Our picks of dog toys

What each dog toy is for, how long it lasts with a real dog on the end of it, and which dogs it suits.

Dog toys we would buy, with stuffable rubber for quiet time, balls that last a season of fetch, puzzles for wet days and plush for carrying about.

and eight more

More round-ups

Food in a toy still counts as dinner. Take it off the daily total, so the numbers add up over the week.

Rubber or plush?
Rubber is for chewing and lasts months, which is why tough dog toys are almost all rubber. Plush is for carrying and shaking, and it is at its best in games you play together.
Rubber chew or plush
Are tennis balls bad for teeth?
A ball made for dogs uses a softer, non-abrasive felt, so it is the one to buy if your dog carries a ball all day.
Tennis ball or rubber ball
Does my dog need a puzzle?
Ten minutes of thinking satisfies a busy dog as much as another lap of the park. Start easier than you think, so the first attempt ends in a win.
Puzzle or a stuffed KONG
Chewing and teeth
Toys are for play, and dental care is a separate job. Small breeds do best with the softer end of the range.
Small dogs and bad teeth