Some dogs are not tired out by fetch, because fetch is not the job they were bred for. A ball too big to pick up gives a herding breed something that keeps moving away from them, and they will nose it, shoulder it and drive it across the garden until they have had enough — which usually takes a good deal longer than a tennis ball does.

It comes in 25cm, 45cm and 55cm, so there is a size for a terrier and a size for a shepherd. Webbing loops round the outside give you a handhold, and the zip that closes the cover is concealed rather than sitting proud of the fabric, which is the part a dog would otherwise find first. Two prints: a bright multicoloured panel design, or a navy space print.

• Three sizes: 25cm, 45cm and 55cm across
• Two prints: multicoloured panels, or a navy space print
• Webbing handles round the ball
• Concealed zip, so there is no obvious edge to chew at
• Fabric cover over an inflatable inner bladder

No pump comes with it. One ball is all that is in the box, so you will need a pump of your own — a footpump or a bike pump with a needle adaptor both do the job. The cover material is not specified beyond being a fabric, so if you have a dog who destroys everything, a hard ball with nothing to puncture is the safer buy.

Who it's for: collies, shepherds, cattle dogs and anything else that would rather chase than retrieve.