My dog knows that if she gets to play with this toy that it is going to be a fun day in the water! It floats nicely and is very soft yet durable. It has held up for years without a single tear in it while still being gentle on her teeth. It still looks like new somehow, which is very rare with dog toys in our house. The rope on the end helps when swinging it for a nice throw and for something to grab when the dog brings it back to you. We have even used it in her most recent dock diving competition where she advanced in her standings!