Furdo 18 inch Herding Ball Review

The “Corgi 500”: A Herding Dog’s Dilemma

If you’re a corgi owner, you know about the “Corgi 500”—that post-dinner burst of energy where your dog transforms into a low-to-the-ground missile. My average-sized corgi, Rufus, has this. I soon realized it wasn’t just “zoomies”; it was a herding instinct with no outlet. He would “herd” the vacuum, our cat, and even my ankles.

A bored corgi is a destructive corgi. This began my quest for a toy to satisfy this deep-seated instinct. After many failures with toys that were either popped instantly (like beach balls) or were too small and just became fetch toys, I knew I needed a herding ball. This is our full review of the Furdo 18-inch herding ball.

What is a Herding Ball, and Why is Your Corgi Obsessed with Pushing Things?

Understanding the tool is critical. A herding ball is not a fetch toy or a chew toy; it’s a purpose-built tool designed to replicate the experience of working livestock.

Unlocking the “Inner Herder”: How Herding Balls Work

The core mechanic is simple: the ball is designed to be too large, too heavy, or too smooth for the dog to get its mouth around. This is the entire secret. By removing the ability to “bite” or “carry,” the dog is forced to engage its innate herding instinct—that “intense, laser-focused stalk and push”. They use their nose, shoulders, and body to “work” the ball, finally doing the job they were bred for.

Mental Stimulation vs. Physical Exercise

Physical exercise is not the same as mental stimulation. Herding breeds are high-intelligence and need a cognitive challenge. A herding ball provides this. The dog must actively problem-solve how to move and steer the object. This mental effort is what truly tires them out in a way a walk never can, reducing anxious pacing and digging.

The “Corgi Job”: Why a Herding Ball is a Non-Negotiable for Your Loaf

This tool is almost custom-made for corgis.

All Instinct, No Flock

Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis are dwarf-herding breeds. That instinct doesn’t go away. When it has no outlet, it manifests as “problem behaviors” like nipping, obsessive barking, or destructive chewing. A herding ball gives them a safe and appropriate outlet for this drive. It’s a job.

Why Size is Everything for a Corgi

This is the most critical point. For a corgi, the size of the ball is the most important feature. Research points to a 14 to 18-inch range for corgis.

• If the ball is too small: Your corgi will just pick it up. The herding instinct is not triggered.
• If the ball is the right size (14-18 inches): It’s too large for them to get their jaws around.

This is the magic. The 18-inch size forces the “boop” and “push” behavior, which is exactly what satisfies the herding instinct. The 18-inch Furdo is the “Goldilocks” size for an average corgi.

A Look at the Furdo 18-Inch Ball

The Furdo herding ball is not a cheap, hard-plastic toy. It’s a two-part system:

1. The Inner Ball: A very thick, durable, inflatable ball, similar to a yoga ball.
2. The Outer Cover: A “high-density Oxford cloth” or “Nylon” cover in a vibrant blue. It feels incredibly tough, like ballistic fabric, but soft to the touch.

I inflated the inner ball and zipped the cover around it. When I rolled it out for Rufus, he first tried to bite it and failed. You could see the “Error 404” message in his eyes. He paused, “stalked” it, and then BOOPED it with his nose. For the next 20 minutes, he was in another world, herding.

Hard Plastic vs. Fabric: A Corgi Parent’s Market and Price Comparison

Why choose the $70+ Furdo when $30 options exist? In one word: safety.

The Herding Ball Market Showdown (And Why We Were Scared of Hard Plastic)

My research uncovered two main categories of herding balls:

1. Fabric-Covered (Inflatable): Like the Furdo, CollieBall, or Race&Herd.
2. Hard, Solid Plastic: Like the Jolly Pets Push-n-Play or the “Virtually Indestructible Ball”.

The hard plastic balls are cheaper, but the reviews are terrifying. These balls are “virtually indestructible” because they are rock-hard. As dogs push them, the plastic scratches, developing “sharp micro-ridges” and gouges.

The online forums are filled with stories of these sharp edges cutting dogs’ noses, lips, and faces. The unyielding plastic can also wear down or even break teeth. Even some hard rubber alternatives have raised logos that can rub a dog’s snout raw.

The Price of Safety: Is the Furdo Worth the MSRP?

This context is everything. The Furdo’s high MSRP is a premium paid specifically for peace of mind.

