While some dogs are gentle with their beloved stuffed animals, colorful rope toys, bouncy balls, or chew toys, others are not. Let’s face it: a dog’s animal instincts can lead them to conquer – and to decimate. For you, it can be distressing to present your furry friend with a toy only to find that, within mere minutes, it’s been ripped to shreds, leaving stuffing and fabric for the custodial clean-up crew (a.k.a you). Luckily, a few admirable pet toy companies have generated materials, stitching techniques, and other innovations that can stand up against even the most aggressive chewers.
There are a wide variety of the toughest dog toys on the market – from bones to plush toys to chew toys – that can provide your dog with maximum playtime, while reducing the risk of getting destroyed and ending up in your dog’s digestive system. Regardless of the breed, gender, or size, any dog can potentially be a repeat toy-destroyer; but the good news is you can find toys that are as close to indestructible as possible.
The Benefits Of Indestructible Dog Toys
Dogs who manage to shred any type of toy you give them, regardless of the material, can be more than expensive and annoying; extreme chewers often tear or rip their toys into chunks, which could then be swallowed, posing a risk of choking or intestinal blockage.
By providing your pooch with truly tough toys, you will be keeping them safer while still satisfying their natural instinct to chew (and keeping your furniture, shoes, and other possessions safe in the process)
Dogs love bones, but real bones can splinter and cause a host of problems for an extreme chewer. Try these options instead:
Many extreme chewers are also lovers of fetch in all its forms, but replacing a ball every few days is no fun. Check out these “pawsome” options for hours of safe, high-energy fun:
Some dogs absolutely adore soft toys, and there’s nothing cuter than watching a dog carry around a stuffed animal. Unfortunately, these are the easiest toys to destroy, especially when a squeaker is involved.
These may not last forever, but they are certain to stand up to an aggressive chewer better than the average soft toy:
What are your favorite indestructible dog toys? Post a picture to the OVRS Facebook page, or let us know the next time we see you. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you have regarding your extreme chewer!
Goughnuts Maxx RingToughest Chew Toy
After testing and reviewing over 1,000 different dog toys, we soon separated the truly indestructible toys from the imitators.
It was a long journey, but after hundreds of games with the most aggressive, rough-playing dogs around, we narrowed down the competition to 7 winners, each great in their own way.
To start with, I share the most indestructible chew toy before making recommendations for those looking for something more specialized, such as fetch toys and tug toys.
For some dogs, the lifespan of a chew toy is measured in minutes. If your dog would win gold at a chewing championship, then you need a rugged chew toy that will go the distance.
It goes without saying that the harder a chew toy is, the longer it will last. This makes things like antlers, hooves, bones, nylon chews and hard plastic toys an obvious choice. These durable products are often given to dogs that tear through other chew toys. There’s just one problem…
Experts agree that these hard toys can be dangerous to your dog. Not only can solid objects splinter, causing damage if swallowed, but they are also hard enough to break a tooth, leading to expensive vet bills. As a rule of thumb, if the toy is too hard to make a temporary dent with your fingernail, then it’s too hard to be used as a chew toy.
With this in mind, all overly hard chew toys were eliminated from contention. This included popular brands such as Nylabone and Benebone, which are famous for their nylon chew toys.
Tooth-friendly chew toy materials include rope, jute, fire hose, silicone and even Kevlar. However, after testing dozens of chew toys, we found that only one material is capable of standing up to destructo-dogs. Rubber.
Now, power chewers come in all shapes and sizes. This made choosing a single winner a difficult task. For example, despite their size, Dachshunds can dish out some serious damage by aggressively chewing on the same spot over and over. However, when it comes to carrying their chew toy around, many hard rubber chew toys are too heavy for them to carry comfortably.
On the flipside, a rubber chew toy that is lightweight enough for a smaller dog simply won’t hold up to the crunching jaws of a large breed, such as a Labrador.
After spending weeks and weeks watching our dogs chew through toy after toy, one brand outclassed the competition in terms of durability. No other chew toy held up to constant hardcore chewing like the Goughnuts range of rubber chew toys.
First, let’s cover sizing. This first pick is appropriate for medium to large-sized dogs – most heavy-duty chewers fall into this category.
