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The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler, is incredibly intelligent and born with an innate intelligence for herding. It is a strong, athletic, and agile dog with boundless energy. To use up that energy and keep your Blue Heeler happy, you’ll need some excellent toys, and to help you, we’ve listed the best of them below. Our Blue Heeler toy reviews will help you choose the best toy to keep your furry friend engaged and happy.

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The 10 Best Toys for Blue Heelers

1. Kong Classic Toy, Large – Best Overall

Blue Heelers love to chew and have a lot of energy, and they can chew for hours at a time. A classic Kong toy is ideal; it’s an all-natural rubber toy that’s incredibly durable for lots of chewing without breaking apart. The Kong also has a unique shape that bounces in odd ways when thrown for playing fetch. If your Blue Heeler likes toy puzzles with treats (and most do), you can stuff the classic Kong with goodies. In short, the classic King toy is the best overall toy for Blue Heelers and will satisfy their need to chew and their boundless energy.

Pros

• Extra durable for long-term chewing and play
• Empty the inside to stuff in treats and keep your pet busy
• Shown to relieve separation anxiety
• Made in the US with materials that are sourced globally
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Can get a little gross after a while

2. Nylabone Power Chew Dog Chew Ring – Best Value

The Nylabone Power Chew Dog Ring is our pick for the best toy for the money. It’s perfect for Blue Heelers that chew like mad all day and is made from super-durable nylon with a chicken flavoring. One thing about this large dog chew toy that’s different from others is that you can roll it along the ground or floor when playing fetch. It’s also perfect for your pet’s gums and teeth and will help them stay clean and healthy.

Pros

• Extremely durable for long-term play
• Chicken flavored
• Ridges and nubs help clean your dog’s teeth
• The unique shape is excellent for tug-of-war
• Helps reduce your pet’s anxiety

Cons

• “Natural” flavoring is concerning

3. Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2 with Lure – Premium Choice

For several reasons, the Flirt Pole V2 With Lure from Squishy Face Studio is our pick for the premium choice dog toy for your Blue Heeler. First, playing with your pet using the flirt pole is tons of fun, and most Blue Heelers love them. Second, it’s an excellent activity for your dog that will help them eliminate some of their pent-up energy. Depending on the tricks and commands you’re teaching your Blue Heeler, the flirt pole is also an excellent training tool. Lastly, this fantastic toy can be used with any size dog and even, dare we say it, cats.

Pros

• Excellent toy to get your Blue Heeler moving
• Comes with a bungee cord to prevent whiplash accidents
• Weighs less than 1 pound
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Takes two to play, a dog and its owner

4. Kong Puppy Goodie Bone

Another great Blue Heeler toy from Kong is the Goodie Bone, which is made especially for the little ones and gets our vote for “best for puppies.” Like human babies, your Blue Heeler puppy will go through a teething period, and the Goodie Bone from Kong will be a great relief. You can put it in the freezer to soothe your pup’s sore gums while they play and chew. Like the regular, classic Kong toy, you can stuff this one with treats that your Blue Heeler up can dig out for even more fun.

Pros

• Reduces gum inflammation caused by teething
• Made for puppies
• Comes in 2 colors, randomly shipped

Cons

• A somewhat boring toy if your pup doesn’t want to chew
• As an adult, your dog will need another toy

5. Tuffy’s Ocean Creatures Larry Lobster Squeaky Plush Dog Toy

Some Blue Heelers love to chew and play with squeaky toys but can rip through them in hours because of their strong teeth and jaws. That’s not the case with the Larry Lobster Squeaky Plush Dog Toy from Tuffy’s! This is one tough squeaky toy that’s made with multiple layers of bonded fabrics. Where most dog squeaky toys have a single seam, Tuffy’s toys have seven of them, and they use webbing around the edges to make them even stronger. The Larry Lobster can withstand your dog’s rough play and will soon become one of its favorite toys.

Pros

• Super-durable chew toy with squeaker
• Stuffed with non-toxic fibers
• Soft edges are safe for your pet’s gums

Cons

• Like most squeaker toys, it soon becomes slimy
• Relatively expensive

6. Mammoth Cotton Blend 5 Knot Dog Rope Toy

When is a rope not a rope? When it’s a fun tug-of-war toy for you and your Blue Heeler! This natural cotton rope toy comes with five large knots and is made from extra-heavy rope. That means you’ll have a great grip on one end while your Blue Heeler tugs on the other with ease. This toy can also be used for Blue Heeler puppies that are teething or going through their chewing phase.

