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According to the breed standard and the breed history, the Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced, highly intelligent, and active dog that was originally bred to be a herding dog. A true working dog with strong natural instincts for guarding.
Truth to be told, this is not the easiest breed of dog to keep entertained since it requires a lot of physical and mental exercise.
When it comes to mental stimulation, dog toys will be your best friend. It is really important to choose only the best toys for Australian Shepherds that will succeed in keeping them both mentally and physically challenged, as well as happy and occupied for hours.
There are several types of dog toys that will be well-suited for Aussies, and that are able to provide some fun playtime and entertainment.
If you don’t know where to start and what exactly to choose, leave it to us. After testing several different kinds of dog toys, I am pretty sure that we have the 10 best ones that your pooch will certainly love playing with.
So, let’s show you what I’ve prepared for my dog owners and their beautiful Aussie pups.
Best Toys For Australian Shepherds, And Our Top Picks
Premium Pick: WEST PAW Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone Chew Toy
Budget Pick: Mammoth Flossy Chews Rope Toy
- An all-in-one rope toy that can be tossed, caught, pulled, and chewed on for some alone playtime
- Made from cotton-poly yarns of the highest quality, and finished with solid knots
- Very safe, non-toxic, durable, tough, and long-lasting
- Helps naturally support your dog’s oral health by controlling plaque and tartar build-up
- Features a colorful and creative design that is easy to catch, hold, and carry around
Best Value For The Price: ChuckIt! Ultra Rubber Ball
- Features a lightweight and buoyant design that offers high-impact bouncing
- Made from tough, rubber material that has a textured surface and a thick core
- Excellent for aggressive chewers, but also safe on a dog’s mouth
- Features bright colors that help dogs and puppies stay engaged, and increases visibility
- Strong dog toys that resist dirt and slobber, and are easy to wipe clean
What Are The Best Dog Toys For Australian Shepherds?
1. KONG Flyer – Durable Rubber Flying Disc Dog Toy
- Encourages healthy exercise, and satisfies your dog’s mental and physical stimulation
- Made in the USA from globally-sourced materials
- Made from a natural, non-toxic red rubber that is durable and flexible, allowing accurate flight and soft catch
- Safe and soft on dog’s teeth and gums
- Available in two sizes (small and large)
The first product on our list of the best toys for Australian Shepherds is one of the KONG products. When talking about dog toys, it is difficult not to mention this name since it is one of the leading dog toy brands on the market when it comes to diversity and quality.
Over the past 40 years, Kong toys have brightened the lives of millions of dogs all over the globe. They have numerous varieties of innovative toys that provide solutions for all kinds of dog behavior, and meet the unique dog play needs.
Since Australian Shepherds are very agile dogs that simply love to play some fetch and catch, this product is perfect for them. The KONG Classic Flyer is the perfect flying disc for games of fetch.
It is made out of a very durable material – non-toxic, soft, natural rubber, to be precise. In addition to being completely safe for dogs’ teeth and gums, this material bounces back dynamically, flies accurately, and catches softly.
You can choose between two sizes – small and large. For a medium-sized dog, such as the Aussie, it is recommended to pick the large size, which is made for dogs up to 85 pounds.
What I love about this frisbee is its durability and flexibility. It is definitely one of the most durable toys I have purchased, but at the same time, it is also flexible and light enough for dogs to catch it.
“I have a 6-month-old Australian Shepherd. He destroys every single toy we’ve ever bought him, which is A LOT, but this is the only one that has ever lasted him. Not only does he love it more than any toy he’s ever owned, it is by far his favorite and this is his second because we lost the other at the beach. He doesn’t like playing catch with a ball even half as much as he likes his frisbee. We had to start calling it the “f-word” because whenever we say frisbee he freaks out and starts running in circles!”
