Best Dog Toys for Dachshunds

One of the first things we learned after bringing Rocky home was just how quickly a dachshund can destroy a dog toy.

Even as a puppy, he was a determined chewer. Soft toys didn’t stand much of a chance and anything containing a squeaker seemed to become a personal challenge. Within minutes he’d found it, ripped the toy open and left us picking stuffing up from the floor.

Over the years we’ve tried everything from KONG toys and supposedly tough rubber balls to basic rope toys. Some have lasted surprisingly well. Others have been destroyed almost immediately.

The toys we’ve had the most success with are actually quite simple: plaited fleece toys, rope toys and soft, squashable rubber balls.

What we’ve learned about buying toys for a dachshund

Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt, and Rocky certainly seems to have retained the instinct to grab, shake and pull things apart.

We’ve learned not to put too much faith in toys described as “indestructible” or designed for tough chewers. Rocky has proved otherwise on several occasions.

KONG toys are a good example. We used them a lot when he was a puppy and they were great at the time, but as he got older he became capable of chewing through even some of the tougher KONG rubber toys.

That’s not to say another dachshund won’t get years of use out of one. It’s just a reminder that every dog chews differently and no toy is truly indestructible.

Fleece toys: our unexpected winner

One of the best discoveries we’ve made has been plaited fleece toys.

I didn’t expect these to last at all. Compared with thick rubber toys, fleece hardly looks like the obvious choice for a dog capable of destroying toys in minutes.

Somehow, though, Rocky doesn’t seem to be able to get through them.

We’ve bought several plaited fleece toys from DogDirect London, including versions with handles that are great for tug-of-war. Despite plenty of chewing, pulling and being carried around the house, ours have lasted incredibly well. Some have survived for more than a year.

I think the tightly plaited construction helps because there isn’t an obvious edge or weak point for him to get hold of.

Another favourite has been the Equafleece Dog Not Fleece Dog Toy.

These are made using offcuts from Equafleece’s dog clothing, which I particularly like because it gives material that would otherwise be wasted another use. We already own Equafleece clothing for Rocky, so I knew the fleece itself was good quality.

Again, it’s lasted far longer than I expected.

If your dachshund enjoys tugging and carrying toys around as much as ours does, a simple plaited fleece toy would be one of my first things to try.

Rope toys

Traditional rope toys have also generally done well in our house.

The basic knotted versions are good for tug-of-war and tend to survive considerably longer than plush toys. The downside is that Rocky eventually works out how to unravel the ends and starts pulling individual strands out.

Once that happens, we take the toy away rather than letting him continue pulling it apart.

For us, fleece versions have ultimately lasted better, but a basic rope toy is still something we regularly have in his toy box.

The best balls we’ve found

We’ve been through a lot of balls.

Tennis balls were fine when Rocky was younger, but these days he tends to strip the fuzzy covering off before starting on the ball itself.

We’ve also had surprisingly little success with some of the very hard or heavily textured rubber balls marketed towards strong chewers. If there’s a ridge or edge he can get his teeth around, he usually finds it.

What works much better for him are soft, bouncy rubber balls that squash when he bites them.

One of our favourites has been the Sponge Ball Dog Toy from Pets at Home. They’re inexpensive, come in multipacks and, despite feeling much less substantial than some of the heavy-duty balls we’ve tried, have lasted remarkably well.

We’ve also had good results with SPORTSPET rubber balls, which have a similar lightweight, squashable feel.

Another long-term survivor is a Rubber Caged Ball from Pets at Home. The hollow design makes it difficult for Rocky to get enough purchase on the rubber to tear pieces off, and ours has lasted far longer than most solid rubber balls.

Sometimes the toys that look the toughest really aren’t the ones that last the longest.

Always supervise your dachshund with toys

However durable a toy has been for another dog, it’s worth keeping an eye on your dachshund when they’re playing with it, particularly when it’s new.

We regularly check Rocky’s toys and remove them once he starts breaking pieces off, pulling out strands or exposing stuffing.

It’s also worth choosing an appropriately sized toy. Anything small enough to be swallowed or become lodged in your dog’s mouth isn’t suitable, and damaged toys can create additional risks if pieces come loose.

Finding what works for your dachshund

After years of buying dog toys, we’ve accepted that there’s no such thing as a completely dachshund-proof toy.

Rocky has destroyed things that looked virtually indestructible and somehow failed to destroy a relatively inexpensive piece of plaited fleece.

So rather than spending a fortune looking for the toughest toy available, pay attention to how your dachshund destroys things. Rocky is particularly good at finding edges, ridges, squeakers and other weak points, so simpler toys often work better for him.

For us, fleece toys and squashable rubber balls have been the clear winners.

And if you’ve somehow found a toy that your dachshund genuinely can’t destroy, I’d love to know what it is.