If there is one thing we know about dogs, it’s that they love destroying toys even more than playing with them. Our two black Labradors, Daisy and Winston, are a prime example of this. They’ve been through their fair share of some of the best and worst toys on the market, so we decided to create a list of the 10 best tough dog toys for chewers.
Labradors, Pitbulls and other large breeds are known for being toy destroyers and even little dogs can work their magic on them too. Not only can you waste a ton of money on some of these toys, but they can also be potentially dangerous to your dog (we only know that to well).
Toys to Avoid for Tough Chewing Dogs
Before we get started on the best dog toys for tough chewing dogs, we want to go through toys that you should avoid giving to your dog. This toys can be costly to replace, not ever durable or even dangerous to your dog.
The first one we are going to talk about is stuffed toys like the ones you see at your supermarket or even the vets. These often look cute and are often very cheap, but that’s for a reason. Stuffed toys will be gone in a matter of minutes, even seconds in some cases, and the stuffing can be dangerous for your dog if it is swallowed.
Some of these toys also have a squeaker which can potentially be a choking hazard to your dog, so make sure you steer clear of any of these stuffed, cuddly toys.
Rope style toys are another one that we would recommend avoiding. Many people argue that you shouldn’t worry about the few loose threads that your dog will inevitably swallow, but we disagree. Our Winston ended up with threads caught in his bowels from one of these rope toys and the vet bills were in the thousands of dollars to remove them.
We would only recommend rope style toys if you monitor your dog while they play with them and as soon as the toy starts to show signs of wear and tear, replace it. Rope toys are great for a game of tug, but after what has happened to us we won’t have them in our house again.
Quality is the Best Policy
There is always a temptation to go with cheaper toys, but as we’ve learned that can be a bad idea. While no dog toy is completely indestructible, there is a definite advantage to buying a more expensive dog toy from a reputable company like KONG or Goughnuts.
These toys might have a slightly higher upfront cost; however, it is a false economy to continually buy cheaper toys that will ultimately be destroyed in minutes. These toys can also result in trips to the vets which can be exceedingly costly.
Safety Is Important Too
Don’t underestimate your dog’s ability to destroy anything you put in front of it. Dogs are determined animals and they will chew and tear any toy given the time to do so. Always try to keep an eye on your canine companion, even with the best toys available. If a toy is showing signs of excessive wear or parts are coming off, it’s time to bin it.
Our Top 10 Tough Dog Toys for Chewers
As we’ve learned, no dog toy is completely indestructible, but there are some that are much more durable and better for the chewer in your life. These tough dog toys below should be perfect for the majority of large breed dogs.
Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Chew
Daisy and Winston can attest to the durability of the Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone. While many toys have passed through our kitchen, this is one of the few that has stood the test of time. The Benebone Wishbone is looking well used now, but we have no doubt that it last for a little while longer.
Benebone manufacturers the Real Flavor Wishbone in the USA and it is available in a number of different sizes (depending on the size of your dog). As the name suggests, the Wishbone is also flavoured and can come in three different flavours, REAL Bacon, REAL Chicken and REAL Peanut. Benebone uses 100% real food ingredients and fuses them throughout the bone.
The three pronged wishbone shape gives the dog an interesting shape to work with and is something a bit different to your typical dog bone.
Find out more about the Benebone Wishbone here.
Goughnut Indestructible Chew Toy MAXX
Goughnut is known to be the go-to-brand for anybody with a tough chewing dog and the Indestructible Chew Toy MAXX is their strongest product on the market. The Goughnut MAXX comes in either the shape of a stick or a ring and the MAXX 50 is the ultimate version of it. The MAXX 50 is made from a stronger material and is for those dogs who need more from their toy. For those who don’t need the MAXX 50, the standard MAXX power is a little bit cheaper.
Goughnuts features safety indicator where yellow means “Goughnuts” and red means chewing needs to stop and the toy needs to be thrown away. This is great for strong chewing dogs and Goughnut will even replace the toy if it gets down to the red, how great is that?
The Goughnut MAXX toys also float so you don’t have to worry about losing them in the sea!
While the majority of the Goughnut MAXX’s feedback is positive, some people have found that their dogs managed to chew through it and some are just not interested at all. Still, if your dog has a knack for destroying toys the Goughnut MAXX 50 is probably your best bet.
Find out more about the Goughnuts Chew range here.
Nylabone DuraChew Ring Dog Toy
Made in the USA, the Nylabone DuraChew Ring Dog Toy is similar to the Benebone Wishbone above. Nylabone offers the DuraChew in either a smooth ring or textured ring shape, for those dogs who want something a bit more interesting. They’ve given the DuraChew a chicken flavour and it is recommended for large breeds of dog.
Our two black labs have been chewing the DuraChew Ring for a while now and there is only a tiny bit of wear and tear showing. While the Nylabone DuraChew Ring does seem to be incredible tough, we do find that both Winston and Daisy prefer to play with the Benebone Wishbone.
Find out more about the Nylabone DuraChew Ring here.
Horsemen’s Pride Equine Jolly Ball
Yes, that’s right. One of the best toys for the chew-inator in your life is designed for a horse. The Horsemen’s Pride Equine Jolly Ball is similar to the Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Ball, which is an incredibly popular toy for dogs. While the Romp-n-Roll ball is tough, we don’t like the rope that is attached to it. Rope has caused our Winston considerable problems in the past and we don’t want any more trips to the vets for the same problem.
