Toys are a great way to stop your pooch from getting bored and also to help them get enough exercise. They come in a wide variety of types, shapes, and sizes to suit all breeds. This makes it easy to find the right ones for your Doodle, just as long as you know exactly what to look for. Here we will outline the most common toy types, provide a rundown of essential things to be on the lookout for, and offer some suggestions for best toys for Labradoodles based on real dog owner reviews.
Now, Labradoodles are intelligent, energetic dogs that make excellent family pets. However, they require a good deal of both mental and physical stimulation. This is particularly the case if they are left home alone for long periods. They will find ways to keep themselves entertained – and you probably won’t be a fan of how they choose to do this.
Our Top 6 Best Toys Your Labradoodle Will Love
Already have a toy type in mind? Take a look at our six top picks for every occasion and the links to where you can buy them. Keep scrolling for more detailed reviews on each one including what pet parents have to say and their various pros and cons.
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Pick #1:
Kong Classic Dog Toy. A tremendously fun regular ball alternative, Kong’s Classic Toy is designed to keep especially hyper dogs, such as Labradoodles, happily entertained for hours.
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Pick #2:
Frisco Plush with Inside Rope Squeaking Bear Dog Toy. Containing both a rope and a squeaker, this great-looking plush toy is perfect for playtime, and when your pup is done, they can snuggle up with it for a lovely nap.
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Pick #3:
Frisco Hide and Seek Plush Volcano Puzzle Dog Toy. Hours of amusement for Doods who love a challenge, this Volcano Puzzle toy with its six hideable squeaky T-Rexes is the right-sized fun for medium to giant dogs.
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Pick #4:
Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy. The Benebone Wishbone looks simple enough, but it’s not your average chew toy with its unique flavor grooves that will keep your Doodle interested for longer.
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Pick #5:
Zoobilee Squatter Panda & Rabbit Plush Puppy Toy. Super soft, super snuggly, and super good fun, the Zoobilee Plush Toys are excellent for young dogs who love chasing these cute cuddlies around the house.
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Pick #6:
Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Tough Dog Toy. Simple yet incredibly effective, Chuckit takes canine ball designs to the next level with their Ultra Tough Toys that can be taken anywhere without being lost.
Different Types of Dog Toys
The kind of toy you opt for will largely depend on your dog’s personality and interests. Although it’s always good to give them plenty of choices when you can. Versatile toys are best for this breed, especially if they fulfill any of the following functions:
Chew Toys
Likely thought up by a weary dog owner tired of having their belongings munched up, chew toys are the most popular kind of toys for Labradoodles. Mouthiness may be something you want to train your dog out of, yet chewing is vital for strong and clean teeth and gums.
Available in many designs, materials, and sizes, chew toys are great for teething puppies and adult dogs alike. They’re also a great alternative to chew treats when you’re looking to keep your pup’s weight down. Just make sure to get toys that don’t resemble other items about the house, i.e., shoes, to avoid any confusion.
Puzzle Toys
With two such clever parent dogs, your Labradoodle likely has plenty of smarts. That’s great for their training but not so good for keeping them out of trouble. Without something to occupy them, your Dood is likely to quickly get bored. That’s where puzzle toys come in handy.
These toys present your pal with a task to carry out in order to receive a reward – this can either be access to a fun toy or tasty treat. Some toys, such as puzzle balls, also work well for rationing kibble with scoffers.
Rope Toys
Another popular and inexpensive option is the rope toy. Long, colorful fibers are woven together and knotted to create the perfect toy for chewing, tug-of-war games, and fetch. A word of caution, poorly made rope toys can do your pet more harm than good – especially if they are exceptionally energetic chewers.
Experts over at PetMD explain that if swallowed, “the strands could cause an obstruction in the stomach or intestine. Loose strands can also get tangled around the base of the tongue, which can cause a strangulation-type injury to the tongue itself.” So make sure you carefully check those reviews before buying.
Fetch toys
Most dogs love playing games with their owner. For the bouncy, boisterous Labradoodle fetch toys such as balls and frisbees are a great way of killing two birds with one stone. Not only do they get to spend quality time with the person they love best in the world, but they also get plenty of much-needed exercise.
