If you’re looking for a chew toy for your German Shepherd, you need to consider your canine friend’s bite strength, chewing tendencies, and level of interest in variety before buying them a gift to chomp on. Let’s look at these factors when choosing the best chew toys for German Shepherds.
The best chew toys for German Shepherds should be made of natural rubber, flavored, and durable enough for high bite strength. KONG’s products for puppies and large-breed adults are apt for GSDs of respective ages, making them the most durable toys for your German Shepherd to chew.
In the rest of this article, you will discover the 15 best chew toys for German Shepherds (5 each in 3 different categories) that match the above criteria and have enough personal pros to make it onto my list. I’ll tell you my:
- 5 best chew toys for German Shepherd puppies
- 5 best chew toys for German Shepherd adults
- 5 best ‘indestructible’ dog toys for German Shepherds
More importantly, you’ll learn a thing or two about my experiences, or at least my GSD besty Willow’s experiences, which gives you a unique insight into whether a specific toy suits your canine’s collection.
So, if you want to know my picks of the best chew toys for German Shepherds, you’ll love this article. Let’s get started!
Best Chew Toys for German Shepherd Puppies
German Shepherds have a strong bite force and are heavy chewers. And so, with this established, we have a firm foundation to get into the best chew toys. Here, the most important factors to consider are the material and design elements that benefit your pup.
Check out my five best chew toys for German Shepherd puppies in this quick-look table…
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| KONG Puppy Toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Petstages Orka Dental Links | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pets & Goods Rope Dog Toy Set | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nylabone X-Shaped Bone Chew Toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bojafa Teething Ball Toy | ⭐⭐⭐ |
KONG Puppy Toy
- Appropriate Chewing: The KONG Puppy soft rubber formula is for a growing puppys baby teeth and gums
- Fetch Toy: The KONG Puppys bounce makes for games of fetch & other interactive play with your pet
- Great For Stuffing: The stuffable KONG Puppy is more enticing when filled with KONG Puppy Easy Treat
- Vet Recommended: Veterinarians and trainers worldwide recommend the KONG Puppy
- Made in the USA: Globally Sourced Materi
The Brand
Established in 1976, the KONG company has over four decades of experience in manufacturing and optimizing chew toys for dogs. As a brand launched by a dog owner trying to solve a personal problem of unhealthy chewing habits of his dog, the business resonates with people like me and you. All these years later, the company has remained faithful to its product’s focus, which allows me to trust the brand 100%.
The Features
The product is optimized for different chewing styles. You can get puppy rubber for your teething GSD, but you will have options for consistency as he grows up. There is a senior rubber option for a dog who has the habit but not the bite strength to back it up. Classic rubber is for most adult dogs, but extreme rubber is great for ones with German Shepherds’ bite strength.
All these options come in the classic KONG shape, which is a cross between the Michelin Man and a cone, giving your German Shepherd plenty to chew on without forcing him to twist his jaw into weird positions. Chew toys built without considering your dog’s jaw are as impractical as chewing gum the size of a soap bar.
Fortunately, KONG considers your GSD’s jaw shape, bite strength, and even the reasoning behind chewing behaviors. KONG works no matter what you need a chew toy for, from teething, destructive chewing, weight management, boredom, or separation anxiety.
And the best thing about these cones is that you can fill them with a foamy meaty-flavored treat (also made by KONG), dog biscuits, or even peanut butter. Adding flavor to the chew toy means your GSD prefers chewing his toy over your homework because your homework doesn’t taste as good unless you’re a cooking school student!
Petstages Orka Dental Links
- Durable ORKA material stands up to tough chewing
- Variety of textures help clean teeth and massage gums
- Great floppy feel for tossing, retrieving and chewing fun
- Loop shapes help exercise jaw muscles
- Rope cleans dogs teeth and gums when chewing
- Age range description: All Life Sta
The Brand
Petstages is an Outward Hound Company specializing in chew toys for dogs, especially in their early to mid-life development (hence the “stages” in “pet stages”). Since the manufacturer is a massive company, I understand that it wouldn’t want risks associated with manufacturing subpar products. That’s what made me trust the company enough to give their dental links a try.