However, the Goughnuts MaXX is too heavy for smaller dogs to carry around. Fortunately, Goughnuts also makes a version for breeds 10 – 40 pounds. Based on my testing, this toy is suitable for power chewers up to the size of an adult Corgi.
On the flipside, if you share your home with an extra-large or super-aggressive power chewer, then I highly recommend upgrading to the Goughnuts Buster instead. It’s the same rubber ring but made for giant breeds. At an impressive 2½ inches thick and weighing a whopping 2 pounds, this hefty chew toy is only suitable for the biggest, strongest jaws, such as that of a Cane Corso.
Here you can see Norris, a Miniature Australian Shepherd, demonstrating the size difference between the biggest and smallest Goughnuts ring:
He prefers the small one by far.
Buying the correct size is important. Too big or heavy and your dog won’t be interested in it. Too small and it won’t last as long. But once you identify the right Goughnuts Ring for your pup, you’ll be rewarded with the toughest chew toy ever.
The thick, American-made rubber held strong even when up against the powerful jaws of a Boxer or Doberman. In fact, throughout the first few weeks, our testers were barely able to make a dent in the rubber. As time progressed, scratches began to show, but the ring maintained its integrity – no deep punctures or chunks pulled off.
Now, no chew toy is forever. Eventually, your super-chewer is going to work his way through even this tough rubber. Fortunately, Goughnuts goes the extra mile and offers a lifetime guarantee…
Hidden in the middle of the Goughnuts chew toys is a red indicator. If your pup works his way through to this, send the chew toy back to Goughnuts (with a check for return postage), and they will send you a brand new ring! It’s considerably cheaper than buying the chew toy again.
While Goughnuts also makes a thick, salami-shaped stick from the same rubber, we found that the ring design lasted longer. The stick design gave our dogs a focused area to chew on repeatedly. Because the ring rotates during play, your dog is less likely to consistently chew on the same area, making it last longer.
This ring initially gives off a strong rubber smell, like a car tire. However, with continued use, it soon faded to a point where it was barely noticeable unless I held it right up to my nose.
My biggest complaint with the Goughnuts range isn’t with the product itself but the confusion that can come with buying it online. All their rubber rings look incredibly similar, so make sure you confirm that you are buying the correct size for your pup.
If your iron-jawed pup is an avid chewer, then it doesn’t get any better than this. Highly recommended.
Rough dogs love to play fetch too! After chasing down the tennis ball, our Pit Bull tester spent the next minute or so aggressively shaking and crunching the ball before returning it. I don’t need to tell you that games of fetch with this muscular pup were fairly short-lived – those strong jaws easily ripped through tennis balls.
That’s why for games of fetch with powerful dogs, I can only recommend an all-rubber option. It’s the only material that has enough give to be enjoyable and is easy to carry around.
I’ll be honest. Given that fetch is one of the most popular games you can play with a dog, I was surprised by how few balls were a suitable tennis-ball-size replacement while meeting our “indestructible” requirements.
Most balls we reviewed were either a touch larger than 2.5 to 2.7 inches, the size that fits inside a standard ball thrower, so heavy that they couldn’t be thrown as far, or just didn’t bounce when they landed. I take my games of fetch seriously! So, trust me when I say that these things matter.
The West Paw Jive outclassed the competition by a long shot. It’s easy to see why this ball is a favorite with strong dogs like German Shepherds and Pit Bulls – it is impressively resilient to wear.
The Jive is made from a dense material called Zogoflex – basically rubber. The ball has enough give to keep dogs interested yet is resistant enough to hold up to toy destroyers during a game of fetch. The small size (2.6 inches) fits perfectly in a standard ball thrower.
Then, there is its bounce. On grass, it’s no slouch, but when it lands on hard surfaces, it turns into a rabbit on a pogo stick. If you look closely, you see that the ball isn’t perfectly round. It has small notches cut into it. If the ball lands on these notches, it bounces off in a random direction, providing your dog with a more entertaining chase. Obviously, this one isn’t suitable for indoor play.
Oh, and despite being heavier than a tennis ball, it still floats. If a wayward throw sends this ball bouncing into a pool or lake, you won’t need to swim to the bottom to retrieve it.
Be mindful that the West Paw Jive Ball is also available in x-small and large sizes. While these won’t fit a standard ball thrower, they may be easier for your pooch to carry.
