Bergamot & Emrys'
Boston Terrier Toy Test Challenge
Vintage Version
Please visit the new Boston
Terrier Challenge for new dog toy reviews complete with photos and
video footage of the toy tests.
There it is on the shelf; a bright new toy.
Even as that new toy is placed in the shopping basket, every Boston
Terrier owner knows the fate of that toy.
Total destruction.
Boston owners shopping for new toys must weigh cost versus potential
durability. Every new release is greeted with possibility; is
this toy...Boston Proof?
The Bergamot and Emrys Challenge is to seek out and find the
Boston Proof toy.
Chewapalooza - Chew-n-Toss Dog Toys created for Scoopy a.k.a.
Dr. Destructo!
Description:
Braided rubber tubing that is stretchy & snappy &
chewy
Cost/Location:
Prices start at $15 plus $2.00 shipping, (Boston Terrier size)
and can be custom sized up to "The Monster" at $50
(big enough for a Pitbull) @ TheRealMartha.com
The Chewapalooza benefits the St.Charles
Humane Society. Mention Bergamot & Emrys's Toy Test
and a percentage will go to BTHaven.org.
Thrill:
10 - Emrys went crazy for it and has dominated it but Bergamot
got in a few tugs with her. She especially enjoyed running around
and shaking it at a gallop.Bergamot got to have a turn eventually
and really enjoyed holding it down and having a good gnaw. Very
stretchy, chewable and floppy! See the Chewapalooza
test photos.
Beast Review:
reviewed
April 20, 2004
A really fun fetch and chew toy. Both Beasts like to fetch
it and like to run with it flopping out of their mouths. Emrys
really enjoyed holding it between her paws and pulling on
it. The Beasts attempted a few double-dog tuggie sessions
but backed off after someone let go with a snap. They seem
to have decided to only play tug with the Chewapalooza when
a human toy holder can be the recipient of the snap!...SmartLittle Monsters.
"When I run with it, it tickles me in the face...when
Bergamot tries to pull it out of my mouth, I let go and it
hits him in the face! This is the toy I have been dreaming
of!"
- Emrys
Durability:
10 - so far. The Beasts have not been able to put a mark on
the Chewapalooza. They have had it for 5 days and have dedicated
themselves to chewing and pulling on it.
Lifespan:
Still counting from April 20th 2004
Cost vs. Durability:
10 - I think this is going to be a keeper - the knots have
not even loosened and there is not a tooth mark to be seen.
The Chewapalooza is a unique toy that really grabbed the Beasts
attention! I think it will bring many months of chewy &
tuggy fun. As an added bonus the toys are made to benefit Scoopy's
animal shelter.
Safety:
9 - The Beasts haven't put a dent in it yet - but as always
keep an eye on your Boston Terrier with any toy. It should be
removed if it begins to show chew damage. I would also use care
during tug-o-war that no one gets snapped in the face.
Boston Proof?
We'll see...it looks promising!
New Toy Test!
Name:
Snuggle Snake - by Sherrie
Description:
Quilted and plush fabric tug toy - choose your own colors!
8 - The Beasts jumped for joy when they saw the snuggle snake
come out of the package! They are taking turns dragging the
snake around with them. Emrys likes to take it outside and run
past Bergamot with it at high speeds to get him to play tug
with her.
Beast Review:
reviewed
April 20, 2004
It is soft and easy to bite like a plush toy. But there is
no stuffing or squeeker to pull out. It is very satisfying
to tug on but it does not bring out that killer instinct most
plush toys elicit from the Beasts.
"I bite it and bite it and it does not squeal - this
snake is one tough cookie!
~ Emrys
"Did you say 'cookie'!? ~Bergamot Fury
Durability:
8 - so far. The Beasts have only put a small tear in the quilting.
The stitching and the plush fabric add durability.
Lifespan:
Still counting from April 20th 2004
Cost vs. Durability:
9 - A reasonable price for a very safe, custom-made plush
toy. It has already outlasted most plush toys of the same price
already.
Safety:
9 - This toy has no hard parts or squeeker to swallow. It
is all cloth. As always keep an eye on your Boston Terrier with
any toy. It should be removed if it begins to show chew damage.
Boston Proof?
We'll see...it looks promising!
The Beast's Christmas Present Toy Test Reviews are in!
