A Complete Guide To The Toughest Dog Toys
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We raise Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, two of the mouthiest dogs and they like to chew.
It goes without saying that durable dog toys are a must in our household. So what are the toughest dog toys?
The Goldens at MyDogLikes put together today’s blog post covering some of their favorite tough dog toys.
UPDATE: This post was originally published on MyDogLikes on October 6th, 2016. We recently updated and republished here on PuppyInTraining.com.
Here at MyDogLikes we are on a constant search for tough and durable dog toys.
In fact, our experiences (both good and bad) on this particular quest were one of the main motivations for creating this website.
Every dog owner understands the frustrations when a new toy is ripped to shreds in a matter of moments.
Not only is this a waste of money, but fragments of these poorly designed toys can become a hazard for your pet!
We want to help you find something that is worthy of your hard earned money and SAFE for your pet.
That is why we have compiled the list below of the toughest dog toys on the market – all broken down into preferred play style.
So browse away, and pick out a great new toy for your best friend! Though it should be noted that no toy is indestructable, and supervision is always recommended!
Toughest Dog Toys – The Complete Guide
Chew Toys
All dogs love to chew. It is an innate desire that can lead to destructive behavior if ignored.
That is why it is so important to provide your dog with a safe outlet to satisfy this desire!
When it comes to chew toys, below you will find the best of the best – all designed to handle some serious abuse.
Nylabone Chew Toys
Nylabone chews are made from an extremely durable nylon and serve as a great substitute for real bones.
That is because they are tough enough to last for a very long time, but not hard enough to crack or damage a tooth.
By design, these bones simply wear down over time. You will also note that small pieces of the plastic become raised during chewing.
These actually act as bristles to clean your dogs teeth while they continue to chew.
It is important to note however that regular Nylabones are not meant to be ingested – if your dog does manage to break off a piece larger than a grain of rice you should take it away immediately!
Nylabones are available in dozens of fun shapes and sizes perfect for any breed or level of chewer.
Benebone Dog Chews
Similar to the Nylabones, Benebones are a dense chew formed from a tough nylon. They come in several different shapes, but we particularly love the Wishbone Chew.
This version has been carefully designed with a built-in curve – allowing for one end to pop up into the air for easier access while chewing.
Be warned however that this is a large chew, clocking in 6 oz. and measuring 7″ x 5.” Benebones are all made in the USA and come in both peanut butter and bacon flavors.
Pet Qwerks Flavorit Bones
Flavorit bones put a unique spin on the standard nylon dog chew. While they come in several flavors themselves, the real innovation comes from the embedded “flavor cells.”
These small indentations are designed to accept your dogs favorite spread to further entice them to chew. Flavorit chews are also made in the USA which is a huge plus in our book.
UPDATE: Pet Qwerks now offers BarkBones – a curved version of this chew!
Treat Dispensing Toys
What could be better than getting a snack while you are enjoying a chew?
The toys below can all be stuffed with your dogs favorite treats to entice them to work out some of their excess energy.
Figuring out how to access the treats also provides some very important mental stimulation for your dog.
Kong
No doubt one of the most well known tough dog toys, but for good reason.
The original Kong is a fun and interactive toy that has been keeping dogs occupied and stimulated for over 30 years!
It is made from a thick rubber which provides just the right amount of “squish” dogs love during chewing.
At the same time, it can stand up to some seriously heavy abuse.
The real innovate aspect of this toy is that it has a hole in the bottom which is designed to be filled with treats.
Not only will the smell entice your dog to start chewing, but the sound of treats rattling around inside will get them really amped up!
You can fill KONG’s with whatever treats your dog enjoys although KONG does make their own treats that fit perfectly inside, as well as an aerosol can that dispenses a paste right inside!
Not tough enough? The KONG also comes in an Extreme version for the strongest of chewers!
PetSafe Busy Buddy Dog Toys
PetSafe’s Busy Buddy line of dog toys come in tons of fun shapes and sizes.
They are made from a tough scented rubber that can put up with some heavy duty chewing fun.
Each treat dispensing version presents a different challenge for your dog, as they try to figure out just how to get at the goodies inside.
As we have mentioned previously, this type of stimulation is extremely important for the health and happiness of your dog.
West Paw Design’s Zogoflex Dog Toys
We have had nothing but good experiences with West Paw Design’s Zogoflex dog toys.
This proprietary material is durable, flexible, buoyant, non-toxic and even recyclable.
They come in tons of fun shapes which are excellent for chewing, fetching, tugging and more. There are even a few different treat dispensing versions!
Thus far, we have tried (and loved) the Hurley, Bumi, Tizzi, and Toppl (Click the links to read more about each experience!)
Best of all? West Paw offers a one time product replacement guarantee should your dog manage to destroy one of their Zogoflex toys! What do you have to lose?!
Fetch Toys
What could be more fun than running and chasing? If your dog loves to fetch, we highly recommend the toys below for tons of outdoor fun!