A further benefit of these excellent toys is the more you can tire your pup out through long walks and energetic games, the easier they will be to handle through the day and into the evening. Burning down their energy this way also helps keep dogs calm during bathing and grooming sessions and trips to the vet.
Plush toys
Great for anxious dogs and keeping young puppies calm, plush toys make excellent snuggle pals for your four-legged friend. Generally, these are better for light to non-chewers as fabric is more easily ripped and shredded by determined teeth and claws. Always opt for a non-toxic product with reinforced seams, though, just in case.
While it may be tempting to simply offer your fur-baby a teddy cast off from one of the kids rather than purchasing something specifically for them, such products weren’t designed with dogs in mind. They could cause them health problems if your pup decides to swallow any materials, small parts, or stuffing.
Dog Toys: Buyer’s Guide
Once you have narrowed down your decision based on what the toy is for, you’ll need to look at the quality of the products in question. In particular, pay attention to:
Design
While many dog toys have relatively straightforward designs – especially fetch and tug toys, you need to ask yourself whether it will actually appeal to your dog. After all, if your dog loses interest within a couple of minutes, all you have left is a pointless, potential trip hazard.
Opt for easy-grip toys with entertaining features if you are looking for something that will keep your pup entertained during solo play. These may include squeakers, added flavors, or a place where you can stash a treat for them to find. If your pal doesn’t take to a new toy straight off, don’t be disheartened; sometimes dogs just need to warm up to new things.
Construction
This is probably the most crucial aspect of any toy. After all, how many times have you bought what you thought was an excellent toy for your dog, only for them to rip it to shreds in literal seconds? Novice pet parents, be warned!
Choose quality toys that are not going to instantly be destroyed the minute you remove the tag. Natural rubber, latex, and nylon are all good robust materials. Also, be aware that playful behavior can turn destructive when you’re away from the house, so it’s a good idea to keep all but the toughest of chew toys out of reach at this time.
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Best Toys for Labradoodles: Reviews
Best For Every Dog
Balls and other chase toys are a key staple of any overactive dog owner’s toy arsenal, but Kong’s Classic Dog Toy really is something else. Not only is it great for games of fetch in the park, but the toy’s unique erratic bounce (not to mention the hollow center that can be stuffed with tasty treats) means that your pooch can have endless hours of fun playing with it all alone out in the garden.
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We have chosen this excellent toy as our best for every dog because there truly is one for every dog. Available in an array of sizes, colors, and materials designed to better suit puppy teeth, aging teeth, or super-powered teeth, you can easily find the one that is perfect for your pup. This truly is a terrific all-rounder. If you don’t believe us, just check out the reviews.
Pros
Built for durability, providing both physical and mental stimulation, suitable for all life stages… Kong’s Toy ticks all the right boxes.
Cons
You might want to keep this toy for outdoor use only; that super-cool erratic bounce is not so great around your breakables.
Best For Interactive Play
Somewhere between a play and sleep toy, the uber-cute Plush Bear Dog Toy by Frisco is cleverly designed to keep your Doodle entertained when you can’t. Made with “minimal stuffing and just the right amount of plush,” it’s both tough and cuddly and perfectly safe for supervised play. The added rope and squeaker keep things interesting for your pal.
Perfect for small and medium breeds, the teddy is suitable for most sizes of Labradoodle. Just take care you’re clear on the dimensions. While the toy doesn’t claim to be indestructible, owners comment that it does hold up to a good amount of chewing, meaning it lasts much longer than your regular plush toy.
Pros
Fresco’s plush bear is a nicely versatile toy that is bound to appeal to your pup and keep them interested with its fun hidden extras.
Cons
As mentioned in the product description, this is not the best option for heavy chewers – or owners who are not big fans of noisy toys.
Best For Clever Pups
For hours of stimulation and interactive activity for you and your dog, we just love this plush hide-and-seek toy also by Frisco. Simply stuff the cute, squeaky dinosaurs into the volcano and watch your pal happily go to work trying to find them and get at them. Moreover, the cuddly, soft texture of the T-Rexes means they also double up nicely as nap-time companions.
Pet parents have been pleasantly surprised with just how long this puzzle toy kept their dog’s attention. Puppies and adult dogs alike love pulling, digging, and shaking the little dinos out of the holes. Even chewers seem to take special care of this unique toy. Just take care to keep a close eye on your pet when they are playing with it.
