If your hound's ideal day involves playing plenty of tug-of-war, ensuring you've got plenty of tug toys for dogs is a must. Playing with these types of toys has plenty of physical and mental benefits for your dog, but they're also the best dog toys for strengthening the bond between you and your pup as you can use them in games that you can play together.
Tug-of-war and other tugging games can provide your pooch with a pretty full-on workout, making tug toys great for large dogs as well as small and medium dogs. Tugging games promote cardiovascular fitness, strength and agility, which will allow your hound to burn off all their excess energy while helping to keep them at a healthy weight. Playing with tugging toys can also help your dogs to feel more relaxed and content in the long run as they serve as a stress reliever, and they will satisfy some of their more natural instincts, such as pulling and shaking objects. Engaging in a game of tug is also great for giving your dog some mental stimulation as they'll have to use their brain to work out a strategy of how to gain full procession of their toy.
Best tug toys for dogs at a glance
• Best overall tug toy for dogs: Tug-E-Nuff Pocket Fauxtastic – View on Amazon UK
• Best rope tug toys for dogs: Youngever 6 Pack Large Dog Rope Toys – View on Amazon UK
• Best tug toy for chewers: atopo Durable Dog Chew Toy – View on Amazon UK
As well as being good for physical and mental health, they're good for dental health, too. All that tugging can help to massage gums and reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Of course, to put up with lots of chewing, tug toys need to be pretty tough dog toys so they're able to withstand the pulling and biting pressure from your hound. That's why it's important to look for toys that are made from sturdy and strong materials so they can take a bit of rough play from your hound.
Playing with tugging toys also gives your hound to enjoy a bonding experience with you. After all, they need some kind of opponent to properly participate in the game. Your pooch will get to experience the fun of playing with you and having your undivided attention. It also provides you with the opportunity to do some training with them, such as practising commands to "drop" or "leave" when you want them to stop playing, as well as teaching them to share and play well with humans or other hounds. If this sounds like something you want to experience with your pooch, we've rounded up all the best tug toys for dogs that will keep both you and your hound entertained and happy.
Best tug toys for dogs
Best overall tug toy for dogs
AmazonGreat for playtime and for use as a training aid, the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket Fauxtastic is ideal for taking with you on trips to the park. The strong bungee reduces strain on your dog's neck (and your shoulders!) as they try to tug it from your hand. It's available in three bright colours so it's easily seen when thrown and it's designed to be pocket-sized so you can whip it whenever it is needed.
Customer review: "My 15 month old Dalmatian loves this. Very strong for tug work & training. Perfect size and great colours! Would highly recommend."
Pros
- Designed to take strain away from you and your dog
- Brightly coloured, so easily seen
Cons
- May be a bit small for larger dogs
Best rope tug toys for dogs
AmazonYou can't really go wrong with using rope toys in tugging games, and with this Youngever 6 Pack Large Dog Rope Toys multipack, you and your dog will have plenty to keep you going. Made using 100 per cent natural rope materials, they're all designed to withstand rough play and being tugged, tossed and chewed by your pooch.
Customer review: "These ropes were perfect for my medium sized dog who loves to play tug of war, and is a hardy chewer. They have lasted quite a while so far and he loves them! I don’t expect them to last forever, but they have got quite a bit of life still in them"
Pros
- Good value
- Multiple included
Cons
- Some reviewers felt they could be more durable
Best tug toy for chewers
AmazonDesigned in the shape of a bone with a handle at both ends, you can easily join in with tug-of-war games using the atopo Durable Dog Chew Toy and bond over playtime. As it has massaging surfaces and grooves all over, it will keep your dog's dental health in check while they play, helping to soothe their gums and eliminate plaque from their teeth.
Customer review: "My Labrador has destroyed every toy I have bought except this one, 6 weeks later and still in one piece. Strong durable and solid."
Pros
- Durable
- Two handles for tug-of-war games
Cons
- Strong chewers will definitely need to be supervised
Best tug toys for puppies
CREDIT: ROSIE FLOYD/TAKE A BREAK PETSEven our young furry friends love a game of tug of war from time to time. The Kong Wubba Puppy Nylon Tug of War Dog Toy features extra long tails so you can grab onto one of them while your pup gnaws at the rounded end. Not only is it good for tugging, but you can play fetch with it and let your puppy enjoy some solo play with the squeaker.
