Some dogs just don't know their own strength, so if your pooch tends to make their toys burst open at the seams and stuffing all over the floor is a regular sight, you need to get them some tough dog toys. These types of toys are the best dog toys if you've got a pup that has more destructive tendencies when it comes to playing. Usually, they're made from strong, durable materials to stop even the most powerful of jaws from chomping through them, and some have features like reinforced stitching and double layers of fabric to withstand the roughest of play times.
We understand it can be frustrating when you've bought what you think is the perfect toy for your canine companion for it only to last a couple of weeks, days or even hours. It's worth remembering that most dogs aren't doing it just to be naughty. Some dogs just like to play rough, and for others, like working breeds, they're only carrying out the task that's been naturally instilled into them. In the case of puppies, they might be teething and sinking their gums and tiny toothy pegs in their puppy chew toy is the only thing to bring them comfort.
Best tough dog toys at a glance:
• Best overall: Ruffer and Tuffer Jumbo Triangles Dog Toy – view on Pets at Home
• Best tough dog ball for treat stuffing: PetLove Mighty Mutts Extra Tough Dog Toy – view on Amazon UK
• Best tough plush toy: Petface Seriously Strong Super Tough Nobbly Crocodile Dog Toy – view on Viovet
We've covered what type of dogs benefit more from tough dog toys in our FAQs section, but these are particularly great toys for large dogs as these are typically the breeds that have a more powerful jaw and can easily chew and rip their way through softer and less sturdy toys. Although, you definitely shouldn't underestimate the power of a bored puppy and smaller breeds as they can also get through a toy or two when they get going. If you do think boredom is a factor in your dog destroying their toys, we'd recommend having a regular sort-out so your hound doesn't get too used to how a certain set of toys work so they can keep their brain mentally stimulated.
In an ideal world, your dog would get lots of years of enjoyment out of their toys, but that's simply not the case most of the time. No toy is completely indestructible, but by making sure you get them a tough dog toy in the first place, your hound should be able to enjoy many, many hours of play time with it all intact.
Best tough dog toys
Best overall
CREDIT: JODIE DAVIES/TAKE A BREAK PETSwww.petsathome.com
Two interlocking triangles with interesting textures make up the Ruffer and Tuffer Jumbo Triangles Dog Toy so it's sure to keep your pooch engaged. As there are two parts to it, you can play tug-of-war with your mutt, or if you have two dogs, they can easily play together. This chunky toy is fairly big so it's great for larger breeds to get their mouths around.
Our review: "Bear loves to get this toy out into the garden for a good chew. As he is a teething puppy we need all the help we can get, and this definitely keeps his wall-chewing at bay! he hasn't managed to break any pieces off yet, so it is definitely strong! It is quite heavy so he doesn't carry it around too much, but it is ideal for what we need it for."
Pros
- Great for tug games
- Different textures for your dog's mouth to explore
Cons
- It's quite a chunky toy so perhaps wouldn't be suitable for smaller dogs
Best tough dog ball for treat stuffing
©ROSIE FLOYD/TAKE A BREAK PETSIf your dog is food motivated, they'll love the PetLove Mighty Mutts Extra Tough Dog Toy as it has a hollow centre that you can stuff with biscuits or fill with dog-safe peanut butter or cream cheese for an extra tasty treat. It's available in small, medium and large sizes to suit a variety of breeds, it's bouncy and it floats, but best of all is that it's strong and durable so it's made to withstand any chompers.
Our review: "Originally, I had this toy in mind for my senior Labrador, Barney, but my Cockapoo pup, Bella, absolutely loves it. She really enjoys chasing after it as it rolls around on the floor or bounces away from her after you've thrown it. Being a puppy, she does occasionally chew through toys but it's so far, so good with this one. You can see her little teeth marks where she's attempted to gnaw at it but it's just too tough for her to make any substantial damage."
Pros
- Super tough
- Hollow centre for stuffing with treats
Cons
- In our experience, it's small enough to roll under sofas
Best tough plush toy
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
If your hound loves a soft toy but is notorious for ripping them apart, you may want to consider the Petface Seriously Strong Super Tough Nobbly Crocodile Dog Toy. It's a heavy-duty toy that is made from durable material to withstand a good chewing. It's bright in colour with tough rubber nodules that provide a variety of textures to stimulate your pup's senses.
Customer review: "So I bought this because EVERY other “tough” toy I’ve purchased for my Dutch herder X Belgian Malinois has been MASSACRED within about 5mins of her getting it and? For the price, I figured I’d give this a go… FIVE STARS! Would happily buy it again (once it is eventually (inevitably)killed beyond saving / safe to let her have 😂😂) 👍🐾"
Pros
- Soft but sturdy
- Different textures to explore
Cons
- Rubber spikes aren't as tough as the rest of the toy material
Best tough Kong toy
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Would it really be a dog toy round-up if we didn't include Kong? They've been a huge hit with both humans and hounds for years. This Kong Extreme Chew Treat Dog Toy Black XX Large comes recommended for extreme power chewers so you know it's got to be pretty tough. You can fill it with treats or simply throw it and watch it bounce to provide your dog with mental and physical stimulation.
