Two games in one object is the reason this shape has outlasted every clever toy that has come along since. Throw it and the ball does the work; hold the rope and it becomes a tug. Most dogs need no introduction to either, which matters more than it sounds, because a toy the dog already understands gets played with and a toy that needs teaching sits in the basket.

The braided rope gives teeth and paws something to grip, so a dog can hold it down and worry at it without the whole thing skidding away across the floor. It also gives you a handle, which keeps your fingers clear of the business end during tug and makes the throw longer than a bare ball allows. The tennis ball keeps enough bounce to be worth chasing on grass or hard ground.

• Bouncy tennis ball for fetch and chasing
• Braided rope for tug-of-war and gripping
• Combines throwing, tugging and gentle chewing in one toy
• Rope doubles as a handle for longer throws
• One design, with no size options to choose between
• Suits small and large dogs alike

On chewing: this is a play toy, not a chew-proof one. Tennis ball felt is abrasive on tooth enamel under heavy repeated chewing, and a determined dog will eventually strip the rope down. Use it for games with you and put it away afterwards rather than leaving it down as an unsupervised chew, and retire it once the rope starts shedding strands.

Who it's for: Active dogs who fetch and tug with their owner, and households wanting one toy that covers both games.