The 8 Best Toys For Australian Shepherds
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Unlike the other Shepherd breeds, Australian Shepherds were not named after where they originated! Native to the west coast of the United States, their lineage began as working pups, herding livestock on ranches.
These pups are extremely recognizable. Their eye-catching fluffy coats can have spots and splashes of a range of colors, including white, tan, brown, black, and sometimes grey and red!
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At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Toys For Australian Shepherds
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Toys for Australian Shepherds
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Best For Entertaining Dogs
4. As Seen on TV Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Dog Toy |
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Price range
Low |
Price range
Low |
Price range
Mid-low |
Price range
Low |
Price range
Low-mid |
Price range
Low |
Price range
Low |
Price range
Mid-high |
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Material
plastic launcher and rubber ball |
Material
Cotton |
Material
plastic |
Material
Phthalate-free vinyl |
Material
plastic |
Material
Food grade TPR rubber |
Material
Firehose |
Material
Nylon and Bacon flavor |
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Size
26 inches, 0.16 ounces |
Size
21 inches, 13.8 ounces |
Size
Available in 3 or 4 inches |
Size
5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches; 1.28 inches |
Size
1 pound |
Size
7.4 ounces |
Size
27 inches long, 3.2 ounces |
Size
Available in small, medium, large, giant |
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Made In
United States |
Made In
China |
Made In
China |
Made In
China |
Made In
China |
Made In
China |
Made In
China |
Made In
USA |
Characteristics Of Australian Shepherds
Like their Shepherd counterparts, these herding dogs love feeling useful and being put to work. Australian Shepherds are extremely energetic.
They require a lot of physical activity to release their energy and satisfy their drive. These pups do not like being alone, and they thrive on interaction with other dogs and humans.
This means that if they are bored or alone for long periods of time, they may act out.
Australian Shepherds are very intelligent and also require mental stimulation. Mental stimulation can be in the form of obedience training and interaction toys. These pups are very social and their mental health depends on being around others!
Toys and Your Australian Shepherd
Finding toys, games, and activities for your Australian Shepherd can be a difficult task! Fun and engaging toys are best for this breed. These kinds of toys will keep them mentally and physically engaged no matter who is home!
But don’t worry! It is possible to find the right type of toy with trial and error, and learning from the experiences of others! We have a lot of experience with our pup who loves chewing everything in sight!
We have purchased many toys over the years. While he has managed to destroy most of them, we have enjoyed watching him interact and play with the toys.
There are many types of dog toys available. You should always consider your Australian Shepherd’s preferences for one type over another, material, price, and durability when researching and purchasing toys. Because, after all, you know your Australian Shepherd the best!
Types of Toys We Considered:
Fetch Toys
Australian Shepherds need tons of physical and mental stimulation. Playing fetch is a great way to accomplish both! Your pup will keep their eye on the ball, race after it, and bring it back to you. This will tire your dog out both mentally and physically. You can play fetch with many different types of toys: rubber balls, plush balls, tennis balls, frisbees, sticks, and more.
Chew Toys
Chew toys are a great and tasty way to keep your Australian Shepherd occupied. There are many different types of chew toys that you can buy. In fact, some chew toys can even help improve dental hygiene. Before choosing the best chew toy for your Australian Shepherd, you should figure out what type of chewer your dog is. Does your dog destroy everything they get their paws on? That will help you figure out the type of chew toy you should get.
Plush Toys
Plush toys can be really fun for your pup. Figuring out your pup’s ability and drive to destroy will help you determine if this kind of toy works for you and your dog. Plush toys are great for smaller dogs and dogs that aren’t active chewers. We tend to look for plush toys that don’t have stuffing and can be washed, so that clean up is always easy.
Tug Toys
Tug and rope toys are great for indoor interactive and dependent play. Playing tug of war requires your Australian Shepherd to exert short and intense bursts of energy that will tire them out! These toys are typically very durable and are available in many shapes, sizes, types, and colors.
Interactive Games
Interactive games are designed to keep your pup entertained and engaged with tasty treats. These toys target your pup’s mind, keeping them busy and happy, sometimes for hours.
Interactive games are known to reduce boredom, separation anxiety, increase independent play time, and slow down your pup’s eating habits. There are many different types available, such as puzzles, treat dispensers and mazes, and more.