The Features
Since the product is made from Synthetic TPE, durability is built into the chew toy. The links are also slim enough that the rubber density is strong enough to stand up to a German Shepherd’s bite strength. I also find the texture of these links interesting because it can help clean your dog’s teeth to a degree, though depending on your dog’s age, this can be as effective as a toothbrush or as impractical as flossing your teeth with a USB cable.
Pets & Goods Rope Dog Toy Set
- 【Varieties of Toys—17 Pack】Including :Dog Tug Toys,Dog Ball Toys,Dog Ring Toy,Dog Chew Toys Dog Rope Toys, Dog Bone Toy.Size for puppies and small dogs,a dog that weighs less than 22 lbs,such as Poodle,Chihuahua,Pomeranian etc.,but not recommended for the sharp teeth dogs,no fighting between the two or more dogs
- 【Safe and Durable Marital For Pets】Made of High-Quality TPR and soft Cotton,Sturdy and Bite-resistant,Easy to clean
- 【Good Helper For Dental Health】Help to clean and exercise the the pets’ teeth,keep their dental health and enhance the dogs jaw muscle development
- 【Tug, Toss, Fetch and Chew toys】The toys can make it fun to enjoy alone when you are not at home,it is also the necessary training supplies for dog lovers to play with the pet dogs and train their agility
- 【Attention】Colors may vary,Color random delivery.Some toys have the bells,please pay more attention when they are playing toys and do not let your dog swallow these toys,just be sure to throw away the damaged t
The Brand
This company is relatively new, with its roots as recent as 2017. Much like Crocs, this brand makes pretty much the same thing over and over. With repetition comes perfection, or its closest equivalent, and these guys seem to have gotten that right.
The Features
These chew ropes are perfect for dogs who seem to have an appetite for couches and cushions. The material wouldn’t be too alien (at least in texture) to your German Shepherd, making it easier to transition him from destructive chewing habits to neutral ones.
The chew toy can also be used as a tug toy, at least while your GSD is a pup, and can also clean your dog’s teeth. Above all, it is, unlike a Hollywood husband, 100% non-toxic.
Nylabone X-Shaped Dog Bone Chew Toy
- 4-SIDED FUN - This veterinarian-recommended dog chew toy features 4 textured chewing ends to keep dogs busy and entertained
- COMFORT-HOLD DESIGN - Unique X shape is easy for dogs to hold and chew
- DISCOURAGES DESTRUCTIVE CHEWING - Designed for the most determined chewers, this long lasting nylon chew toy promotes healthy, non-destructive chewing habits
- PROMOTES DOG DENTAL HEALTH - Multi-textured surface helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup as dogs chew
- FOR LARGE DOGS - Size Large chew toy is intended for dogs up to 50 pounds
- SAVORY BEEF FLAVOR - Dog chew toy features an irresistible taste throughout that dogs love
- CHEW TOY DIMENSIONS: Out of package measures 5.75 long x 2 wide x 1.25 h
The Brand
Nylabone started back in 1955, making it one of the earliest players in the chew toy business with this level of specialization. While some companies try to make toys for different pets or go broad with different product categories, Nylabone’s founder painted himself into a profitable corner with bone-focused chew toys.
The Features
When it comes to the X-shaped bone chew toy that looks like the bottom half of a pirate flag, the exciting shape alongside various textures stands out the most. The toy, like most Nylabone products, comes with flavor. That’s great in keeping your German Shepherd’s interest, but with great interest comes great responsibility to stand up to a strong bite.
Nylabone X-shaped bone toy comes in three durability varieties: Teething Chew for puppies, Flexi Chew for adults with low bite strength, and Tough Chew for dogs like adult German Shepherds. This means that as your puppy grows up, he will have familiar-looking options.
