8 Best Indestructible Dog Toys For Tough Dogs (1000+ Tested)

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Boxer playing with indestructible dog toy in park

So, you buy your dog another indestructible toy. Your dog laughs at you and says “challenge accepted” and within an hour that extra-tough toy is in pieces, scattered across your home.

Sound familiar?

It doesn’t matter if you have a large Labrador that can crunch rubber toys in a single bite, a small Dachshund that tears toys by consistently working on a single spot, or a puppy that can shred through material with his razor-sharp teeth…

Big brown dog aggressively biting into rubber chew toy and attempting to destroy it

Just like our Great Dane, your dog is a toy destroyer. And because of this, he needs the toughest, most-durable toys on the market.

To date, we have physically tested over 1,000 different dog toys to find the best dog toys around. From toys for aggressive chewers to heavy duty tennis balls, we know all about durable dog toys.

We rounded up the toughest dog toys available and put them to the test.

Our team of dog testers gnawed, crunched, tore and tried their hardest to destroy these toys. Often succeeding!

All to answer a simple question:

What is the most indestructible dog toy available?

Want the answer? Then read on!

Our Top Picks

Goughnuts MaXX Ring Best Husky Chew Toy

Best Overall

Goughnuts Maxx Ring

West Paw Jive Best Husky Tennis Ball Toy

Best Ball For Fetch

West Paw Jive

Best Subscription

Bark Box Super Chewer

After testing and reviewing over 1,000 different dog toys, we soon separated the truly indestructible toys from the imitators.

It was a long journey, but after hundreds of games with the most aggressive, rough-playing dogs around, we narrowed down the competition to 7 winners, each great in their own way.

To start with, I share the most indestructible chew toy before making recommendations for those looking for something more specialized, such as fetch toys and tug toys.

Best Indestructible Chew Toy

Goughnuts MaXX Ring Best Husky Chew Toy

Goughnuts MaXX

A thick rubber ring that survives even the strongest power chewer.

For some dogs, the lifespan of a chew toy is measured in minutes. If your dog would win gold at a chewing championship, then you need a rugged chew toy that will go the distance.

It goes without saying that the harder a chew toy is, the longer it will last. This makes things like antlers, hooves, bones, nylon chews and hard plastic toys an obvious choice. These durable products are often given to dogs that tear through other chew toys. There’s just one problem…

Experts agree that these hard toys can be dangerous to your dog. Not only can solid objects splinter, causing damage if swallowed, but they are also hard enough to break a tooth, leading to expensive vet bills. As a rule of thumb, if the toy is too hard to make a temporary dent with your fingernail, then it’s too hard to be used as a chew toy.

With this in mind, all overly hard chew toys were eliminated from contention. This included popular brands such as Nylabone and Benebone, which are famous for their nylon chew toys.

Tooth-friendly chew toy materials include rope, jute, fire hose, silicone and even Kevlar. However, after testing dozens of chew toys, we found that only one material is capable of standing up to destructo-dogs. Rubber.

Now, power chewers come in all shapes and sizes. This made choosing a single winner a difficult task. For example, despite their size, Dachshunds can dish out some serious damage by aggressively chewing on the same spot over and over. However, when it comes to carrying their chew toy around, many hard rubber chew toys are too heavy for them to carry comfortably.

On the flipside, a rubber chew toy that is lightweight enough for a smaller dog simply won’t hold up to the crunching jaws of a large breed, such as a Labrador.

Three different Goungnuts Chew Rings - The best dog chew toys we reviewed

After spending weeks and weeks watching our dogs chew through toy after toy, one brand outclassed the competition in terms of durability. No other chew toy held up to constant hardcore chewing like the Goughnuts range of rubber chew toys.

First, let’s cover sizing. This first pick is appropriate for medium to large-sized dogs – most heavy-duty chewers fall into this category.

However, the Goughnuts MaXX is too heavy for smaller dogs to carry around. Fortunately, Goughnuts also makes a version for breeds 10 – 40 pounds. Based on my testing, this toy is suitable for power chewers up to the size of an adult Corgi.

On the flipside, if you share your home with an extra-large or super-aggressive power chewer, then I highly recommend upgrading to the Goughnuts Buster instead. It’s the same rubber ring but made for giant breeds. At an impressive 2½ inches thick and weighing a whopping 2 pounds, this hefty chew toy is only suitable for the biggest, strongest jaws, such as that of a Cane Corso.

