10 Best Toys for Australian Shepherds – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Anyone who owns or who has owned an Australian Shepherd knows that they are intelligent and require lots of exercise. Aussies, as they are affectionately called, love to have a job to do and enjoy keeping their minds alert with mental stimulation.

Aussie owners also know that a bored Aussie can be a destructive one. One way to combat such destruction and unwanted behaviors is through toys and interactive games. In this article, we’ll break down our top 10 picks of the best toys for Australian Shepherds so that your Aussie will stay in shape, both mentally and physically. We’ll explore each product review in detail to help you make the best purchasing decision for buying toys for your beloved Aussie.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Toys for Australian Shepherds

1. Chuckit! Classic Launcher Dog Toy – Best Overall

If you’re looking for something that’s fun for both you and your Aussie, look no further. The Chuckit! Classic Launcher Dog Toy makes it so dogs cannot resist chasing a ball. With the launcher, you can chuck the ball at incredible distances for your Aussie to retrieve.

This 26-inch launch arm comes with one 2.5-inch ball, but you can add more if needed. Thankfully, tennis balls fit into the launcher, too. The ergonomic handle makes playtime comfortable for you and gives your Aussie excellent exercise. With this launcher, you can throw the ball three times farther, and you don’t have to bend down to retrieve a slobbery ball. Simply press down on the ball and sling. The further it goes, the more exercise for your Aussie.

You may want to ensure you have plenty of tennis balls on hand because the fuzzy ball that comes with the launch arm does not hold up very well. However, you should be able to buy the Chuckit! Rubber balls separately, as they tend to last longer. Nonetheless, for the price and excellent exercise, we feel this toy is the best overall for Australian Shepherds.

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2. Starmark Fantastic DuraFoam Ball Tough Dog Toy – Best Value

The Starmark Fantastic DuraFoam Ball Tough Dog Toy is a foam ball that will provide adequate exercise for your Aussie. This versatile ball can be used in water, on land, or indoors. Plus, it’s lightweight, making it fly far distances. This ball is soft yet durable and has no cover that your Aussie can chew off. The soft foam is also gentle on teeth and gums.

This ball comes in medium or large sizes with a wide variety of colors. When you order, you pick the size, but the color might be a surprise when it arrives. The medium ball is 2.5 inches in diameter, and the large is 3.5 inches.

This ball may not hold up long if you have a powerful chewer, so be sure to check the ball for any pieces that fall to ensure your Aussie’s safety. The ball may be harder than anticipated, but for the price, we feel this ball is the best Australian Shepherd toy for the money. 

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3. KONG Extreme Goodie Bone Dog Toy – Premium Choice

KONG Extreme Goodie Bone Dog Toy is a tough and durable toy suitable for the strongest chewers. It’s gentle on teeth and gums and vet-recommended. It’s made of solid rubber and comes in medium or large sizes.

This Kong bone has openings in the four corners that you can stuff with your Aussie’s favorite treats that provide mental stimulation as your Aussie tries to get the goodies out.

It doesn’t seem to hold up very well for extreme chewers, and treats may get trapped inside the corners. If this happens, try soaking the bone in warm water to loosen any trapped food particles. You can also use mild dish soap to help with removing stuck treats. This toy is a little expensive, but it holds up well for the most part.

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4. KONG Puppy Dog Toy – Best for Puppies

Kong is known for its durable toys, and the KONG Puppy Dog Toy provides the utmost durability. This particular Kong is made specifically for puppies, and it doubles as a teething toy and exercise toy. Your pup can chew on this Kong till its little heart is content, or you can throw it for a fun game of fetch. The ball has an unpredictable bounce, making playtime even more fun for both you and your Aussie puppy. You can also stuff the Kong with treats or peanut butter that will give your new puppy mental stimulation.

Please note that if you give your pup peanut butter, ensure it is free from the ingredient xylitol, as this sugar substitute is extremely toxic to dogs.

While the Kong is durable, it’s not indestructible, so be sure to monitor your pup while chewing. It may not hold up to strong chewers, so be sure to order the appropriate size. This Kong comes in extra-small, small, and medium sizes in either pink or blue.

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5. Frisco Rope with 5 Knots Dog Toy

The Frisco Rope with 5 Knots Dog Toy provides a fun game of fetch or tug-of-war. It’s made of a cotton-poly blend, and the added knots make it easy for you to grip while playing with your Aussie. It can be used for play either indoors or outdoors, and it’s specifically made for large-breed dogs.

If you have a heavy chewer, this toy will not suffice because any swallowed string could cause intestinal blockage. You’ll also need to supervise your Aussie while playing with this toy to ensure it doesn’t swallow any strings. It’s also wise to put this toy away while you’re not at home.

The rope is 35 inches long, making it perfect for getting involved during their play session. A downfall is that the knots may unravel easily. 

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6. TRIXIE Activity Flip Board Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy

Since Aussies are intelligent and curious dogs, the TRIXIE Activity Flip Board Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy is an excellent toy that provides mental stimulation. Your Aussie will be rewarded with treats for correctly opening the compartments. The non-slip rubber feet keep the toy in place during playtime, and it’s even dishwasher safe.

