Picking the right toy is mostly about two things: your dog's size and their chew style. Use this guide as a starting point. It's general guidance, and every dog is a little different.
Step 1: Find your dog's size
| Dog size | Weight | Toy size to look for | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra small | Under 10 lb | Small (our smallest size) | Chihuahua, Yorkie, toy poodle |
| Small (S) | 10-25 lb | Small | Pug, Dachshund, Jack Russell |
| Medium (M) | 25-50 lb | Medium | Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel |
| Large (L) | 50-90 lb | Large | Labrador, Golden Retriever, Boxer |
| Extra large (XL) | 90 lb and up | XL (or the largest size offered) | Great Dane, Mastiff, Newfoundland |
Sizing tips:
- When in doubt, size up. A toy that's too small can be a choking hazard. Balls and chews should be big enough that your dog can't fit them entirely in their mouth.
- Check the dimensions on each product page. Sizes vary between products.
- Size up for strong chewers and for dogs with a big mouth for their weight.
- Puppies grow fast. Choose for their current size and swap toys out as they grow.
Step 2: Find your dog's chew level
Not sure? Give your dog a toy and watch for 10-15 minutes, and think about what happened to their last few toys.
Gentle
How to tell: Your dog carries toys around, cuddles them, and licks or softly mouths them.
Toy types that often suit: no-stuffing plush and squeaky toys, the snuffle ball, treat puzzles and foam fetch balls.
Moderate
How to tell: Your dog chews with enthusiasm and may pull stuffing out or fray a rope over time.
Toy types that often suit: rope and tug toys, rubber fetch balls and rubber chew toys. Our plush toys are listed for gentle chewers.
Power
How to tell: Your dog destroys plush in minutes, gnaws hard on everything, or breaks pieces off toys.
Our toys: none of our current toys are listed for power chewers. If you try one, choose the largest size, keep it to games you play together, like tug or fetch, and put it away afterward. Skip plush and small toys, and supervise closely.
A note on safety
No toy is indestructible, and every dog plays differently. We recommend that you:
- Supervise play, especially with new toys.
- Inspect toys regularly for tears, cracks, loose parts or heavy fraying.
- Remove damaged toys right away and throw away any small pieces.
- Put chew toys away when you can't keep an eye on things.
If your dog has specific health concerns or tends to swallow things, check with your vet before choosing toys.
Still not sure?
Email crimsonknight088@gmail.com with your dog's weight, breed (or best guess) and what usually happens to their toys, and we'll help you pick. Not quite right? Our 30-day satisfaction guarantee has you covered.