Indestructible or easy-to-chew: what a kennel study reveals about dogs’ real toy preferences
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Does an indestructible toy actually get more use from a dog than one that wears out fast? A British study of kennel-housed dogs, testing several toy types and presentation methods, suggests the opposite of what many owners assume in the shop (see the study). Our comparisons are gathered in the dog toys and enrichment section.
The toughest toys, oddly, the least used
Anne Pullen, Rachel Merrill and John Bradshaw, of the University of Bristol, observed how kennel-housed dogs interacted with toys that varied in robustness and presentation. The result: the most robust toys — built to withstand the strongest jaws — drew little spontaneous interaction. Less durable toys, ones that could be dented by teeth or that made a noise, held the dogs’ attention for noticeably longer.
Hanging toys ignored by adult dogs
Another finding cuts against a common belief among breeders and boarding kennels: presenting a toy on a hanging line, meant to mimic prey and trigger a grabbing instinct, did not generate the expected interest among the adult kennel dogs in this study — even though earlier work had found strong engagement with this kind of presentation in young laboratory beagles. Age and rearing context appear to matter as much as the toy itself.
What this study does not show
The study covers kennel-housed dogs, a low-stimulation setting that does not necessarily reflect the life of a pet dog already surrounded by novelty day to day. Nor does it conclude that an indestructible toy is useless: for a dog that shreds everything in minutes, durability remains a safety criterion first, a spontaneous-preference criterion second. The number of dogs tested and the length of the observation sessions also limit how far these findings generalise to other kennels or shelters.
What it changes when choosing a toy
- For a shared play session, a toy that gives slightly under the teeth or squeaks holds attention better than a solid block of rubber, which is better saved for dogs that destroy everything — see our comparison of rope versus rubber toys.
- For solo occupation, a stuffable toy stays relevant regardless of how tough it is, since the interest then comes from the hidden treat rather than the toy alone — see our guide to the Kong-style stuffable toy.
- Presenting a toy on the floor rather than hanging seems to suit an adult dog better for spontaneous interaction according to this data, with hanging presentation staying mainly useful for targeted training with a puppy.
- Varying textures and sounds, adding scent to a toy if needed — see our article on scented toys and dog engagement — works better to sustain interest than stockpiling toys that all look the same.
Frequently asked questions
Should I avoid indestructible toys?
No: they remain essential for destructive dogs, but this study suggests not making durability the only criterion when trying to spark spontaneous play.
Is a squeaky toy really more interesting to a dog?
According to these observations, yes: toys able to make a noise held attention longer than silent, very durable ones.
Do these findings apply to a pet dog at home?
They were obtained in a kennel, a lower-stimulation setting than a home: the general trend — a preference for malleable, noisy toys — remains a useful pointer, without being an absolute rule. Find all our guides on the dog hub.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.