There are eight colors for you to choose from, including some vibrant options like bright green or blue.
You can check out all the colors and see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: Budget-friendly pricing with excellent strength and durability; the perfect combo for a Rottie leash.
What I wish it had: There’s nothing more I could ask for on such a heavy-duty leash at this price. I just hope the neoprene handle holds up as well as the rest of the leash!
Best for Chewers: Mighty Paw Chew-Proof Dog Leash
- Chew Proof and Durable- Our dog leash is made with a steel braided cable, so even heavy chewers and...
- Dual Function as a Tie-Out - Use our chew resistant dog leash as a convenient tie-out option when in...
No matter how strong of a leash you pick out, if it’s not built for chewers, then it won’t withstand your Rottie’s chewing. Even a short chew session can destroy most leashes, or at least parts of them like the padding on the handle.
Rottweilers are especially ruthless chewers thanks to their large, powerful jaws and big teeth. But the Mighty Paw chew-proof dog leash is built to withstand the abuse of any chewing dog, including big Rotties.
This leash is made from braided steel cable, so it’s incredibly strong. To protect your Rottie’s teeth, the cable is plastic coated.
For your comfort, there’s a padded handle attached to one end. On the other end, there’s a rock-climbing carabiner that attaches to your Rottie’s collar.
With an overall length of six feet, this leash is average-sized and great for just about any activity. Due to its steel cable construction, it’s plenty strong enough to handle a big, heavy Rottweiler and durable enough to withstand their chewing and any other abuse you throw at it.
Despite the durability, this leash is priced rather affordably, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on a leash that won’t fall apart as soon as your Rottie gets it in their mouth!
You don’t get much color selection here though. Your two choices are essentially the colors of traffic vests: bright green or bright orange. It’s not the most fashionable leash, but it’s the one that will best survive a chewing Rottweiler.
If your Rottie is a rough chewer, then click here to check out today’s price of this leash on Amazon and check out more than 1,500 five-star reviews.
What I love about it: It’s reasonably priced and borderline indestructible.
What I wish it had: A few more colors to choose from.
Best Retractable: Alcott KONG Ultimate Retractable Dog Leash
- can withstand the toughest pullers; measures 16' Long
- built to last with soft grip handle
Most retractable leashes, even heavy-duty extra-large models that are supposedly made for large-breed dogs, have a weight limit of around 100 pounds. This excludes large dogs like Rottweilers from using such leashes, so Rottie owners are largely left out of the retractable leash luxury.
Thankfully, KONG, the same company that makes nearly-indestructible dog toys for hard chewing pooches, has built a retractable leash for the biggest dogs around: the KONG Ultimate retractable leash.
When your Rottie pulls the leash out all the way, they’ll have 16 feet worth of freedom. Of course, you can shorten that back up at any time.
Any Rottweiler should be able to use this retractable leash as it has a weight limit of a whopping 150 pounds. Rotties essentially top out at 135 pounds.
For the safety of you and your Rottweiler, the leash belt features reflective stitching so you’re both more visible when walking at night.
The handle is ergonomically designed and covered in a soft grip, so you’ll be comfortable holding it for long periods, though it does tend to get a bit sweaty when it’s warm out.
However, it’s also been mentioned a few times that this leash has a tendency to get stuck, so be aware that you might have to mess with it if that happens to you.
For big Rottweilers, this is one of the only choices for a retractable leash. You can check out today’s price as well as other reviews on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: Finally, a retractable leash made for truly large dogs!
What I wish it had: I wish the leash wasn’t prone to getting jammed!
Premium Pick: ZeusTacK9 BIOTHANE Heavy Duty Tactical Dog Leash
- STRONG LIGHT WEIGHT SILICONE PVC RUBBER COATED WEBBING - 6' Ft LONG DOG LEASH WITH HANDLE LOOP - Greater...
- QUICK RELEASE TACTICAL STYLE COMBAT CLIP RIGGER STYLE CLIMBING CARABINER CONNECTOR CLASP -CLIP - Makes...
Looking for the most robust, heavy-duty, hardcore, tactical dog leash you could possibly find for your Rottweiler? Look no further than the ZeusTacK9 BIOTHANE dog leash.
You’ve never seen a dog leash like this.
The first thing that will catch your eye is the crazy tactical clip to connect the leash to your Rottie’s collar. It’s a quick-release style clip that’s absolutely heavy-duty. Not only is it super secure, but it makes putting the leash on your Rottie easier and quicker than ever before.
Let’s talk about strength and durability for a moment. This is by far the strongest and most durable leash on our list, even though all of these leashes are built to handle the likes of a large Rottweiler.
Crafted from Biothane, a polyester webbing that’s coated in PVC, this leash offers more than 750 pounds of break strength. It’s also entirely weatherproof, waterproof, and non-absorbent, so it won’t mold, mildew, or hold your Rottie’s scent.
It’s a high-tech leash, but you won’t get many options here. In fact, you get none! It comes in just one color: black. But it is a cool-looking leash if you’re into the tactical, military-esque style.
Of course, it’s also quite pricey. You’re paying a premium for that exceptional durability and strength, as this leash is considerably more expensive than other options.
If you got a gigantic Rottweiler and you need the strongest leash for safety and peace of mind, then check today’s price of this tactical dog leash on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: It’s crazy strong and the tactical clasp makes it quick and easy to use.
What I wish it had: It would be great if you got some other style options, but this leash is more about the utility than the looks.
Most Stylish: MayPaw Heavy Duty Rope Dog Leash
- This STRONG ROPE DOG LEASH is 6/8/10 foot and suitable for Medium to Large size dogs, such as Golden...
- This UNIQUE DOT COLOR LEASH is made of climbing standard nylon rope, extremely durable and sturdy....
Options, options, options. That’s what you get with the MayPaw heavy-duty rope dog leash. Lots of options.
If you’re looking for a stylish leash to match your outfits, this is the leash that will provide you enough choices to allow it.
It’s a simple leash overall, but strong enough to hold back a big Rottweiler. It’s crafted from nylon rock climbing rope, so you know it’s durable too.
The handle loop is padded and soft to keep your wrist from hurting on long walks. You can choose between lengths of 6, 8, or 10 feet, depending on what you think is best for you and your Rottie.
In total, you get 25 style choices with this leash, far more than any other on this list. You can pick from various colors and multiple patterns as well.
These leashes are a bit costlier than similar rope leashes from other companies, but you’re getting so many more options and a lot more style. Sometimes you have to spend a bit more for the extra choices!
And with more than 7,400 five-star reviews, it’s pretty safe to say that most people were happy they spent the extra few dollars.
To check out all the colors and patterns available and the current cost of this leash on Amazon, click here.
Final Thoughts
There are many leashes you could choose for your Rottweiler, but you have to know what you’re looking for. Primarily, you need a leash that’s strong enough to handle a giant Rottie that weighs over 100 pounds and durable enough that you won’t have to replace it anytime soon.
Additionally, you can look for things like style and color choice, as these can personalize the leash so you like it more.
Hopefully, you’re now ready to purchase a leash and get out on the street with your Rottie! Any of the leashes on this list will do, but you should start with the category that best suits your needs and see if you find a good fit!
