WALKING OFF THE LEAD..AT WHAT AGE

When we bought India and Geordie, we made an agreement with their breeder to never let them off lead in a non-secure area, and she also required that we have a securely fenced yard/garden so they can run freely in a safe place.

I wouldn't leave a cav off lead! They're way to curious and to distracted to notice any danger!

We are quite lucky where we stay as we have lots of goods forest and hill walks. Murphy has been allowed off the lead in places like this since he was 4 or 5 months old
He had completed his kennel club good citizen course first, and we had always let him run on his extending lead, calling him to us and offering him treats when he came. When he's off the lead he never runs more than a few meters in front, then he stops and looks back or runs back to us. We never let him off his lead unless we've been over the area a few times and know it well :dgwlk:
None of these areas are near roads, except one but there is a gate at the end of the walk before the car park. We NEVER EVER allow Murphy off the lead near any roads no matter how quite they are. He will sometimes try to step onto the road when he's on the lead if he sees something or someone :yikes
He LOVES chasing birds, and although we've never had any mis-happs, its just not worth the risk
If he's at the beach he will runs for ages after all the birds, and 98% of the times will come as soon as called, other times I need to call a few times but then he's only 10 months and constantly learning

IMO:

No dog, unless in an enclosed area, should be off the lead. There are leash laws here in Ohio that actually say, your dog must be on a leash unless in an enclosed (fenced in) dog park where it is up to owners discretion.

The few dogs we have had from pups were let off lead soon after they started going out ( in safe area's of course) That way being off lead was never a novelty to them.