Here you can see Norris, a Miniature Australian Shepherd, demonstrating the size difference between the biggest and smallest Goughnuts ring:

Minaiture Australian Shepherd playing with goughnuts medium and buster chew rings

He prefers the small one by far.

Buying the correct size is important. Too big or heavy and your dog won’t be interested in it. Too small and it won’t last as long. But once you identify the right Goughnuts Ring for your pup, you’ll be rewarded with the toughest chew toy ever.

German Shepherd biting down on Goughnuts indestructible rubber ring dog toy

The thick, American-made rubber held strong even when up against the powerful jaws of a Boxer or Doberman. In fact, throughout the first few weeks, our testers were barely able to make a dent in the rubber. As time progressed, scratches began to show, but the ring maintained its integrity – no deep punctures or chunks pulled off.

Now, no chew toy is forever. Eventually, your super-chewer is going to work his way through even this tough rubber. Fortunately, Goughnuts goes the extra mile and offers a lifetime guarantee…

Hidden in the middle of the Goughnuts chew toys is a red indicator. If your pup works his way through to this, send the chew toy back to Goughnuts (with a check for return postage), and they will send you a brand new ring! It’s considerably cheaper than buying the chew toy again.

Large brown Great Dane aggressively sinking his teeth into Goughnuts Buster - The best chew toy we reviewed for giant dogs

While Goughnuts also makes a thick, salami-shaped stick from the same rubber, we found that the ring design lasted longer. The stick design gave our dogs a focused area to chew on repeatedly. Because the ring rotates during play, your dog is less likely to consistently chew on the same area, making it last longer.

This ring initially gives off a strong rubber smell, like a car tire. However, with continued use, it soon faded to a point where it was barely noticeable unless I held it right up to my nose.

Side Shot of Goughnuts Black Rubber Indestructible Chew Ring

My biggest complaint with the Goughnuts range isn’t with the product itself but the confusion that can come with buying it online. All their rubber rings look incredibly similar, so make sure you confirm that you are buying the correct size for your pup.

If your iron-jawed pup is an avid chewer, then it doesn’t get any better than this. Highly recommended.

Best Indestructible Ball For Fetch

West Paw Jive Best Husky Tennis Ball Toy

West Paw Jive

A heavty-duty rubber tennis-size ball that can be thrown further, bouncers higher and fits standard ball throwers.

Rough dogs love to play fetch too! After chasing down the tennis ball, our Pit Bull tester spent the next minute or so aggressively shaking and crunching the ball before returning it. I don’t need to tell you that games of fetch with this muscular pup were fairly short-lived – those strong jaws easily ripped through tennis balls.

That’s why for games of fetch with powerful dogs, I can only recommend an all-rubber option. It’s the only material that has enough give to be enjoyable and is easy to carry around.

I’ll be honest. Given that fetch is one of the most popular games you can play with a dog, I was surprised by how few balls were a suitable tennis-ball-size replacement while meeting our “indestructible” requirements.

Orange westpaw Jive Indestructible ball sitting on grass

Most balls we reviewed were either a touch larger than 2.5 to 2.7 inches, the size that fits inside a standard ball thrower, so heavy that they couldn’t be thrown as far, or just didn’t bounce when they landed. I take my games of fetch seriously! So, trust me when I say that these things matter.

The West Paw Jive outclassed the competition by a long shot. It’s easy to see why this ball is a favorite with strong dogs like German Shepherds and Pit Bulls – it is impressively resilient to wear.

The Jive is made from a dense material called Zogoflex – basically rubber. The ball has enough give to keep dogs interested yet is resistant enough to hold up to toy destroyers during a game of fetch. The small size (2.6 inches) fits perfectly in a standard ball thrower.

German Shepherd leaping and catching West Paw Jive Indestructible dog ball toy

Then, there is its bounce. On grass, it’s no slouch, but when it lands on hard surfaces, it turns into a rabbit on a pogo stick. If you look closely, you see that the ball isn’t perfectly round. It has small notches cut into it. If the ball lands on these notches, it bounces off in a random direction, providing your dog with a more entertaining chase. Obviously, this one isn’t suitable for indoor play.

Oh, and despite being heavier than a tennis ball, it still floats. If a wayward throw sends this ball bouncing into a pool or lake, you won’t need to swim to the bottom to retrieve it.

Be mindful that the West Paw Jive Ball is also available in x-small and large sizes. While these won’t fit a standard ball thrower, they may be easier for your pooch to carry.