Name:
Orbee Ball - small with bungee and medium without bungee
Description:
Rubbery, squishy, minty, Orbee Ball (comes with or without
bungee)
Cost/Location:
$7.99 size small @ PlanetDog.com
Thrill:
10 - Great bounce, chewable & bite-able, The beasts like
the minty flavor. They love to fetch them and played with them
on their own. Emrys especially acted as if the Orbee Ball were
tempting her and teasing her to bite it. See
Orbee Toy Test Photos.
Beast Review:
reviewed Dec 21, 2003
Great bounce, chewable & bite-able, the small is the
same size as a raquetball but easier to pick up with their
mouths. The medium is too big to fit in their mouths but great
for chewing. It is a bit heavier than the small but Emrys
carries it around in her mouth with no problem. Another plus
is the Orbee material doesn't pick up much floor-lint unlike
the raquetballs.
"We give PlanetDog and the Orbee products 2 Paws Up
for the best new dog toys introduced in quite a while!"
-Bergamot & Emrys
Durability:
10 - so far. The Beasts have not been able to put a dent in
the balls. I cut off the bungee cords after 5 minutes - they
are made of thread covered rubber and began to get torn up right
away. Extra points to Planet Dog for letting buyers know in
the catalog that the bungees are not dog-proof. The Beasts really
enjoyed tugging & chewing on them & were disappointed
when the cords disappeared - but Bostons will be Bostons and
they had to go.
Lifespan:
Still counting from December 21st 2003
Cost vs. Durability:
10 - If they last as long as I think they are going to last
these balls will be well worth the purchase price. They cost
as much as a premium plush squeeky toy and we all know how quickly
those cute-fuzzies are demolished!
Safety:
9 - if used without the bungee. If you get the bungee for
fun - just supervise all play with the Orbee.
Boston Proof?
We'll see...it looks promising!
Name:
Orbee Tuff-Bone - small
Description:
Rubbery bone made of the same Orbee material as the Orbee
Ball
Cost/Location:
$7.95 size small @ PlanetDog.com
Thrill:
10 - They love the bouncy & chewy bones. They are also
'Personal-Size' toys - a small fits perfectly in a Boston Terrier
sized mouth. See Orbee
Toy Test Photos.
Beast review: reviewed Dec 25, 2003
The Beasts unwrapped these minty presents themelves. They
were very excited to see what was inside! They love the bone
shape and they are flexible and bouncy. The smalls fit right
in their mouth and are a little too short for tug of war. Bergamot
likes this feature because Emrys won't terrorize him & grab
if from him (as much).
"I like the hold this toy between my paws and chew it!"
-Emrys "I can run around with glee & Emrys can't steal
it!"
-Bergamot Fury
Durability:
10 - so far. There are no marks on the Orbee Tuff-Bones yet.
Lifespan:
Still counting from December 25th
Cost vs. Durability
10 - If they last as long as I think they are going to last
these bones will be well worth the purchase price.
Safety:
9 - The Beasts haven't put a dent in them yet - but as always
keep an eye on your Boston Terrier with any toy.
Boston Proof?
We'll see...it looks promising!
Name:
Orbee Sport Hockey Puck
Description:
Rubbery Hockey Puck made of the same Orbee material as the
Orbee Ball
Cost/Location:
$7.95 @ PlanetDog.com
Thrill:
10+ - The Beasts love the pucks even more than the Orbee Ball
& Bone - if that is possible. All other toys are eschewed
when the Pucks are brought out!
Beast review: reviewed Dec 25, 2003
They definately love that the pucks are Boston-Sized and fit
in their mouths. I also have a sneaking suspicion that they
love them because they were able to chew a few bits off of them.
See
puck damage evidence. I think they were able to get a good
grip on these because of the large
hole in the side of the pucks.
"Chew, chew, chew...mmmm minty..." -Bergamot Fury
Durability:
3 - The pucks are great fun but may not last as long as the
other Orbee toys because a small dog can get his mouth into
the center to chew.
Lifespan:
Five days & counting from December 25th
Cost vs. Durability:
5 - I haven't given up on the pucks yet because they like
them so much & they have chewed off the thin part of the
rubber around the opening. The rest of the toy is thicker and
they may not be able to chew any further. I'll post more info
as chewing progresses!
Safety:
3 - These toys will need 100% supervision. Small pieces might
be chewed off and swallowed.
Boston Proof?
No.
