Bottom line: After 4 weeks of fetch, tug, and solo play, it’s the most engaging fetch toy Oscar has ever used. But it’s not indestructible — here’s the honest picture.

My Dachshund’s Prey Drive vs. This Toy’s Design

Dachshunds were bred to chase badgers. That’s why your doxie’s brain fires up when something small and erratic moves across the floor. And the Wubba Friend taps into that wiring in a way a tennis ball can’t.

The toy has a 3-inch ball-shaped head with four fabric tentacles — KONG calls them “wubba strips.” When you drag it through grass, the tentacles flutter like a fleeing animal. And the first time I did this, Oscar’s ears snapped forward, his head dropped, and he went into that stiff-legged stalk every dachshund owner knows. And he pounced like he was hunting something alive. But a tennis ball rolling on its own? Half-hearted trot at best. See more KONG picks in my dachshund toys guide.

The Real Test — 4 Weeks of Fetch, Tug, and Chew

Weeks 1-2: Oscar carried the Wubba to me constantly, dropping it at my feet and staring until I threw it. So fetch sessions ran 10-15 minutes before he’d flop down panting — serious exercise for a doxie.

Week 3: One tentacle seam gave way after a tug-of-war session. And Oscar started worrying the loose flap. So I snipped it off and kept using it. The squeaker died around the same time, of course.

Week 4: He still picks the Wubba over anything else in his toy basket. Still, the novelty settled into a solid favorite — honestly better for longevity. And I also tested the KONG Classic Small — it’s a different beast entirely.

Why It’s Better Than a Regular Ball for Your Doxie

A standard tennis ball bounces predictably. But a dachshund’s hunting brain doesn’t want predictable — it wants something that moves like prey. The Wubba’s tentacles create an erratic drag pattern that looks alive.

And the grab factor matters more than you think. Dachshunds have short snouts and long bodies — picking a round ball off the ground is awkward. The Wubba’s head fits Oscar’s mouth easily, and the tentacles give him something to latch onto without precision aim. He picks it up on the first try every time. Not the case with a standard ball.

3 Ways I Play With Oscar Using the Wubba

Fetch-and-chase is his favorite. I drag the Wubba in a zigzag, wait for him to lock on, then flick it into a toss. He catches it mid-air more often than you’d expect for a short-legged dog.

The Verdict — Worth It or Not?

Yes, if your dachshund has a strong prey drive and you want a fetch toy that actually triggers their hunting instincts. Oscar got more engaged play out of the first two weeks with this than anything else I’ve bought. Check current price on Amazon → (affiliate link)

Not if your doxie is an aggressive chewer who treats toys as dissection projects. The fabric won’t survive a determined badger-hunting jaw for long. For casual fetch and supervised tug, though, it’s earned a permanent spot in Oscar’s rotation.

But at $12-15 it delivers solid value for the interactive play it generates. Honestly, don’t expect it to last forever — and for a small dog like ours, that’s fine.

I purchased this toy myself. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Always supervise your dog during play and remove any damaged toys.