West Paw Jive Indestructible ball sitting in ball launcher

It might be a touch on the pricey side, but you are getting some extras. The West Paw Jive is made in America. In Montana, to be exact. I’ve purchased numerous West Paw products over the years, and I can confidently say that their customer service is second to none. They really stand behind their guarantee.

Basically, if you don’t love this product, then West Paw will offer either a refund or let you choose another product in their range. You can use this guarantee to see whether or not the Jive Ball will hold up to the powerful jaws of your tennis-ball-crunching Labrador.

Check out our review on the Best Dog Tennis Balls to see our other tennis-size ball recommendations.

Best Subscription

Bark Box Super Chewer

Tough toys and treats delivered to your doorstep on a regular basis.

I must preface this review by saying that my furry friend is an avid chewer and has managed to destroy many toys within minutes. Thus, I decided to try out BarkBox’s Super Chewer Box to see if it could withstand the wrath of my pup’s powerful jaws. 

BarkBox Super Chewer Thanksgiving Box contents

Upon receiving the box, I was impressed with the packaging and the thoughtful design. The box featured a cute theme, and inside, it contained two extremely durable toys (it was Thanksgiving time, so it was a drumstick and carrot toy), plus all-natural treats and a chew stick. It even came with a Thanksniffing instruction card with some tips and challenges to play.

Dog sniffing BarkBox Super Chewer Thanksgiving Box

The dog toys that are indestructible in the Super Chewer Box were made of tough materials, seemingly designed to withstand even the most aggressive chewers. My dog’s favorite was a rubber toy shaped like a tug-of-war rope. It was perfect for interactive play and held up remarkably well, showing no signs of wear and tear after several intense play sessions. The other toy, a nylon bone, was also a hit with my pup, providing him with endless chewing entertainment.

Dog chewing on drumstick from BarkBox Super Chewer Thanksgiving Box

The all-natural treats included in the box were a hit with my dog as well. He devoured both bags of treats in record time, and I appreciated that they were free of artificial preservatives and fillers, making them a healthier option for my pet. The BarkBox Super Chewer Box exceeded my expectations in terms of durability and the engaging tough dog toys it provided.

My dog loves everything in the box, and I appreciate the convenience of having new and sturdy toys delivered to my door every month. It’s an excellent investment for dog owners with aggressive chewers who are seeking quality products and a variety of engaging items to keep their pets entertained and satisfied. 

You can subscribe month to month, every 6 months, or every month, depending on how frequently your dog goes through toys and treats. The more often you get boxes, the less expensive they are. And you can even opt for an extra toy to be added as a bonus.

Best Indestructible Tug Toy

Goughnuts Tug Maxx best Heavy Duty Tug Dog Toy

Goughnuts Tug MaXX

A rigid tug toy that will hold strong no matter how much your excited pup tries to yank it out of your hands.

For many dogs, nothing is more fun than a game of tug-of-war. Grabbing one end of a tug toy and pulling as hard as you can is the ultimate show of strength. Hold on tight – you’ll be surprised by the power your pup has.

While all tug toys have been specifically designed to hold up to being pulled in different directions, we found that rubber was the most resistant from wear caused by sharp teeth clamping down – rope, nylon and sewn fabric were prone to fraying and tearing.

And out of all the rubber tug toys we tested, nothing came close to the Goughnuts Tug MaXX. Made right here in America, it is perfect for playing aggressive games of tug-of-war with large and giant breeds.

Large dog tugging on Goughnuts Tug Maxx tug of war toy

The rubber is heavy-duty yet still chewy enough for dogs to get a good grip with their teeth. At 1½ inches thick, it holds up to the bite force of even the strongest dogs.

You grab one end, and your dog grabs the other. The dual ring design makes it easy to keep your hand clear from your dog’s mouth – you will be thankful when your dog readjusts his grip and
doesn’t accidentally clamp down on your fingers with all his strength.

Just as importantly, the tug toy is held with a closed fist. During testing, we noticed that this was the best method for gripping tug toys. It allows you to quickly drop the tug toy if playtime turns violent.

German Shepherd with Goughnuts Tug Maxx Indestructible toy

I also observed that the Goughnuts MaXX is equally suited to dog-on-dog tug-of-war. A Great Dane that wanted to join the fun was determined to steal this tug toy from our Pit Bull tester. The result was a friendly game of tug-of-war that went on for over 20 minutes while both dogs attempted to out-muscle the other.

