Good Boy Space Lobber Tug review
2.5 out of 5 paw prints
Ted’s verdict: a brilliant toy for tug games with small dogs, but it won’t survive big dogs or keen chewers.
The quick verdict: is it worth it?
The Good Boy Space Lobber Tug is a canvas take on the retro space hopper, with two ear-shaped handles on top and a rope through the middle. It suits small to medium dogs who love tugging, shaking and chasing. It gives you a good grip and keeps dogs engaged, but if you have a large dog or a chewer who likes to take toys apart, it won’t last.
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Ted’s honest feedback
🧱 Durability and build quality
Ted is a medium-sized rescue who investigates every toy with enthusiasm. This one lasted about an hour of solo play before the seams split and the stuffing started coming out. By the end, both ear handles had been chewed off.
Good Boy has added a backing to the canvas and a rope through the centre for strength, but the stitching still gave way once Ted settled down to chew one spot. Use it for supervised play only.
There’s a squeaker and rope inside as well as the stuffing, so take the toy away as soon as the seams split. Swallowed stuffing, rope fibres or a loose squeaker can be dangerous.
👅 The tug and fun factor
Before the stuffing escaped, Ted loved this toy. It’s perfect for tug-of-war with us, and for him to shake from side to side. The giggle noise inside kept him interested too.
At 29cm long including the rope, it’s a good size for playing together. Your hands have a safe place to hold during an energetic game of tug, and the dog stays interested.
💷 Value for money
We paid £4.99 at Robert Dyas, and it sells for around £8 elsewhere, so that’s a good price. For a small or medium dog it’s a fun, cheap addition to the toy box. If you want something that will last, look elsewhere.
Head-to-head: the brand vs Ted
| What the brand says | What Ted found | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | A giggling toy, perfect for tug games (from the packaging) | True. Tugging is the highlight of this toy. |
| Strength | Canvas with a backing and a rope through the middle for strength | The seams split after about an hour of solo chewing. |
| Limits | Won’t withstand ferocious tug games, and not indestructible | We agree, and we’d add keen chewers to that warning. |
Questions owners ask us
Is it safe for power chewers?
Not in our experience. Ted got through the seams in about an hour. For determined chewers, a rubber or ballistic nylon toy is a safer bet. Good Boy makes rubber versions of the Space Lobber too.
What size dog is it best for?
We’d recommend it for small to medium dogs, for supervised tug games. Ted is medium-sized, and he got through it in an hour on his own.
Final thoughts
A fun, cheap toy for supervised tug sessions with a smaller dog. Expect plenty of wagging tails, but don’t expect it to last, and take it away at the first sign of escaping stuffing.
We bought this toy ourselves from Robert Dyas and weren’t paid for this review.