The 8 Best Toys For Border Collies
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Border Collies, like other herding dogs, love being active! They originated in Scotland and are known for herding sheep and other livestock.
These pups have become known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Nowadays, they are seen as family dogs, in competitions, movies, and as companion dogs.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks For Best Toys For Border Collies
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 Border Collies
Best Treat Dispenser  7. Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Tornado Puzzle Game Dog Toy | |||||||
Price range Low | Price range Low | Price range Mid-low | Price range Mid-low | Price range Low | Price range Low | Price range Mid-high | Price range Low |
Material plastic launcher and rubber ball | Material Cotton | Material Canvas, rubber, foam | Material plastic | Material Chenille | Material Phthalate-free vinyl | Material Polypropylene (plastic) | Material Durable canvas |
Size 26 inches, 0.16 ounces | Size 21 inches, 13.8 ounces | Size Available in small (2 inch), medium (2.5 inches), large (3 inches), x-large (3.5 inches) | Size Available in 3 or 4 inches | Size 2.4 ounces | Size 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches; 1.28 inches | Size Available in 2 sizes | Size Medium (10 inches x 10 inches) and Large (11 inches x 11 inches) |
Made In United States | Made In China | Made In Vietnam | Made In China | Made In Vietnam | Made In China | Made In China | Made In Vietnam |
Characteristics Of The Border Collies
Border Collies have an inherent herding instinct. This means that these pups thrive when consistently active!
They enjoy agile exercises and interactions with other animals and humans. This means that they crave lots of dependent playtime and stimulation.
As a Border Collie parent, you need to work extra hard to ensure that they have enough playtime to tire them out!
In addition to their high capacity for physical activity, Border Collies are extremely intelligent. Their intelligence crossed with their high energy and stamina means that they are able to learn a large number of words and commands.
Like other herding dogs, Border Collies can become distressed and frustrated if they are left alone or are inactive. In order to curb mischievous behavior, you can introduce independent toys and games that can keep them active when they are left alone.
Toys and Your Border Collies
The best types of toys for Border Collies and those that are extremely interactive, whether during dependent or independent play. Outdoor games like fetch or playing with other types of balls are a great way to bond with your pup while keeping them active.
Indoor games such as tug of war or interactive games and treats are a great way to draw your pup into games and dependent play.
Additionally, Border Collies enjoy agile and obedience training. Taking your pup to the dog park or your backyard with a bag full or training treats is a great way to exercise their minds and bodies! You can also use their favorite toy as a training reward!
There are many types of dog toys available. You should always consider your Border Collie’s preferences for one type over another, material, price, and durability when researching and purchasing toys. Because, after all, you know your Border Collie the best!
We decided to put together this list of The 8 Best Dog Toys for Border Collies to help keep your pup happy and healthy!
Types of Toys We Considered:
There are many types of dog toys available. You should always consider your Border Collie’s preferences for one type over another, material, price, and durability when researching and purchasing toys. Because, after all, you know your Border Collie the best!
- Fetch Toys: Border Collies need tons of physical and mental stimulation. Playing fetch allows your dog to get all the exercise needed! Keeping their eye on the ball, racing after it, and bringing it back 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 Border Collie occupied. There are many different types of chew toys that you can buy. In fact, some chew toys can help improve dental hygiene. Before choosing the best chew toy for your Border Collie, 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 easily, 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 Border Collie 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 pups 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 Border Collie’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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collies
We have put together this list of The 8 Best Toys for Border Collies. 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 can 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!
There are many benefits to playing tug games with your Border Collie. Tug games can also strengthen the bond you and your pup have!
Playtime that includes playing tug-of-war provides an intense workout that engages all your dog’s senses. Not only is it a great physical workout but it stimulates their minds, too!
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Mid-low
- Material: Canvas, rubber, foam
- Size: Available in small (2 inch), medium (2.5 inches), large (3 inches), x-large (3.5 inches)
- Made In: Vietnam
- Lightweight but durable
- Floats in water
- Easy to clean with soap and warm water
- Groove allow for easy grip
- Colors are recognizable
- Canvas can be chewed or punctured
This ball is made with canvas and rubber with a foam interior. The way that it has been constructed creates a ball that is very difficult to chew, take apart, or find a seam to rip.
The rubber grooves give your pup a secure grip. Like most of the ChuckIt! toys, this is made with water-lovers in mind and floats! We purchased the large Kick Fetch, which is the same size as a regular soccer ball.
Now, we prefer this over regular soccer balls because of the lightweight construction, material, and the fun bounce! Bonus points for this ball, it is available in a glow in the dark version!
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.
Chuckit! Indoor Ball
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: Chenille
- Size: 2.4 ounces
- Made In: Vietnam
- Can be hand washed
- Soft and lightweight construction is safe for indoor play (fetch games and more)
- Won’t knock over items, disturb neighbors, etc.
- Different texture engages pups visually and orally
- Frayed material can be torn off
- Active chewers will be able to destroy this toy quickly
What we really love about this indoor ball is the lightweight and soft design that keeps our home and furniture safe from indoor fetch games.
I am sure our neighbors are relieved to no longer hear the bounce or roll of a hard tennis ball on the floor!
My pup loves to lick this Indoor Ball as it helps to ease his anxiety when we are not home. This toy is great for pups that rank low on their drive to chew.
Strong chewers, don’t worry! If your pup is one, like mine, taking apart the outer fabric may be easy but the inner construction of the ball will hold up! The unique and soft texture will engage your dog in new ways as they chase the ball across your home!
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.
Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Tornado Puzzle Game Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Mid-high
- Material: Polypropylene (plastic)
- Size: Available in 2 sizes
- Made In: China
- The spinning layer of this toy engages your pup’s mind
- Treats can be hidden to increase the difficulty level
- Helps to reduce boredom and separation anxiety
- Easy to clean – just use warm water and soap
- Made from Polypropylene, is BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free
- Easily flipped over because of the lightweight material
This puzzle will engage your pup’s mind as treats can be hidden within all the layers, and difficulty can be increased by placing the plastic blocks over the treats. It is made with Polypropylene and can be placed in the freezer with your dog’s favorite wet treats.
Chuckit! Flying Squirrel Dog Toy
Product Info
- Price range: Low
- Material: Durable canvas
- Size: Medium (10 inches x 10 inches) and Large (11 inches x 11 inches)
- Made In: Vietnam
- Lightweight and aerodynamic for outdoor playtime
- Floats in water
- The durable material will withstand tough playtime
- Can be destroyed by tough chewers if given the chance
The Flying Squirrel Toy will help to diversify your pup’s fetch games. It is very lightweight and aerodynamic.
This allows the toy to soar in the sky as you play fetch or various water games! Oh, it is waterproof and it floats! This toy can withstand tough, muddy, and wet games.
And it is a favorite in our household!
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 Border Collies Shepherds helpful and fun!
