A soft toy shaped like a tennis racket, in the black, white and green you would expect, with a small chain fitted at the handle end. The flat head and long handle make it easy for a dog to grab from either end, which is what makes it work for a gentle game of tug as well as for carrying about and squeaking to themselves on the rug.

It is plush throughout and light in the hand, so it is a toy for play rather than serious destruction. The squeaker keeps a dog interested, and the shape gives you something to hold during a slow tug without hauling against a dog's teeth. Novelty shapes earn their place largely by being unfamiliar; a toy that looks different gets picked up on the days a familiar ball is ignored.

• Plush racket-shaped body in black, white and green
• Built-in squeaker
• Long handle and flat head for tugging and carrying
• Small hanging chain at the handle end
• Single design, one size

What it is not. Despite the shape, this does not throw or launch anything; it is a plush toy rather than a ball launcher, whatever the shape suggests. The hanging chain is decorative and worth removing before you hand it to a dog who eats hardware, and plush of any kind will not last a determined shredder.

Who it's for: Gentle players and small to medium dogs who like a squeaky toy to carry, and owners after a bit of variety in the toy box.