Customer review: "We have had the same Kong for over twelve years. It has outlasted our two Rotties and is now on its third Rottie and Staffy. Fantastic toy and great value for money as it has no signs of ever being able to be destroyed !! If you ever only bought one toy this would have to be it - fantastic."
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Great for chewing and for holding foods
Cons
- Tricky to clean
Best tough-flavoured chew toy
AmazonPerfect for medium and large breeds, this cute croc Aleath Dog Toys Indestructible Dog Chew Toy is ideal for aggressive chewers. It has raised rubber throughout that will feel soothing against your dog's gums and it's flavoured like milk, encouraging them to chew. Chewing against this material is great for their dental health, too. The blue colour and the different shapes are sure to capture your dog's attention.
Customer review: "I have two male Australian Cattle Dogs, both of whom love to chew toys. I purchased one of these crocs to see how it would fare intially with the younger dog. He loves it as does his older brother so I bought a second one. Both dogs carry the croc round the house or out in the garden but are constantly chewing on them. There are signs of destruction of course but that's to be expected. The toys are fairly heavy & if one of the dogs drops his on the kitchen floor, the noise it makes is substantial. If you have a dog or dogs that like to chew, this could be money well spent."
Pros
- Great for dental health
- Different textures to explore
Cons
- Quite heavy
Best tough chewing bone toy
AmazonAnother flavoured toy that's great for dental health and chewers, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy X-Bone has tiny raised bristles to act like a mini toothbrush for it'll keep their teeth and gums in check while being super fun for your hound to chew. The beef flavouring comes all the way through and is long-lasting so it won't lose its taste.
Customer review: "Rocco the doggo is an extreme chewer and very few things last the day, this is holding up pretty well and he loves it"
Pros
- Beef flavour
- Great for teeth
Cons
- Made for dogs up to 23kg so may not be suitable for those over this weight
Best rubber and rope tough dog toy
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Last but by no means least on our list, is the Ruffer and Tuffer TPR Monkey with Rope Dog Toy from Pets at Home. It's made from a tough thermoplastic rubber with an added knotted rope to ensure it's tough for chewing while also offering many textures to explore and different types of play to experience. As dogs have dichromatic vision, this toy has been designed with plenty of blue and yellow to make sure it stands out as much as possible.
Customer review: "My Staffie destroys most toys the second you turn away from her. But she's absolutely loved this one! Not sure if she's just decided it's the perfect tug toy or if she just can't destroy it but it looks almost new 2 months later! It's her go to when she wants to play."
Pros
- Different textures and toy types to play with
- Made in colours that are most eye-catching to dogs
Cons
- The rope isn't as strong as the monkey
FAQs
What types of dog benefit from tough dog toys?
Tough toys are designed for every type of dog, but some groups will benefit more from this type of toy. These are:
Aggressive chewers – Tough toys are built to endure their powerful chewing habits.
Puppies – Teething puppies can soothe their gums by chewing on tough toys.
High-energy breeds – Breeds such as Border Collies, Labradors and Huskies require robust toys that can withstand their active play style without falling apart.
Working breeds – German Shepherds, Boxers and other working breeds will benefit from toys that allow them to engage in activities similar to their natural tasks and instincts.
Dogs with separation anxiety – Dogs with anxiety may find comfort in tough toys as they will help them alleviate stress through chewing.
Dogs with powerful jaws – If your dog can easily destroy standard toys, they may benefit from a tough toy that is designed to withstand their chewing force.
Dogs that love tug-of-war: Dogs that enjoy interactive games like tug-of-war may require more durable tug toys that are built to withstand the pulling and tugging motions.
Is there a chew toy that my dog can't destroy?
Although tough toys are extremely hardwearing and durable, it's worth noting that no toy is completely indestructible. Even the best chew toys can evening wear down from constant gnawing. You should regularly inspect your pooch's toys for signs that they're past their best and get rid of them if you notice any small pieces coming loose as these could be a choking hazard. We also recommend always supervising your dog when they're playing with any toy to ensure their safety.
How do I stop my dog from eating and destroying toys?
If your dog has a habit of destroying every toy they have, there are a couple of things you can do to help discourage this behaviour. Firstly, you'll want to make sure you choose a durable option in the first place (preferably one of the tough toys on our list!), avoiding anything that has small parts, so they're built to last. When you give your dog a new toy, you'll want to keep an eye on them and remove the toy from them the moment you spot them starting to damage it in any way, like pulling bits off or chewing at stitching.
Dogs that regularly chew and destroy their toys may be doing it out of boredom. Interactive dog toys, such as puzzle feeders and activity boards, and rotating their toy selection can help to keep them mentally engaged, as well as regularly exercise to tire them out, so they're less likely to resort to destructive tendencies.
Training your dog commands such as "leave" and "drop" can help you to manage their behaviour around toys and other things they shouldn't be chewing so you can redirect their attention. You can also provide them with an alternative to chew, such as treats and dental sticks to satisfy their urges.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.