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Tug-of-war is a favorite game for many dogs—and a round of it can be a workout for human and dog alike. Tug is physically and mentally stimulating, but not all dog tug toys are created equal—so we’re sharing Rover’s favorites.
When you play with your dog, you are tapping into deeply rooted genetic instincts to chase, pounce, bite, and shake prey, according to dog trainer Shoshi Parks, who has compiled three great rules for teaching your dog to play tug safely. You also want toys that will last a while and keep your dog interested. These six toys are Rover dog crew favorites for durability, physical and mental stimulation, and above all, fun.
- Best for Solo Play: XiaZ Tug-of-War Toy (Verified Review)
- Best for Dogs to Play Together: KONG Tug-of-War Toy for Dogs
- Best for Humans and Dogs to Play: Mammoth Flossy Rope Tug-of-War Dog Toy (Verified Review)
- Best Plush for Big Dogs: Outward Hound Invincibles (Verified Review)
- Best for Outdoor Use: West Paw Zwig
- Best for Large Dogs: Goughnuts Original and Maxx Tug
Best for Solo Play: XiaZ Tug-of-War Toy (Verified Review)
The XiaZ is a great twist on a classic dog tug toy—it lets a pup play tug without a human on the other end. The toy comes in three parts: a thick yellow rope with a carabiner that you’ll loop around your chosen anchor, a yellow bungee cord, and a replaceable orange rope toy for your dog to grab.
Pepper the Australian Cattle Dog Mix conducted an in-depth review of this versatile tug toy, and it gets dog paws and human thumbs way up.
Key Features:
- Durable and weather-resistant
- Includes carry bag for easy storage and transport
- Buckles make length adjustable
Best for Dogs To Play Together: KONG Tug-of-War Toy
As with all things KONG, this is one of the top dog toys we reach for when it’s time for a tug-of-war session. The two-loop design on this particular toy (KONG makes a variety of styles) is tailor-made for two dogs to play in tandem, but it also works great for human-dog play. There’s lots of room to keep fingers safe, and the rubber is easy to grip and hang on to. Though it’s not meant to be a chew toy, we’ve found it can stand up to some powerful chompers, too.
Key Features:
- 12.75″ long by 4.5″ wide
- “Control Flex” center prevents toy from snapping back
- Made from KONG rubber and top-rack dishwasher safe
Best for Humans and Dogs: Mammoth Flossy Rope Tug Toy (Verified Review)
This versatile woven and knotted rope is popular both as a dog tug toy and a chew. It comes in five sizes, from “mini” to “extra-large,” with the number of knots—and the durability—depending on the length. It’s comfortable on both human hands and dog mouths, and it can take a beating, though leaving it with your dog to shred will considerably shorten its lifespan.
Tug-toy test pup Pepper loves the larger size to wrestle with and then pin down and shred (that’s a multi-day affair). But they’re fantastic tug toys at any size, with great textures and a little bit of give.
Key Features:
- Bonus teeth-cleaning via threads as they tug
- Knots give extra texture for chewing and grip for tugging
- Made from 100% natural cotton
Best Plush Toy: Outward Hound Invincibles (Verified Review)
This stuffing-free plushie is versatile and, per Rover test pup and noted power chewer Skye the German Shepherd, surprisingly sturdy for a plush toy. Its size, shape, and enticing noises make it good for surprisingly long-lasting games—especially since its special squeakers are designed to keep on squeaking even after a puncture. It comes in three sizes to fit your pup’s style.
Key Features:
- Comes with three, six, or twelve squeakers
- Stuffing-free
- Double-stitched seams and two layers of fabric
Best Dog Tug Toy for Outdoor Use: West Paw Zwig
West Paw’s eco-friendly rubber dog toys have a well-earned rep as safe, durable, and appealing to dogs. The Zwig is a rubber stick toy that you and your dog can use for fetch and tug games. At just over a foot long, there’s plenty of space between your hands and your dog’s chompers while you play. The Montana-based company’s “Love It Guarantee” also means you can return or exchange any toy in the line once if something is amiss. Put it in the dishwasher to clean it.
Key Features:
- Big enough to keep your hands away from your dog’s mouth
- Floats in water
- Recyclable and dishwasher safe
Best Toy for Large Dogs: Goughnuts Original and Maxx
This Goughnuts tug toy is made to stand up to big, powerful teeth. The double ring invites another dog or a human to play along—your hands will have a good grip and some distance from your dog’s mouth. The wide ring prevents dogs from biting down on the toy with full force, and reviewers rave about the toy’s indestructibility in the face of German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and other big pups. Get the the Maxx size for dogs 60 to 120 pounds, or if your dog’s a bit smaller, the original for dogs 30 to 70 pounds.
Key Features:
- Comes in two sizes, for dogs 30–70 pounds or 60–120 pounds
- Lifetime warranty if your dog damages the toy
- Family-owned company, made in the U.S.
How We Chose
The dog tug toys featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized toys that can hold up to powerful play, with dog-safe materials and plenty of distance between human hands and pup teeth.
We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated dogs, who are never stingy with their feedback.