Bojafa Teething Ball Toy
- ☆ Valued and Best Pack of 2 dog toy balls: Green and Cyan with light mint scent. Help Clean Teeth and Prevent Plaque and Tartar Build Up.
- ☆ These tough durable dog balls are made of Non-Toxic rubber material : more durable, healthy and puncture resistant compared with PVC and TPR.
- ☆ Special design for dog puzzle toy balls : which can be stuffed with pet snack. Your pets will accept this toy easily and get more surprise while playing. Best Dog Toys for Boredom.
- ☆ A smarter IQ training toys for cats puppy dogs : which can be used as dog fetch play balls for outdoor games.Keep Puppy Dogs from Chewing others.
- ☆ Rubber Dog Teething Cleaning Toys Ideal for Cat, Puppy,Small Dogs, Medium Dogs, Even Large Dogs Aggressive Chewers (ball diameter:2.8inc
The Brand
Bojana has a weak and diluted brand that spans too many categories. This means it has to present a strong enough product on features alone to get me to buy. I’m glad I did make the purchase, though, because the toy’s recipient loved it. Here’s why.
The Features
The product is ball-shaped, which makes it an easy sell, especially for German Shepherd puppies. Your pup will grab hold of it because you can roll it on the floor or get him to hold it via a game of fetch. However, unlike regular balls, the teething ball has slits with internal ridges that clean your dog’s teeth while he plays with the ball.
The slits can also be filled with treats, making the ball tastier than your phone charger, office stationery, and other stuff your puppy might currently prefer to chew on.
Best Chew Toys for German Shepherds
It is worth remembering that the difference between the bite strength of German Shepherds and other dogs becomes more evident as they start growing up. In other words, a chew toy that works for a Shih Tzu puppy might work for a GSD pup, but as they both start growing, there’s no way an average-strength chew toy will work for a German Shepherd.
In this section, I’ll explore great options for your adult German Shepherd and give you my verdict. Since brands have been discussed earlier, we’ll look at only the product features. Again, here’s a quick look table…
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| KONG Classic Toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Petstages Dogwood Chew Stick | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| KONG Stuff-a-Ball | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| KONG Jump’N Jack | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nylabone Textured Ring | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
KONG Classic Chew Toy
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Classic red rubber toy helps satisfy dogs instinctual needs while providing mental stimulation. Healthy play is important for dogs physical and mental development, emotions and behavior. By encouraging healthy play and satisfying instinctual needs, this treat dispensing puzzle toy helps solve chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight management, crate training, digging and barking
- Fetch Toy: The KONG Classics unpredictable bounce makes for exciting games of fetch and other interactive play with your pet. This is a fun way for average chewers to get the exercise they need
- Great For Stuffing: The stuffable KONG Classic is even more enticing when treat filled with bits of kibble, peanut butter, KONG Easy Treat, Snacks or Ziggies. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Bonus: For an added challenge, freeze stuffed KONG for 4-6 hours before giving to your dog
- Vet Recommended: Veterinarians and trainers worldwide recommend the KONG Classic as one of the best durable dog toys available
- Made in the USA. Globally Sourced Materi
This chew cone is large enough for your grown German Shepherd’s mouth and is durable enough for his bite strength. Like the brand’s other options, this too comes with the same shape that gives your dog a balance between an interesting challenge and an easy enough bite to engage.
Like the KONG Puppy Toy, the Classic is a multifunctional toy and doubles up as a top “fetch toy,” with an irresistible bounce. You can fill it with a range of treats to get your German Shepherd further interested in chomping on it. This classic gets full marks from me again and is one of Willow’s favorites.
Read More: 5 Best Kong Toys for German Shepherds
Petstages Dogwood Chew Stick
- DURABLE STICK TOY: With all the taste and texture of real wood, this BBQ flavor doggy chew satisfies your dog’s natural chewing instincts with a tough, safe and non-toxic alternative to wooden sticks.
