DOG or Leisure Boules
The term "DOG" is not derogatory - it is the name used by OBUT for one of their popular ranges of Leisure boules, but it is used locally to cover ALL Leisure boules.

---

These suffice well for family use or games on the beach BUT BEWARE! -- you may well be wasting money. The alternative is to pay more and buy "Official" boules.

IF you are reading this, you are most probably interested in playing competitively! You should therefore be aware that some Leagues:

Permit the use of DOG.	eg The Central Beer League
Permit DOG for 1st year of Membership.	eg The Three Shires League
Ban the use of DOG.	eg The Pennant Mid Week League

The same applies to Tournaments ---- some permit DOG, some ban them.

But! I know of no League or Tournament that bans Official boules!

Why ban DOG?
Old timers have given dire warnings of such boules exploding. I don't say this is impossible but there are far more leisure boules used around the world than there are Official boules. No, the trouble lies in Rule 2a! Check it out (don't even contemplate the penalties applied if you tamper with them!!) If you think you might want to play in competition -- Think Official boules!

-- but some people are natural DOG Fanciers!

*	There are people who join a Fun League with no intention of playing competitively.
*	The Landlord or Landlady of a Pub may wish to buy a few sets for customers who'd like a game of a summers evening.
*	I, myself, have several sets of DOG boules which I use to get new clubs started and to run fun afternoons at local pubs to promote the sport at fun level.

But whatever you buy --
-- boules should be bought in sets of 3!
Where NOTto buy DOG boules!!
Don't buy any boules from sports shops-- well don't before you've checked the price from an importer!

Where to buy DOG boules?
One traditional suppliers has been Argos who sell 6 boules in a case for about £30. (But BEWARE! I've seen some cases containing 3 sets of 2 boules!)

Recently I have been buying two sets of 3 boules, 720g, in a zip case, complete with cochonnet for as little as £7! These have been bought from seaside bric-a-brac shops -- not noted for cheapness! I thought they might be heavily marked down, unsold items.

I now know better! Recently a Chinese gentleman Emailed and gave me a list of the boules his company supplies. From the photos etc I'm sure they supplied the boules I have been buying. He also sent his price list. There is no doubt whatsoever that shops selling these sets at £7 are making a very satisfactory profit!

I have been told that these boules are weighted with sand. Indeed, you can hear a lump of sand when you shake one of mine. I'm also told that importers have been unable to get any guarantee of cleanliness of the sand. I can see why our better importers of sports equipment may be unwilling to supply them. However, as an individual, I'm willing to buy and throw them -- but on your own head be it(figuratively that is)!!