Planet Dog Orbo dog toy

After being the key tester on Planet Dog’s indestructible Orbee five years ago, Bingo was going to be put to the test again. This time, Bingo aka Destructo Dog was going to test the company’s newest dog toy, Orbo, which we were told was also nearly indestructible. It also had a treat spot and a special minty smell and taste (although we personally can’t vouch for the taste).

The former Orbee toy lived up to its claims of being pretty much indestructible, and our household still has a couple of them that Bingo chomped on for five years without destruction. But this new Orbo was only rated 4 of 5 for durability rather than 5 of 5. Would it stand up to the Bingo (dog who’s destroyed every non-destructible toy except the Orbee) test?

We offered it to him as a special treat toy inside. Although at 5 inches high it was rated for large dogs, it had a “stacked ball” design with the top one being small enough for a dog to wrap his teeth around while holding the bottom globe firm – the perfect way to rip and tear. We watched carefully. No destruction. After a few days of careful observation, we tried stuffing it with Bingo’s favorite treats – broccoli or celery tops. OK, he was an odd dog, what can we say? Would this excite him enough to rip and tear? Nope. He worked long and hard and got the treats, but no destruction happened.

Bingo was so pleased with this toy that he would make a beeline to the kitchen for the dog bed that was wrapped around it so he could get to it anytime he came inside, and he’d try to sneak it outside with him too, giving us that doggie guilty look when we snagged it back for that inside treat.

Bingo* was no longer Orbee Boy, as we said in our previous review (click here for that one) but was now definitely ORBO Boy. He LIVED for Orbo. And after many months of evening chomping, it was still in one piece — and even still smelled minty.

The Orbo, like Orbee, is made in the U.S.A, is non-toxic, recyclable and rinses clean.

SNEWS® Rating: 5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: Large (5 inches high), $13; medium (4 inches), $10; small (3 inches), $6

For more information:www.planetdog.com

* Bingo, sadly, passed away suddenly and without apparent cause at age 9 on June 24, 2006, leaving behind his Orbee and Orbo toys, which we know he will lovingly bequeath to the next pup in the house.