Ruff-n-Tumble Serve-n-Sling Retractable Ball Thrower

After disappointments with many ball launchers, some that flexed too much, others that broke, at last I have found one that does the job very effectively. It is sturdy and strong, whilst at the same time it can be retracted so that it fits in a rucksack or carrier bag. The only problem encountered at first was a tendency to fire the balls straight down at the ground a few feet ahead of me. However after some experimentation I discovered the technique that works. With my previous ball launchers I needed to use an overhead launch, rather like the service action in tennis, whereas this one works best if I use it with a sideways swing, more like a ground stroke in tennis. So now I can send a ball whistling off into the distance. My very energetic Border Collie is impressed! A good product, not cheap but you get what you paid for.

Our dog Ernie is tennis ball mad, and a walk is not complete unless he has a ball thrown. We have tried many throwers over the last few years - but this is by far the best we have found. We have tried cheap ones, expensive ones - you name it, we have them all. A few have broken, some were useless at the job in question. This one is sturdy, well built and designed. It has a soft rubber grip handle - which permits you to grip harder to throw even further. Takes hard balls and normal tennis balls. 3 different length settings, so you can choose how far to throw the ball. I doubt we will be needing another thrower for some time, if at all! * The ball supplied was easily popped by Ernie, who likes to chew a ball - only proper tennis balls go the distance. So don't buy expecting the best tennis ball.

This is the 4th one I’ve owned. Replaced mainly due to wear, used at least twice a day over last 10+Years. Cheap ball provided but tennis ball size, my personal replacement is the Chuckit Ultra ball, which my dogs love, and able to launch a good distance.

This is a very sturdy item. It does take a bit of getting used to as it doesn't flex like the traditional plastic one. I found myself throwing the ball at the floor rather than in the air for a while. It is heavier too. But useful if you need a more compact version in its retracted position.

I was pleased with the quality of it, but when it comes to chucking the ball I was disappointed. When I chuck it , it only goes a few yards and hits the ground instead of flying through the air. I did get it to go a much longer distance if I chucked it from the side of me. Maybe I've not got the knack, I watch everyone in the park throwing their balls with ease but their chuckers seem to be flexible, where this one isn't. There isn't any spring in it.

I've had quite a few of the cheap pound shop style throwers, which seem to do the job well enough for the price, but then I decided to treat myself and the dog to one of these. As he's a whippet and likes nowt better than chasing at speed, I thought this might be a better option. Firstly I read most reviews (good & bad). I read how not to push the ball too far in the prongs, or it won't fly out when launched. I read how not to throw it over arm, as it hits the floor directly in front of you and various other ways of chucking the ball. After a bit of trial and error I decided throw it side arm (Just like the throwing action when you try and skim a stone across a pond) and believe me it worked a treat. It flew at least 50% further using this method than it did with a quid shop launcher. It flew straight, fast and on target and that was with the crappy orange tennis ball that came with it. I reckon with one the blue chuckit rubber balls it will go even further. I only say blue because apparently that's the easiest colour for a dog to spot on grass. I think they sometimes find orange a bit hard to spot. The launcher's got a good solid grip as well and retracts to half the size for sticking in a rucksack. The free delivery from this company was also very quick. All in all I'm glad I got bought it.

I've had a lot of ball throwers over the years, and distance wise throwing the ball its No better than the usual ones, but for short throws it gets a bit of getting used to, as i tend to throw the ball into the ground.. I have found a gentle lob does the trick. I tried it with rubber and tennis balls. I like the fact that its retractable. Build quality is excellent and i expect it to last a long time.. Would have had 5 stars except its only really good for wide open spaces. ----Update---- Broken now.. Didnt last as long as id thought.. poor design as the holder for the extention soon wears out and then the end flies off.. Oh well the search continues for a good ball thrower..

I am hopeless at throwing balls. This makes me good at it. It folds to half size and is much easier to carry and keep away from ball stealer dogs! I have ad mine for 3 years now and I am buying another in fear it might break and I would be without it for a day or two. Lots of people have asked me where I got it from. It seems very flexible and give a real start to tennis balls. I have a collie so she needs lots of running around and this helps enormously. Much stronger then I thought it would be too.