Interactive games and toys are a great way to combine fun, training, and treats.
Safety information for Dog Toys:
There are many different types of toys made by many different manufacturers. You should always take the time and do research on the toys because there are no guidelines on dog toy manufacturing.
New toys should always be introduced with supervision. As a rule, you should monitor your Australian Shepherd’s interaction with their new toys to ensure safety. Some toys should always be played with under supervision, for example, chews or bones.
It is important to remember that no toy is completely indestructible. For that reason, you should periodically inspect your dog’s toys for signs of wear and tear.
Here are some guidelines to consider when conducting your own research on dog toys:
- Size: You should always choose toys that fit your dog’s size. Small dogs may not want to play with large toys, and small toys may be dangerous for large dogs.
- Washability: Keeping your pup’s toys clean is very important. Always check to make sure that the toys can be machine washed, wiped down, dishwasher safe, or hand washed. This is critical in keeping your pup not only happy – but healthy!
- Material: The material of each toy is very important. You want to make sure that the toy is durable, especially if you have an active chewer, and that it is made with safe material for your pup to lick and enjoy.
You know your playful Australian Shepherd the best, and know what types of toys he or she will like most. Your dog’s activity level – both indoor and outdoor, their ability and drive to destroy toys, and the size of your Australian Shepherd will help you figure out the best toys for them.
How the Toys Were Tested:
We used our own money to purchase all the toys. In other words, the toys were not purchased in exchange for positive reviews.
Each toy was carefully chosen depending on quality, material, price range, and durability.
We spent a few hours each day testing the toys
Our dog LOVED this experiment, he was able to play and interact with so many new toys to create this list.
Our Top Picks For The Best Toys for Australian Shepherds
We have put together this list of The 8 Best Toys for Australian Shepherds. We hope that you and your pup enjoy these toys and give them 5 stars and barking reviews!
Chuckit! Classic Launcher Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: plastic launcher and rubber ball
- Size: 26 inches, 0.16 ounces
- Made In: United States
- Lightweight and available in many sizes
- Keeps your hands clean from slobbery and muddy balls
- Regular tennis-sized balls fit in the launcher
- Balls are easily wiped down
- Can be used in water and outdoor playtime
- Increases your pup’s exercise time by catapulting the ball far
- The ball may be destroyed by active chewers
- Lightweight plastic material can also be destroyed by active chewers
This toy is great for pups and their humans who love being outdoors and playing fetch. With this launcher your pup will be able to run far, search for the ball, catch it, and bring it back to you just in time for you to catapult the ball right back into the field!
You and your pup will LOVE this toy!
Pacific Pups Rescue Assorted Rope Dog Toys
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: Cotton
- Size: 21 inches, 13.8 ounces
- Made In: China
- Made from safe, non-toxic material
- Passes the ASTM F-963 Children Toys Safety Standards
- Proceeds help rescue dogs from high-kill shelters
- Acts as playtime dental floss for your pup
- Frayed edges may be torn off
Each purchase of these rope toys benefits a non-profit dog rescue called Pacific Pup Rescue. Pacific Pup Rescue helps rescue dogs from high-kill shelters and find them their forever homes.
We love toys that support good causes. Without a doubt, this is a win-win!
Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispenser Ball Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Mid-low
- Material: plastic
- Size: Available in 3 or 4 inches
- Made In: China
- Exercises and feeds your dog at the same time
- Very thick and durable plastic
- Easy to clean
- Rolls easily
- Engages your pup’s hunting instincts
- Makes a lot of noise when rolling around
- Small kibble is best for this toy
This treat dispenser rolls around the floor as your pup pounces to retrieve his or her favorite treats. There are many benefits to these types of toys, as they engage your dog physically and mentally.
It also assists your active pup’s digestion. The thorough cleaning of this toy is very easy! All you need is soap and water.
