The CollieBall Journal
Enrichment, Instinct, and Play

The best herding ball for a Dutch Shepherd is the 37-inch CollieBall ($104.50): too big to grip, tough enough for a working KNPV dog's push.

The 37-inch CollieBall is the right herding ball for most adult Dobermans: too big to bite, tough enough for a 70-100 lb working dog's push. Smaller females go on the 30-inch.

The best herding ball for a Staffie is the 22-inch CollieBall — English Staffie or Amstaff, sized so the ball can't be gripped, tough enough for terrier drive.

Updated July 2026 Quick answer: The best herding ball for most dogs is the one sized so your dog has to push it, not bite it. For the widest range of herding breeds that means the 22-inch CollieBall (about $76.50), stepping up to the 30 or 37 inch for large and giant dogs. Here is how to choose the right one. If your herding dog is bored, they will invent a job you did not ask for. A herding ball gives that drive a legal target: something big to push, chase, and control. But

Updated June 2026 Quick answer: the best herding ball for a Kelpie is the 22-inch CollieBall ($76.50). It's too big to bite or carry, tough enough for a working Kelpie's relentless push, and sized for the 25–45 lb build. Bigger station-bred Kelpies can size up to the 30-inch ($81). A Kelpie was bred to work all day on its own initiative — and a tennis ball answers that drive for about three seconds. The Australian Kelpie is arguably the hardest-working herding breed on earth,

Updated June 2026 Quick answer: the best herding ball for a Blue Heeler is the 22-inch CollieBall ($76.50). It's too big to bite or carry, tough enough for a Cattle Dog's relentless push, and sized for the 35–50 lb working build. Larger or higher-drive Heelers can size up to the 30-inch. A Blue Heeler doesn't want a ball it can carry. It wants one it has to move. Australian Cattle Dogs were bred to drive stubborn livestock by force of will, and a normal fetch toy ends that in

Working-line, KNPV, and IPO Belgian Malinois destroy ordinary toys. The 37 inch CollieBall fabric herding ball is the only size built for Mal bite drive. From $99.75.

Standard, Mini, and Toy Poodles need real exercise. The CollieBall fabric herding ball fits each size in 18″, 22″, or 30″. From $67.50.

The right herding ball for a German Shepherd is the 30 inch CollieBall for most show-line dogs and the 37 inch for working-line and oversized European GSDs. Sizing, durability, and how to introduce it.

CollieBall ships in four sizes — 18", 22", 30", and 37". 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 everyt

Updated July 2026 The most durable herding ball for dogs is the 22-inch CollieBall ($76.50). Military-grade ballistic fabric, a double-zipper closure, and a replaceable inner bladder are what let it survive the same working dogs that shred every plastic and rubber toy in the aisle. No dog toy is truly indestructible. But there is a real, measurable difference between a herding ball that gives up in the first weekend and one that a Malinois, a Cattle Dog, or a working-line She

How to calm a hyper dog is one of the most searched questions among dog owners — and if you've ever watched your herding dog ricochet off the walls at 9pm, you already know the feeling. The good news: hyperactivity in dogs is almost always manageable. Better yet, the solution usually isn't medication or a trainer — it's understanding what your dog actually needs. Why Some Dogs Are "Hyper" in the First Place Before you can calm a hyper dog, you need to understand why they're a

A herding ball for Australian Shepherd owners is one of the most impactful purchases you'll ever make for your dog. Not because it's a toy. Because it's a job. If you've ever lived with an Aussie, you know exactly what life without one looks like. The relentless energy. The intense stare directed at the kids, the cat, the vacuum cleaner. The subtle — and sometimes not-so-subtle — attempts to organize everything in the house into a group and keep it there. Your Australian Shep

What Is a Herding Ball — and Why Does Your Dog Need One? If you share your home with a Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Cattle Dog, Corgi, or any other working breed, you already know the look. That intense, restless stare. The pacing. The attempts to "herd" the kids, the cat, or the vacuum cleaner. CollieBall is the original herding ball — built in San Francisco in 2021, before any of the copies existed. Herding dogs were bred over generations to work. Their brains and bo

Summer is just around the corner, and while you might be dusting off your running shoes and eyeing that kale smoothie, your dog has a different set of priorities. For our canine companions, "Beach Body" season isn't about fitting into a swimsuit; it’s about having the stamina to chase a ball through high grass, the agility to dodge a sprinkler, and the heart-health to handle the rising temperatures. If your dog spent the winter perfecting the art of the "living room rug imper

Introduction: The "Workaholic" of the Canine World The Border Collie is not just a pet; it is a high-performance athlete with a cognitive capacity that rivals a young human child. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the smartest dog breed in the world, the Border Collie’s life is defined by one word: Work. In the United States, millions of Border Collies live in environments far removed from the rolling hills of the Scottish borders. This "urbanization" of the bre

Living in the city with a corgi offers a unique blend of cuddles on the couch and surprisingly energetic bursts of play. These intelligent, stout-legged companions may seem perfectly suited for apartment life, but beneath their fluffy exteriors lie centuries of herding instinct. Providing an outlet for this innate drive is crucial for their physical health and mental well-being. This is where the Collieball Original, a specialized herding ball, becomes an indispensable tool f

Owning a herding dog is a unique experience. These intelligent, energetic breeds are born with a powerful instinct to move, guide, and control. Without a proper outlet, these instincts can lead to boredom and unwanted behaviors. The solution? Tapping into their natural drive with a purpose-built tool. This is where a herding ball for dogs becomes an essential part of your training toolkit. This guide will walk you through how to use this incredible toy to train your dog. We w

Watching your herding dog joyfully engaged in play is one of the best parts of being a pet owner. Choosing the right toy is key to keeping them happy, healthy, and stimulated, both mentally and physically. Herding toys make it easier for owners to provide both mental and physical exercise for their dogs. Many herding toys are designed to be convenient for pet owners, making playtime accessible and practical whether indoors or outdoors. While many toys are on the market, herdi

Updated July 2026 Quick answer: The best herding ball for a large dog is the one sized so a big jaw cannot grip it. For most large breeds that means the 30-inch CollieBall (about $81) for 50 to 75 pound dogs, and the 37-inch (about $100) for 75 pounds and up. Size it too small and a large dog treats it like a chew toy. Here is how to get it right. Big dogs break small balls. A large herding breed brings serious jaw strength and drive, and most balls sold for big dogs are eith