What Size Herding Ball Do I Need? The Complete Size Guide for Every Dog
- huckleberry
- May 13
- 7 min read
Updated: May 24
When in doubt, size up. Pick the ball your dog can't bite or pick up.
Quick answer: Pick a herding ball your dog cannot bite or pick up. When in doubt, always size up.
Under 25 lbs → 18" · Corgi, Frenchie, Toy Aussie
25–50 lbs → 22" (most popular) · Border Collie, Cattle Dog, Poodle
50–75 lbs → 30" · Australian Shepherd, Kelpie, Staffie
75 lbs and above → 37" · German Shepherd, Malinois, Rottweiler
Here's everything you need to choose the right size herding ball for dogs the first time.
Why a Herding Ball Has to Be This Big
A dog's jaw is a precision instrument, but it has limits. It can crush a tennis ball, shred a soccer ball, and puncture nearly any toy small enough to fit in its mouth. What it cannot do is bite into a smooth sphere that's too wide to wrap around.
That's the entire idea behind CollieBall. The cover is ballistic fabric, but the cover alone isn't what keeps the ball alive. What keeps the ball alive is geometry — the right diameter, inflated to the right firmness, so the surface is too round and too taut for teeth to find purchase.
This only works when two things are true together:
The ball is sized to your dog so they physically cannot get their mouth around it.
The inner is inflated firm — not soft, not bouncy — so the sphere stays a sphere under pressure.
Get either wrong and the herding ball stops behaving like one. Right size + right inflation = an indestructible sphere your dog drives with nose, shoulders, and body — the way herding is supposed to feel.
Which Size For Your Dog?
18" (45 cm) — Small Breeds
Corgi · Frenchie · Toy Aussie
Under 25 lbs
Small herders and breeds with chase drive. The 18" rolls perfectly under their push without being heavy.
22" (55 cm) — Medium Breeds · Most Popular
Border Collie · Cattle Dog · Poodle
25–50 lbs
The sweet spot for the classic herding shape. Too big to grip, light enough to drive. The size most CollieBall owners pick.
30" (75 cm) — Large Breeds
Australian Shepherd · Kelpie · Staffie
50–75 lbs
Mid-large herders and bull-breed jaws. The 30" stays unbiteable in this weight class and absorbs full-body push play.
37" (95 cm) — Working Breeds
German Shepherd · Belgian Malinois · Rottweiler
75 lbs+
Built for the dogs that destroy everything else. The only size out of reach of a Malinois or Rottie bite.
IF IN DOUBT, SIZE UP.
A ball your dog cannot bite will always work. A ball that's even slightly too small turns into a chew toy and stops being a herding ball within days.
Size by Weight — The Fast Answer
Dog weight | CollieBall size | Best for |
Under 25 lbs | 18" (45 cm) | Corgi, Frenchie, Toy Aussie |
25–50 lbs | 22" (55 cm) | Border Collie, Cattle Dog, Poodle |
50–75 lbs | 30" (75 cm) | Australian Shepherd, Kelpie, Staffie |
75 lbs and above | 37" (95 cm) | German Shepherd, Malinois, Rottweiler |
Sizing up is the single biggest thing you can do to extend the life of your ball. Teeth puncture covers. Pushing does not.
Try the 22" CollieBall — Most Popular Size
The 22" is built for Border Collies, Cattle Dogs, Poodles, and Kelpies (25–50 lbs). Ballistic-fabric cover, double-zipper closure, replaceable inner ball.
Size by Breed — The Detailed Guide
Border Collie → 22 inch
The 22" is the most popular CollieBall size for Border Collies. Standard Border Collies (30–45 lbs, shoulder height 18–21") can't pick up the 22" ball but can push, redirect, and control it perfectly. Border Collies over 45 lbs or particularly intense players can step up to 30".
Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler → 22 inch
Heelers are compact but powerful — typically 35–50 lbs with a low center of gravity that makes the 22" ideal. It sits at perfect nose-height for Heeler herding posture and stays unbiteable.
Poodle → 22 inch
Standard Poodles (40–55 lbs) and large Mini Poodles have surprisingly strong play drive and wide jaws. The 22" fits the standard build; larger Poodles (over 55 lbs) can step up to the 30".
Australian Shepherd → 30 inch
Standard Aussies (40–65 lbs) sit in the 30" range. It handles their drive and body contact without ever offering a grip point. Mini Aussies (under 30 lbs) should use the 18".
Kelpie → 30 inch
Working Kelpies are deceptively powerful — leaner than a Border Collie but every bit as relentless. The 30" matches their drive. Smaller show-line Kelpies can still play perfectly with the 22".