The Horsemen’s Pride Equine Jolly Ball is similar to the Romp-n-Roll, but features a handle on the top instead of a length of rope. It is available in various colours from blue to green and pink and is made in the USA.
While the Jolly Ball seems to be pretty tough, those with super destructive dogs are probably will probably be better with some of the other toys on this list. It seems that the weakest point is the handle and those that love to play tug with their dog may have some problems.
Find out more about the Jolly Ball here.
KONG Extreme Dog Toy, Black
No arsenal of dog toys is complete without a KONG and the Extreme black version is the best if you have tough chewing dog. It’s available in various sizes and is made from KONG’s ultra-strong and durable black rubber formula.
The KONG can be stuffed full of interesting treats and snacks for your dog and is an excellent way of keeping them entertained throughout the day. This means that it is great for dogs who get bored or for those with separation anxiety, and is recommended for owners who are about to start crate training their dogs.
Daisy and Winston both love their KONG when there’s food inside (which dog wouldn’t), but we find that some of the other toys on this list take their interest more when there are no treats involved. Still, the KONG has proven to be one of the most durable toys we’ve ever bought, just make sure your dog doesn’t bury it!
Find out more about the KONG Extreme here.
KONG Rubber Ball Extreme
The Rubber Ball Extreme is another one of our favourite products from KONG and we think it’s even better than the Extreme Dog Toy. It’s made in various sizes and is once again made from KONG’s ultra-strong black rubber material. The ball also has a hole in it for treats and it is made in the United States.
We find that our two dogs love the KONG Rubber Ball Extreme. It’s great for games of fetch and they love it when we put treats in the ball. They seem to find the ball slightly more entertaining than the Extreme Dog Toy, but remember that your dog may be different.
Check out the KONG Extreme Ball here.
Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Diamond Plate Dog Ball
The US made Orbee Tuff Diamond ball is for those who need the toughest dog ball out there. Planet Dog even claims that the Diamond ball is nearly indestructible and is guaranteed tough. Not only will your dog be delighted with how long the toy lasts, but it will also be captivated by the mint smell and the interesting surface.
This tough dog toy for chewers also has other features that make it an excellent interactive play ball, such as its ability to bounce and float, ideal for dogs that love to fetch. Not only is the ball great for fetch, but the Tuff Diamond Ball also has a hole for treats.
The hollow inside allows the ball to squish down once it’s bitten on and then bounces back into its original position once it has been released. This means there’s no need to worry about your lab wearing down their teeth on the hard plastic.
Planet Dog has also made the Tuff Diamond Ball from non-toxic materials and it can be washed in the dishwasher.
Check out the Diamond Ball here.
Kong Wubba Toy
Most of the toys on this list are either rubberised or some sort of durable plastic bone for chewing. The Kong Wubba is a bit different and is perfect for games of tug and fetch. It’s comprised of two reinforced nylon covered balls – one is a tennis ball and the other is a squeaker – and some tough tails which are great for tug if you hold onto the ball end.
The Kong Wubba is available in a variety of sizes and colours, and even a softer fabric for lighter chewing dogs.
Daisy’s favourite toy is undoubtedly the Wubba, which she loves to play tug with and make squeaking sounds with the ball. We’ve had two, one lasted a good year before it gave up to Daisy’s relentless chewing, the other lasted not even a day. We’re not too sure why the second one lasted such a short amount of time, but we recommend you supervise your dog when they play with the Wubba. Still, it’s worth a try as the Wubba is almost certainly the most fun toy on this list.
Find out more about the KONG Wubba here.
West Paw Zogoflex Tux
West Paw’s Zogoflex Tux is an excellent alternative to traditional KONG Extreme Dog Toy. The toy is so incredibly tough and durable that West Paw are prepared to 100% guarantee its toughness. It is made the United States from non-toxic materials and can be put through the dishwasher safely.
The Tux is not only a great chew toy, but is also a durable treat dispenser. You can stuff all sorts of treats inside and can even freeze them inside to keep them entertained for hours. The toy also floats, so it can be used for games of fetch at the beach as well.
We think the Tux is a great toy and many other dog owners out there fell the same. It has some of the highest reviews of any dog toy out there and will be perfect for the tough chewer in your life.
Find out more about the West Paw Tux here.
KONG Wobbler
We’re starting to sound like an advertisement for KONG here, but there is no doubt that they do make some of the toughest dog toys on the market. The Wobbler is essentially a large standard KONG toy made from a hard plastic.
The toy sits upright until pushed by a dog and then periodically dispenses tasty rewards placed inside as it wobbles, rolls and spins. The erratic movement and the smell of the treats inside will keep your dog entertained for hours. Another benefit of Wobbler is that it can be used as an alternative dog bowl to help slow and extend mealtimes.
The Wobbler comes in a few sizes and is about as durable as they come. The only problems we have found with the Wobbler is that it makes an incredibly loud sound when dropped on the floor, especially when you are in bed and the dog wants their breakfast, and that it can be damaged if the two ends separate if you have not tightened them together properly.
Check out the KONG Wobbler here.
Conclusion
Hopefully you are now up to speed with the best toys for tough chewing dogs. Remember to avoid those cheap stuffed toys and keep an eye on your dog when they are playing with a toy. Also remember to periodically check for signs of wear on toys and replace if necessary.
Hard rubber and plastic toys are your best bet when it comes to dog toys for strong chewers, but toys like the KONG Wubba are also excellent as well.
