What dog breed is the best off leash?

The one that has been trained extensively to be reliable off leash. I've heard that sight hounds are less trustworthy off leash, that scent hounds are superb at ignoring you if they're onto a scent, that spaniels won't ever have 'street smarts' and thus shouldn't be trusted, but I've seen all of the above do fine in an off leash environment, while watching the more people-oriented obedience star breeds ignore their owners and go off to do whatever they want. It's all about the training that you put in to ensure they understand what is expected of them, no matter what. The dogs who do well also tend to be extremely well socialized and easy going. A nervous/excited dog is an unpredictable dog. If you're willing to put in that effort, pick whatever dog you want, but realize that there are no guarantees. No matter what breed (or mutt) you choose you may never have a dog that is reliable off leash under most circumstances.

It's also important to be aware of leash laws in your area. Some areas allow for complete verbal control to substitute for a leash, but most do not. This can cause you problems even if your dog is perfectly well behaved. Finally, always carry a leash with you and make sure your dog is comfortable wearing it. Even if your dog is friendly and respectful, if you're around other dogs who are leashed, there will be an inherent power imbalance between them. A lot of dogs are sensitive to being restrained and are reactive towards unleashed dogs coming near them. This can cause unnecessary stress to the leashed dogs and potential injury to either dog if the leashed dog is scared enough to lash out and start a fight. If someone expresses concern about how their dog will react to yours, respect their concern, leash your dog, and lead him/her away. Your dog's freedom should never come at the cost of other people's enjoyment of public spaces.

To be honest, if the dog isn't your own dog never walk with it off leash. Even if the owner allows it -- if some thing where to happen that dog might not respond to you like it would the owner. And any dog off leash becomes a liability to you and any one around you.

The only dogs that should be off leash are none. They should always be on leash unless in a fenced in area. Dogs can become distracted by cars, people, other animals etc... Why risk the safety of the dog or other people?

I have trained several German Shepherds to be off leash and have had excellent success. They are easily trained and obey verbal commands immediately. I am 5'2'' and my present boy, Jake is 100 pounds (no not fat). He will not chase rabbits, cats, or any other "critter" while I have him out. He returns to check up on me before he gets any distance away and prefers to be fairly close at all times. I think he is herding me or at least he thinks so. It is so much more fun for him and for me when he is off leash.

I have an 8 year old golden that I call my Velcro dog! Leash or no leash he is right there! We live in the mountains of Colorado and when hiking he may run off after something but as soon as I am out of sight he comes hurrying right back!

We taught our dogs to come back and check in with us without going too far off leash. We bought a 30ft lead and when they reached the end we would call them and give them a treat. Now our dogs run ahead then come back and run around us before going ahead again.

If you are are looking into adopting a dog most toy breed dogs are good off leash; as long as they have mild/soft personality they will stay near you with very little training. I used to have a bichon (maltese) that was very good. I have seen similar dogs going out in the front yard by themselves around my neighborhood, but sometimes they would go stray and walk into the road or sneak out without their owner knowing. These makes them likely to be picked up (stolen)

I have a lab mix that after lots of training is able to be off leash, a boxer mix that was improved a lot since we adopted her but has little attention span! and a terrier mix that is very good at healing (walk by your heal) but you can tell that as most terrier he wants to play with anything that moves.

As mentioned in other responses there is always a liability and laws regarding off leashed dogs. I have a neighbor that lets her dog off leash but there isn't many dogs in that block. I know other dogs that play in their unfenced yard; most dogs focus their attention on the toy and are easily managed while in the presence on the toy.

Hope my comment helped in any way and good luck.

After a lifetime of having dogs, I'd say that the herding breeds are the most likely to keep their eye on you. Sporting breeds, which I adore, come when they get around to it but my Border Collie and now my tiny Aussie keep track of me with minimum training. They're smart, want to work with you and want to show you that they get it.

Any breed can learn to walk of leash.

I found that my Westie was brilliant of leash. Even when there were other dogs, I could still get her to come to me.

My advice would be this.

1) When picking the dog, pick the one that comes to you (never rush picking a puppy or a rescue dog)

2) Be your dog's pack leader, making sure it respects you before letting it of leash.

3) Make sure you take the dog to training lessons, particularly if you can learn in a group of dogs and their owners. The socialisation is invaluable to the dog. You need to have good recall and get the dog to learn to heal at your side (or behind - never in front)

I actually don't agree with never letting the dog off leash. This can make the dog aggressive, especially if it senses tension in you. Dogs also feel more comfortable when on leash to be more aggressive, as they feel the owner is there to protect them and therefore they can stir up trouble - particularly small breeds.

Going to dog training classes with a group of people all with the same ambition will make you better aware of which dogs you need to keep away from

When I have been with dogs the ones that have been aggressive are the ones on a lead and they generally are pulling their owners or at least leading them.

Also make sure you know your breed. For instance if your dog was bred to chase foxes then try to be aware where there are foxes and take precautions. Heard of border terrier s for example, domesticated, chase a fox and be killed because their instinct said chase it but they were too domesticated to fight the fox and got killed.

Beagle and Bassett's are scent hounds. So will go off to any interesting smell and may ignore you occasionally. Again this will be a test of how good a pack leader you are and how much you allow the dog to get away with bad behaviour in the home.

When walking of leash in the country side it's best to set a steady pace and don't allow the dog to settle to smell things. If it stops to sniff something keep walking and use recall. That way it's sees you as the leader it has to keep up with.

Obviously never let the dog of leash when there are sheep or cows around - the farmer could mistake your dog for one that is attacking his sheep and has every right to shoot it.

Hope this helps