- NO SPLINTERING: Safer than chewing real sticks and branches which can harm your dog’s mouth, these tough chewable dog toys combine real wood with durable synthetic strength.
- MESS FREE CHEWING: Keep chewers occupied to help reduce and redirect destructive chewing behavior. Unlike natural sticks, Dogwood chew toys minimize mess on your floors.
- INTERACTIVE PLAY: Dogs love to chase a stick, so these chewable wooden throw toys are ideal for outdoor interactive play with your pets. Also great for retrieval training
- RANGE OF SIZES: These wooden stick chews come in 4 sizes to suit big dogs down to a teething puppy. Dogwood real wood dog toys are lead and phthalate free and made in the U
This 8-inch chew stick is a wood alternative for a furniture connoisseur German Shepherd. The stick is “wood flavored” and is aptly shaped to play fetch as well as hand over to your German Shepherd as a chew toy.
At 1.5 inches thick, the dog stick is great for GSDs over one year old and has accumulated 4.4 out of 5 stars for sturdiness. This rating comes from an aggregate of over 32,000 customers on Amazon, making it one of the most popular chew toys of its kind on the market. If your GSD likes to chew on wood, he’ll love this!
KONG Stuff-A-Ball Dog Toy
- Durability: The natural KONG Classic red rubber formula is created to be durable and long lasting for average chewing dogs
- Great For Stuffing: The KONG Stuff-A-Ball is even more enticing when the center and patented Denta-Ridges are stuffed with KONG Easy Treat and Snacks
- Teeth Cleaning: The strategically designed Denta-Ridges help to clean teeth and gums for improved dental hygiene
- Toy Sizing: Small made for dogs size up to 20 lbs (up to 9 kg), Medium made for dogs size 15-35 lbs (7-16 kg), Large made for dogs size 30-65 lbs (13-30 kg); Power Chewers increase one or two sizes or try KONG Extreme
- Made in the USA. Globally Sourced Materi
This product is unlike KONG’s flagship Classic chew cones and is a sturdier version of the chew ball toy covered in the German Shepherd puppy chew toys section. It is crucial to mix up your dog’s chew toys and give him various options to avoid getting bored.
My German Shepherd girl has had this chew toy since I brought her home at 8 weeks old. She still uses it now, as you can see in the photo of her protecting it a the top of the stairs! She also has a large size which still gets stuffed with gravy bones for her supper every night.
Remember, even undisciplined dogs are unlikely to chew on the same furniture item over and over. Since dogs love variety (until they make a specific toy their favorite one), getting this ball in your GSD’s chew toy ensemble gives him something challenging to wrestle with. As the name suggests, the toy can be stuffed with various treats, incentivizing your GSD to chew it instead of your shoes.
KONG Jump’N Jack Teeth-Cleaning Chew Toy
- Durability: The natural KONG Classic red rubber formula is created to be durable and satisfies your dogs natural chewing instincts. Provides an erratic bounce for fetch and chase fun
- Great For Stuffing: The KONG Dental Stick is even more enticing and can extend playtime when the center and Denta-Ridges are stuffed with KONG Easy Treat and Snacks
- Teeth Cleaning: The strategically designed Denta-Ridges help to clean teeth and gums for improved dental hygiene
- Large Dogs: Made for large dogs size 30-65 lbs (13-30 kg)
- Made in the USA. Globally Sourced Materi
This is a 3-D version of the crossbones X chew toy covered in the puppy section. It presents an interesting shape for your German Shepherd to explore and has fine slits and parallel ridges that clean his teeth as he bites on the rubber toy. This is another chew toy my German Shepherd has experienced, although she doesn’t like it as much as her favorite Stuff-A-Ball mentioned above.
The product has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon and has a global average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Make sure to opt for the large size before checkout because despite being made from the same material, smaller sizes won’t stand up to your German Shepherd’s bite strength.