Pros
The Volcano Plush Puzzle is nice to look at, engaging and can be used for both together games and solo play.
Cons
Again, this is not a great toy for really determined chewers. It should be used under supervision only.
Best For Extreme Chewers
Chew toys can be a bit hit-or-miss. When your dog loves them, they will spend hours each day delightfully gnawing away, keeping their jaw, teeth, and gums strong and healthy. However, more often than not, they will end up neglected on the floor – a waste of money and effort. That definitely won’t be the case with Benebone’s Wishbone with its notable design.
Firstly, the ergonomic shape of the toy makes it super easy for your pup to grip it and hold it as they chew. Secondly, the real-bacon flavor that’s fused all the way through keeps this toy tasting great – after all, who doesn’t love bacon? Reviewers comment that this Tough Dog Chew holds up well to daily, vigorous chewing and that they wear down well too with no splintering.
Pros
The Benebone Wishbone satisfies a dog’s natural instinct to chew in a safe and tasty way sparing your shoes and furniture.
Cons
Not all dogs instantly take to this, especially ones used to chew snacks over chew toys. Encourage them to give it a go by coating it with a favorite treat such as peanut butter.
Best For Cuddle Monkeys
Another great two-in-one toy option, Zoobilee’s adorable Plush Panda and Rabbit toys are excellent for nap time and playtime. This sweet ball-shaped duo is constructed from durable, washable materials that are soft, wonderfully snuggly, and gentle for even the smallest of puppy teeth. They even have squeakers to make playtime even more fun.
Best for young and/or small dogs, these pint-sized toys are a popular choice with owners because of their high quality and great price. According to the comments, they are well designed for games of fetch, being super easy for your pup to carry around, and most dogs seem to just absolutely adore them.
Pros
Cute, simple, versatile, and able to hold up to some chew, Zoobiliee’s Plush Toys are a hit with most reviewers.
Cons
Owners with larger dogs mention that these toys were smaller than they thought – so double-check the sizing to ensure suitability.
Best For High-Energy Hounds
No dog toy list is complete without a ball – it’s a classic for a reason. The Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Tough Balls is a REALLY great ball. Designed explicitly for dogs (unlike tennis balls which can be ripped apart in a flash), these fab chase toys will last and last in all conditions. Moreover, their bright color makes them super easy to spot, so you won’t constantly be replacing lost ones.
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Pet parents refer to these as “super chewers’ best friends” for their toughness and durability. The rubber holds up well to strong teeth and is easy to wipe down too. The balls themselves are incredibly bouncy, meaning that they go that much further when you throw them, helping you both get the most from your games of fetch.
Pros
Simple, cheap, strong, bright – Chuckit! seems to have considered every issue when designing these great toys.
Cons
Again, problems have arisen because of size. Make sure your pal can comfortably hold these toys in their mouth without the risk of swallowing them.
Labradoodle Playtime: Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of toys do Labradoodles like?
There is no one specific toy that all Labradoodles like because every dog is just as unique as their owner. What we do know about the breed is they are generally pretty clever and full of energy, so puzzle and fetch toys are great. However, it might also be the case that your little love prefers snoozing over running, in which case a plush or chew toy might be your best bet.
What size toys should I get my Labradoodle?
The size of the toys you buy will depend specifically on the size of your dog. Many products these days are available in a range of options. The website where you purchase the toy should include detailed information on which is the best one for your dog based on their weight or breed.
If your pup is still just a puppy and you want to know what size they will likely end up so you can be fully prepared, take a look at our Labradoodle Size Charts for Mini, Medium, and Standard Labradoodles.
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Are Labradoodles chewers?
Most dogs love to chew when given the opportunity. Often it can be quite a relaxing activity for them. However, Labradoodles aren’t particularly known as chewers once they are past the puppy teething stage. That’s to say that you don’t need to worry too much about your furniture. However, it’s always a good idea to keep a suitable toy to hand.
Dog toys are essential for a happy and healthy Labradoodle, but picking the right ones for your pal can be a little tricky if you don’t know just what you’re looking for. Hopefully, the information included here has helped you to make sense of your options, and you will be able to find some toys that your pup will absolutely adore.
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