– Kellie Janeski
2. Benebone Bacon Flavored Wishbone Durable Dog Chew
- Bone substitute that lasts longer, is stronger, and is more durable
- Flavor is derived from 100% real bacon
- Perfectly curved to ensure a safe chewing experience for your pup
- Made in the USA from high-quality materials
- It is very sturdy, and will definitely keep your pooch entertained for hours
Every dog deserves to have at least one bone to chew on. Although Aussies are not prone to chewing more than any other dog breed, and they are especially not known as aggressive chewers (such as German Shepherds and Rotties), if their needs are not properly met, they can be.
If you want a high-quality and durable dog bone, we recommend the Benebone bacon flavored wishbone. It is made with 100% real bacon flavor all the way through that provides a delicious taste for your pup. There are actual pieces of real bacon integrated throughout.
In case your Aussie is not a fan of bacon flavor, there are also real chicken and real peanut butter flavors for you to choose from.
Why choose a wishbone? Well, it is cleverly designed for a paw-friendly grip, which means that your pup will be able to grab it easily, hold on, and get good chewing. Dogs don’t have thumbs, so this is very important.
The Benebone wishbone is made of super-strong nylon that should be able to last for weeks or even longer if your dog is not a strong chewer.
This dog toy comes in various sizes for all dogs out there, ranging from tiny to huge, which is great for matching it to your dog’s size.
Although this dog toy is very durable, keep in mind that no toy is actually indestructible, and playtime should always be supervised just in case something happens.
3. Frisco Fetch Squeaking Colorful Tennis Ball Dog Toy
- Awesome fetch tennis balls that provide great bouncing action
- They feature a built-in squeaker that helps attract the dog’s attention, and make playtime more fun
- Made form non-abrasive felt that is gentle on dog’s teeth and gums
- They come in bright and fun color combinations that increase the visibility of the toy
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors in all occasions
It is always great to have a couple of squeaky balls for your pup to play with. Nearly all dogs, Aussies included, love to play some fetch and chase with a ball, so this set of three Frisco tennis ball dog toys is something that you definitely should try.
The pack contains three different colored balls that have a built-in squeaker inside, which helps attract the dog’s attention, and make the playtime more fun and interesting. Since these balls are pretty inexpensive, they are excellent for introducing your pup to this kind of playtime.
You certainly don’t want to spend a lot of money on a dog toy only to realize that your pooch doesn’t even like to play with it.
What I love about these balls is that they all come in bright and fun color combinations that increase the visibility of the toy. If you are playing with your puppy outside, he’ll be able to spot them even in longer grass or in low-visibility conditions. The same goes for you.
They are made out of non-abrasive material that is safe and gentle on your dog’s teeth and gums; however, it is not the longest lasting one.
You shouldn’t expect these toys to last you a long time, but they definitely provide you with a good ratio of fun experience, quality, and price.
Related: Toy Australian Shepherd: Your Guide To The Toy Aussie Dog
4. ZippyPaws – Skinny Peltz Squeaky Plush Dog Toy
- Produces sounds
- Affordable
- No stuffing
- Durable
Our next product could be your dog’s favorite toy easily! Let’s meet the ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz squeaky plush toy. First of all, it looks adorable, and if your dog loves plush toys, this is definitely something he is going to love.
This is a high-quality, beautifully-designed toy that is perfect for modern dog owners and their furry friends. It comes in a pack of three adorable woodland creatures, such as a fox, a raccoon, and a squirrel that we chose, but there are also some different creatures for you to choose from.
Each toy comes with three high-quality squeakers that produce an enticing sound, and keep your furry baby more entertained. The plush creatures are made from high-quality material that is completely safe for your pooch.
Additionally, there is no stuffing to ensure that they last longer, and if your dog does rip through it, there isn’t actually anything he could ingest that would do any harm. You only need to be careful about the squeakers.
You can choose between two different sizes, with 18-inch-long toys being perfect for medium-sized dogs of all ages. The price of this dog toy is actually very good, considering that you get three toys in the pack. They should last you for quite some time if you don’t have a strong chewer at hand.
“Our 9 week old Australian Shepherd puppy loves these! He carries them around the house and far prefers them to all the other toys we’ve bought so far.”
