I prefer the pocket launcher over the full-sized one as I can throw it in my back-pack or even put it in my jeans pockets when we go places. If your dog is just a back-yard dog, you may not need the smaller size, but for an active adventure dog, this is a GREAT product. I use it with racquet balls a lot for my medium sized dog, since tennis balls are like sand paper for your dog's teeth. Less dirt/sand swallowing, less saliva, higher bounce.