Finding the perfect chew toy for a large dog can feel like an endless quest. Many dog owners, ourselves included, have experienced the familiar sigh of disappointment as a supposedly “indestructible” toy meets its swift demise within hours, if not minutes. At Dog Care Story, we understand the challenge of keeping powerful chewers entertained and their teeth healthy without constantly replacing broken toys. That’s why our expert team—a pack of dedicated shelter dogs—put five popular “indestructible” toys to the ultimate test to identify the best Tough Chew Toys For Large Dogs. We’re here to share their honest, reliable, and sometimes blunt, feedback to help you make an informed choice for your canine companion.
Our mission at Benafim Dog Shelter goes beyond rescue; we’re committed to enriching the lives of every dog, which includes providing engaging and durable toys. For this review, we invested in five top-rated toys, subjecting them to a week of intense chewing, playing, burying, and retrieving by dogs like Nero, Max, Maya, Black Nero, Jean, and Pebbles. Their collective experience provides invaluable insights into what truly stands up to a large dog’s powerful jaws.
Tested and Approved: Our Top Picks for Power Chewers
When it comes to selecting the best dog toy for heavy chewer, durability is paramount. While some toys claim indestructibility, only a few genuinely deliver. Here’s what our canine experts had to say about the contenders.
Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy emerged as a clear favorite among our powerful chewers. This XXL, bison-flavored bone is specifically designed for dogs weighing over 23kg and boasts an impressive resistance to even the most determined jaws. Our 9-year-old Pitt Bull, Nero, known for his relentless chewing, spent hours with this toy, leaving barely a mark. Its size is substantial, yet it’s lightweight enough for large dogs to carry comfortably. The slightly curved design makes it easy for paws to grip, enhancing the chewing experience.
A Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy, ready for serious chewing action.
Even Maya, a 3-year-old who was initially unfamiliar with toys, immediately took to the Nylabone, demonstrating keen interest and enjoying long chewing sessions, often enticing Max to join in a playful chase. One of the standout features is its lasting flavor and ease of cleaning, with no mess or unpleasant odors, a big win for human owners. Black Nero, a Cane Corso cross with a legendary chewing prowess—capable of demolishing large tree trunks and even bending strong fencing when anxious—found his match in this Nylabone. Despite hours of effort, Black Nero could barely leave a tooth mark, proving its exceptional durability.
The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy is a game-changer for owners seeking tough chew toys for dogs uk that truly withstand the test of time. It features tiny bristles to aid in teeth and gum cleaning and is made from safe, non-toxic nylon. Available in bison, chicken, and turkey flavors, it measures 30.48 x 13.97 x 5.08 cm and weighs 485 grams, making it ideal for dogs 23 kg and above.
Nero, a handsome white Pitt Bull, intently testing the durability of the bison-flavored Nylabone.
Kong Rewards Ball: An Engaging Treat Dispenser
The Kong Rewards Ball, while not initially met with the same fanfare as the Nylabone, quickly won over our canine reviewers with its clever combination of play and food. This durable rubber ball serves as both an interactive toy and a treat dispenser, keeping dogs amused for extended periods. Humans found it incredibly simple to load treats, and more importantly, our dogs could easily access the rewards without excessive effort.
Jean, a shelter dog, focused on extracting treats from the Kong Rewards Ball during testing.
Jean, in particular, developed a deep affection for this toy, frequently burying it and returning for hours of chewing on its squishy, bouncy rubber side. Our entire shelter dog family, from the massive Jambo to the petite Star, enjoyed playing and chewing on the Kong Rewards Ball, with not a single tooth mark found after a week of rigorous testing. This toy truly combines two of their favorite activities: play and food, offering a durable and effective solution for interactive fun. Its long-lasting Kong rubber construction is designed for dogs 16 kg and above, measuring 12.7 x 12.7 x 12.07 cm and weighing 417 grams.
Kong Wobbler Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Kong Wobbler provided significant entertainment, with our dogs’ initial reactions being hilariously perplexed by this large, wobbly red object. Unlike other Kong toys made from rubber, the Wobbler is crafted from a harder plastic polymer. Its twist-off lid makes refilling treats a breeze for owners, though the dogs initially struggled to understand how to get the treats out, especially on uneven surfaces.
Pebbles, a shelter dog, cautiously interacting with the Kong Wobbler during its review.
Once we realized the Kong Wobbler performs best on smooth surfaces and that treat size needs to be compatible with its dispensing hole, the toy became a huge hit. Its large size (Diameter 13 x 19 cm, 485 grams, for dogs 12 kg plus) makes it challenging for dogs to pick up and chew directly, which inadvertently contributes to its “indestructible” nature. Our dogs confirmed it’s easy to use once understood, providing hours of engaging, treat-dispensing fun without succumbing to their powerful jaws. The Kong Wobbler is a fantastic option for toys to keep big dogs busy and mentally stimulated.
The Disappointments: Not All “Indestructible” Toys Hold Up
While we found excellent options for chew toys for dogs with strong jaws, not every toy lived up to its “indestructible” claim.
CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone
The CyunCmay Indestructible Dog Toy XL Bone generated immense excitement upon unwrapping, but its soft, rubbery, and pliable material proved no match for Black Nero. Despite 30 minutes of enthusiastic tug-of-war, chewing, and retrieving from the lake, the toy quickly showed significant teeth marks and was almost split in two. While it offered short-lived fun for retrieving, it definitively failed as a tough chew toy for large dogs. Our dogs were left noticeably disappointed when their fun was cut short.
A CyunCmay XL bone, showing significant damage and teeth marks after just 30 minutes of chewing.
HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy
The HETOO Indestructible Squeaky Dental Care Dog Toy, primarily designed for dental cleaning, failed to excite our canine reviewers. Its squeak did little to engage them, and even with peanut butter smeared in its grooves to encourage chewing, interest was fleeting. While it aims to clean teeth, it simply didn’t provide the interactive play or durability our dogs seek in a chew toy. Its lack of appeal and questionable “indestructibility” for serious chewers makes it a less desirable option compared to other best dog toy for power chewers.
Our Verdict: Finding the Right Tough Chew Toy
After a week of intense scrutiny, our shelter dogs have delivered their final verdict on these five “indestructible” toys. When it comes to truly tough chew toys for large dogs, the Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy stands head and shoulders above the rest for its incredible durability and lasting appeal to power chewers. For interactive fun combined with treat dispensing, both the Kong Rewards Ball and the Kong Wobbler proved to be excellent, durable choices that keep big dogs busy and mentally stimulated.
Choosing the right toy is crucial for your large dog’s physical and mental well-being, especially for those with powerful chewing habits. Durable toys help prevent destructive behaviors, promote dental health, and provide hours of engaging entertainment. Always supervise your dog with new toys and inspect them regularly for damage to ensure safety. Invest in quality, and you’ll find long-lasting satisfaction for both you and your beloved canine companion.