– K. Clark
5. WEST PAW Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone Chew Toy
The WEST PAW Zogoflex chew toy is a safe and durable alternative for dogs that love to gnaw and play fetch. Not all Aussies are great chewers and fetchers, but if you do have one that is, this is what we recommend you try.
This dog toy is a little bit more expensive than anything else on our list, but since it is supposed to be very durable and long-lasting, we definitely think it is worth trying.
This dog bone is made out of durable, non-toxic, and recyclable material that is built for strong chewers, but it is still soft and nice on the dog’s teeth. In contrast to wood sticks that dogs are so accustomed to, this is a much safer alternative.
The material that is used in designing this toy is also bouncy and floatable, which means that you can use it to play fetch even in water. This is a dog bone that is also a ball, a stick, and a chew toy, all in one.
Plus, it is very easy to clean. You can just throw it in your dishwasher with all your other dishes and it will come out squeaky clean. Convenient, right?
“My Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix is a big chewer and has chewed up every toy I’ve ever given him. I’ve had this toy for about 6 months now and he hasn’t even made a dent in it! It’s fantastic, he loves it!!”
– Amazon Customer
Related: 23 Australian Shepherd Mixes: Meet Cute Aussie Dog Breeds
6. KONG – Wubba – Dog Tug Of War And Fetch Toy
- A great toy for solo or some interactive games of fetch or tug-of-war
- Features a built-in squeaker for added engagement
- Made from durable, ballistic nylon and reinforced fabric and stitching for added toughness
- Designed with long, floppy tails that are ideal for shaking and tugging
- Come in three different colors: red, purple, and blue
Our next dog toy of choice is this interesting interactive toy that comes with a really funny name. The Kong Wubba is perfect for some tug-of-war and fetch games. It features long, floppy tails that are ideal for shaking and tugging.
It is made from a durable, ballistic nylon material and reinforced fabric stitching that adds extra toughness to the toy.
Furthermore, it features a built-in squeaker that produces a fun sound for added engagement, which gives the toy great diversity. Dogs can either play with it by themselves or you can join in for some interactive playtime and bonding time.
Just be careful if you do let your dog play with these toys unsupervised.
Besides a squeaker, the toy contains two tennis balls inside, which give it great bounciness and a bit of extra fun. With the great price and overall reputation of Kong toys, I am sure that your dog will love this.
It comes in three different sizes (small, large, and extra large), and three different colors (red, purple, and blue). Keep in mind that this should not be used solely as a chew toy.
Read also: Australian Shepherd Growth Chart: Your Guide To Aussie Puppy Growth
7. ChuckIt! Ultra Rubber Ball + ChuckIt! Ball Launcher
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to use
- Suitable for different balls
- Durable
- Features a lightweight and buoyant design that offers high-impact bouncing
- Made from tough, rubber material that has a textured surface and a thick core
- Excellent for aggressive chewers, but also safe on a dog’s mouth
- Features bright colors that help dogs and puppies stay engaged, and increases visibility
- Strong dog toys that resist dirt and slobber, and are easy to wipe clean
Our highest-rated product on our list, and rightfully, the best-value product, the ChuckIt! Ultra rubber ball gives you the perfect balance of fun adventure, quality, and price.
These dog balls are made from a tough, rubber material that has a textured surface and a thick core, which makes them very durable. They are excellent for dogs that like to chew a lot, but don’t worry – they’re still safe and soft on the dog’s mouth and gums.
Not only that, but it also features a lightweight and buoyant design with high-impact bouncing, which helps dogs stay engaged. What I like about it is that it also comes in bright orange color, which helps increase the visibility of the ball in different conditions.
This comes in handy on those cloudy and low-visibility days when it is nearly impossible to spot a ball if it goes a bit too far. There are various sizes of the balls for you to choose from, ranging from small to 2X-large, which means that you can perfectly match it to your dog’s size and age.
When we are talking about ChuckIt! balls, we cannot help but mention the ChuckIt! Classic ball launcher that is available to purchase, and is compatible with these balls.
