Sharples N GrantChuck 'n' Play

A most excellent ball throwing thingy. It is long enough to allow the ball to be thrown a long way. No ball made of any Earthly material is going to last long in the jaws of a deranged Springer Spaniel, but ours is still more or less in one piece after a couple of days (although soaked in doggy splother).I suggest having a few spare balls. In fact our pooch is somewhat reluctant (never going to) actually give up the retrieved ball. So by having two balls with you: one can be thrown and the next loaded as the doggy chases the first one. On her return, she realises that you have re-loaded and drops the first ball in anticipation of chasing another one. Leading to perpetual retrieving without the dubious pleasure of prising a ball from your dogs gnashing jaws.

My dog and I were desperate for a replacement for the Kyjen Launch-a-ball that had given us many, many hours of fun but which got left behind in a pub in Dorset. After finding that it was no longer available anywhere and trying a number of different replacements, all of which ranged from disappointing to complete rubbish, at last we found this product. It is stiff enough to work very well, it is sturdy, and once we had replaced the rather poor ball supplied with a decent Junior tennis ball (better fit than a standard adult ball), it has at last brought a smile back to both of our faces!

I don't know if other reviewers received a different product from mine, but the one I received is unusable. It holds the ball far too tightly and is not flexible enough. Consequently, using it as I did with my previous thrower the ball is thrown at a downward projectory. The only way any distance can be gained is to attempt to throw the ball vertically, and even then it does not go very far. I have tried using the balls I previously used with my last thrower and they do not work either. I shall attempt to widen the claw grip so it does not hold as tightly. If that does not work it is going in the bin.

I bought this for my grandmother who typically struggles to bend down and pick up a tennis ball. With a little bit of assistance from her dog, Peggy, this ball thrower means she is able to throw the ball for much longer periods. The plastic is good quality and flexible. It was packaged well. The ball that came with the thrower lasted a full 4 weeks which is very good for Peggy. Overall: A good purchase and I would definitely recommend for elderly people.

For the money I paid for this product, it's pretty poor quality. The ball that came with it is a very cheap dense foam ball, the kind you get in a four-pack for a pound. Last week I bought a ball flinger from B&M for £1.29 and it was better with a better ball. For a pound or so more I could have got a Chuck-It flinger which come with a super quality Chuck-It ball.Basically don't buy this product. Get one from B&M or a supermarket for the same quality.

Considering this is a toy for dogs you would think that the ball would stand a bit of rough play. Alas no, the very first retrieve saw a split in the ball and the next 2 completely destroyed, this ball lasted exactly 3 minutes. My dog is a border terrier and does not have a large mouth nor a particularly strong bite, she has retrieved tennis balls many times and kept them whole. I have kept this item because I want the throwing stick otherwise it would definitely be going back. very poor quality ball, don't know about the stick as I only got to use it 3 times

Very pleased with this, good value, strong and sends the ball a decent way. We use ‘proper’ tennis balls which are a little big, so best not to push them all the way in.Small gripe is the handhold is rigid plastic (the more expensive, competitors’ one is soft grip). This can dig into smaller female hand. A tennis racquet grip cover might help, I’ll have to look for one!

This arrived after 12 days and within 15 minutes my Springer, who is not destructive, started to pull the covering off the ball. This is not a healthy product as if swallowed this could cause problems. I feel I have therefore paid for a very expensive 'ball thrower', that can be purchased for a pound in certain shops. Would not buy again, very disappointed as I am quite happy to pay a bit more for a safe product for my dog.