Best ball for a corgi?

Al & Gwynnie's Experts' Ball Review. Rather technical, sorry. Posted in "Corgi Health" because exercise is critical. Purchased at rummage or yard sales. The most expensive ball was $2.

A. Basketballs are too big. Corgis like to take it on the nose. I fear this could hurt their necks. Get something less massive. These went to the school. But we did use a skinless basketball inner tube for a long time.

B. A volleyball is nice, light and lively -- but this one's padding invites teeth. The smaller radius also makes it vulnerable to teeth. It's too good for dogs, brand-new. It went to the school. Larger balls are more tooth-resistant.

C. Same as "B", but the padding isn't so soft, and it might survive. Volleyballs are much lighter than basketballs.

D. This is a childrens' basketball marketed as a "yoga ball". It comes close to the ideal, which is a Nike Jr. children's basketball which says "500" on it (not pictured). It's 7-8" diameter, has a toothproof basketball skin, and adequate momentum, but soccer balls are faster and go farther.

E. A thin rubber playground ball. These are soft, light, don't carry far, and won't last 5 minutes. Give them to the school. But give one a try.

F. Water polo balls are small enough to be tooth-vulnerable, but the smooth skin seems to protect them. Very light, so they don't go as far, but they're lively and unlikely to hurt the dog. Alas, this brand-new one leaks overnight. I like to overinflate them, tight as a banjo-string, which eventually makes them leak. They're worth a try.

G. Soccer ball. These are the fastest, carry well, perhaps our favorite; their speed and momentum give the corgi a good workout. Look for ones without soft padding, but the dogs will soon tear off the offending padding anyway (which lightens the ball considerably). Their larger radius discourages teeth.

You will need an air pump and filling needle. Write your name and number on them if you want to keep them.

It's a personal foul to kick the ball directly into the corgi. Al often bites his tongue, it bleeds disconcertingly but quickly stops.

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Permalink Reply by Bob and SparkPlug on March 30, 2011 at 7:59pm

This giant tennis ball from walmart is working pretty good.

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Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on March 30, 2011 at 11:23pm

Must. Get.

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Permalink Reply by Vee Luther on March 31, 2011 at 3:20pm

oh the giant tennis ball from walmart is SO tempting. I have several soccor balls...teh most fun was sacrificing one of those huge exercise balls for people. It only lasted 10 minutes but it was a lot of fun

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on April 29, 2011 at 9:14pm

sooooooooo tempted to buy an exercise ball for Frank! He found a large red rubber ball by the river one day and it took him about 10 seconds to pop it. He won't play with basketball size or smaller but he likes the big ones. Must....find....ball..... :-)

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on April 29, 2011 at 12:31am

We had a soccer ball that lasted long enough for them to remove TWO layers of skin from it.

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Permalink Reply by Lori Odishoo on April 28, 2011 at 11:13pm

I found the childs size basketball works the best. Not too big yet nice and tooth resistant :-) AS for the giant tennis ball, it would be defuzzed in my house within minutes!

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn and Gracie on April 30, 2011 at 12:54am

Not for my kid...it took her a while but she got the cover right off it!

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Permalink Reply by Bob and SparkPlug on April 29, 2011 at 7:50am

Update on the giant tennis ball- it lasted 2 weeks. He defuzzed it then popped it. I bought a basketball for him at a garage sale. It lasted 10 minutes! POP! I just heard about a ball called Jolly push n play herding ball. Local pet stores don't have it. I've seen it online. I'll keep looking. There must be an answer!