With this contraption, you will be able to revamp the classic game of fetch and achieve extra throwing power and distance with less effort. This is a brilliantly-designed and portable product that will make your life much easier.
Hand-free pickup means that you’ll never have to bend and touch those slobbery balls with your own hand ever again. It is also great for dog owners who have mobility issues. Finally, you can enjoy playing with your furry friend problem-free.
“My Australian Shepherd, Bailey, will destroy a tennis ball in 5 minutes flat. These will last for months if we don’t lose them or let him chew them for long periods. They also stay much cleaner and are easy to wash off. They are also high visibility which is a major plus when they go missing.”
– Jeremy
8. Mammoth Flossy Chews Rope Toy
- An all-in-one rope toy that can be tossed, caught, pulled, and chewed on for some alone playtime
- Made from cotton-poly yarns of the highest quality, and finished with solid knots
- Very safe, non-toxic, durable, tough, and long-lasting
- Helps naturally support your dog’s oral health by controlling plaque and tartar build-up
- Features a colorful and creative design that is easy to catch, hold, and carry around
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a dog toy, this next product is perfect for you. The Mammoth Flossy Chews rope toy is a budget-friendly toy with premium quality that does its job perfectly.
This colorful, knotted rope toy is made from premium-quality, North American cotton-poly yarns, and it is finished with sturdy knots. It provides a variety of interactive fun since it can be used for tossing, catching, pulling, and even as a chew toy.
It is safe, non-toxic, durable, and tough even for strong chewers. A great benefit of this toy is that it helps naturally support your dog’s oral health. The fibers in the toy floss the dog’s teeth while playing, and thus, control plaque and tartar build-up.
Playtime and health time all in one. A win-win situation.
There are various styles of this toy. I chose the 3-knot one, but you can also choose between the 4-knot, the 5-knot, or the 2-knot one. It also comes in multiple sizes for you to choose from.
For a medium-sized dog, it is recommended to use a medium, 20-inch tug dog toy that is intended for dogs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds.
“This is a great rope toy for the price! Our dogs love them, we have two Australian Shepherds that are big chewers and she hasn’t destroyed it… yet! I would buy it again.”
– Dawn C. Jenks
9. Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat-Dispensing Puzzle Toy
- Perfect for treating and training your Shih Tzu (can be filled with your dog’s favorite treats or kibble)
- Challenges your dog’s problem-solving skills, and enhances his mental stimulation
- It can be used for indoor or outdoor playtime
- Made from pet-safe materials: BPA, PVC, and Phthalate-free
- Easy to clean with a little bit of water, soap, and a cloth
Puzzle toys are extremely important for your dog’s mental stimulation and development. It is always good to have at least one toy of this kind that would, from time to time, challenge your dog’s skills and keep him active.
The Outward Hound Nina Ottosson puzzle toy is one of the best-sellers when it comes to dog toys. It is perfect for treating and training your dog by exercising his mind and body.
The treat tumble ball works in a way that you fill it with your dog’s favorite treats, and you let your dog try to release the treats while it bounces and rolls around. It challenges his problem-solving skills, and increases his mental stimulation through play and fun time.
The ball is made from non-toxic and food-safe materials that can be trusted around dogs. Please keep in mind that playtime should be always supervised just in case since no toy is actually indestructible.
It can be used both indoors and outdoors because it is very easy to clean. You can simply wipe it with a cloth and wash it with a bit of warm water and soap between uses.
There are various styles and levels of this puzzle toy, which you can adapt to your own dog. Since Australian Shepherds are intelligent dogs, they might figure it (level 1) out pretty quickly, but it can still be a fun way for them to get their daily treats.
Related: Australian Shepherd Feeding Chart: All On Aussie’s Diet
10.KONG – Classic Dog Toy
- Made in the USA
- Recommended by veterinarians and trainers worldwide
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Helps with teething, chewing, boredom, anxiety, and training
- Great for stuffing and as a fetch toy
Helps with solving many behavioral issues such as barking, chewing, boredom, weight gain, separation anxiety, and teething
The last, but definitely not the least product on our list is the Kong Classic dog toy. We started our list with a Kong product, and symbolically, we are also finishing it with one.
