7 Best Dog Toys for Big Dogs – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

We love our dogs and that’s why we often want to spoil them with toys every chance we get. But shopping for those toys is no walk in the park.

These toys aren’t cheap, and we’ve had instances where we invested in toys that didn’t quite get those tails wagging. Yes, it can be frustrating, and that’s why we thought this toy review article was a necessity. The toys that we’ve reviewed below have been ranked based on different aspects, including safety, value for price, versatility, and durability.

Let’s dive in!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 7 Best Toys for Big Dogs

1. KONG KXL Classic Dog Toy – Best Overall

Simplicity was one of the aspects that drew us to the KONG KXL Classic. The market is currently flooded with toys with many “bells and whistles” but sometimes simpler is better.

The construction material was the other factor that we took into consideration during our deliberations, as this particular one is made of rubber that’s remarkably strong. There’s little chance your dog will be able to rip it apart, even if they are serious chewers.

By the way, that rubber makes it bouncy as well, so if you’ve been thinking of getting a toy that can be used to play fetch, this is the one. And the fact that it bounces irregularly makes it the perfect toy for any dog that requires intense physical stimulation.

One of its sides has a hole large enough to hide frozen treats inside. So, if you’re hoping to stimulate your dog mentally, while at the same time ensuring it gets to enjoy a nutritious treat, stuff some of that peanut butter in there and let it freeze overnight. The amount of work that they’ll have to put in to completely clean out that hole, will undoubtedly keep them busy.

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2. Chuckit! Classic Ball Launchers – Best Value

There are few better games than fetch to play with your pooch, and that’s one of the reasons why the Chuckit Launcher is one of our top three best toys. Its design is meant to relieve the strain on the joints, thus allowing you to throw the ball as far as you can, without feeling restricted. And you don’t have to worry about a slobbery ball because you won’t touch it directly.

The Chuckit Launcher will make you think you should have signed up as a pitcher in a major baseball league because it gets you some serious distance! And that’s a good thing for both you and the dog, as they’ll be covering more ground just to retrieve the ball.

Sadly though, in terms of durability, we wouldn’t put it up there. But if we’re talking about inexpensive toys that also guarantee value for money, this is the best dog toy for big dogs for the money.

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3. Goughnuts TuG Large Dog Toy – Premium Choice

The Goughnuts TuG was designed to be used by dog owners interested in tug-of-war-appropriate toys. It’s unique in the sense that it ensures the dog’s passionate chompers don’t get anywhere close to your fingers.

Seeing as it’s shaped like a figure 8, the barrier between the ends will guarantee safety as both of you engage in some vigorous action. You’ll also be glad to learn that it’s big enough to accommodate more than one dog.

Ripping it into pieces is almost impossible since the prime construction material is rubber. And even though it’s thick and heavy, they made sure it remained buoyant in water. That’s to say, it’s still one of the best toys for users looking to have fun in swimming pools.

Its premium price is the only issue. Well, that and the fact that the rubber has a fairly bad odor.

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4. Nylabone PRO Action Dental Power Dog Chew Toy – Best for Puppies

To be honest, the Nylabone PRO isn’t the kind of toy that will get your dog ready to play. However, if you’re only looking for something that will keep your pooch busy while you get some work done, it will serve the purpose.

This toy looks exactly like a bone, but with a corkscrew in the middle section, and raised nubs covering the ends. The manufacturer intentionally designed it that way, so that the dog can get rid of all the plaque and tartar in the teeth while playing. There’s no doubt in our minds that the dog will take a liking to it, especially considering it also has a faint bacon flavor.

Leaving your dog alone unsupervised with this toy is not recommended as it’s a potential choking hazard if it begins to break. Due to wear and tear, those pieces can easily break off, hence making them swallowable.

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5. Chuckit! Kick Fetch Dog Toy

For the longest time, the Chuckit! brand has been heavily invested in a wide variety of resources in the pet industry. That’s why you keep seeing their toys in every corner you turn. We’ve already talked about the Launcher, and now we’re about to review the Kick Fetch Toy.

Unlike the Launcher, you won’t be throwing this one. Instead, you’ll be punting it! Thus, making the whole activity more enjoyable for everybody involved. We usually find the kicking process more fun because you don’t have to bend over all the time or touch the ball while it’s covered with drool!

The Chuckit! Kick Fetch Toy floats in water. This makes it an ideal toy for dogs that love playing at the beach or in swimming pools. The light rubber used in construction is what gives it that ability. The downside is, because it’s light, it’s also easy to break. Sadly, making it an unsuitable toy option for frequent chewers. Regardless, it’s an incredible toy.

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6. TUFFY Mega Ring Soft Dog Toy

We’d describe the TUFFY Mega Ring Soft Dog Toy as a watered-down version of the Goughnuts Toy. What actually makes it enticing to most dogs is its donut shape. The fabric used in production is soft, making it suitable for breeds that are grappling with dental issues.

We’d give it a five on the durability scale. That fabric is strong but not strong enough to subdue an enthusiastic chewer. Needless to say, if your dog is really determined to rip it apart, it will successfully do so in a short time!

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7. Pets&Goods Rope Dog Toy

The Pets&Goods Rope Dog Toy is a quintessential rope toy. There’s really nothing unique about it, but because dogs love playing with all rope toys, we felt obligated to review one. Its affordability is what caught our attention. It also features a looped handle, and that’s a plus in our books if you’re looking to keep your fingers away from your dog’s mouth.

However, it’s not exactly the most durable product on the market. It won’t hold up against a dog that likes to chew, and the fibers are not easy to clean. Plus, those fibers pose a choking hazard, so you have to be very attentive while playing with the rope.

Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Toys for Big Dogs

Toys are important to dogs not only for their physical well-being but for their mental health as well. So, when you’re searching for an ideal toy, invest in something that will put a smile on your dog’s face.

Some of the things to take into consideration are:

Safety

Can the dog play with the toy unsupervised? Or will you have to keep them company to ensure nothing happens while they are having fun? Some of these toys have pieces that break easily. And if nobody’s around to get rid of the broken parts, it could be a choking hazard.

Durability

A premium-quality dog toy is one that can withstand the test of time. Not one that will break or be destroyed in a couple of days or weeks. This is where the quality of the construction material comes in.

In our opinion, the most durable and safe materials are fleece, plush, and natural rubber. Rubber has always been our number one pick, as it’s often softer and more appropriate for breeds with heavy chewing tendencies.

Value For Money

Don’t pay too much attention to the price tags while shopping for dog toys. Your focus should be on products that guarantee value for money, as this aspect is more important than the price. If the service being provided by the toy outweighs the cost of acquisition, you’ve made a good investment. On top of that, take note of the fact that prices don’t always equate to quality.

Type of Toy

Dog toys come in different shapes, sizes, and designs because they are meant to cater to different needs. We have tugging/pulling toys that are supposed to help you draw out that strong prey drive that typically defines some breeds. Soft toys are designed to help pups release stress during their teething stage, while rubber toys are for keeping the heavy chewers stimulated.

Final Thoughts

Just to recap what we’ve reviewed today, the KONG KXL Classic Dog Toy is our pick of the day. It offers everything that you’d typically look for in a toy, and then some.

The Chuckit! Launcher, on the other hand, is our value pick. Although it may not cater to our every need, it’s great value for money.

If money’s not a problem, go for the Goughnuts TuG Large Dog Toy. Both you and the dog will love it for sure.

• See also: 10 Best Dog Water Toys – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: cookie_cute, Shutterstock