Toys for large and giant breed dogs
At a glance
| Best for | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Big-mouth fetch ball | Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball Dog Toy, Large |
| For tug and pounce | Jolly Pets Tug-n-Toss Dog Toy, Blueberry, 10-in |
| Right-sized chew | KONG Classic Dog Toy |
| Low-impact brain game | Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy, Large |
Size up. A toy should be too big to swallow or fit whole in your dog's mouth, and a small ball can choke a large dog.[3],[1]
Big dogs have big mouths, and that changes everything about toys. A ball that's perfect for a beagle can be a choking hazard for a Lab, a shepherd, or a Great Dane.
This guide covers how to size toys for large and giant breeds, which materials hold up without hurting teeth, how to play hard without straining big joints, what to know about growing large-breed puppies, and how to keep a big dog safe in the heat.
Picks follow how we pick. We may earn a commission from links (disclosure).
What size toy does a large dog need?
This is the most important rule in this guide. Balls that are too small can lodge in a dog's throat, and Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center warns that a small tennis ball could choke a large dog.[2],[1]
- Too big to swallow. A good toy is not small enough to swallow or fit whole into the mouth. For a ball, pick one your dog can carry easily but can't fit entirely in their mouth.[3],[2]
- Bigger dogs need wider balls. Larger breeds need a ball with a wider diameter. A ball that's fine for a small dog can be a choking risk for a big one.[2],[1]
- Chews go by the snout. AAHA says chews should be bigger than your dog's snout and slightly wider than their mouth.[4]
- Buy by weight, then check the inches. Many toys come in sizes by dog weight. If your dog is between sizes, or has an extra-large head for their weight, go up a size.
Tough enough, but kind to teeth
Big jaws put a lot of pressure on a toy, so it's tempting to buy the hardest thing on the shelf. Harder isn't safer, though. Very hard chews can break teeth, no matter how big the dog.[4]
- Do the thumbnail test. Press your thumbnail into the toy. If you can't leave a dent, it's too hard.[4]
- Skip the hard stuff. Bones, sticks, rocks, yak milk chews, antlers, and rawhides can damage or break teeth.[4]
- Reach for rubber. Soft rubber, nylon, or natural rubber toys are often a good choice. They flex, which helps reduce the risk of tooth damage.[2]
- Nothing is indestructible. Even the safest toys break down with enough pressure. Inspect them regularly for heavy wear.[3]
Big-body play: fetch, tug, and chase
Large dogs love to run, pounce, and pull. A little care with how you play keeps those big muscles and joints out of trouble.
- Keep it low. Don't let your dog leap up to catch a toy. Big leaps and twists often lead to injuries.[1]
- Let it land. Sprinting with sharp turns and sudden stops can cause injuries. Roll or toss the toy along the ground, and let it stop before your dog goes.[1]
- Watch the tongue. If your dog's tongue curls at the edges or gets wider at the tip, they're getting tired. Stop before their muscles are worn out.[1]
- Keep them lean. A healthy weight helps avoid over-stressing muscles, tendons, and ligaments.[1]
Growing large-breed puppies
Puppies' bones grow from growth plates, which are made of soft, rubbery cartilage. VCA vets say these plates can be injured by strenuous exercise. Big breeds take longer to mature, and giant breeds may not be ready for hard exercise until closer to 1½ years old.[6]
- Let them set the pace. Your puppy can run and play as they want. Just don't push them into strenuous exercise.[6]
- Save the big stuff for later. Wait until your puppy is mature before long jogs or hikes, jumping hurdles, or agility.[6]
- Swap distance for brain games. Short games of tug, a stuffed rubber toy, or a treat toy that makes them work for kibble can tire a puppy out without miles of running.
Joint-friendly play for giant breeds
Hip dysplasia is most common in large breed dogs. ACVS surgeons say keeping dogs with hip dysplasia very slim, from puppyhood on, is the most effective long-term way to manage it.[7]
- Choose steady over explosive. Leaping, twisting, and sprinting with sharp turns and sudden stops are the moves most linked to injuries. Favor short, low throws on soft grass, gentle tug, and sniffing games.[1]
- Mix in nose work. Throw a toy into tall grass now and then so your dog has to search for it. Using their nose tires them out without extra running.[1]
- Mind the floor. Play on grass, rugs, or carpet where a heavy dog can get good footing, rather than on slick floors.