It might be a touch on the pricey side, but you are getting some extras. The West Paw Jive is made in America. In Montana, to be exact. I’ve purchased numerous West Paw products over the years, and I can confidently say that their customer service is second to none. They really stand behind their guarantee.
Basically, if you don’t love this product, then West Paw will offer either a refund or let you choose another product in their range. You can use this guarantee to see whether or not the Jive Ball will hold up to the powerful jaws of your tennis-ball-crunching Labrador.
Check out our review on the Best Dog Tennis Balls to see our other tennis-size ball recommendations.
For many dogs, nothing is more fun than a game of tug-of-war. Grabbing one end of a tug toy and pulling as hard as you can is the ultimate show of strength. Hold on tight – you’ll be surprised by the power your pup has.
While all tug toys have been specifically designed to hold up to being pulled in different directions, we found that rubber was the most resistant from wear caused by sharp teeth clamping down – rope, nylon and sewn fabric were prone to fraying and tearing.
And out of all the rubber tug toys we tested, nothing came close to the Goughnuts Tug MaXX. Made right here in America, it is perfect for playing aggressive games of tug-of-war with large and giant breeds.
The rubber is heavy-duty yet still chewy enough for dogs to get a good grip with their teeth. At 1½ inches thick, it holds up to the bite force of even the strongest dogs.
You grab one end, and your dog grabs the other. The dual ring design makes it easy to keep your hand clear from your dog’s mouth – you will be thankful when your dog readjusts his grip and doesn’t accidentally clamp down on your fingers with all his strength.
Just as importantly, the tug toy is held with a closed fist. During testing, we noticed that this was the best method for gripping tug toys. It allows you to quickly drop the tug toy if playtime turns violent.
I also observed that the Goughnuts MaXX is equally suited to dog-on-dog tug-of-war. A Great Dane that wanted to join the fun was determined to steal this tug toy from our Pit Bull tester. The result was a friendly game of tug-of-war that went on for over 20 minutes while both dogs attempted to out-muscle the other.
Once the game ended, I inspected the tug toy and was pleasantly surprised that besides a few superficial scratches, there was no damage at all. No gouges or stress fractures – and this is from two dogs that could pull me in half if they tried.
I noticed a mild rubber smell, similar to a car tire. This odor is strongest when the Goughnuts Tug MaXX is brand new but fades over time. The rubber smell didn’t put any of our pups off. They pulled with all their might, just like they did with every other tug toy we tested.
Unlike the Goughnuts Chew Ring MaXX, the Goughnuts Tug MaXX does not contain a red core. This is because it’s designed for supervised play rather than continuous chewing.
However, it still is covered by Goughnuts generous return policy. If damaged, send the Goughnuts Tug MaXX back to the manufacturer (plus a check to cover the cost of postage), and they will send you a brand new tug toy.
At 1½ inches thick, it’s likely too big for smaller pups to get their teeth around. But for large and even giant dogs, this is the tug toy you want. Highly recommended.
Check out our review on the Best Dog Tug Toys to see our other tug toy recommendations.
I don’t know what it is about squeaky toys, but they turn many dogs into toy-destroying monsters. They simply won’t rest until the squeaker dies, working the toy over and over until their teeth finally puncture the squeaker.
Annoyingly, the time it takes for a squeaker to finally die is often measured in minutes. And once this happens, your dog just isn’t interested in the toy anymore.
Based on our testing, the material that surrounds the squeaker has the largest impact on just how long it lasts. A squeaker can still break even if your dog’s teeth don’t pierce through and puncture it. Yep, it turns out your dog’s jaw is capable of producing some serious pressure, and this alone can cause the squeaker to pop.
This was a particular problem with squeakers hidden underneath softer materials such as nylon fabric, fire hose and latex. Squeaky plush toys, for example, are no challenge for destructive breeds like Dalmatians or Dachshunds.
As you would expect, squeak toys that were surrounded by a sturdy rubber performed the best. The rubber surround not only softened the amount of pressure placed on the squeaker but was also significantly more difficult for sharp dog teeth to penetrate. The end result is a long-lasting squeak toy.