Once the game ended, I inspected the tug toy and was pleasantly surprised that besides a few superficial scratches, there was no damage at all. No gouges or stress fractures – and this is from two dogs that could pull me in half if they tried.

I noticed a mild rubber smell, similar to a car tire. This odor is strongest when the Goughnuts Tug MaXX is brand new but fades over time. The rubber smell didn’t put any of our pups off. They pulled with all their might, just like they did with every other tug toy we tested.

Goughnuts MaXX sitting in grass best tug toy for large dogs and agressive chewers

Unlike the Goughnuts Chew Ring MaXX, the Goughnuts Tug MaXX does not contain a red core. This is because it’s designed for supervised play rather than continuous chewing.

However, it still is covered by Goughnuts generous return policy. If damaged, send the Goughnuts Tug MaXX back to the manufacturer (plus a check to cover the cost of postage), and they will send you a brand new tug toy.

At 1½ inches thick, it’s likely too big for smaller pups to get their teeth around. But for large and even giant dogs, this is the tug toy you want. Highly recommended.

Check out our review on the Best Dog Tug Toys to see our other tug toy recommendations.

Best Indestructible Squeaky Toy

Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Squeak Best Squeak Toy For Huskies

Orbee-Tuff Squeak

A sturdy rubber squeak toy that lasts longer than any other.

I don’t know what it is about squeaky toys, but they turn many dogs into toy-destroying monsters. They simply won’t rest until the squeaker dies, working the toy over and over until their teeth finally puncture the squeaker.

Annoyingly, the time it takes for a squeaker to finally die is often measured in minutes. And once this happens, your dog just isn’t interested in the toy anymore.

Based on our testing, the material that surrounds the squeaker has the largest impact on just how long it lasts. A squeaker can still break even if your dog’s teeth don’t pierce through and puncture it. Yep, it turns out your dog’s jaw is capable of producing some serious pressure, and this alone can cause the squeaker to pop.

This was a particular problem with squeakers hidden underneath softer materials such as nylon fabric, fire hose and latex. Squeaky plush toys, for example, are no challenge for destructive breeds like Dalmatians or Dachshunds.

As you would expect, squeak toys that were surrounded by a sturdy rubber performed the best. The rubber surround not only softened the amount of pressure placed on the squeaker but was also significantly more difficult for sharp dog teeth to penetrate. The end result is a long-lasting squeak toy.

With that said, squeak toys are far from indestructible. Even a rubber squeak toy will only hold up to a strong dog for so long. Large, brawny dogs like Pit Bulls and German Shepherds can deal out some serious damage. That’s not to say that a well-built squeak toy won’t last longer but don’t expect it to last forever.

Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Squeak Indestructible Sqeuak Toy Sitting on grass

And as far as tough toys go, the Orbee-Tuff Squeak was the most durable squeak toy we reviewed. It resisted powerful jaws and tearing teeth longer than any other.

The squeaker is completely encased in a hard-wearing rubber. While it has some give, know that this rubber is harder to compress than a plush squeak toy. While it won’t be a challenge for large breeds that play rough, small dogs that can’t get their jaws around the entire ball will have difficulty making it squeak.

Speaking of the squeaker, I noticed it produced a sound that was a little softer than the usual squeaky toys. In my opinion, this was a good thing. It wasn’t so obnoxious that it drove me crazy – your dog is going to be squeaking this toy for hours at a time. Squeak… Squeak… Squeak… Gets old real fast.

German Shepherd chasing Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Indestructible Squeak Toy

During testing, I observed dogs identifying exactly where the squeaker was located in the toys and work this area over and over until the squeaker popped. However, the entire Orbee-Tuff Squeak
is the squeaker. And because the ball constantly rolls around, it’s difficult for a dog to consistently chew the same area. I believe this also contributed to the ball lasting substantially longer than the other squeak toys we reviewed.

In addition to its durability, the Orbee-Tuff Squeak has other things going for it too. It’s mint-scented so that your dog can easily find it even in the long grass. It floats, bounces well, is dishwasher-safe and, best of all, it’s made right here in America. But its main appeal is that it’s as close to indestructible as a squeaker toy can be.

It may be a pricey squeaky toy, but at the time of writing this, Planet Dog will offer a one-time replacement in the event that the toy fails.

Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Squeak picked up in large sized ball thrower

At 3 inches wide, it’s slightly larger than a tennis ball – just a little too large for small breeds like a Pomeranian or Chihuahua. You’ll also need a large sized ball thrower for games of fetch.

But for dogs the size of a Jack Russell Terrier or larger, it’s the best squeaky toy on the market. Highly recommended.

Kong Flyer

Kong Flyer Top Pick - Best Indestructible Dog Frisbee

Best Indestructible Dog Frisbee

A well-built Frisbee disc that is sturdy enough to hold up to powerful jaws yet light enough to fly through the air.

Choosing the most indestructible Frisbee was a little difficult. If we were just judging on durability, the Air Dash Frisbee by West Paw would have been the clear winner. It’s thick, weighted design made it considerably more resistant to puncturing teeth than other Frisbees…

But here’s the thing…

Frisbees are designed for maximum air time and long arcing throws. In fact, a Frisbee
should stay in the air long enough for your dog to chase it down for a mid-air catch.

The Air Dash might be tough, but it glides about as well as a rock. The substantial weight both reduced the airtime and the distance it could be thrown.

This is an unavoidable drawback if you want a Frisbee that can be thrown a great distance – you are going to have to compromise on durability. If you have a super-strong dog that plays rough, then it might be better to skip Frisbees as a toy altogether.

Kong Flyer Red Rubber Frisbee Sitting on grass

After reviewing over 24 different dog Frisbees, only one hit the sweet spot between heavy-duty and airtime. The Kong Flyer.

Despite being made from a resilient rubber, the Kong Flyer glides surprisingly well. Out of all the rubber Frisbees we reviewed, we were able to throw this one the farthest, time and time again. Its shape appears to be slightly more aerodynamic than its competitors.

If you have a small power chewer, then you’ll be pleased to know that this Frisbee is also available in a smaller size. For anything larger than a French Bulldog, I suggest choosing the larger of the two.

Small 7½ inches
Large 9½ inches

As you would expect from an indestructible toy, the Kong Flyer is considerably heavier than those made from plastic or fabric. The only downside is that if you toss this Frisbee into water, it will sink like a stone. So, take care when throwing near a pool or lake. Otherwise, you’ll be going for a swim to retrieve it.

German Shepeherd biting Kong rubber frisbee folding it in half

Note: We also tested the Kong Extreme Flyer, a black Frisbee that promises to be a toughened version designed for power chewers. Truth be told, we actually found this the worse of the two, showing considerably more wear after the same amount of testing. Reading online user reviews mirrors our findings. Stick to the red model!

Check out our review on the Best Dog Frisbees to see our other Frisbee recommendations.

Best Indestructible Treat-Dispensing Toy

West Paw Tux Top Pick Best Indestructible Treat Toy

West Paw Tux

A tough treat-dispensing toy that holds strong even as powerful jaws attempt to retrieve the treats inside.

Treat toys are popular with all types of dogs for a good reason. It combines play and food – a dog’s two favorite things. Simply load the toy with treats, and these will fall out as your dog manipulates the toy with his jaws and teeth – it really extends the amount of entertainment you can get from a single treat.

However, for stronger-jawed dogs, this poses a problem. As your dog chews on the toy, he is rewarded with food. This process encourages your dog to work the toy harder and harder, even if there are no treats left. If unsupervised, powerful dogs like St. Bernards or Alaskan Malamutes can quickly destroy even the most unbreakable treat toy.

It is for this reason that we suggest that a treat toy should only be given to your dog while under your watchful eye. Once your dog has eaten all the treats, the toy should be removed. This will prevent your dog from chewing the toy until it breaks.

During testing, we found toys that held smaller treats to be the most durable. Longer treat toys, such as those designed for bully sticks, were made from thinner material, which didn’t hold up as well.

Now, before I reveal the winner, I want to warn you that you may need to modify this treat toy to hold your pup’s favorite delicacy. You see, dog treats come in such a wide range of shapes and sizes that it’s impossible for every type of treat to fit.

However, this is a drawback that can be found on all treat-dispensing toys. Depending on how large your treats are, you may need to cut them in half or squish some peanut butter inside first – especially if you want to add loose kibble.

We found that the small concave shape was the perfect size for holding two small milk bones. With some creativity, we could get a variety of other treats to stay inside too.

