[styric]

I've stumped 4 different store owners and my trainer on this one.

Orion gets walks daily but now that she is over a year old her main form of exercise is hiking. Basically, we hike with my bf and his Husky/Whippet for at least an hour and a half outside the city. A normal hike will go through some of the forest, out into the prairie then swimming in a large retention pond or river. In the winter, we hike until it drops below -30. We usually spend most of the time throwing something for her to chase and bring back as it's her absolute favorite game. She'll jump off docks, climb low trees and spend 20 minutes zig zagging in 4 foot grasses for a well thrown toy. She even carries it for us.

The last time we were out, she was catching a chuck-it ball at 300 yards and was getting a crowd watching her. I was so proud :D

I'm looking for a rugged throw toy that can float, handle being tugged and thrown around by tug/fetch obsessed Orion - if we don't throw the toy for her she'll throw it for herself. It gets cleaned and put away after a hike so it's not for general chewing. It should be bright colored so it's easy to see in the water and in long grass, preferably softish for an easy grip in the water and easy catching as she catches them in midair. Easy to clean is a must, throwing toys come back covered in mud, drool, water and bits of leaves.

Kongs on a rope don't work as she thinks they're uncomfortable to catch and she breaks frisbees in under 5 minutes just running along with them and just doesn't like catching them in general. Balls are too small to find in the woods/long grasses. The firehose on an elasticated throwing loop isn't bad and is what we're using now as the shape/grippability is just right but she accidentally punctured it a few times with a particularly enthusiastic catch and the stuffing comes out if you wing it far. It also doesn't handle cold very well.

We have 3 air dogs that have been relegated to in house fetch, they pick up dirt like nobody's business and it's impossible to get bits of leaves out of them.

My trainer suggested a hunting dummy or leather Shutzhund style toy, but I'd have to order those online so have no idea what is a good brand/site. I saw a few that you could scent train with as they have pockets, which would be interesting because she will track the toy by scent if she loses it by sight I just don't know how durable they are so would like reviews/personal experiences with them.

We're planning on taking Orion camping this summer to enjoy the hiking trails so a good rugged toy is a must while we're there.

Thanks :)