You have probably seen this toy around your local pet store. Also known as the Jolly Ball, it is one of the more distinct dog toys on the market. We received one as a gift a while back and it has sat mostly untouched due to Harley’s aversion to plastic/rubber toys. I refrained from writing a review on the Jolly Ball up until this point as I know Harley’s reaction is not typical. When we recently rescued our new puppy we thought it would be a good opportunity to pull it out and give it another shot!
Product Description
The Jolly Ball was originally developed by Horsemans Pride for horses. They have since spun off the Jolly Pets brand which sells products for dogs as well as zoo animals such as lions, tigers, bears and elephants! Jolly Balls are basically a large ball with a handle. They are made of a puncture resistant, non-toxic Low Density Polyethylene plastic. They come in several colors and sizes and do not need to be inflated. We have the 6″ version and would recommend this, the 8″, or the 10″ for large breed dogs.
Product Use
The Jolly Ball’s handle makes this a great toy for fetch. It is easy to grab in stride and maintain a good grip while moving around. The unique shape also makes the ball bounce unpredictably, adding a great deal of excitement during play. The Jolly Ball can be tossed, rolled and even kicked. It floats for play in water and is great fun for multiple dogs.
Final Thoughts
Dogs love to chase after this ball and parade it around in their mouths. They will roll around with it and tumble over it. Add another dog to the mix and they will have a great time chasing one another and wrestling for it. This toy is extremely versatile, easily introduced and an excellent option for backyard exercise. The Jolly Ball is very durable and will hold up great during normal play. However, if you have a strong chewer and leave them with it unattended they will likely settle in and do some damage to the handle. That being said, our friends dog chewed the handle completely off and the ball is nearly as much fun without it. The ability to hold its shape through rips and tears is a major advantage of this toy. The Jolly Ball is one of those toys that every dog owner (especially those with large breeds) should own!
I have to add to this…I think the thing that most dogs love about this is the fact that the shape and material of the ball makes it so that it takes lots of unpredictable bounces. It almost seems to come alive for lots of dogs!! Handle destruction is pretty common, but good point that it remains a usable and fun toy regardless.