4 Pro Tips to Picking the Right Dog Disc

Discs and dogs go together like summer and sandals! With so many discs on the market, it can be overwhelming for owners to pick the right disc for their dog. That begs the question: What’s the right disc for you your dog?

Safety First

Not all dog discs are created equal. Some are made of cloth, others with rubber, and there are a variety of plastic discs. Cloth and rubber discs can be fun to play with and are easily available. The downside of these discs is that they don’t fly all that well. If you have dreams of competing or taking your game to the next level, you’ll need a proper dog disc made of plastic. But be careful – not all plastic discs are dog safe.

Related: 5 Disc Doggin’ Tips For Sporty Noobs

Plastic discs vary in composition. Dog safe discs are made of plastics that have some degree of puncture resistance, but will not shatter. Cheap dollar store discs made of stiffer plastic will shatter when a canine chomps down. A cheap disc is just not worth the risk of cutting your dog’s mouth or tongue.

Brands and stores often sell or give these unsafe discs away as promotions. How can you tell if you have a dog safe disc in your hands or a cheap one? A dog safe disc will give off less of a glare and more flexibility than a cheap disc. If in doubt, throw it out.

Dog safe discs come in many forms, colors and styles. It’s possible to puncture these discs, but that really depends on how hard a bite your dog has!

Built Tough

People often want the toughest disc for their money, so they value toughness above all else. Manufacturers have answered the call, and all of the name-brand disc dog companies offer a tough version of a dog safe disc. The downside of a tough disc is that they are heavier and not always as easy to throw. If you have a dog who enjoys ripping holes in the disc or turning it into a taco, you’re going to need something tough.

After a play session, I don’t mind a few holes in a disc. Remember, holes are better than shattering! But it also depends on the dog. Some of my dogs make it their personal mission to shred a disc as soon as they get their mouth on it. Others carry it daintily in their teeth, and the same disc can last many seasons with nary a scratch.

Size Counts

Discs come in a variety of sizes, as do dogs. The size of disc you’re playing with is going to be determined by the size of your dog. There are puppy size and small dog-sized discs. Like the dogs themselves, these discs are really cute!

If you have an average- to large-size dog, you choices open up considerably, and size doesn’t matter as much at this point.

The standard-size discs are about nine inches in diameter. Generally, the larger the disc, the easier it floats in the air. Larger discs need some wrist action to keep them spinning and floating well.

Related: 5 High-Flying Disc Dogging Tips From A Pro

Beginners usually benefit from starting out with a smaller disc. As you work on your throwing skills, you can then work up to a larger size disc.

Color and Contrast

Color matters, but not as much as contrast. Ideally, you’ll want a variety of discs for different contrasts against whichever background or sky you encounter. A darker colored disc is easier for a dog to track against a lighter sky. On a bright and sunny day, you’ll need a dark disc, while an overcast day calls for a lighter-colored disc.

Have you figured out what disc is the best one for you and your dog? That question is answered differently from dog to dog and human to human. Just keep this in mind: The best disc is the one that works for your team.