This toy will challenge your Aussie, as the cones cannot be knocked over but rather lifted for the ultimate test. You can change up where you place the treats each time to challenge your Aussie even more. You’ll have fun, too, as you watch your Aussie play with this toy.

Some dogs may figure the toy out quickly, but it may prove more challenging for others. It may also break easily.

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7. ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide & Seek Plush Dog Toy, Log & Chipmunks

ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide & Seek Plush Dog Toy, Log & Chipmunks provides a fun game of hide-n-seek for your Aussie. This interactive comes with three cute chipmunks that you can hide within the plush log. You can hide one, two, or all three chipmunks for a challenge. This toy is made from fleece, and it’s machine washable. This hide-n-seek toy provides excellent mental stimulation that will entertain your Aussie for quite a while.

If you have a heavy chewer, you’ll want to steer clear of this one, as a heavy chewer will destroy this toy quickly. If your Aussie loves to exercise its brain, this toy is perfect. 

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8. Benebone Bacon Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy

What dog doesn’t like bacon? The flavor on this bone makes this toy excellent for the Aussie. The ergonomic design ensures your Aussie can get a good grip while chewing, and real bacon is infused throughout the toy so that your Aussie gets that wonderful bacon flavor with each chew session.

This toy comes in handy for training purposes because it helps with destructive or unwanted behaviors. Your Aussie will stay entertained with this chew toy for quite a while, and it is affordable. It won’t stain carpets, but keep in mind this toy is not edible. If you see that your Aussie is tearing off chunks, discard them immediately.

Some Aussies may not be attracted to this toy, as all dogs are different. It’s made of nylon, so if you have an Aussie with poor dental hygiene, this toy should be avoided to protect the teeth.

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9. Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper Flying Disc

Aussies love to play Frisbee, making the Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper Flying Disc an exceptional form of exercise. The disc is made from soft rubber and multi-layered nylon, making catching the Frisbee much more comfortable for your Aussie. The disc has a bright color, and it’s easy for your Aussie to stay focused during playtime. You can use this Frisbee in water because it floats.

A fun surprise is you won’t know which bright color you’ll receive, but rest assured it will be bright. The Frisbee is 9 inches in diameter. You can purchase a single pack, two-pack, or five-packs of discs.

A downfall is that the disc may not last long, and your Aussie’s teeth may puncture the fabric with ease.

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10. As Seen On TV Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Dog Toy

The As Seen On TV Wobble Wag Giggle Ball Dog Toy will make you giggle while your Aussie plays. This ball makes a “giggle” sound, which will pique your Aussie’s interest and provoke playtime. The three holes in the ball let out funny sounds while your Aussie plays without the need for batteries. It’s made of flexible and durable vinyl, and your Aussie will stay fit with this fun toy.

It’s perfect for chewers and suitable for all dog sizes. As we’ve stated, not all toys are indestructible, and this toy is no exception. Some Aussies may plow through this toy quickly, and if you have a heavy chewer, you may end up disappointed.

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Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Toys for Australian Shepherds 

If you still have questions about what to look for in the perfect toy for your Aussie, don’t fret. Let’s take a look at things to keep an eye out for before purchasing.

Durability

We can’t emphasize this enough, but no dog toy is truly indestructible. When looking for a toy, you’ll want to keep your Aussie’s personality in mind. For example, is your Aussie a heavy chewer? Or is your Aussie more into play and not chewing?

If your Aussie is a heavy chewer, you’ll want to look for the toughest toy available and monitor your Aussie during playtime. If you see pieces chewed off, discard the toy pronto. This is especially true for rope toys. If strings from rope toys are swallowed, it could cause an intestinal blockage or obstruction.

Toy Material

This ties into your Aussie’s personality. If your Aussie is a heavy chewer, opt for a toy made of durable rubber or nylon. Kongs are exceptional choices for the destructible Aussie, and they usually last a long time. When it comes to choosing between rubber and nylon, opt for rubber for your heavy chewers because nylon can splinter and may cause intestinal problems if swallowed.

Toy Size

The size of the toy is important because you don’t want something that your Aussie can potentially swallow. Australian Shepherds are considered medium-sized breeds, and most toys will disclose what size a toy is suitable for. If the toy has holes, ensure that your Aussie’s jaw or tongue won’t get caught inside. Remember to always monitor playtime.

Play Style

You can choose between interactive toys, chew toys, puzzles, fetch toys, or all of the above. You know your Aussie the best, so it’s really up to you to decide what type of toy is best. If you and your Aussie like to play together, opt for something that’s both stimulating to your Aussie and fun for you, such as flying discs or the trusty Kong.

Conclusion

For the best overall toy for Australian Shepherds, the Chuckit! Classic Launcher Dog Toy provides exceptional exercise, is affordable, and is fun for both of you. It comes with a ball, but you can replace it with regular tennis balls if need be. For the best value, we recommend the Starmark Fantastic DuraFoam Ball Tough Dog Toy for its versatility, soft and durable material, and exercise potential.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our reviews of the top ten toys for Australian Shepherds, and we wish you and your Aussie many years of fun playtime.

• See Also: 11 Most Common Australian Shepherd Health Issues: Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQs

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Featured Image Credit: Kristyna Mrazkova, Shutterstock