Name:
Air Dog - Circle
Description:
A Tennis Ball circle
Cost/Location:
$5.99 at Petco
Thrill:
9 - Love the tennis ball feel and easy to hold in mouth while
running! Good erratic bounce. It floats too.
Beast review:
"I like to run with the ring in my mouth - it's like
a frisbee!."
-Bergamot Fury
"I like to run by Bergamot & grab the other side of
the ring & run away with it!"
-Emrys
Durability:
10 - So far no damage. These come in lots of shapes too; bone,
stick, circle & kong shapes.
Lifespan:
Still going! Test began April 1st 2002. Update: Dec 30, 2003
this toy is still in the yard - it is grey-ish but still intact.
Cost vs. Durability
10 - On the inexpensive side for a new trendy toy - very durable
and the beasts are really enjoying it.
Safety:
9 - I kept an eye on this one bacuse dogs can pull tennis
balls apart & injest the cover and rubber lining. This toy
seems thicker than an tennis ball. The Beasts liked to retrieve
this and did not chew on it - it has no wear & tear - just
sun exposure.
Boston Proof?
So far so good!
Name:
Knobby Plush Ball
Description:
Large Stuffed Plush Ball
Cost/Location:
$4.99 at Petco
Thrill:
7 - The knobs give good grabability.
Beast review:
"Easy to retrieve!"
-Bergamot Fury
Durability:
8 - A seam was ripped right away, but the ball wasn't destroyed
for a month.
Lifespan:
1 month. It seems that if it is shaped like a ball, a plush
toy is given better odds with Bergamot & Emrys.
Cost vs. Durability:
7 - Pretty durable for a plush toy. I think they went easy
on this one.
2 for $15 from fellow BT Lover Pam Murphy of PaMaKa Bostons.
Update: The milkers
are now available through BTRN
- Boston Terrier Rescue Net sales will benefit Boston Terrier
Rescue.
Thrill:
10 - These milkers immediately got a response from The Beasts.
From first glance they KNEW that these were toys for them!
Beast review:
"This is my favorite thing to hit Bergamot in the face
with!"
-Emrys
"Yes!Yes! Chewy, bend-y, and I can pick them up easily
during a good game fo fetch! I grab them in my mouth & run
with joy!"
-Bergamot Fury
Durability:
10 - The Beasts have gone ballistic on these toys for a month
and have not even a tooth mark to show for their efforts!
Lifespan:
June 2002 and counting. Update:
After 3 months of the most brutal attacks of tug of war and
serious chewing sessions, the Beasts were able to damage the
milkers. One was torn in half and the other the end was chewed.
We trimmed the end and it is as good as new. Update:
I have bought a second batch of Milkers. I've been filling
them with treats & jamming a Nylabone in the big end. This
keeps the Beasts busy for 5 minutes (Bergamot) and 15 minutes
(Emrys). The scraping of the Nylabone against the rubber weakens
it and this is where the tears were occuring. If I leave them
alone they last for more than 6 months.
Cost vs. Durability:
10 - Well worth the price for the time they last. These are
one of the few toys that the Beasts will entertain themselves
with.
Safety:
9 - No squeeker or hard parts just tough, black rubber. I
do check all the toys daily just to be sure. Bergamot was able
to chew off some pieces.
Boston Proof?
By far the most durable toy aside from a Kong (and much more
exciting than an empty Kong)
Name:
Holey Roller (Bergamot & Emrys' first bad review)
Description:
Rubber ball with a honeycomb of holes.
Cost/Location:
$7.99 at Petco
Thrill:
0 - Bergamot & Emrys do not like the Holey Roller. The
Beasts liked the look of it and chased it. Bergamot would not
pick it up. Emrys picked it up twice and spit it out and shook
her head and made more spitting noises. (She is very dramatic!)
I don't think she likes the rubber it is made out of.
Beast review:
"Pthbtthhhh! Bleh!"
-Emrys
"Ew."
-Bergamot Fury
Durability:
10 - They won't touch it.
Lifespan:
Forever.
Cost vs. Durability:
I heard this was a well-liked and very durable toy. I spent
the $7.99 because of it's reputation. Update:
A happy ending! We found a Boston who was a big fan of the Holey
Roller and the Beasts donated it for him to enjoy.
Safety:
9 - No squeeker or hard parts. I am sure a Boston somewhere
who liked this ball has been able to chew it up. All rubber
toys need supervison.
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