Our review: "Bella is nearing the end of the puppy stage of her life now but she still had hours of fun with this Kong toy. It's a great size for young pups and smaller breeds so it shouldn't intimidate them if they're a bit weary of playtime. I love how it's a multipurpose toy. Yes, it's fab for playing a game of tug of war but we've used it for fetching and Bella has enjoyed chewing on the squeaker, too."
Pros
- Great for fetching and squeaking too
- Ideal size for puppies and small breeds
Cons
- If your dog is a bit of a chewer, keep an extra eye on them while playing with this toy, as we found our pup could easily unpick the stitching
Best heavy-duty tug toy for dogs
www.petsathome.com
Double layered and double stitched with a thicker seam for extra durability, the Ruff and Tuff Snake Dog Toy Blue is designed to withstand rough play from dogs that can be a bit destructive. It's bite and durability tested and approved by a Dog Behaviourist, so you know it's going to be perfect for dogs who love to shake and tug toys when they're playing.
Customer review: "Good toy to throw and play tug. It is not indestructible though, it lasted longer than most toys but unfortunately still ended up being chewed through."
Pros
- Extra durable
- Great for throwing and fetching games as well as tugging
Cons
- Customer reviews comment that their dogs pulled the squeaker out
Best rubber tug toy for dogs
AmazonAnother option from Kong on our list is this Rubber Tug Dog Toy. It's made with medium and large breeds in mind and features two connecting rings so your dog can play solo, with you, or with another canine companion. Made from the same durable rubber as their classic chew treat toy, you can be assured it's made to the same quality as the brand's other much-loved dog toys.
Customer review: "Kong always deliver - needed something particularly tough for GSD and Staffie to tug on/play with. This is their absolute favourite. Maybe more expensive but has already outlasted several cheaper tug toys"
Pros
- Great for two dogs to play tug together
- Made by a much-loved dog toy brand
Cons
- Some reviewers would have preferred the rubber not to be stretchy
Best tug ball toy
AmazonFeaturing a durable rubber ball on a lead-style cord, the Chuckit! Ultra Tug Dog Toy With Rubber Ball is ideal for games of tug-of-war between you and your pet. It's made of high-quality materials, with a two-ply nylon handle and an extra-thick rubber core to ensure it's made to last. The bright blue and orange colours make sure it's seen in low visibility settings.
Customer review: "If you're dog has destroyed every ball you've bought so far, and loves tug then this is perfect. I've had it for months. I've left it in the rain. He chews it (handle and ball) and it's still perfect. This is one of his only toys that lasted more than 2 weeks."
Pros
- Great for fetch as well as tugging
- Bright colours for visibility
Cons
- Strap is quite short for tugging
FAQs: Tug toys for dogs
Are tug toys good for dogs?
There are a whole host of reasons why tug toys are good for dogs. Playing tug provides pooches with mental and physical stimulation while allowing them to bond with their owners during playtime. Not to mention, playing with tug toys can help to improve a dog’s dental health, too, by reducing plaque and tartar buildup through chewing on them.
While tug-of-war and other tugging games can be fun and engaging, it’s important to establish some clear rules and boundaries with hounds to ensure they don’t start displaying aggressive behaviours and get too overexcited. You should always supervise them while playing with tug toys or any other toys, such as chew toys and interactive toys, to make sure they’re staying safe.
Are tug toys suitable for all dogs?
While tug toys are good for a vast majority of dogs, they’re not suitable for all dogs. They may not be appropriate for those hounds with aggression issues or those who display guarding tendencies. Dogs with certain dental or joint problems should avoid taking part in more rough and intense games as it can put stress on their problem areas and cause injuries.
Should I let my dog growl when playing tug?
Generally, dogs growling while playing tug is nothing to worry about as it's often a sign of them being excited and showing you that they're engaged in playtime. However, if this escalates into more aggressive behaviour, such as snapping and biting, you should immediately stop the game.
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.