Nylabone Textured Ring Toy
- TEXTURED RING SHAPE – Unique shape with enticing textures is easy to hold and satisfies dogs natural urge to chew
- MADE OF DURABLE NYLON – Long lasting dog chew toy challenges even the most aggressive chewers and discourages destructive chewing, Chew toy for small dogs up to 25 pounds
- MADE IN THE USA – Dog chew toy is proudly made in the United States
- PROMOTES DOG DENTAL HEALTH – Ridges and nubs help prevent plaque and tartar buildup as dogs chew
- FOR EXTRA-LARGE DOGS – Size Souper chew toy created for dogs 50+ pounds
- IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR MEDLEY – Flavored dog chew toy combines all of your dogs favorite tastes in one
- CHEW TOY DIMENSIONS: Out of package measures 6.5 long x 2 wide x 2.06 h
Despite not having the bone shape that Nylabone is known for, this chew toy retains many Nylabone brand features, including flavor and durability. This ring chew toy is a larger version of a similar ring toy covered earlier.
However, it includes larger accents and flavor making it more engaging and healthier for your adult German Shepherd’s teeth. It has over 45,000 reviews on Amazon, with 4.3 out of 5 stars as its average rating. The toy is rated the highest for its sturdiness at 4.6 stars and lowest for teething at 3.9 stars, making it perfect for your adult GSD and impractical for puppies.
Best Indestructible Dog Toys For German Shepherds
If your entire experience of being around German Shepherds revolves around your own dog, you might not realize that not all German Shepherds are built alike. Since GSDs are often mixed, certain traits can vary depending on your dog’s genetic heritage.
One of the most prominent differences is that of bite strength. If your GSD is especially aggressive with his chewing, consider the following products. But first, check out this at a glance table for my picks…
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| KONG Extreme Chew Toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| KONG Chew Tire | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pet Querks Zombie Barkbone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| VANFINE Squeaky Dog Chew Toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
KONG Extreme Chew Toy
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Extreme black rubber toy helps satisfy dogs instinctual needs and provides mental stimulation. Healthy play is important for dogs physical and mental development, emotions and behavior. By encouraging healthy play and satisfying instinctual needs, this treat dispensing puzzle toy helps solve chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight management, crate training, digging and barking
- Fetch Toy: The KONG Extremes unpredictable bounce makes for exciting games of fetch and other interactive play with your pet. This rubber toy is specifically designed for super power chewers and can help them get the exercise they need
- Great For Stuffing: The stuffable KONG Extreme is even more enticing when treat filled with bits of kibble, peanut butter, KONG Easy Treat, Snacks or Ziggies. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Bonus: For an added challenge, freeze stuffed KONG for 4-6 hours before giving to your dog
- Vet Recommended: Veterinarians and trainers worldwide recommend the KONG Extreme as one of the best durable dog toys available
- Made in the USA: Globally Sourced Materi
This is KONG’s most durable chew toy featuring its classic cone shape with the crazy bounce, albeit with tougher material. The option to fill the cone with treats is present in this toy as well, and with over 39,000 reviews and ratings on Amazon, it has a global average of 4.6 stars out of 5.
The roundness of the cone’s exterior is quite prominent, as it is for larger jaws, and the curve minimizes the pressure damage from your dog’s bite. This explains the toy’s longevity rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
KONG Chew Tire
- Power Chewer Dog Toy: The KONG Extreme Tire is made from a black rubber formula, designed to be incredibly tough to withstand strong chewers.
- Great for Stuffing: This dog chew toy is even more enticing when the inside wall is stuffed with a KONG Easy Treat, snacks or some peanut butter. Simply fill the tire with your dogs favorite treat or meal to keep them determined and busy during playtime.
- Dog Fetch Toy: The KONG Tire has a strong rubber exterior and sidewalls that are designed to double up and rebound when compressed, making them perfect for bouncy games of fetch.
- Available in 2 Sizes: Small for dogs up to 20 lbs (up to 9 kg) and Medium/Large for dogs between 15-65 lbs (7-30 kg). This package includes 1 x MEDIUM/LARGE KONG Rubber Tire. For Power Chewers try the KONG Extreme.
