IMO you should always stick with a leash because no matter how well behaved your dog is 'things happen'. Definately use a harness though so there's no pressure on their little necks. I have heard way to many freak stories about well trained dogs who after years and years of perfection randomly dart off either after another dog, a rabbit, a car, a person etc and some are killed by a car if they run into traffic or are lost forever. I personally wouldn't feel safe with any of my dogs off leash. Just to push the point, my boss used to train labs for "Guiding Eyes" for the blind and one of her best dogs bolted after a rabbit for the first time at the age of 5. So you never really know.
I think it's always better to be safe than sorry.
__________________ LeeAnn  Harley   Remember.. Dog is God Spelled Backwards |