This is definitely one of the most famous Kong products on the market that every dog owner needs to know about. This dog toy is perfect to chew, chase, and fetch, and it also can serve as a treat-dispensing toy.
It comes in four different styles that correspond to different chewing powers of your dog. We have chosen the red, classic rubber for average chewers, but there are also ones for puppies, seniors, and those aggressive chewers that destroy every toy.
Kong products are recommended by veterinarians and professional trainers all over the world because they are very durable, they encourage healthy playtime, and satisfy the dog’s instinctual needs.
Not only that, but they also help solve many of the negative dog behaviors that can emanate from boredom and separation anxiety. Using this toy can certainly help your dog with chewing, barking, teething, digging, depression, and weight gain.
The Kong toy can be stuffed with your dog’s favorite food, kibble, treats, snacks, and even peanut butter. If you want to add a little bit of a challenge for your Aussie (especially in the summer months), you can freeze it for about 4 to 6 hours and see how your dog reacts.
Related: 7 Healthiest And Best Dog Food For Australian Shepherd Choices
FAQs
First and foremost, exercise and going outside. This is a very energetic breed that simply requires a lot of regular physical exercise.
We can say that daily walks are simply a must. Whether it is going for long walks, runs, hikes with friends, or doing any other activity, you must make sure that your Aussie’s high energy is challenged properly.
Playtime and training sessions are also a great way to keep your pooch entertained. Various types of toys, such as puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, and other interactive dog toys can provide great mental stimulation and keep your dog entertained for hours.
You can also try some canine sports, such as herding, flyball, agility, or dock diving. These sports are a great way to introduce more fun and variety in your dog’s life, and if you feel like it, you can also compete for titles.
And finally, in my experience, the best way of entertainment for any dog is some bonding time, companionship, and socialization.
Aussies are one of those breeds that crave a lot of interaction, and simply don’t do well when they are left alone for too long.
The bottom line is that you should not leave Australian Shepherds alone for 7 hours or more.
Most experts recommend not leaving them alone for more than 4 hours; however, this all depends on your dog and his own tolerance.
Some dogs will be completely okay with being alone in the house if they have something to entertain them, while others might not “survive” for more than 30 minutes.
Related:How To Keep A Dog Entertained While At Work: 19 Tips & Tricks
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the average life expectancy of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 and 15 years.
In 2017, the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute decided to conduct an Australian Shepherd longevity-specific survey, which revealed that the average lifespan for Aussies is about 11 years.
Some individual dogs have lived up to 18 years; however, this is very rare and highly unusual. The Aussie’s life expectancy has changed over the years.
In the late 1990s, John B. Armstrong, Ph.D. of the University of Ottawa, conducted a longevity-specific study, which also included the Australian Shepherd dog breed. It has been reported that the longevity of the breed reduced from an average of 14 years to 12 years at the time.
This decrease in lifespan is largely due to an increase in cancer deaths in no-so-old dogs.
Read next: 8 Best Australian Shepherd Breeders In The United States
To Sum It All Up
Dogs need playtime. Without some fun entertainment, they are truly at risk of becoming depressed and anxious, which is no good. As a responsible dog owner, you need to make sure that your beloved Aussie is happy, healthy, and taken care of.
This includes providing him with daily physical and mental stimulation, which can be achieved with good-quality dog toys. Toys are not only for entertainment, but also for exercise and bonding time with your pooch.
All toys have their pros and cons, but it is your duty to find the best ones that will suit your dog the best, and save him from dreadful boredom.
Hopefully, our list of the best toys for Australian Shepherds has been able to give a bit of insight into the world of dog toys.
It can be hard to navigate and follow all the new brands and trends that come out, but with our article and buyer’s guide, I am sure that you’ll easily find toys that your Aussie will love playing with.
What is your Aussie’s favorite toy?
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