- Made in the USA using globally sourced materia
This chew toy is an interesting spin on the chew rings covered earlier as it combines treat dispensing, a staple of KONG toys, and the shape durability of chewing rings. It is also thick enough to give your larger German Shepherd an exciting challenge.
More importantly, it is durable enough to stand up to the result of challenging a GSD’s jaw. With over 14,000 people having bought and reviewed the product for their large-breed dogs, one can glean its quality through the product’s global average rating. The chew tire has a 4.6-star average, with its durability being rated 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Although this truly is a quality product with originality, my German Shepherd enjoyed the chew challenge but soon got bored (or tired) of it and found other toys more interesting.
Benebone Wishbone Dog Chew Toy
- DURABLE, LONG-LASTING – Super chewer? Bring it on. Benebones are tougher than real bones and last for weeks.
- REAL BACON! – We use only 100% REAL BACON for flavor. Trust us, dogs can tell the difference.
- EASY TO PICK UP AND CHEW – The Wishbone is curved for a paw-friendly grip so your pup can quickly grab it and get a good chew going. Think about it: dogs don’t
- USA MADE – We make and source everything in the USA.
- HAPPINESS, GUARANTEED – Have an issue? Want to chat? Reach out to us directly and you’ll get a real person whose sole job is to make you and your pup hap
Combining the challenge of multi-faceted chew toys and the familiarity of bones, the Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy will keep your adult GSD occupied. The product comes with authentic bacon flavor, which means it must be durable enough not to become food at first serving.
Fortunately, it is strong enough to stand up to the bite strength of a German Shepherd who has smelled bacon, which is why it currently has over 42,000 reviews, of which 77% place it at five stars, with another 11% giving it 4. Since reviewers also rate by feature, it is no surprise that the global average rating of the product’s sturdiness is 4.7 stars out of 5, making it one of the highest-rated in this category.
Pet Qwerks Zombie Barkbone
- BarkBone Nylon Zombie Dog Bones have a unique design with rounded ends and a full middle, making it easy for your dog to pick up and hold.
- Delicious bacon flavor infused to the core of every bone, releasing long lasting flavor & scent as your dog chews.
- Made with premium artisan nylon, these dog bones work best for determined & aggressive chewers. Pet Qwerk BarkBone chewing style varies by material, for moderate chewers look for BarkBones made of Wood.
- Keep your pups mind and body occupied with this delicious dog chew toy, helping curb destructive behavior while reducing stress & anxiety.
- The unique shape of the Zombie BarkBone helps your pet scrape plaque and tartar off their teeth, promoting healthy dental hygiene.
- All Zombie BarkBone Dog Chew Toys are sourced and proudly made in the U
This flavored chew toy is designed to entertain your German Shepherd more than to brush his teeth or keep your furniture safe. I like this emphasis on the dog’s needs. From flavor to interesting texture, the toy is a likely candidate to be your dog’s favorite.
It is made for aggressive chewers and is made from safe material, which, even if scraped and small particles accidentally swallowed, will pass through your dog like a ping pong ball through a hula hoop.
With over 11,000 reviews and ratings, this is a relatively underrated toy, which means you could be among the first to adopt it in your German Shepherd’s walking circle. Showing off a rare find to your friends can be quite fun, and introducing them to a chew toy that’ll help their dogs as well is even more rewarding. With its current 4.3 out of 5 stars average, the product is a safe bet for your aggressive chewer.
VANFINE Squeaky Dog Chew Toy
- USA BRAND & APPEARANCE PATENT:We have American trademark and product appearance patent certificates, dog squeaky toy, novel and unique design, perfect size suitable for dog chewing.Made of non-toxic, durable and eco-friendly rubber material, which is soft and elastic. Meanwhile, this toy is safe for your dog.
- SQUEAKY-LOVING TOY FOR DOGS: Squeaker dog toy is designed with built-in squeaker that creats fun sounds during chewing, making chewing more exciting for dogs.
