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Bulldogs like toys they can chew, tug, chase and puzzle over, as long as the toy suits their size and strength.
Short bursts of play keep a bulldog active and occupied, but they overheat easily, so toys are a way to play at home when it is too hot or wet to go out. This page covers how to play, what to check on any toy, and five toys described from their Amazon listings (we have not tested them).
It is general information, not veterinary advice.
How To Play With A Bulldog
The AKC says Bulldogs need moderate exercise and that short walks suit them best, and that they handle heat poorly.
A Royal Veterinary College study found brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs at greater odds of heat-related illness, with exercise the main trigger. So keep play sessions short, play in a cool place, offer water, and stop if your dog is panting heavily or struggling to breathe.
- Fetch: throw a toy a short distance and let your dog bring it back. Choose a toy too big to fit entirely in the mouth.
- Hide and seek: let your dog sniff a favourite toy, hide it somewhere easy, and reward your dog when they find it.
- Tug: use a sturdy tug toy, let your dog win sometimes, and stop if your dog gets too excited.
What To Check On Any Toy
- Hardness: the VCA says toys should be soft enough to indent with a fingernail. Bones, hooves and other very hard toys can chip or fracture teeth.
- Size: go big. The VCA and AKC say a toy that fits fully in the mouth can choke a dog, and that balls for large dogs should be too big to swallow.
- Condition: take a toy away if your dog chews off chunks, and retire it once stuffing shows, rope frays or rubber breaks (VCA).
- Supervision: watch your dog with a new toy, especially a plush toy, a rope or a chew, and put toys away when you leave the house.
- Rotate: the AKC suggests putting each toy away once in a while so old toys seem new.
- Age: puppies’ teeth are still developing, so choose soft toys and ask your vet about teething.
5 Toys To Compare
KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy
KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy, LargeA natural rubber toy with a hollow centre you can stuff with kibble or treats, with an unpredictable bounce for fetch. Choose a size that cannot fit fully in your dog’s mouth.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a natural rubber toy with a hollow centre you can stuff with kibble, peanut butter or treats, with an erratic bounce for fetch, in a large size for large dogs. Choose the size so that it cannot fit fully in your dog’s mouth.
Goughnuts Dog Toy for Aggressive Chewers
Goughnuts Dog Toy for Aggressive ChewersA solid natural-rubber chew toy for heavy chewers, made to avoid chewed-off shreds. It comes in several sizes, so check the size for your dog’s weight.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a solid natural-rubber chew toy for heavy chewers, designed by a rubber chemist, and made to avoid chewed-off shreds. It is made in several sizes; check the size for your dog’s weight.
Nylabone Textured Knuckle Bone Power Chew, X-Large/Giant
Nylabone Textured Knuckle Bone Power Chew, X-Large/GiantA tough, flavour-infused nylon chew for strong chewers. Nylon can be very hard, so stop if your dog starts to break pieces off.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a tough nylon chew, flavour-infused throughout, made in New Jersey, for strong chewers. Nylon chews can be very hard, so test with the fingernail rule above and stop if your dog starts to break pieces off.
Bullibone Nylon Spin-a-Bone
Bullibone Nylon Spin-a-BoneA nylon chew with a spinning base and bacon flavour, sized for small and medium dogs, for supervised chewing. It is very hard, so watch for wear.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a nylon chew with a spinning base and bacon flavour, sized for small and medium dogs, for supervised chewing. It is the other very hard toy on this list, so apply the same fingernail test.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado PuzzleA level 2 puzzle about 25 cm across, where the dog turns rotating layers to reach hidden treats. Use it with supervision and count the treats in your dog’s daily food.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes an intermediate (level 2) puzzle, 9.8 inches (about 25 cm) across, where the dog moves rotating layers to reach hidden treats. Use it with supervision, and count the treats in your dog’s daily food.
Questions
- Should my bulldog have toys all the time? Leave out safe toys they enjoy, rotate them, and keep puzzle toys and treat toys for play sessions you can watch.
- Why do dogs rip up plush toys? Some dogs enjoy tearing toys apart. Supervise, take the toy away when stuffing or squeakers show, and keep toys that break easily for calm moments.
- What is safe to chew? Ask your vet. Chews that are very hard, break into pieces or are swallowed whole can hurt teeth or the gut.
Conclusion
Choose toys of the right size, hardness and durability for your bulldog, supervise play, and keep sessions short and cool. If your dog chews through toys quickly or has a problem with their teeth, ask your vet.
