Hi. We Have had qilaq since he was 6 weeks old and anytime we have walked him he is off lead unless it's at a road. But he's now 13months and always gets off lead. In the forest, beach, up the braes where there is fields after fields and he always comes back. Yes he has smelled something and went to find it. But we stay where he left us and 5 mins he comes bouncing back.
We have recently got a 1year old girl sibe. Who we also walk off lead. She does have a bit more of an adventurous nature and will push the boundaries, however just like qilaq she always comes back!!!
At the end of the day only you know your own dogs therefore it is up to you to decide what is right for you :-) but for us it's off the lead all the way :-)