6 Best Herding Balls for Dogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you’ve landed on this post, we’re guessing you’re on the hunt for the perfect herding ball for your doggie. Some dogs are more energetic than others and have a high prey drive, which makes herding balls a must-have in your dog’s toy box—these balls are also excellent for herding dogs, whether they need training or simply need an interactive toy to burn off excess energy. Herding balls are also an excellent option for Treibball training,¹ a sport suitable for any dog with extra energy or dogs that love having a job to do. Whatever the case, we’ve compiled six herding balls worth mentioning.

In this guide, we’ve ranked these herding balls based on reviews to help your hunt for the perfect herding ball a success. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide to help you know exactly what to look for. Without further ado, let’s check them out.

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

The 6 Best Herding Balls for Dogs

1. Jolly Pets Push-n-Play Ball Dog Toy – Best Overall

The Jolly Pets Push-n-Play Ball Dog Toy is perfect for medium-sized herding dogs. The ball weighs 1.4 pounds and is big enough to prevent your herding dog from picking it up with his mouth. Due to its size of 10 inches, your dog must push it around with his paws, nose, or chest, which is ideal for herding training. The ball does not bounce, which is another important feature of a herding ball. This ball is reasonably priced and comes in red, blue, or purple.

The durable plastic material will prevent the ball from popping and should hold up well. However, we recommend this herding ball for more experienced dogs familiar with playing with these types of balls to prevent injury, as inexperienced dogs can scratch the surface, causing ridges that may irritate your dog’s gums. Given its durability and price, the Jolly Pets Push-n-Play Ball dog toy is our pick for the best overall herding ball.

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2.  Doggie Dooley Virtually Indestructible Ball – Best Value

The Doggie Dooley Virtually Indestructible Ball has an indestructible design at an affordable price. While no dog toy is truly indestructible, this ball is made from hard, high-density polyethylene and is perfect for the active and energetic herding doggie. This ball comes in a variety of sizes, including 2.5 inches, 4.5 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, and 14 inches. The company includes a size chart to help you purchase the correct size for your particular pooch, and it comes in red, orange, or blue.

Ensure you monitor your dog while playing, as this ball can pop if chewed and may not last long for heavy chewers. These balls are intended for practice with herding dogs and are more geared toward experienced herding dogs. This ball is an excellent value for the money, and your herding dog will love it.

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3. BOOMER BALL – Premium Choice

The Boomer Ball is made from tough polyethylene and cannot be punctured easily, making it virtually indestructible. Designed for ground chasing, this ball can provide your herding dog with hours of fun and entertainment, all while allowing your dog to hone his herding skills. This ball comes in a smaller size to accommodate all breed sizes: 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches. This ball floats, making it the perfect toy for the pool or any body of water. It’s therapeutic and provides both mental and physical stimulation for your doggie.

This ball is extremely hard, and some dogs may find it hard to play with. You should refrain from kicking it to your dog, as the density of this ball could cause pain to your foot. The density of the ball can also harm your dog’s teeth if your dog tries to chew the ball, making it only suitable for dogs that want to push it around.

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4. Small Wobble Giggle Dog Ball

The Small Wobble Giggle Dog Ball is made from non-toxic PVC and even glows in the dark. What’s more, this ball giggles when rolled, which can help your puppy practice its herding skills with noise stimulation, and no batteries are required. This ball is perfect for the smaller herding dog or puppy that is always looking to play and exercise.

Keep in mind that this ball is intended for puppies or smaller breeds and is not meant for larger dogs that can pick it up and chew. The manufacturer makes other sizes to accommodate medium to large breeds, so be sure you check the size before purchasing.

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5. Banfeng Giant Dog Tennis Ball

Even though the Banfeng Giant Dog Tennis Ball looks like, well, a giant tennis ball, it’s not intended for chewing but rather for use as a herding toy. This giant tennis ball is made from rubber and non-abrasive felt with strong durability, and it can be inflated using an inflating needle, which comes with purchase (pump sold separately).

This ball provides excellent exercise and serves as a terrific training tool for the beginner herding dog. While this is a giant size, it’s suitable for all dog breeds and sizes. It’s important to know that your dog’s teeth can puncture this ball, and it may not last long if you purchase it strictly for the aggressive player and chewer. However, it’s perfect for the herding dog that enjoys using its herding skills for play.

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6. Jolly Pets Jolly Egg Dog Toy

The Jolly Pets Jolly Egg Dog Toy makes for a fun herding toy due to its wonky, erratic bounces. It’s designed for your dog to never actually get a grip on it, making it a magnificent herding tool. This egg-shaped toy is suitable for dogs 40 pounds and up, and it’s made from durable plastic. It floats, making it perfect for the pool, lake, or ocean, and it’s exceptionally ideal for pushing and perfecting herding skills. This herding toy is proudly made in the US, and it also comes in an 8-inch size for smaller dogs.

This toy is not intended for chewers but rather for the chase—a chewer can destroy this toy quickly.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Herding Balls for Dogs

Herding balls are excellent toys for the high-energy dog, especially herding dogs. Whether your dog is a pro herder, just starting out, or you’re simply looking for the perfect chase toy for energy exertion, the herding balls mentioned above should do the trick. However, before you buy such a toy, there are a few things to consider first so you do not waste your money. Let’s look at specifics to look for in a herding ball.

Size

Ideally, the perfect herding ball should be taller than your dog’s shoulders and large enough so that your dog cannot carry it around in his mouth. For example, if you have a Border Collie, you don’t want a herding ball so small your dog can chew it up and destroy it. You also don’t want your small dog to have a hard time pushing it around because it’s too big. Ensure you check that the size of the ball is appropriate for your dog’s breed and size, and avoid buying too small or too large.

Material

The material should be sturdy enough that your dog cannot puncture the ball. You’ll want to look for a ball made from non-toxic material specially made for your dog’s safety. All products mentioned above are made from plastic polyethylene, a non-toxic plastic that makes these products virtually indestructible.

Keep in mind that no dog toy is truly indestructible, and if you have an aggressive chewer, these herding balls will not last. In fact, herding balls are meant for the chase, not chewing, and if you have a chewer, your best bet is to find something appropriate for the heavy chewer to prevent injury to teeth and gums.

If the herding ball becomes scratched in multiple places, you can sand it down to prevent the ball from scratching your dog’s skin and mouth—this is where choosing the appropriate size is important. If the ball is too small, he’ll have the ability to fit it into his mouth, which can damage it.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our reviews for the best herding balls for dogs and that it helps you in your search. To recap, the Jolly Pets Push-n-Play Ball is reasonably priced, made from durable, safe plastic, and is ideal for pushing around for herding training and is our top choice overall. For the best value, the Doggie Dooley Virtually Indestructible Ball is affordable, durable, and comes in different sizes for the perfect match for herding practice.

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Featured Image Credit: LindyCro, Shutterstock