- EXTREMELY DURABLE :This Dog Toy is made of extremely durable, all natural rubber to stand the most aggressive chewers. While no dog toys are truly indestructible, this one is top level.
- BEEF FLAVOR: We use only 100% real food ingredients for flavor and scent. this beef flavor doggy chew satisfies your dog’s natural chewing instincts.
- LIFETIME REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE: Dogs are sometimes unpredictable. This squeaky chew toy has been tested by German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Siberian huskies, Labrador, Golden retrievers,Pitbulls and many other power chewers in countless times.Thats why we can offer LifeTime Replacement Guarantee.There is something wrong with the squeaking toy, just click Contact Us and we will be happy to assist you with replacement or refu
This 6.5-inch chewing cube has a large enough surface area and a flexible enough interior to withstand a lot of chewing, making it almost indestructible. Like a lot of options on this list – this is also a flavored toy.
However, its shape is unique and patent-protected. But since anything from a fireproof matchstick to a bottomless bottle can be patented, the true measure of a product’s quality is its reviews. And going by over 2,500 reviewers who have given it a collective average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5, we can see that the interesting shape does hold merit.
Why Do German Shepherds Chew?
If your German Shepherd puppy is going through the teething stage of his development, it can be annoying to find anything from wood to plastic with bite marks! You may want to discipline your GSD to ensure he doesn’t chew on everything he can lay eyes on.
But chewing is healthy behavior, and preventing your dog from teething isn’t just unhealthy; it can also cause discomfort and pain. So, why do German Shepherds chew?
German Shepherds chew to ease gum pain that comes with teeth development during the canine teething stage. During this, chewing helps ease gum discomfort because it involves applying pressure. Grown GSDs chew to alleviate separation anxiety, boredom, general nervousness, or a lack of exercise.
When your GSD chews on his chew toy or anything remotely portable, he is grabbing onto something he can securely hold. This comes with a sense of security and control that can be comforting when your dog experiences change in his environment, long periods in your absence, or even unpredictable internal changes (like sexual maturation).
Whether your German Shepherd is a puppy or an adult dog, the best way to get him to stop chewing on furniture is to discipline him by redirecting his behavior to an exciting chew toy instead.
Training your German Shepherd to stop him from chewing your things in the absence of chew toys is unintentionally cruel as it teaches him to live with gum pain or unpleasant feelings. Teaching your dog to divert his chew target is not only easier but is also more humane.
Are German Shepherds Heavy Chewers?
As you may have guessed, getting a toy for your GSD to chew on is more about him than you. And while you have considered the reasons for getting him a chew toy, you have not yet considered the durability of your dog’s chew toy. Here’s what you need to know:
German Shepherds are heavy chewers with an immense bite strength of 238 PSI (pounds per square inch). Their bite strength is greater than a pit bull, and they can easily destroy low-durability chew toys along with their sharp teeth. Therefore GSDs need high-durability or breed-specific chew toys.
Although German Shepherd behavior problems can be prevented in 90% of cases by sufficient structured exercise, they still need a good chew toy to sink their teeth into when they get bored.
It’s also important to have a range of chew toys to reduce habituation and encourage experimentation, as found in this study of the influence of toys in kennelled dogs.
Which Chew Toys Should I Pick?
When choosing chew toys for your German Shepherd, make sure the product is durable enough for his bite strength and interesting enough for his intellect. If you’re unsure where to start, choose a range of KONG chew toys, as there’s so much variety for all ages. They provide both mental and physical stimulation, are multifunctional, and are super long-lasting, even for the strongest of chewers.
If for some reason, you genuinely don’t like the KONG brand, I recommend the Nylabone X-Shaped Bone Chew Toy for both puppies and adults or the Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy for power-chewers.
Remember, chewing is an instinctive action that shouldn’t be discouraged among German Shepherds. Instead, it must be kindly redirected toward chew toys. The best chew toys can be durable and can even help clean your dog’s teeth while promoting positive oral hygiene.