As Seen on TV Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: Phthalate-free vinyl
- Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches; 1.28 inches
- Made In: China
- The silly noises and rolling design will keep your pup engaged and active for long periods of time
- You will be entertained watching your dog
- The hard vinyl design creates a strong exterior
- Large size makes it hard to chew
- Enforces independent play
- Is not a bouncing ball that can be used for fetch
- Indoor only toy
- MUST be played with under supervision
- A medical emergency could occur if this toy is taken apart and ingested
There are three internal tubs that create the sounds, so you never know when and what sound will come out! Because of the inner construction of the ball, it should ONLY be played with under supervision.
This toy is a great way to keep your pup engaged in independent play when you are at home and able to supervise their play. We suggest allowing your pup to play with this periodically, which will also allow you to keep an eye on any damages to the toy.
As with all toys, once this toy shows signs of damage you should dispose of it. Cleaning this toy is very easy. Because of the Phthalate-Free vinyl exterior, all you need is some warm water and a towel to wipe it down.
Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Low-mid
- Material: plastic
- Size: 1 pound
- Made In: China
- Food chamber holds up to 3 cups (depending of the food size and weight)
- Weighted bottom keeps pups engaged
- Openings are adjustable
- Exercises and feeds your dog at the same time
- Large pups may try to chew on the top
- Cannot take the dispenser apart, making cleaning difficult
There are two adjustable openings that allow different sizes of food to be released with different levels of difficulty. Cleaning is difficult because you can not reach the inside of the toy.
The company suggests rinsing with warm water. This type of treat dispenser can reduce boredom and separation anxiety.
Lickimat Classic Playdate
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: Food grade TPR rubber
- Size: 7.4 ounces
- Made In: China
- Promotes healthy tongues, gum, teeth, and breath
- Made from food-grade TPR rubber: Nontoxic, durable, PVC and BPA free, and freezable.
- Licking helps soothe and calm your dog
- Can reduce boredom and separation anxiety
- The ridges sometimes trap food
- Not dishwasher safe
The design of the mat means that your dog will be licking the peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, or anything else you decided to use for hours – especially if you freeze it! Dogs often lick to ease their anxieties, this action can help calm your dog down, reduce boredom, and separation anxiety.
The ridges also stimulate saliva production, this promotes clean dog tongues, gum, teeth, and breath!
Fire Hose Dog Tug Toy with Squeakers
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: Firehose
- Size: 27 inches long, 3.2 ounces
- Made In: China
- Made from real durable firehose material that is extremely hard to destroy
- Three separate squeakers
- No stuffing! You won’t need to clean up the stuffing if your pup destroys the firehose
- Well made and cute designs
- Always monitor your dog while playing with this kind of toy
- Lizard legs can tear off (as seen in the photo)
The toys are used for all types of playtime, including tug of war. Additionally, the Fire Biterz are not made with stuffing.
This means that if your pup DOES destroy it – because no toy is completely indestructible- there will be no stuffing thrown around your home. No. Stuffing. Thrown. Around. Your. Home!
The squeakers also are durable, long-lasting, and will boost your dog’s playtime excitement.
Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Mid-high
- Material: Nylon and Bacon flavor
- Size: Available in small, medium, large, giant
- Made In: USA
- Durable and long lasting chew toy
- Made for pups that love to chew and have strong teeth
- Real Bacon flavors are used in production
- Design of the wishbone allows your pup to chew in a comfortable position
- Benebone donates products to shelters and rescues across the US
- Available in 3 flavors: Bacon, Peanut, Chicken
- Available in 4 sizes depending on the size of your pup
- This chew toy is not meant to be eaten
- Should always be played with under supervision
- No toy is completely indestructible, meaning that this toy will need to be retired eventually
Benebone is extremely transparent with the ingredients in the toy, and what pet parents can expect regarding the toy’s life expectancy. The wishbone chew toy is made with two ingredients: Nylon and Bacon! Benebone also encourages pet parents to reach out with questions about their chew toys.
Made in the USA, Benebone manufactures all of their products in one factory. As someone who has direct experience with peanut allergies, I love that they explicitly write on their packaging and on the Amazon site that those with severe allergies to peanuts should not buy this product.
This is because Benebone also manufactures a toy with real peanuts and there may be cross-contamination.
Final Thoughts:
The best thing that we can do for our dogs is to challenge them, both physically and mentally, to keep them happy and healthy. I hope that you and your dog find this list of The 8 Best Dog Toys for Australian Shepherds helpful and fun!