Big dogs and hot days
Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, not sweating. In a Royal Veterinary College study, dogs that were big for their breed, including large or muscular dogs and overweight dogs, had almost one and a half times the heatstroke risk of smaller dogs of the same breed.[9],[8]
- Some big breeds run hotter. Compared with Labradors, the study found higher risk in Chow Chows, Dogue de Bordeaux, Greyhounds, and Golden Retrievers, among others.[8]
- Move play to cooler hours. Avoid vigorous exercise in hot weather, and make sure there's shade and water outside.[9],[8]
- Play calm on hot days. A frozen stuffed rubber toy or a treat toy indoors keeps a big dog busy without the running.
Our picks
Each pick below comes in a size made for big dogs, suits the kind of play in this guide, and has an honest drawback. None of them is indestructible. We don't rank by commission.
How does your dog see these toys?1 · Big-mouth fetch ball: an oversized ball that can't be swallowed
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball Dog Toy, Large
Why we picked it. A big, grooved ball with a rubber and foam core under a canvas cover. You can kick, roll, or toss it, and the Large is far too big for a large dog to swallow. It has over 2,000 ratings on Chewy.
Safety note
Honest drawback. Reviewers say heavy chewers can tear the seams and rubber panels within days to weeks.
2 · For tug and pounce: a big ball with a handle
Jolly Pets Tug-n-Toss Dog Toy, Blueberry, 10-in
Why we picked it. A 10-inch ball with a built-in handle, made of soft polyethylene. Big dogs can tug, pounce, and carry it, and it floats for water play.
Safety note
Honest drawback. Reviewers say determined chewers chew the handle corners off and put holes in the ball.
3 · Right-sized chew: a rubber chew toy in XL and XXL
KONG Classic Dog Toy
Why we picked it. The classic natural rubber KONG comes in X-Large (60 to 90 lb) and XX-Large (85 lb and up), so even giant breeds get a chew sized for their mouth. Stuff it, freeze it, and it's a calm job for hot or rest days. Top-rack dishwasher safe.
Safety note
Honest drawback. Some recent reviewers say newer KONGs wear out faster than older ones, and a few mention a chemical smell or white residue.
4 · Low-impact brain game: a large treat-dispensing wobbler
Starmark Treat Dispensing Bob-a-Lot Dog Toy, Large
Why we picked it. A weighted, wobbling treat toy for dogs over 20 pounds that holds up to 3 cups of kibble. Your dog noses it around to earn dinner, which is exercise for the brain rather than the joints.
Safety note
Honest drawback. Reviewers say it's loud on hard floors, can scuff floors and walls when a big dog bats it, and gets stuck under furniture.
Questions people ask
What size ball is safe for a large dog?
Pick a ball your dog can carry easily but can't fit whole in their mouth. Larger breeds need a ball with a wider diameter, and Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center warns that a small tennis ball could choke a large dog. Replace any ball that's cracked, torn, or coming apart.[2],[1]
How much should a large breed puppy exercise?
Let your puppy run and play as they want, but don't push them into strenuous exercise, which can injure their growth plates. VCA vets suggest waiting until your puppy is mature before long jogs or hikes, jumping hurdles, or agility; for giant breeds that may be closer to 1½ years.[6]
Are hard chews like antlers and bones safe for big dogs?
No. Bones, sticks, rocks, yak milk chews, antlers, and rawhides can damage or break teeth, no matter how big the dog. Press your thumbnail into a chew: if you can't leave a dent, it's too hard. Chews should also be bigger than your dog's snout and slightly wider than their mouth.[4]
Sources
Last reviewed Sep 29, 2026. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own dog.
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center, Playing ball safely
- PDSA, How to choose a safe ball for your dog
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Hidden Hazards: A Guide to the Potential Dangers of Pet Toys
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Don't Chew On This!
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) or "Bloat"
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Puppy Exercise
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Royal Veterinary College, VetCompass, Flat-faced dogs such as bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs at increased risk of heat stroke
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Heat Stroke in Dogs