A Labrador and a Chihuahua want completely different things from a toy. One wants to retrieve until its legs give out; the other wants something tiny and safe to carry around the couch. Toy shopping by breed isn’t fussy, it’s the difference between a toy that gets loved and one that gets ignored (or destroyed in a way that lands the dog at the vet).
This guide Best Dog Toys by Breed goes breed by breed through the most-loved dogs, matching each to the toys that best suit its size, energy, and chewing style, with specific picks for each.
Affiliate disclosure: Frenchienova may earn a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through links in this post, at no extra cost to the reader. Recommendations are based on independent research and real-world chew testing.
Table of Contents
How to Read This Guide Best Dog Toys by Breed
Each breed below is matched based on three factors: size (which determines safe toy dimensions), energy (which determines how much the toy needs to burn off), and chew strength (which determines how tough it has to be). Get those three right, and the toy fits. The picks are real, widely available Amazon options, but always size to the individual dog, within any breed, dogs vary.
Labrador Retriever Toys
Labs are the classic do-it-all dog: high energy, strong chewers, obsessed with retrieving and water. They need toys that survive a powerful mouth and burn real energy.
Top Pick: Chuckit! Ultra Ball + Launcher (Best for Fetch)
Thick, high-bounce rubber that floats (perfect for a water-loving Lab), and the launcher saves an owner’s arm on long sessions. Labrador dog toys live or die on durability, and this ball outlasts tennis balls easily.
- SUPER HIGH BOUNCE: Take fetch to new heights with the Ultra Ball, compatible with large Chuckit! launchers. Made from du…
- DURABLE RUBBER BALL: Built tough for revolutionary fetch games, our rugged dog toy features a textured surface and a thi…
- SIZING MATTERS: The large Ultra Ball is 3 inches in diameter and best suited for breeds weighing 60-100lbs. Dog balls sh…
- THROW FARTHER AND FASTER: Enhance your fetch game with the Chuck It Ball Launcher; designed to increase your throwing sp…
- NO MORE SLOBBERY BALLS: Keep your hands clean with the ball thrower for dogs; featuring a design that extends your reach…
- FOR MEDIUM DOGS: The handle of the Classic 26M launcher is 26″ Long and specifically crafted for dogs weighing 20-60 lbs…
Also Great: KONG Extreme (Best Chew)
For the gnawing many Labs love, especially as puppies.
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Extreme black rubber toy helps satisfy dogs’ instinctual needs and provides mental stimulati…
- Enticing Chew Toy for Dogs: This unique toy has an erratic and unpredictable bounce, keeping all breeds of dogs engaged …
- Treat-Filling Capabilities: The hollow interior allows for stuffing with kibble, peanut butter, or KONG Snacks or Easy T…
Golden Retriever Toys
Goldens share the Lab’s love of retrieving but tend to have a softer mouth, though plenty still chew hard as puppies. Fetch toys plus a reliable chew cover them well.
Top Pick: West Paw Zogoflex Hurley (Best Fetch + Chew)
A tough, floating rubber bone that doubles as a fetch toy and a chew. For golden retriever chew toys that need to survive teething, this is a safe, durable bet.
- Designed to be durable for long chew sessions
- A floatable, safe dog bone.
Toy and Small Breeds: Chihuahua, Yorkie, Toy Poodle
Small breeds need scaled-down toys, light enough to carry, soft enough to be gentle, but not so flimsy they become a choking hazard. Sizing matters most here.
Top Pick: Petstages Dogwood (Best Small Durable Chew)
A wood-alternative chew stick sized for little jaws, safer than a real stick (no splintering) but with the same natural gnawing appeal. Light enough for a toy breed to carry around, and tough enough not to fall apart in a day. Good for chihuahua dog toys and other tiny breeds that like to gnaw rather than just carry.
- Dog Chew Toy: Satisfies natural chewing instincts and encourages calm, content chewing to help pups find their zen
- Durable Dogwood: Real-wood blend with natural wood taste and texture; safer and less messy than real sticks; made in the…
- Chew Smart: Made without lead, phthalates, or nylon (gentler on teeth and gums); supports dental health; top-rack dishwa…
Also Great: JW Pet Hol-ee Roller (Mini) (Best for Carrying and Light Chewing)
A small perforated rubber ball light enough to carry around and durable enough to survive gentle chewing. Toy poodle toys do well with something bouncy and easy to grip.
