A cotton or nylon long line turns into a heavy, muddy rope after ten minutes in wet grass. BioThane weighs the same at the end of the walk as at the start, so your dog moves freely and you pick up a clean line when you get home. Below you will find which dogs a BioThane long line suits, the length and width to choose, and the handful of long line mistakes that genuinely hurt people and dogs.
Is a BioThane long line good for dogs?
Yes. For most dogs BioThane is one of the best long line materials there is. It does not soak up water, so it stays light; it is slightly stiff, so it tangles less; it is easy to see in grass; and it burns your hands far less than rope. Always clip it to a harness, and never use it to tie your dog up.
Why BioThane works so well as a long line
A long line spends most of the walk on the ground, through wet grass, puddles and mud. That is exactly where the material makes the difference.
- It stays the same weight. A 10 metre fabric line soaks up water and gets noticeably heavier, which a small dog really feels. BioThane does not absorb water at all.
- It tangles less. Because BioThane is a little stiffer than rope, it twists and knots less readily. At 10 or 15 metres that saves a lot of untangling.
- You can see it. Bright colours stand out in grass, which helps when you need to step on the line, and stops other people tripping over it.
- Fewer rope burns. When your dog shoots off and the line runs through your hand, smooth BioThane burns far less than rope or nylon.
- Clean in a minute. Hose it down, hang it up, done. No muddy tangle in the boot of the car.
There is one downside to know about: with heavy dew or wet, muddy hands, BioThane is more slippery. If you train a lot in wet grass at dawn, a textured or rubberised grip version, or a pair of thin gloves, is worth having.
Which length to choose
Longer is not automatically better. The longer the line, the more you have to manage around trees, bushes and your dog's legs.
| Length | When it fits |
|---|---|
| 5 metres | Starting out, wooded paths, the edge of town |
| 10 metres | The most used length: meadows, river meadows, open parks |
| 15 to 20 metres | Scent work and very open ground, for owners already handy with a long line |
If in doubt, start with 10 metres. It gives your dog real freedom and is still manageable. A 20 metre line in a wood where your dog circles every tree is mostly an exercise in untying knots.
Which width suits your dog
BioThane long lines usually come in 9, 13 and 16 mm. Wider is stronger and gives more grip, but it also weighs more, and your dog drags that weight for the whole walk.
- 9 mm: small dogs and puppies. Light enough that a Miniature Schnauzer or Jack Russell barely notices it.
- 13 mm: the usual middle size, often recommended for dogs of roughly 15 to 30 kg, such as a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd.
- 16 mm and wider: large, strong dogs. With a Labrador or Shepherd that can bolt hard, you want the extra grip in your hand.
Even the narrowest width is stronger than your dog can pull; the figures by width are in our guide to how strong BioThane leads are. What gives way first on a long line is almost always the clip. Choose solid brass or stainless steel, especially if you often walk by the sea or in water.
Safe use: the mistakes that hurt most
A long line is a brilliant tool, but a few mistakes can genuinely hurt you or your dog.
- A long line on a collar. If your dog runs flat out to the end of 10 metres, that jolt lands on the neck. A well fitted harness spreads it across the chest. A long line always goes on a harness.
- Wrapping the line round your hand. If your dog bolts, the line pulls tight round your fingers. Hold it in loose loops, or let it run through your hand.
- A handle loop on a long line. A loop catches on branches and roots. Good long lines have no handle for that reason.
- Tying up. A long line is not a tether. A bored dog can chew through BioThane in minutes, and a long line round a post or tree can wrap round legs.
- Using it where people pass. A tight line across a cycle path or between playing dogs is a tripwire. Reel it in when cyclists, runners or other dogs approach.
Check the local rules where you walk, too. Councils and landowners have their own on-lead areas and ground-nesting bird seasons, and a long line does not count as on lead everywhere.
When a long line is not a good idea
- On busy pavements. There you want your dog close, on an ordinary lead.
- With dogs that pick up the line. If your dog grabs it as a toy and starts chewing, it becomes an expensive chew. Train that out first.
- In a dog park full of playing dogs. The chance of other dogs getting caught in it is high.
- As a replacement for training. A long line buys you time and safety to work on recall. It does not do the work for you.
Looking after a BioThane long line
Rinse the line in fresh water after a beach walk and dry the clip. Once a month, look at the stitching and rivets by the clip, and run the line through your hands to feel for cracks in the coating. Store it coiled somewhere dry, out of reach of a bored dog.
Frequently asked questions
What does a good BioThane long line cost?
Roughly 15 to 65 euro, depending on length, width, brand and above all the clip. Much of the price difference sits in the hardware, and that is where you want to spend.
How long will I need a long line?
Until your dog comes back reliably with distractions around: a hare, another dog, a cyclist. For some dogs that is months; for some gundogs it is always, in certain areas.
Can a small dog manage a BioThane long line?
Yes. Choose 9 mm and no more than 5 to 10 metres. Small dogs gain the most, because a wet fabric line is relatively heavy for them.
Does a BioThane long line work in winter?
Yes. BioThane stays supple in frost, where some cheap plastic lines go stiff.
What is the difference between a long line and a retractable lead?
A retractable reels in automatically and is always slightly tight, so your dog learns that pulling pays. A long line lies loose on the ground and gives freedom without constant tension. For training, a long line is the better choice.
We do not stock a BioThane long line ourselves. For the walk home along the pavement, you will find BioThane and leather leads and collars in our collars and leashes collection.
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