Protective immunity against cutaneous leishmaniasis is dependent on the induction of Th1/Tc1 immune responses resulting in efficient parasite elimination. In this review, the mechanisms leading to protection are discussed with special focus on the role of Leishmania major-infected dendritic cells (DC) in induction of Th1-dependent immunity. Murine strain-dependent differences between DC derived from Leishmania-susceptible as compared to resistant mice are highlighted.