- Hol-ee Rubber Dog Toys: The Hol-ee is the classic do-it-all Puzzle Ball that comes in multiple shapes and sizes. Enrich …
- Size Large Hol-ee Dog ball: Measures 5.5″ in diameter and is best for medium to large sized dogs. The natural rubber is …
- Hol-ee Roller – Perfect for both indoor and outdoor play, the roller makes a great fetch toy and is gentle on surfaces. …
Brachycephalic Breeds: Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog
Flat-faced breeds carry surprising jaw power, but tire and overheat fast, so calm, chew-focused toys usually beat frantic fetch.
Our dedicated French Bulldog toys guide
Top Pick: West Paw Zogoflex Bumi (Best Gentle Flexible Chew)
A flexible S-shaped rubber toy that’s easy to grip with a short snout and gentle enough to spare the teeth on a flat-faced breed. It doubles as a light tug toy for calm play, and it floats. A pug toy that works equally well for a Frenchie or English Bulldog.
- Tug and fetch toy that stretches to twice its length for double the fun
- Interactive shape makes it perfect for play between two dogs or humans and dogs
- 100% Guaranteed Against dog damage by manufacturer
Also Great: Nylabone Dura Chew Textured Ring (Best Gnawing Chew)
A ring shape gives a flat-faced jaw an easy place to grip, and the textured surface helps with light plaque control while a brachycephalic breed gnaws. Good for English bulldog toys, with supervision early on since nylon is hard.
- Extreme Durability – Engineered as one of the most durable dog toys on the market
- Textured Surface Design – Features raised textures that clean teeth and massage gums while your dog chews, making it sup…
- Promotes Healthy Chewing – Redirects destructive behavior into positive outlets, solving boredom and teaching positive c…
Herding Breeds: Border Collie, Australian Shepherd
These are the brainiest dogs in the room. Under-stimulate them, and they’ll invent chaos. Puzzles and jobs win.
Top Pick: Starmark Bob-A-Lot (Best Brain Game)
A weighted, wobbling treat dispensing puzzle that a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd has to nose and paw at strategically to release kibble genuine problem-solving, not just a chew. It scales in difficulty by adjusting how much food is loaded, which keeps a clever dog engaged as it improves.
- Exercises and feeds your dog at the same time. The Large bottom Chamber fits up to 3 cups of Food – enough for a full me…
- Adjustable openings at the top and bottom accommodate most types of dog Food and allow you to regulate the difficulty le…
- Weighted anti-slip bottom makes the toy wobble erratically enticing your dog to play
Also Great: A Flirt Pole
For the intense physical drive these breeds carry, it satisfies the chase-and-pounce instinct in a small space. See the rope and tug toys guide for the full pick.
- New and improved V2 developed using customer feedback from extremely popular original Flirt Pole
- Comes with durable polyester webbing Lure pre-attached
- Regular size, 36-inch Flirt Pole is recommended for play areas at least 15’x15′
Powerful Breeds: Rottweiler, German Shepherd
Big, strong jaws demand the indestructible tier. Standard toys do not last.
Top Pick: Nylabone Extreme Chew (Best for Power)
A dense nylon chew built for the most determined jaws, in a wolf/extra large size that suits a Rottweiler or Shepherd’s bite. It lasts far longer than standard nylon against serious chewing pressure. The go-to for dog toys for Rottweilers and other strong-jawed breeds that go through toys fast.
- Classic Shape Dogs Love – This heavy duty dog toy satisfies dogs’ natural urge to chew with an iconic dog bone shape
- Durable Dog Chew Toys for Extreme Chewing Styles – This strong dog chew toy for aggressive chewers is designed with our …
- Big Dog Toys to Keep Them Busy & Happy – This aggressive chewer dog toy encourages healthy, non-destructive chewing habi…
Also Great: SHARLOVY Large Tough Chew (Extra Large) (Best Tug + Floss)
A heavy-duty cotton rope built for hard pulling, with the bonus of a light flossing effect on teeth during tug. For the best toys for a German shepherd, pair a tough chew with this kind of tug toy to satisfy their working drive.
- INDESTRUCTIBLE DOG TOYS FOR AGGRESSIVE CHEWERS MEDIUM TO LARGE BREED: XL sized strong dog toys set are popular combinati…
- HEAVY DUTY ROPE TOYS FOR AGGRESSIVE CHEWERS: The durable dog toys are made of high quality nature cotton that wear-resis…
- HUGE VALUE INTERACTIVE DOG TOYS FOR BOREDOM: 9 bundle dog toys large breed are worthier than only one dog rope toy. Plus…
Small But Mighty: Dachshund, Small Dog Chewers
Dachshunds and similar small dogs often chew harder than their size suggests, so they need small but durable toys, not flimsy ones.
Top Pick: Benebone Wishbone (Small) (Best Small Durable Chew)
Flavored, tough nylon sized for little jaws. Good chew toys for small dogs need to balance safe size with real durability, and this hits both. Ideal among toys for dachshunds.
