What about the steel cable covered with plastic?

I use nylon rope (often sold in boating supplies) for our homemade long-lines. They're quick drying and light and strong and come in bright colors so you always know where the line is. Also my husband is a captain and can do all those cool little knotty, braidy things that secure them permanently to the clip (I think those are the technical terms ).

The only problem with nylon is that it can burn your hand if you grab it while it's moving fast. But so can cotton, really. I just wear gloves and/or step on the line.

Dave Blank makes his own long lines from a type of line used by mountain climbers. It's made out of a material that is very strong, but doesn't tend to burn your hands or other body parts that might occassionally get tangled up. It's a flat type line about 3/4" or 1" wide. These are REALLY nice long lines.

Maybe a couple of Joliet Schutzhund folks can help me remember to ask Dave on Saturday exactly what this stuff is called....(or maybe someone here knows...)

Beth

 Quote: beth fuqua

Dave Blank makes his own long lines from a type of line used by mountain climbers. It's made out of a material that is very strong, but doesn't tend to burn your hands or other body parts that might occassionally get tangled up. It's a flat type line about 3/4" or 1" wide. These are REALLY nice long lines.

Maybe a couple of Joliet Schutzhund folks can help me remember to ask Dave on Saturday exactly what this stuff is called....(or maybe someone here knows...)

Beth

This is the stuff, I have one as well and I won't be getting any other type any time soon.

http://www.rei.com/product/737298

 Quote: eric read

 Quote: beth fuqua

Dave Blank makes his own long lines from a type of line used by mountain climbers. It's made out of a material that is very strong, but doesn't tend to burn your hands or other body parts that might occassionally get tangled up. It's a flat type line about 3/4" or 1" wide. These are REALLY nice long lines.

Maybe a couple of Joliet Schutzhund folks can help me remember to ask Dave on Saturday exactly what this stuff is called....(or maybe someone here knows...)

Beth

This is the stuff, I have one as well and I won't be getting any other type any time soon.

http://www.rei.com/product/737298

Thanks for the link Eric! Do you know someone who has a machine that can stitch through it for the clip? Or do you knot? Apparently Dave has had trouble finding someone with the right sewing machine. I know Gary wants to make these rather than the cotton lines he uses now. If you don't know anyone, I need to get busy and check with my Mom to find out who she currently uses to repair horse tack / harness. Feel free to nag me about that.

Beth

I don't know for sure. I had my sister in law hand stitch me one, she had the needles but not the machine. I keep meaning to check out this shoe repair and leather guy my wife knows, but i'm a procrastinator. I guess if I'd ever lose my leash, i'd be there in a hurry, but right now my motivation is definitly lacking

Hi Beth, my husband made a long line out of some old webbing and I believe he was able to sew it with a regular sewing machine (ssshhh! don't tell anyone that my husband knows how to sew or his masculinity will be seriously threatened!!). The webbing is very strong but it's pretty easy to get a needle through. I'll ask him tonight how he did it.

What you want is a piece of equipment (tack) called a lunge line. It's used for, well, lungeing horses (working them in large circles at the end of a lead). Much of my horse gear gets used for my dog. Obviously anything designed to withstand the stress a 1200 pound animal puts on it is sufficient for a wee dog. They come in a variety of materials - braided rope, flat cotton, various nylon blends, etc. They have a clip at one end and either a leather (or material) loop or rubber stopper at the other for your hand. Most of them max out at at 30 feet but some of the finer tack shops can order custom sizes (likely any size you want).

Try State Line Tack, Dover Saddlery, or just Google "equestrian lunge line". Here's a cheapy to give you an idea of what you get:

http://www.horsetackco.com/deluxe-cotton-lunge-line-25-or-35-ft.html

If you strike out there, send me an email and I'll give you the name of some custom shops I know that you cut you whatever you need. Likely will cost about 50 bucks.

Good luck.

The mountain climbing ropes are really nice for long-lines. I made a 50' line from 3/8" rope. It's been abused greatly but still holds it's strength.

You can get them at the better sporting goods stores. There are also some places that recycle old climbing rope into dog leashes. This is one I found
http://www.krebsrecycle.com/
The seem to be a small family-run company and would probably be happy to make up whatever size and length you need.

One the other hand, the 10 meter tracking line that Leerburg's, the sponsor of this board, sells is pretty nice.
http://www.leerburg.com/806.htm

Just a word of caution. I have used a horse lunge line on my 65-lb Catahoula. They are very heavy duty. I am sure this applies to other types of rope too.

If they are damaged in ANY way, even slightly, it is compromised - don't use it on your dog.

My one dog chewed the lunge line for like, a second, and made a tiny little "chip" in the line. The next time I had him tied to something, a tree I think, (supervised), and he took off running after something and hit the end of the line and it snapped. (I did not think a dog could snap a lunge line in two, but I saw it with my own eyes).

If your dog chews rope and breaks chains (I had one of these dogs) - your best bet is a steel cable with the plastic coating made especially for dogs, as Matthew said. They come in 15' lengths I believe, with a clip on each end, so you can clip several together. I personally have not found they catch on things, though the clip on the end will collect grasses and debris if it drags on the ground.

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/07/06/53/29/01/0706532901159_215X215.jpg

Oh wait - they DO catch under car tires of parked cars. Don't ask.

Edit: Here's a 30-foot one for dogs over 100 lbs for less than 10 bucks. Get two and you would have a 60-foot line, not bad.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JLCUNU?smid=A3EQRWTDGDCBH5&tag=dealtime-pet-20&linkCode=asn

Edited by Angela Burrell (03/11/2008 08:49 AM)
Edit reason: added link