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie) → 30 inch
Staffies bring the bite force of a much larger dog. The 30" is essential — anything smaller goes into a Staffie's jaw and stops being a herding ball within minutes.
German Shepherd → 37 inch
Standard GSDs (60–95 lbs) need the 37". The 30" is the floor for lighter GSDs, but most adult GSDs can fit their mouth around it. The 37" eliminates the risk and stands up to working-line play.
Belgian Malinois → 37 inch
Malinois are deceptively powerful for their size. A 65-lb Mal hits harder than a 65-lb Lab — every time. The 37" was designed with Malinois owners in mind.
Rottweiler → 37 inch
Rotties bring jaw width and crushing pressure that demands the 37". Combined with their weight, the 37" is the only CollieBall they can't physically grip.
Corgi (Pembroke & Cardigan) → 18 inch
Corgis are low to the ground with strong herding instinct and short legs that need a ball they can actually drive forward. The 18" matches their stature exactly.
French Bulldog → 18 inch
Frenchies aren't traditional herding dogs but many have surprisingly strong chase drive. The 18" CollieBall is small enough to roll freely under their push and big enough that they physically cannot pick it up.
Toy Aussie / Mini Breeds → 18 inch
Mini and toy versions of the herding breeds (Mini Aussies, Mini Heelers, small mixes) all do best with the 18". Same herding instinct, smaller body.
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. Two thirds of CollieBall owners have mixes — the weight table above gets it right almost every time.
Size by Play Style
Not every dog fits neatly into a breed bucket. Use play style as a second filter:
Aggressive / powerful player: size up one. More impact per push, more ball needed to absorb it.
Precision stalker (very Border Collie): standard size. Calculated, not destructive — the recommended size works perfectly.
Chase-and-shove style: standard or one size up. Full-body contact rewards a slightly larger ball.
Small dog with huge drive: stick to the weight table. Drive doesn't widen the jaw.
IF IN DOUBT, SIZE UP.
A ball your dog cannot bite will always work. A ball that's even slightly too small turns into a chew toy and stops being a herding ball within days.
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). It can't be picked up, rolls freely under nose-push, and matches Border Collie herding posture.
What size herding ball for a German Shepherd?
Most GSDs need the 37 inch. The 30 inch is the floor for lighter GSDs, but the 37" is safer and lasts longer in working-line GSD play.
What size herding ball for a Belgian Malinois?
The 37 inch. Bite force and play intensity make anything smaller a short-term ball.
What size herding ball for a Rottweiler?
The 37 inch. Rottie jaw width and crushing strength leave only the 37" out of reach.
What size herding ball for a Corgi?
The 18 inch (45 cm) is designed for Corgis. It matches their short legs and herding instinct without being too heavy to push.
What size herding ball for an Australian Shepherd?
Standard Aussies do well with the 30 inch. Mini Aussies should use the 18 inch. Very large Aussies (over 65 lbs) can step up to the 37".
What size for a Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog)?
22 inch for most Heelers (35–50 lbs). Their compact build and low herding stance match it perfectly.
What size for a Poodle?
Standard Poodles → 22". Larger Standard Poodles (over 55 lbs) → 30". Mini Poodles → 18".
What size for a Staffie?
30 inch. Staffies bring serious jaw strength and the 30" is the smallest CollieBall that stays unbiteable.
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 be slow to start rolling, but it will still trigger the herding instinct. Going too small almost always breaks the play.
Can two dogs share one herding ball?
Yes. If your dogs are very different sizes, choose the ball that fits the larger dog. The smaller dog can still drive a bigger ball; the larger dog can't safely play with a ball sized for the smaller one.
The CollieBall Size Lineup
Size | Best for | Shop |
18" (45 cm) | Corgi, Frenchie, Toy Aussie, Mini breeds | |
22" (55 cm) | Border Collie, Cattle Dog, Poodle, Kelpie | |
30" (75 cm) | Australian Shepherd, Kelpie, Staffie | |
37" (95 cm) | German Shepherd, Malinois, Rottweiler |
Every size ships with: ballistic-fabric cover, double-zipper closure with detachable puller, needle-valve replaceable inner ball, drawstring carry bag. Free US shipping. 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
IF IN DOUBT, SIZE UP.
A ball your dog cannot bite will always work. A ball that's even slightly too small turns into a chew toy and stops being a herding ball within days.
Find Your Dog's CollieBall
Pick from all four sizes and choose the best herding ball for dogs in your weight class. Built in San Francisco, tested by working-line herders, backed by a real warranty.
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