With that said, squeak toys are far from indestructible. Even a rubber squeak toy will only hold up to a strong dog for so long. Large, brawny dogs like Pit Bulls and German Shepherds can deal out some serious damage. That’s not to say that a well-built squeak toy won’t last longer but don’t expect it to last forever.
And as far as tough toys go, the Orbee-Tuff Squeak was the most durable squeak toy we reviewed. It resisted powerful jaws and tearing teeth longer than any other.
The squeaker is completely encased in a hard-wearing rubber. While it has some give, know that this rubber is harder to compress than a plush squeak toy. While it won’t be a challenge for large breeds that play rough, small dogs that can’t get their jaws around the entire ball will have difficulty making it squeak.
Speaking of the squeaker, I noticed it produced a sound that was a little softer than the usual squeaky toys. In my opinion, this was a good thing. It wasn’t so obnoxious that it drove me crazy – your dog is going to be squeaking this toy for hours at a time. Squeak… Squeak… Squeak… Gets old real fast.
During testing, I observed dogs identifying exactly where the squeaker was located in the toys and work this area over and over until the squeaker popped. However, the entire Orbee-Tuff Squeak is the squeaker. And because the ball constantly rolls around, it’s difficult for a dog to consistently chew the same area. I believe this also contributed to the ball lasting substantially longer than the other squeak toys we reviewed.
In addition to its durability, the Orbee-Tuff Squeak has other things going for it too. It’s mint-scented so that your dog can easily find it even in the long grass. It floats, bounces well, is dishwasher-safe and, best of all, it’s made right here in America. But its main appeal is that it’s as close to indestructible as a squeaker toy can be.
It may be a pricey squeaky toy, but at the time of writing this, Planet Dog will offer a one-time replacement in the event that the toy fails.
At 3 inches wide, it’s slightly larger than a tennis ball – just a little too large for small breeds like a Pomeranian or Chihuahua. You’ll also need a large sized ball thrower for games of fetch.
But for dogs the size of a Jack Russell Terrier or larger, it’s the best squeaky toy on the market. Highly recommended.
Choosing the most indestructible Frisbee was a little difficult. If we were just judging on durability, the Air Dash Frisbee by West Paw would have been the clear winner. It’s thick, weighted design made it considerably more resistant to puncturing teeth than other Frisbees…
Frisbees are designed for maximum air time and long arcing throws. In fact, a Frisbee should stay in the air long enough for your dog to chase it down for a mid-air catch.
The Air Dash might be tough, but it glides about as well as a rock. The substantial weight both reduced the airtime and the distance it could be thrown.
This is an unavoidable drawback if you want a Frisbee that can be thrown a great distance – you are going to have to compromise on durability. If you have a super-strong dog that plays rough, then it might be better to skip Frisbees as a toy altogether.
After reviewing over 24 different dog Frisbees, only one hit the sweet spot between heavy-duty and airtime. The Kong Flyer.
Despite being made from a resilient rubber, the Kong Flyer glides surprisingly well. Out of all the rubber Frisbees we reviewed, we were able to throw this one the farthest, time and time again. Its shape appears to be slightly more aerodynamic than its competitors.
If you have a small power chewer, then you’ll be pleased to know that this Frisbee is also available in a smaller size. For anything larger than a French Bulldog, I suggest choosing the larger of the two.
| Small | 7½ inches |
| Large | 9½ inches |
As you would expect from an indestructible toy, the Kong Flyer is considerably heavier than those made from plastic or fabric. The only downside is that if you toss this Frisbee into water, it will sink like a stone. So, take care when throwing near a pool or lake. Otherwise, you’ll be going for a swim to retrieve it.
Note: We also tested the Kong Extreme Flyer, a black Frisbee that promises to be a toughened version designed for power chewers. Truth be told, we actually found this the worse of the two, showing considerably more wear after the same amount of testing. Reading online user reviews mirrors our findings. Stick to the red model!
Check out our review on the Best Dog Frisbees to see our other Frisbee recommendations.
However, for stronger-jawed dogs, this poses a problem. As your dog chews on the toy, he is rewarded with food. This process encourages your dog to work the toy harder and harder, even if there are no treats left. If unsupervised, powerful dogs like St. Bernards or Alaskan Malamutes can quickly destroy even the most unbreakable treat toy.