Orbee Balls
Orbee balls are spherical dog chews manufactured by Planet Dog from a very durable proprietary material. They are bouncy, buoyant, biodegradable and non toxic.
They come in several sizes and styles for added fun – including mint flavored, glow in the dark and even treat dispensing.
Most importantly for our boys, Orbee balls have just the right amount of “squish” for what seems to be a pleasant chewing experience.
Chuckit! Ultra Ball
The Chuckit! Ultra Ball is one of the most durable balls on the market.
The size of this ball makes it super versatile (its the size of a standard tennis ball) which allows the ball to be used in other tennis ball accessories like the Chuckit! Launcher and Fetch It Carrying Case.
Unlike the Orbee ball, the Chuckit! Ultra Ball doesn’t have any chew-able pieces that can come off, but it does provide that perfect squish for chewing.
This ball is super bouncy and even floats on the water! This has fast become one of our favorite balls!
Jolly Ball – Tug & Toss
The Jolly Ball is one of our absolute favorite outdoor dog toys, and in our opinion belongs in every dog’s backyard.
This large, hollow ball is constructed from a thick rubber and includes an attached handle for easy tossing and carrying.
The material is the perfect blend of flexibility and durability. Best of all – since it is not inflated, it cannot be popped.
Even if your dog chews into the handle or side of the ball, it maintains it shape – and they will continue to love it.
Our Jolly Ball has lost part of its handle, and been sitting outside for YEARS, but it remains a favorite to kick around!
NERF Flyer
For all you frisbee lovers out there – our top recommendation for durability is definitely the NERF flyer.
This disc is made from a tough thermoplastic rubber which is flexible but also extremely resistant to sharp dog teeth.
As you can see, this disc has a unique cutout pattern which makes it very easy for your dog to pick up and carry.
It even floats in case you want to move your game of fetch to the water. Plus, it flies fast and far – also nabbing the NERF Flyer a spot in our list of the best dog frisbees!
Zeus Bomber
The Zeus Bomber is an interesting toy that looks similar to a basketball – with handles.
It is extremely tough (and quite heavy) – so much so that it will actually hurt your foot if you kick it!
Stick to throwing this toy and your dog will love chasing after it and carrying it back.
This bad boy can put up with some SERIOUS abuse.
Tug Toys
If your dog likes to tug, you know that they will turn anything into a tug toy.
The toys below are designed specifically for the task – and can put up with some serious tugging force!
The Tuggo
True to its name, the Tuggo dog toy excels in tug. It consists of a large, hollow sphere with a rope running through the center.
This rope is free to move back and forth, making it especially fun for multi-dog play.
The shell is constructed of an extremely tough plastic that I have a hard time envisioning any dog doing serious damage to.
As an added feature, this ball can be filled with water to add weight to an already heavy toy.
Not only does the water sloshing around add to the Tuggo’s intrigue, the added resistance makes it challenging for even the largest and strongest of dogs.
The Puller
The Puller consists of a pair of large rings and is one of the most versatile dog toys on the market.
These rings are made of a durable foam rubber which can withstand a ton of force from pulling or chewing.
Though it will develop small teeth marks over time, it remains no worse for the wear.
In fact, the ability for your dog to slightly sink its teeth into this toy makes it all the more appealing to them.
Aside from tugging, this toy is also great for fetch, exercise drills and even training.
By including a second ring in each set, Puller opens itself up to a huge variety of play possibilities.
Stuffed Toys
Does your dog have a soft side? These plush toys are tougher than they look and a great option for those dogs who like to cuddle just as much as play.
Kong Braidz
Do not be deceived by appearances. Kong Braidz are shockingly tough, with the ability to withstand significant tugging force.
While not intended for straight chewing, this toy is very durable during play and can stretch to twice its length.
Kong Braidz are also soft and therefore a great choice for those pups who enjoy a good cuddle. They come in tons of different varieties and even special holiday versions.
Tuffy’s Stuffed Dog Toys
Tuffy’s were given their name for good reason.
Each of their products is ranked on a toughness scale from 1-10, and designed for durability.
They are soft yet rugged, with incredibly strong stitching. As a matter of fact, some versions have 7 or more layers of stitching!
These toys are great for fetching, chewing, tugging and even cuddling. They can also be thrown directly in the washing machine in case they become a little “too well loved.”
Tuffy’s are available in a wide variety of fun shapes and sizes with some measuring as large as 12″ x 18″ x 6″!
They are worth picking up just to see your dog adorably drag something that size around!
What did we miss?
Please share some of your favorite tough dog toys in the comments below!
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We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs – Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. - BEST DOG CHEW
We Like: Mighty Paw Naturals Bully Sticks – All of our puppies love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. - BEST DOG TREATS
We Like: Crazy Dog Train-Me Treats – We use these as our high-value treats for our guide dog puppies. - BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
We Like: The Farmer’s Dog – A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer’s Dog.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.
