Perfect size for throwing in your purse/bag and going to the park! You will need to bend down further to pick up the ball with this Chuckit compared to the longer ones, of course, but for me it's not a problem. Personally, I think the smaller ones are less likely to break because they are a little less bendy than the long ones. This size has the right amount of give so you can throw a ball a good distance, but not so much that you think it's going to break easily if throwing too hard or if it gets bent in your car en route!