I’ll also add that the solid rubber design is surprisingly heavy, especially when compared to a traditional tennis ball. If you have a smaller dog, such as a Chihuahua or Pomeranian, then this ball is likely too bulky. Some have cut-outs that make it easier for your dog to breathe when returning the ball in its mouth… Now, you could argue that if you take away the green fuzz, then these are no longer tennis balls. I agree with you. But to keep things simple, I refer to these as dog tennis balls throughout the rest of the review. This is because, while they are undeniably one of the most beloved dog toys out there, tennis balls can pose health risks for dogs. Choking Hazard I must stress, however, that in no way is this an indestructible dog tennis ball. Despite what the manufacturer claims, an unbreakable ball just doesn’t exist. At least not yet…

The medium was the perfect size for our Pug tester since she could grab the edges. I wouldn’t recommend the small size for anything other than a toy breed. If you have a Labrador, you know exactly what I mean. The strong jaws of these dogs can crunch a tennis ball in a single bite. Some dogs, in particular, love the challenge of trying to break a tennis ball. We reviewed each tennis ball for durability, quality, ease of throwing and suitability for different breeds. All to answer a simple question…First and foremost, this is the most durable squeaky ball you will come across. If you have a chew monster for a pet, like a Rottweiler, then nothing else will hold up as well. Again, this isn’t indestructible, but it’s as hard-wearing as it gets for supervised play. It’s more common than you think. Every few months, you come across a news report of a dog that was rescued from choking on a tennis ball. Be mindful that if you choose a smaller or larger ball, then you will have to buy a specific ball thrower to suit – or throw it the old-fashioned way, giving your arm a workout!

As you would expect from a sturdy toy, the Jive weighs considerably more than your ordinary tennis ball. If you bounce it indoors, it will hit the ground with a loud clunk and is heavy enough to break a window or other fragile items in your home. Therefore, I only recommend this ball for outdoor use. It’s no secret that dogs love tennis balls. The small, flexible shape makes them easy to carry by dogs of all sizes.

Unfortunately, all this comes at a price. Like the West Paw Jive, this is one of the most expensive tennis ball alternatives on the market. But included in the price is a replacement guarantee. At the time of writing, Planet Dog will replace the toy once in the event it fails. While this makes the price more appealing, you will cringe if you are on a tight budget. Will a tennis ball kill your dog? Probably not. But the above dangers are real. At the end of the day, tennis balls are designed to be hit around a tennis court, not chased or gnawed on by your dog. Another great feature is that this ball is a little unpredictable. If you look closely, you notice that the Jive Ball isn’t completely round. Instead, it has small sections that protrude out. Exactly how bad tennis balls are for dog teeth is debated among veterinary specialists. Some say that unless your dog is a ball fanatic and chews for hours at a time, you probably don’t need to worry about dental issues. Quality wise, the ball is made from a heavy-duty rubber that bounces high. After hundreds of games of fetch, besides a few scratches, it hardly showed signs of wear. Even so, the only reason to choose this ball over any other on our list is because of its whistling sound.