Ruff Wear Just-a-cinch Combination Dog Leash And Collar

December 12, 2010 2:08 pm | By Zootoo Editor Melba B.

Looking for a great leash and collar combination for an active dog on the go? The Ruff Wear Just-a-Cinch delivers two great products in one. Made of lightweight but insanely durable nylon climbing rope, the Just-a-Cinch slips easily right over your dog's head and cinches securely — then slips off just as easily when it's time to play. The leash is completely interwoven with reflective fibers to help you and your dog stay visible on night-time walks. At five feet long, the Just-a-Cinch is just the right length to give you control while your dog enjoys a bit of freedom. And it's available in two colors, Obsidian Black and Glacial Blue.

So far, our outings with the Just-a-Cinch haven't disappointed. I particularly enjoy how quick and easy it is to slide the collar over my dog's head before we step outside — and how easy it is to slip it off when it's time to play ball, or once we're back home. There's a friction tab that helps prevent escapes by securing the collar at the right size. Unfortunately, since my dog's such a strong puller, we've discovered that the correction collar feature isn't effective in giving me any additional control over him. Even when he's pulling his hardest, however, the roundness of the rope makes the collar more comfortable: it doesn't cut into his neck like flat nylon collars do.

This is a great leash for travel, since it weighs next to nothing. That makes it easy to tuck into a bag or pack. And it dries quickly, which is perfect for rainy day jaunts. The handle is nicely padded and comfortable to hold — and it has a secret loop that's just right for tucking a few poop bags. But so far, my favorite feature is its end-to-end reflectivity. It makes me much more confident when we're out at night that we can been seen easily and at a distance.

Pros: Comfortable for both dogs and humans; end-to-end reflectivity.

Cons: Correction control feature doesn't stand up to power pullers.