After purchasing another toy that is supposedly indestructible for your dog, it responds by laughing at you and saying “I accept the challenge.” Surprisingly, within just an hour, the supposedly durable toy is now in pieces, scattered all over your house.
Does this sound familiar to you?
Whether you own a Labrador retriever that has the ability to destroy rubber toys in a single bite, a Dachshund that can tear toys apart by focusing on one spot, or a puppy that can effortlessly shred materials with its sharp teeth, it is irrelevant.
We collected the most difficult dog toys on the market and subjected them to a rigorous evaluation.
The best indestructible dog toys
After conducting tests and evaluations on more than 1,000 dog toys, we were able to distinguish between the authentic indestructible toys and the imitations.
After embarking on a lengthy journey, during which we engaged in countless games with the most hostile and physically aggressive canines, we managed to narrow down the pool of contestants to 7 individuals who excelled in their distinctive manner.
Firstly, we present the chew toy that is the most durable, and then we proceed to provide suggestions for individuals seeking toys with more specific purposes, like fetch toys and tug toys.
1. Goughnuts MaXX
A thick rubber ring that survives even the strongest power chewer.
If your dog is the type that can destroy a chew toy in minutes, you will need a durable one that can last a long time, like those used in a chewing championship.
It is obvious that the more difficult a chew toy is, the longer its lifespan will be. Therefore, products such as antlers, hooves, bones, nylon chews, and hard plastic toys are frequently selected. They are given to dogs that quickly destroy other chew toys. However, there is a drawback…
Experts are in agreement that hard toys pose a danger to dogs. Not only can solid objects splinter and cause harm if ingested, but they can also be strong enough to fracture a tooth, resulting in costly veterinary expenses. As a general guideline, if a toy is too hard to make a temporary indentation with your fingernail, it is deemed unsuitable for use as a chew toy.
Taking into consideration this idea, all excessively tough chew toys were excluded from consideration. This encompassed well-known brands like Nylabone and Benebone, which have gained fame for their nylon-based chew toys.
After testing multiple tooth-friendly chew toy materials such as rope, jute, fire hose, silicone, and even Kevlar, we discovered that only rubber is able to withstand the destructive nature of dogs.
Choosing a single winner was a challenging task due to the presence of power chewers in various shapes and sizes. For instance, despite their size, Dachshunds are capable of causing significant destruction by relentlessly chewing on a particular spot. Nevertheless, these dogs struggle to carry heavy hard rubber chew toys in a comfortable manner.
However, a rubber chew toy that is suitable for a smaller dog will not be durable enough to withstand the powerful jaws of a larger breed like a Labrador.
If your dog that has a strong jaw enjoys chewing, then this is the best option available and it is highly recommended.
2. West Paw Jive
The text can be rephrased as: “A rubber ball, similar in size to a tennis ball, that is strong enough to be thrown longer distances, with a higher bouncing capability, and compatible with standard ball throwers.”
Our Pit Bull tester, after chasing down the tennis ball, spent the next minute or so energetically shaking and crunching the ball before returning it, showing that rough dogs also enjoy playing fetch.
When we reviewed most of the balls, we found that either they were slightly larger than 2.5 to 2.7 inches, which is the size that can fit inside a standard ball thrower, or they were too heavy to be thrown over long distances, or they simply didn’t bounce upon landing.
The West Paw Jive stood out from the competition by a considerable margin. It’s evident why this ball is favored by robust breeds such as German Shepherds and Pit Bulls – its durability is impressive.
The Jive is composed of a dense substance known as Zogoflex, which is essentially rubber. The ball possesses sufficient flexibility to capture dogs’ attention, while also being durable enough to withstand the efforts of toy destroyers in a game of fetch. Additionally, its compact size, measuring 2.6 inches, conveniently fits into a regular ball thrower.
Next, let’s consider its bounce. Although it performs well on grass, once it hits hard surfaces, it transforms into a bouncing rabbit on a pogo stick. Upon close inspection, you’ll notice that the ball is not perfectly spherical. It features tiny indentations carved into its surface. In the event that the ball lands on these indents, it will deflect in a random direction, offering your dog a more amusing pursuit. Clearly, this particular ball is unsuitable for indoor use.
Even though it is heavier than a tennis ball, it has the ability to float. If this ball accidentally bounces into a pool or lake, there is no need to dive to the bottom to retrieve it.
Please keep in mind that the West Paw Jive Ball also comes in x-small and large sizes, although they cannot fit a regular ball thrower. However, these sizes may be more convenient for your dog to carry.
If you do not love this product, West Paw will provide either a refund or allow you to select another product from their range. By utilizing this guarantee, you can test the durability of the Jive Ball against the strong jaws of your tennis-ball-crunching Labrador.
3. Goughnuts Tug MaXX
For numerous dogs, there is no greater enjoyment than engaging in a round of tug-of-war. Exhibiting maximum strength, grabbing one side of a tug toy and exerting forceful pulling is the complete demonstration of power. Maintain a firm hold – you will be astonished by the level of power exhibited by your canine companion.
After considering each step, we discovered that rubber was the most durable material for tug toys as it resisted wear and tear caused by sharp teeth clamping down, unlike rope, nylon, and sewn fabric which were more likely to fray and tear.
After testing various rubber tug toys, we found that none compared to the Goughnuts Tug MaXX. This American-made toy is ideal for playing intense games of tug-of-war with larger dog breeds.
Even though the rubber is heavy-duty, it is still chewy enough for dogs to grip with their teeth. With a thickness of 1½ inches, it can withstand the bite force of even the most powerful dogs.
As you hold one end, your dog takes hold of the other. The design with two rings enables you to keep your hand safely away from your dog’s mouth, which you will appreciate if your dog adjusts his grip and avoids unintentionally tightening his grip on your fingers too forcefully.
Equally important, it was observed during testing that the most effective way to hold the tug toy is with a closed fist. This method enables you to promptly release the tug toy in case playtime becomes aggressive.
The reason the Goughnuts Tug MaXX does not have a red core is that it is intended for supervised play rather than constant chewing, unlike the Goughnuts Chew Ring MaXX.
If the Goughnuts Tug MaXX gets damaged, you can send it back to the manufacturer along with a check to cover the cost of postage, and they will send you a brand new tug toy.
The toy is probably too big for smaller dogs to bite because it is 1½ inches thick. However, if you have a large or giant dog, this is the perfect toy for them. I highly recommend it.
4. Orbee-Tuff Squeak
A durable rubber toy that remains intact for a longer period of time compared to others.
After conducting tests, we concluded that the duration of a squeaker largely depends on the material surrounding it. Even if your dog’s teeth do not penetrate the squeaker, it can still break. Surprisingly, the pressure exerted by your dog’s jaw alone is sufficient to cause the squeaker to burst.