Here’s a breakdown of the market:

• Fabric-Covered (Inflatable)
  • Brand Example(s): Furdo / CollieBall / Race&Herd
  • Corgi-Friendly Size: 18-inch
  • Approx. MSRP: $60.00 - $80.00
  • Key Feature / MAJOR RISK: Feature: Soft, nose-safe fabric cover. Risk: Puncturable inner ball.
• Hard, Molded Plastic
  • Brand Example(s): Jolly Push-n-Play / Boomer Ball / Virtually Indestructible
  • Corgi-Friendly Size: 10-inch or 14-inch
  • Approx. MSRP: $25.00 - $50.00
  • Key Feature / MAJOR RISK: Feature: Indestructible. RISK: HIGH. Can splinter and cut nose/face; wears down or breaks teeth.
• Hard Rubber
  • Brand Example(s): Jolly Ball (with handle)
  • Corgi-Friendly Size: 10-inch
  • Approx. MSRP: $30.00 - $36.00
  • Key Feature / MAJOR RISK: Feature: Durable. RISK: MEDIUM. Raised logos can rub snouts raw.

The choice was clear. I’ll pay an extra $30 upfront to avoid a $300 vet bill.

The Big Win: Why the Furdo is a Safer, Smarter Choice for Rufus (The Pros)

After several weeks of use, the extra cost was justified.

Pro #1: It’s “Nose-Safe” (The Most Important Feature)

This is the big one. The “high-density Oxford cloth” cover cannot splinter or develop the “sharp micro-ridges” that plague hard plastic balls. It is smooth and forgiving. After a long session, Rufus’s nose is perfectly fine. No blood. No raw spots. This peace of mind is everything.

Pro #2: The “Goldilocks” 18-Inch Corgi Size

The 18-inch size is perfect for a corgi. It’s large enough that he cannot bite it, which forces him to use his herding brain. But it’s small and light enough for his “shorter stature” to “boop” and maneuver it. It just works.

Pro #3: The Cover is Surprisingly “Corgi-Proof”

I was worried “fabric” meant “flimsy.” I was wrong. The cover is tough. It’s made from “tough Denier ballistic fabric” with “double-stitched seams”. After several uses, it shows zero signs of fraying from heavy-duty pawing and “booping.” (Note: this is not a chew toy and should be used under supervision).

Our Wishlist: A Few Ways the Furdo Could Be Even Better (The Improvements)

The Furdo is not perfect. We’re giving it a 4/5, and here’s why.

The “Inflatable” Elephant in the Room

The toy’s greatest strength (its soft, safe design) is also its greatest weakness. It relies on an inflatable core. Unlike a “Virtually Indestructible Ball,” one unlucky sharp stick or jagged rock and this entire $70+ toy is instantly useless. This is a catastrophic failure mode.

Suggested Improvement: I desperately wish Furdo sold replacement inner balls for $10-$15.

The Price Hurdle

This is a luxury dog toy. At its MSRP (in the $60-$80 range), it’s more than double the price of many hard plastic competitors. While safety justifies the cost for me, the price is a definite “con.”

(A Minor Quibble) The “Grip” Factor

This is a minor critique. The hard plastic balls are popular because they are slick and fast. The fabric cover on the Furdo has grip. This means Rufus can sometimes “cheat” by using his paw to stop or hook the ball, breaking the “pure” herding flow. It’s a small trade-off for the safe fabric.

The Final Verdict: Is the Furdo 18-Inch Herding Ball a “Buy” for Your Corgi?

The Furdo 18-inch herding ball is an almost perfect solution to the corgi energy problem. It provides the “job” his brain craves, without me having to worry about bloody noses or broken teeth.

The 4/5 star rating reflects its excellence in safety and function, with one star docked for the high-stakes (and high-price) risk of its inflatable, non-replaceable core.

Summary Box: Furdo 18-Inch Herding Ball

✅ Pros:

1. Nose-Safe Fabric: The biggest pro. The soft “Oxford” cloth cover will not splinter or crack, protecting your corgi’s nose, gums, and teeth from injuries common with hard plastic balls.
2. Perfect Corgi Size: At 18 inches, it’s ideally sized to be too big to bite, which forces the “booping” and “pushing” that satisfies their innate herding instinct.
3. Durable Cover: The “ballistic” or “Oxford” style cloth is surprisingly tough and has withstood heavy-duty (supervised) play.

❌ Cons:

1. Premium Price Point: This is a luxury dog toy, priced significantly higher (at $60-$80) than its hard plastic competitors.
2. Relies on an Inflatable Core: Despite the tough cover, the toy’s entire function relies on an inner inflatable ball. One sharp stick or unlucky puncture means “game over” for a very expensive toy.

Final Rating

Where to Get Your Own (And Our Affiliate Disclaimer)

If your corgi is herding your cat or just seems bored, I cannot recommend a herding ball enough. And if you value your dog’s safety (and teeth!) above all else, the Furdo 18-inch ball has been a game-changer for Rufus. Get it here on Amazon!

---

A quick and honest note: The link above is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you decide to get a Furdo ball for your own herding pro, I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) which helps keep Rufus supplied with his favorite treats. We only recommend products we’ve actually purchased, used, and loved. We appreciate your support!