- DURABLE, LONG-LASTING – Super chewer? Bring it on. Benebones are tougher than real bones and last for weeks.
- REAL BACON! – We use only 100% REAL BACON for flavor. Trust us, dogs can tell the difference.
- EASY TO PICK UP AND CHEW – The Wishbone is curved for a paw-friendly grip so your pup can quickly grab it and get a good…
Pitbull and Bully Breeds (Including Puppies)
Strong-jawed and playful, bully breeds need durable toys, and puppies need safe ones suited to teething.
Top Pick: KONG Puppy (for Pups) / KONG Extreme (for Adults) (Best by Life Stage)
The KONG Puppy is softer for teething gums, ideal among good toys for pitbull puppies, while adults graduate to the Extreme. A simple, safe progression.
- Soft Puppy Rubber: The KONG Puppy is developed with a customized natural rubber for a growing puppy’s teeth; it is gentl…
- Puppy Toy for Playtime: This puppy chew toy also has a bounce that makes it ideal for games of fetch; doubles as a gentl…
- Make Playtime and Training Last Longer: Stuff this puppy toy with Easy Treat, Snacks, kibble or paste to entice platime,…
The Universal Rules, Whatever the Breed
No matter the breed, four rules always apply:
- Size up for safety. The toy must never fit fully in the dog’s mouth.
- Match toughness to the real chewer, not the breed stereotype. A “soft-mouth” breed can still be a demolition expert.
- Run the thumbnail test: a slight dent means the hardness is right.
- Inspect and retire. Toss anything with swallowable chunks or torn parts.
Do Different Dog Breeds Really Need Different Toys?
Yes, more than most owners realize. Breed shapes a dog’s size, energy level, chew strength, and play instincts. A Border Collie craves mental puzzles, a Labrador wants to retrieve, a Frenchie needs a calm chew, and a Rottweiler needs something built to survive heavy jaws. Matching the toy to those tendencies means it actually gets used and stays safe, rather than being ignored or quickly destroyed.
What Toys Are Best for Labradors and Golden Retrievers?
Retrievers are high-energy, strong-chewing, fetch-obsessed dogs that often love water. Fetch toys that float, like the Chuckit! Ultra Ball, are ideal, paired with a durable chew like the KONG Extreme or West Paw Hurley for the gnawing they enjoy, especially as puppies. The combination of physical fetch and a tough chew covers both their energy and their mouth.
What are Good Toys for Small Breeds Like Chihuahuas and Yorkies?
Small breeds need scaled-down toys: light enough to carry, gentle on tiny jaws, but never small enough to swallow. A durable small chew like the Petstages Dogwood and small, light rubber balls work well. Sizing is the critical safety factor, a toy made for a bigger dog can be a choking hazard for a small one.
What Toys Suit Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs?
Flat-faced breeds carry real jaw power but tire and overheat fast, so calm chews beat frantic fetch. A flexible rubber toy like the West Paw Zogoflex Bumi is easy for a short snout to grip and gentle enough to spare the teeth. A textured nylon ring adds a gnawing option for the determined chewing many of these breeds enjoy, with early supervision.
What’s The Best Toy For a Rottweiler or German Shepherd?
Big, strong jaws need the heavy-duty tier. A dense nylon chew like the Nylabone Extreme Chew and a heavy-duty rope tug like Mammoth Flossy Chews are standouts. For German Shepherds especially, pair a tough chew with a puzzle or fetch toy, they’re a working breed that needs mental work alongside a durable outlet for their powerful chewing.
Are Small Dogs Really Aggressive Chewers Too?
Often, yes. Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and many small breeds chew harder than their size suggests, so they need toys that are small but durable, not flimsy. A small flavored Benebone or appropriately sized tough chew balances safe dimensions with real durability. Underestimating a small dog’s chew strength and buying a too-flimsy toy is a common mistake.
The Bottom Line
The best toys by breed come down to matching size, energy, and chew strength to the dog in front of you. A Lab wants to fetch, a Border Collie wants to think, a Frenchie wants a calm chew, and a Rottweiler needs something built to survive. Start with the breed as a guide, adjust for the individual dog, and toy shopping stops being guesswork. For the high-level overview across all breeds, see the main dog toys by breed hub guide.
Always supervise new play and chewing sessions and consult a veterinarian about the safest choices for a dog’s specific size, age, and dental health.
Auston is the founder of Frenchie Nova and a longtime French Bulldog owner. He writes practical, research-backed guides on Frenchie care, feeding, and health. Not a veterinarian — always consult your vet for medical concerns.