The original herding ball — built in two replaceable layers. Designed in San Francisco in 2021, shipped in Europe from Zagreb.
4.8★ customer rating · 1,000+ orders worldwide · 4 sizes · Original design — 2021
Global rating across collieball.com
Five balls, five dead balls
If you own a dog with drive, you know the cycle. You buy a big ball. It looks right. The dog gets its teeth into the seam, or a claw finds the surface, and within a week it is a flat sheet of PVC in the bin.
The gym balls sold for this cost between five and forty euros, and they are built to be sat on by people, not pushed across gravel by a Malinois. The rigid plastic ones survive longer but they are hard on a dog's nose — which is why the standard German Treibball handbook advises against them.
The herding ball sits between the two — and CollieBall is the original.
We launched the first fabric-covered inflatable herding ball in June 2021. The first copies appeared on Amazon that November, and there are dozens now. Most of them are a single sealed layer with a printed pattern: the shape got copied, the two-layer build did not. That is the part that decides whether you buy this once or every few months.
What is a herding ball?
A large ball the dog cannot pick up or carry. To move it, the dog has to push — with the nose, the chest, the shoulder — which is exactly the movement herding breeds were bred to make for generations. Not a toy to fetch; a job to do.
Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds and most high-drive crossbreeds work it out within minutes. Dogs without a herding background usually just enjoy the chase, which is also fine — French Bulldogs, Staffies and Labradors are among the most common owners we hear from.
It is worth saying plainly: a dog that digs, nips, fence-runs or paces is usually not badly behaved. It is under-employed.
How CollieBall is built
| Layer | What it does |
|---|---|
| Inner ball | Inflatable, with a needle valve. Holds the air and the shape. Softer than rigid plastic, so it gives against a dog's nose. |
| Outer cover | 1680 denier ballistic fabric. Takes the teeth, the claws and the ground. Double-stitched seams, heavy-duty nylon thread. |
The zipper is heavy-duty with a detachable puller — once the ball is closed there is nothing loose left for a dog to work at.
The part that actually matters
Both layers are sold separately.
If the inner ball gives out after two years, you buy an inner ball. If the cover has finally lost the argument with a gravel driveway, you buy a cover. You do not buy the whole thing again.
This is the difference from every sealed ball on the market, and it is the reason the price sits where it does. See the spare parts.
The same two-layer build, from Aussies to Malinois.
Four sizes
| Size | Suits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 45 cm | Corgi, French Bulldog and similar | €89 |
| 55 cm | Border Collie, Poodle, Beagle | €99 |
| 75 cm | Australian Shepherd, Labrador, Boxer, Husky | €119 |
| 95 cm | German Shepherd, Malinois, Rottweiler, Dobermann | €139 |
Getting this right matters more than anything else here. Use the size finder, or read the full size guide — measure your dog's shoulder height first.
Common questions
What is in the package?
Ballistic fabric cover, inflatable inner ball with needle valve, and a drawstring carry bag.
How do I inflate it?
A compressor, or a pump with a needle adapter — a standard part from any sports shop. The needle valve holds air far longer than a push valve, but it takes longer to fill. For the 95 cm, a compressor is the only realistic option.
Is it safe for my dog's nose?
The inner ball is inflatable, so it gives under pressure rather than staying rigid. That is the main reason we did not use hard plastic.
Can I use it for treibball?
Yes. All four sizes work for treibball practice and competition. The ballistic cover gives the right push-grip without letting the dog get a jaw around it.
How do I clean it?
Wipe it down or rinse it off. The fabric handles wet without trouble.
Where does it ship from?
Our warehouse in Zagreb, Croatia. See Shipping & Delivery.
Give your working dog a job
Find your dog's size → · See the four sizes · Spare parts · Read how it started