It is for this reason that we suggest that a treat toy should only be given to your dog while under your watchful eye. Once your dog has eaten all the treats, the toy should be removed. This will prevent your dog from chewing the toy until it breaks.
During testing, we found toys that held smaller treats to be the most durable. Longer treat toys, such as those designed for bully sticks, were made from thinner material, which didn’t hold up as well.
Now, before I reveal the winner, I want to warn you that you may need to modify this treat toy to hold your pup’s favorite delicacy. You see, dog treats come in such a wide range of shapes and sizes that it’s impossible for every type of treat to fit.
However, this is a drawback that can be found on all treat-dispensing toys. Depending on how large your treats are, you may need to cut them in half or squish some peanut butter inside first – especially if you want to add loose kibble.
We found that the small concave shape was the perfect size for holding two small milk bones. With some creativity, we could get a variety of other treats to stay inside too.
Admittedly, other treat toys were suited to a wider range of treats. However, this came at the trade-off of durability. During testing, we noticed other treat toys showed wear noticeably quicker than our top pick…
So, which indestructible treat toy outclassed the competition? The West Paw Tux. Made from their patented Zogoflex rubber, the surface held strong as enthusiastic dogs ripped and tore into the surface as they attempted to retrieve the treats inside.
Best of all, this long-lasting treat toy is one of the few treat dispensers that is dishwasher-safe. After all, if you are loading the Tux with oily peanut butter and greasy dog treats, you want to clean it after each use. No worries! A quick trip through the dishwasher on the top rack and the toy is as good as new – beats aggressively scrubbing the toy by hand!
Like all other West Paw Products, this one is made right here in the USA and is backed by their guarantee. In the event this product fails to meet your expectations, they offer a refund or give you the option to choose another product from their extensive range of dog toys.
The Tux might not be a perfect treat toy, but it is without a doubt the toughest. For this reason, I confidently recommend it for dogs who play rough.
When training working dogs like military dogs and police K-9 dogs, toys are often the reward of choice. After all, when out on the job, it’s easier for a police officer to carry a toy than a pouch of food.
Because these roles include physical tasks like chasing and restraining suspects, only the strongest dogs are chosen. It’s not unusual to see powerful dogs like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Weimaraners fill these jobs.
Unsurprisingly, these brawny dogs need a tough toy. And for training purposes, the Nero Ball Ultra is one of the best.
Essentially a firm rubber ball on a rope, the Nero Ball Ultra offers a lot of variety with how you can present the toy to your dog. You can dangle it in front of your pup for him to leap and grab it, play a small game of tug-of-war, or use it as fetch ball. You can either throw it as a regular tennis ball or use the rope to launch the ball incredibly high into the air.
The firm rubber doesn’t bounce as well as a tennis ball, but that’s not its appeal. When used exclusively as a training reward, this toy will hold up to powerful jaws. The rubber is dense enough that it won’t be crushed when chomped yet has enough give that it’s still appealing to dogs.
During testing, I noticed that all our pups picked this toy up by the ball. Every time the Nero Ball Ultra was brought back, I simply picked it up by the rope. Slobber-free games of fetch anyone?
While the nylon rope held strong during testing, I don’t believe it will outlast the durable rubber it is attached to. Fortunately, it doesn’t look like this would be difficult to replace, say with a piece of paracord and a knot.
If you are looking for an indestructible reward toy, then this is as good as it gets. Highly recommended.
Are “indestructible” plush dog toys really tough enough for power chewers?
Plush dog toys are certainly cute, but they’re rarely strong enough to withstand serious chewers. Even dogs who can’t or don’t chew right through the plush material will likely pull the seams apart, eventually opening up the toy like a pistachio nut. But we’re always interested in reviewing new and innovative products, so let us know if you’ve found a plush dog toy that is tough enough for your toothy terrier!
FAQ
What is the most indestructible toy for a dog?
What material makes the best dog toys?
- Goughnuts MaXX. Best Indestructible Chew Toy. …
- West Paw Jive. Best indestructible ball for fetch. …
- Goughnuts Tug MaXX. Best indestructible tug toy. …
- Orbee-Tuff Squeak. Best indestructible squeaky toy. …
- Kong Flyer. Best indestructible dog Frisbee. …
- West Paw Tux. …
- Nero Ball Ultra.