West Paw Tux Indestructible treat toy sitting on grass

Admittedly, other treat toys were suited to a wider range of treats. However, this came at the trade-off of durability. During testing, we noticed other treat toys showed wear noticeably quicker than our top pick…

So, which indestructible treat toy outclassed the competition? The West Paw Tux. Made from their patented Zogoflex rubber, the surface held strong as enthusiastic dogs ripped and tore into the surface as they attempted to retrieve the treats inside.

German Shepherd chewing on West Paw Tux indestructible treat toy

Best of all, this long-lasting treat toy is one of the few treat dispensers that is dishwasher-safe. After all, if you are loading the Tux with oily peanut butter and greasy dog treats, you want to clean it after each use. No worries! A quick trip through the dishwasher on the top rack and the toy is as good as new – beats aggressively scrubbing the toy by hand!

Like all other West Paw Products, this one is made right here in the USA and is backed by their guarantee. In the event this product fails to meet your expectations, they offer a refund or give you the option to choose another product from their extensive range of dog toys.

Underneath West Paw Tux Zogoflex Treat Toy

The Tux might not be a perfect treat toy, but it is without a doubt the toughest. For this reason, I confidently recommend it for dogs who play rough.

Best Indestructible Reward Toy

Nero Ball Ultra Best Reward Dog Toy

Nero Ball Ultra

A heavy-duty ball on a rope used as a reward toy by police K-9 and military dogs around the world.

When training working dogs like military dogs and police K-9 dogs, toys are often the reward of choice. After all, when out on the job, it’s easier for a police officer to carry a toy than a pouch of food.

Because these roles include physical tasks like chasing and restraining suspects, only the strongest dogs are chosen. It’s not unusual to see powerful dogs like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Weimaraners fill these jobs.

Unsurprisingly, these brawny dogs need a tough toy. And for training purposes, the Nero Ball Ultra is one of the best.

Nero Ball Ultra Indestructible Reward Toy sitting on grass

Essentially a firm rubber ball on a rope, the Nero Ball Ultra offers a lot of variety with how you can present the toy to your dog. You can dangle it in front of your pup for him to leap and grab it, play a small game of tug-of-war, or use it as fetch ball. You can either throw it as a regular tennis ball or use the rope to launch the ball incredibly high into the air.

The firm rubber doesn’t bounce as well as a tennis ball, but that’s not its appeal. When used exclusively as a training reward, this toy will hold up to powerful jaws. The rubber is dense enough that it won’t be crushed when chomped yet has enough give that it’s still appealing to dogs.

German Shepherd tugging on nero ultra ball reward toy

During testing, I noticed that all our pups picked this toy up by the ball. Every time the Nero Ball Ultra was brought back, I simply picked it up by the rope. Slobber-free games of fetch anyone?

While the nylon rope held strong during testing, I don’t believe it will outlast the durable rubber it is attached to. Fortunately, it doesn’t look like this would be difficult to replace, say with a piece of paracord and a knot.

Underside of Nero Ball UItra orange Rubber Ball Reward Toy

If you are looking for an indestructible reward toy, then this is as good as it gets. Highly recommended.

What is an indestructible dog toy and does your dog need one?

An indestructible toy is as close to unbreakable as a dog toy can be. They are designed to hold up to aggressive dogs that play rough. Now, this isn’t to say that these toys are unbreakable, but they certainly last longer than other toys designed for the same purpose.

Often these durable toys come with a trade-off. You see, to be more resistant to your dog’s powerful jaws and sharp teeth, indestructible toys are often heavier, larger and more difficult to chew.

Now, for a chew toy designed for power chewers, this is less of an issue. But for a toy like a Frisbee, then this heavy weight is less desirable – it won’t fly as far. In fact, the most durable Frisbee we tested barely flew at all.

Bulldog carrying heavy duty frisbee in mouth at dog park

But since a Frisbee is a fetch toy, not a chew toy, a slightly less heavy-duty Frisbee that flies farther will hold up just fine for retrieving and returning.

Admittedly, this made selecting our list of top indestructible toys considerably more difficult. We also had to take the purpose of the toy into consideration.

Exactly how hard-wearing an indestructible dog toy is can often be determined by the material it is made of.

During our review process, we came across owners who were attempting to track down indestructible rope and fabric plush toys.

Cane corso chewing on rope tug toy

Unfortunately, these materials just won’t hold up to rough play. Rope frays and fabric soon tears. It’s just their nature. The same goes for other soft materials.

After reviewing over 1,000 different dog toys, it quickly became apparent that toys made from rubber were significantly more resistant to wear than other materials.

