Willow & Porter was founded by Dog Behaviourist James McMahon and his wife Frances - with the desire to make the perfect lead for the dogs he works with every day.
Leads designed by Dog People
A lead designed for gentle handling, and maximum comfort. A lead that will work beautifully in rain or shine, and that will feel soft and comfortable even with a strong dog and frozen hands. A sizeable brass ringlet that will allow the lead to pass through freely without catching. A longer 3 metre length for the perfect balance between freedom of movement and close control - helping dogs to stay relaxed and express themselves authentically.
Designed to be loved to be used.
Our Behaviourists slip leads are designed to get better with time and prolonged daily use. Our Real Italian leather was chosen for its character - the way it will change with time as it takes on the patina of the dirt and oil, salt, sand and rain of your walks with your dog - a story of your adventures, your habits and your relationship with your dog.
Our natural 100% cotton rope continues to stretch and soften in the hands as it is used - the natural expansion and contraction that occurs from warm days to wet days, to cold days to dry days. And the rope is dyed in rich, natural earthy tones - Navy, Burgundy, and earth Green - to compliment the seasons in the country, city or coast.
Exceptionally soft, and spongy - for comfort at both ends of the lead.
Our behaviourists slip leads use a double braided, 100% cotton rope - a centuries old material known for its strength and comfort. With three different sizes - 8mm, 12mm and 16mm - suitable for dogs from big to small, so we can help you find the perfect lead for every dog.
Balancing Safety, Sensitivity and Security
Every lead is designed to be soft and incredible flexible in the hands, at each of our thickness specifications, so that the lead conforms to the shape of your dog. They are also designed to grip well and sit high on your dogs head, taking the pressure off your dogs neck and negating their strength -allowing for naturally softer, easier handling and a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for you and your dog.
Our leads can either be configured as a high slip that sits under your dogs chin - just like the strap on a riding helmet, or our recommended configuration as a figure-of-8 lead. The figure-of-8 not only removes any risk of the lead sliding down onto the neck, but the bridge of the lead which sits across the nose can have a powerful calming effect on high prey-drive dogs.
Premium Quality, Made in England
Not only did we want to design leads that we love to use ourselves, we also wanted to be proud of the the journey each lead goes through before it reaches your hands.
Our premium rope is weaved locally to us in the Yorkshire Dales, before it is sent to our bespoke Italian leather work manufacturer in Leicestershire. We love that they are as passionate about their craft as we are about ours, and we are proud to support local British businesses.
