What Size Herding Ball Do I Need? The Complete Size Guide for Every Dog
- huckleberry
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Quick answer: Choose a herding ball your dog cannot pick up in its mouth. Under 25 lbs → 18". 25–50 lbs → 22" (most popular). 50–70 lbs → 30". Over 70 lbs → 37". When in doubt, always size up.
The most common mistake when buying a herding ball is going too small. If your dog can pick it up — even partially — it stops being a herding ball and becomes a carry-and-shake toy. That's a completely different instinct, and it defeats the purpose entirely.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right size herding ball for your dog.
The One Rule That Covers Everything
The ball must be too big for your dog to pick up in its mouth.
That's the only rule that really matters. When the ball is too large to grip, your dog is forced to push it with nose, chest, shoulders, and body — which is exactly what herding instinct is designed for. The moment a dog can pick the ball up, the herding loop breaks. Everything else in this guide flows from that one rule.
Size by Weight — The Fast Answer
Dog weight | CollieBall size | Best for |
Under 25 lbs | 18" (45 cm) | Small herding breeds, toy breeds with herding drive |
25–50 lbs | 22" (55 cm) | Most popular. Standard Border Collies, Aussies, Heelers |
50–70 lbs | 30" (76 cm) | Larger Aussies, standard GSDs, Malinois, Labs |
70 lbs and above | 37" (95 cm) | Giant breeds, the most powerful herders |
Still unsure? Go one size up from where you land in the table. The ball will still roll freely, but your dog will never be able to pick it up — no matter how hard they try.
Size by Breed — The Detailed Guide
Border Collie → 22 inch
The 22" is the most popular CollieBall size for Border Collies, and for good reason. Standard Border Collies (30–45 lbs, shoulder height around 18–21") can't pick up the 22" ball but can push, redirect, and control it perfectly. The size is right for their natural herding crouch and drive style. If your Border Collie is on the larger side (over 45 lbs) or you want extra margin, go 30".
Australian Shepherd → 22" or 30"
Standard Aussies (40–65 lbs) do well with either the 22" or 30". The 22" works for lighter, more agile Aussies who prefer quick lateral movements. The 30" works better for heavier or more powerful Aussies and gives a longer play session before the ball gets away from them. Mini Aussies → 18".
Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler → 22 inch
Heelers are compact but powerful — typically 35–50 lbs with a low center of gravity that makes them exceptional herders. The 22" is ideal. They'll hit it with their chest and shoulder rather than their nose, which is exactly what their herding style is built for.
German Shepherd → 30 inch
Standard German Shepherds (50–90 lbs) need the 30". The 22" is borderline — a large GSD can sometimes get purchase on it. With the 30", there's no question — it's a herding job, not a retrieval game. For very large or heavy GSDs (90+ lbs), consider the 37".
Belgian Malinois → 30 inch
Malinois are deceptively powerful for their size. A 65-lb Malinois hits harder than a 65-lb Labrador. Start at 30". For larger or exceptionally driven Malinois, go 37". The CollieBall was specifically designed to hold up to Malinois-level play — ballistic fabric and double-zipper closure for sustained high-drive work.
Corgi (Pembroke & Cardigan) → 18 inch
Corgis are low to the ground with strong herding instinct — and short legs that need a ball proportional to their frame. The 18" is the right match: big enough they can't pick it up, small enough they can drive it at full speed with their short body. The 18" CollieBall is specifically designed for the Corgi herding style.
Kelpie → 22 inch
Australian Kelpies are agile, light, and relentless. The 22" is ideal for most standard Kelpies (25–45 lbs). Their herding style is fast and precise — they'll be running circles around this ball all day.
French Bulldog → 18 inch
Frenchies aren't traditional herding dogs but many have surprisingly strong herding or chase drive. The 18" gives them a ball they can interact with without injuring themselves — the soft fabric surface is important here, since Frenchies shouldn't be slamming into hard plastic toys.
Mixed Breeds → Use the Weight Rule
For mixes, go by weight first, then check that the dog can't pick the ball up when you get it. If they can partially grip it, size up. This is the most reliable way to choose for a dog where you can't predict exact jaw width or play style.
Size by Play Style
Some dogs don't fit neatly into breed or weight categories. Here's how to factor in play style:
Aggressive/powerful player → always go one size up from what the weight table suggests. Power dogs reduce the effective "too big to pick up" threshold.
Precision/stalker style (crouch-and-push, very Border Collie) → standard size for the weight is usually right.
Chase-and-shove style → standard or one size up. These dogs make full-body contact and the ball needs room to roll away without getting trapped.
Small dog, huge drive → stick to the weight table. Drive doesn't add jaw width. A 20-lb Corgi with enormous drive still can't pick up an 18" ball.
Does Ball Size Affect Durability?
Yes, indirectly. If you choose a ball that's even slightly too small and your dog can grip it, they will bite down. Sustained biting — even on ballistic fabric — accelerates wear far more than pushing does. Sizing up protects the ball as much as it protects the herding instinct loop.
FAQ — Herding Ball Size
What size herding ball for a Border Collie?
The 22 inch (55 cm) CollieBall is the most popular for standard Border Collies (30–45 lbs). If your Border Collie is over 45 lbs or you want extra margin, choose the 30 inch.
What size herding ball for a German Shepherd?
Most German Shepherds need a 30 inch herding ball. The 22 inch can work for lighter GSDs (under 55 lbs) but the 30 inch gives full confidence that the ball is too large to pick up.
What size herding ball for a Corgi?
The 18 inch (45 cm) CollieBall is designed specifically for Corgis. It matches their shorter frame and ensures they push rather than carry the ball.
What size herding ball for a Belgian Malinois?
Start with the 30 inch. For larger or particularly powerful Malinois, choose the 37 inch. The CollieBall ballistic fabric and double-zipper hold up to Malinois-level play at any size.
What size herding ball for an Australian Shepherd?
Standard Aussies do well with the 22 inch or 30 inch. Mini Aussies should use the 18 inch. When in doubt between two sizes, choose the larger one.
What size herding ball for a Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog)?
The 22 inch is ideal for most Heelers (35–50 lbs). Their compact build and low herding stance work perfectly with the 22 inch size.
Is it possible to go too big?
Technically yes, but it's much harder to go too big than too small. A very large ball may roll too far away for small dogs to effectively control — for Corgis and small breeds, stick to the 18 inch and don't go larger. For medium and large breeds, bigger is almost always better.
Can two dogs share one herding ball?
Yes, though multi-dog play can get competitive. If you have multiple dogs with very different sizes, size the ball for the largest dog.
The CollieBall Size Lineup
Size | Diameter | Weight range | Most popular for |
18 inch | 45 cm | Under 25 lbs | Corgis, Mini Aussies, Frenchies |
22 inch | 55 cm | 25–50 lbs | Border Collies, standard Aussies, Heelers |
30 inch | 76 cm | 50–70 lbs | GSDs, Malinois, larger Aussies |
37 inch | 95 cm | 70+ lbs | Giant breeds, maximum drive dogs |
Each size includes: ballistic fabric cover, double-zipper closure with detachable puller, needle-valve inner ball, hand pump. The inner ball is replaceable on all sizes.
Shop by size: collieball.com/collieball
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