Rubber, in particular, hits the sweet spot between having enough give to keep dogs interested while withstanding chew after chew.

Leonberger running with indestructible rubber dog toy in mouth at park

Now, that doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy any rubber dog toy. There is a significant difference in performance between brands.

Interestingly, we noticed that the more we paid for an indestructible toy, the longer it lasted. These more expensive dog toys were often made in the USA and had generous return guarantees – you certainly get what you pay for.

If your pup is gentle, nurturing and snuggling with his toys, then you won’t find much benefit in an indestructible toy.

German Shepherd carrying popped soccer ball in mouth asking for tougher dog toy

However, if your pup can destroy a toy in minutes, tearing it to shreds, then it’s time to upgrade to something that will last a little longer.

Not sure which indestructible toy to choose? Check out our top picks…

Do indestructible dog toys actually exist?

When it comes to dog toys, the word “indestructible” has lost all meaning. Marketers are mostly to blame. You can’t walk past the dog toy aisle without seeing words like indestructible, unbreakable or everlasting boldly printed on the front of the packaging.

To me, an indestructible toy should be impossible for your dog to destroy, right?

Unfortunately, this usually isn’t the case. Within hours of presenting a German Shepherd with a new toy, it will be shredded to pieces.

Yellow Labrador chewing on broken plush toy with stuffing torn out

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone.

I know many owners who have spent hundreds of dollars buying toy after toy in the hopes that the next toy will be the one to outlast their dog.

I’m here to tell you that you should give up this quest.

After reviewing over a thousand different dog toys, I can tell you right now that most toys that advertise themselves as indestructible are anything but.

With that said, a few dog toys could be classed as indestructible. Typically, these were oversized balls made from solid plastic. Few dogs could get their jaws around them, and those that could were unable to penetrate the rigid plastic exterior.

A female mastiff trying to destroy her indestructible dog ball

But these types of toys were among the least favorite of our doggy testers. Those that were interested only played with them for a short while growing bored and wandering off.

Here’s the problem…

Dogs seem to most enjoy toys that have give. Something that they can sink their sharp teeth into. Something that they think, and rightly so, that they can eventually destroy.

Hard plastic is difficult to grip, carry and it sucks to chew on. Sure, it will outlast your destructo-dog, but what good is that if he refuses to play with it?

German Shepherd giving up after trying to destroy hard plastic ball

You see, destroying toys is all part of the game. While some dogs prefer to carry around and nurture their toys, others are more destructive.

These dogs enjoy the challenge of breaking a toy – it’s a show of strength. They will then happily wag their tail at you as if to say, “Look, I broke it. Aren’t you proud of me! What’s my next challenge?”

Exactly how long before a toy breaks entirely depends on its material and purpose. For example, a dog tennis ball is designed for games of fetch. The primary function of these toys is to fly through the air and be caught by your dog’s mouth.

For supervised games of fetch, these toys are as good as indestructible, even to a powerful-jawed dog.

However, if you allow your dog to chew on them, then these toys simply won’t hold up.

Use the correct toy for the game:

  • Tug toys for tug-of-war
  • Plush toys for gentle indoor play
  • Chew toys for chewing

You get the idea…

As a dog owner, you are responsible for ensuring that toys are used correctly.

For example, if your dog refuses to play fetch without trying to destroy the ball, then you need to train your pup to stop this unwanted behavior.

St. Bernard crunching and breaking tennis ball in powerful jaws

Similarly, if your dog grows bored of fetch and runs off with the ball to chew on it, then it is your responsibility to remove the ball until the next play session.

Unfortunately, I have seen many owners blame their dog for breaking toys that were not designed to be chewed on for hours at a time – don’t be that owner. Buy a more appropriate toy instead.

Conclusion

If you made it this far, congratulations! You now know which indestructible toy is ideal for your dog.

A recap of our results…

The best indestructible dog toys we reviewed:

  1. Goughnuts MaXX – Best for chewing
  2. West Paw Jive Ball – Best for fetch
  3. Barkbox Super Chewer – Best subscription
  4. Goughnuts Tug MaXX – Best for tug-of-war
  5. Orbee-Tuff Squeak – Best for squeaking
  6. Kong Flyer – Best Frisbee
  7. West Paw Tux – Best for treats
  8. Nero Ball Ultra – Best for rewards

Which indestructible toy do you recommend for tough dogs? Let me know in the comments below!

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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