Pros

• Made with 100% natural cotton
• Extra durable for long-term play
• Considerable rope thickness for a good grip
• Extra-large and long for larger dogs

Cons

• Not great if your Blue Heeler doesn’t like tug-of-war
• Will get dirty relatively fast from drool and dirt

7. Kong Classic Flyer Toy

Kong’s Classic Flyer toy is perfect for Blue Heelers since they love to run and can be taught to catch a frisbee. This toy is similar to a frisbee but much more durable, so it will last much longer without getting teeth marks and holes. It’s also flexible and soft so that it doesn’t hurt your pup’s gums or teeth. You can throw it as accurately as a frisbee, but it’s not designed for heavy chewers.

Pros

• Durable frisbee-like dog toy
• Flexible and soft for gum protection
• Pure rubber is non-toxic and safe for all

Cons

• Not meant for extensive chewing

8. Goughnuts Dog Toy for Aggressive Chewers

Like many dog breeds, Blue Heelers love to chew and do it quite aggressively. That means you need a durable toy for them to chew on, and there are few more durable than the Goughnuts. Heralded as the “last chew toy your dog will ever need,” the Goughnuts Dog Toy comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee. If it breaks, the company will send you a new one free of charge. The Goughnuts organization is also female-led and vet-recommended, and they do not produce small parts that can harm your pet.

Pros

• Incredibly durable chew toy
• Lifetime replacement warranty
• Comes in sizes for medium and large dogs
• Made to prevent pieces from coming off and being swallowed

9. Peteast Dog Splash Pad

While not a toy per se, the Splash Pad from Peteast will give your Blue heeler hours of squishy, splashy fun during warm weather. Since Blue heelers love the water, this will be a fantastic treat for your fur baby and a welcome respite from the summer heat. The water height is adjustable, and the plastic is BPA-free and 0.5 mm thick to resist punctures. Still, it’s best to clip your Blue Heeler’s nails before letting them play, just in case. The water fitting that connects the Splash Pad fits pipes without threads to make it an easy and quick set–up.

Pros

• Keeps your pup cool in summer
• Fun to use with your dog and the kids
• 100% safe materials used in manufacturing
• Easy to set up and use in minutes
• Puncture-proof rubber

Cons

• Uses a lot of water
• Not a great toy in winter

10. Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Tough Dog Toy

Every dog needs a tough rubber ball to chase after, especially high-energy Blue Heelers! These balls are from Chuckit! bounce extremely high, float in water, and are made with an extra-thick rubber core for extreme durability. They’re also made with a bright color so that if you throw them too far or they bounce wildly, you’ll be able to find them afterward. They come in a 2-pack, which is handy if your Blue Heeler is a heavy chewer.

Pros

• Durable rubber with extra-thick core
• Bright colors to find them easily while playing
• Great for heavy chewers who like to play fetch

Cons

• Some Blue Heelers will chew through them fast
• Relatively expensive, considering the size

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Toys for Blue Heelers

Blue Heelers are a breed with more energy than three dogs put together (depending on the breed) and need constant stimulation, exercise, and play. Choosing a good toy that will check all these boxes is critical if you want your pup to stay happy and healthy. To help you, below are a few factors to keep in mind when shopping for a toy for your Blue Heeler.

Toys for a Blue Heeler Must Be Durable

Blue Heelers take weak, poorly made tots and chew them to bits in days, sometimes even hours. That makes finding exceptionally durable toys a must because, if you don’t, they will be quickly destroyed by your pup.

Toys Should Cater to the Blue Heeler Herding and Chasing Instincts

Blue Heelers have been bred as cattle dogs for centuries and, because of that, instinctively herd and chase just about everything. When you get them a toy, you need to keep that in mind and get something they can chase.

Blue Heeler Toys Should Float

You’ll find that most Blue Heelers love to be around and in the water, whether at the lake, stream, or ocean. If that’s yours, purchasing toys that float is critical. It’s also a good idea to look for waterproof products.

Stitched Toys for Your Blue Heeler Should Be Well Made

Anything you purchase for your Blue Heeler to play with that’s stitched should be well-made, with extra heavy stitching, heavy-duty materials, and webbing to make them even stronger. If you get your Blue Heeler a low-quality stitched toy, they will destroy it and might also suffer injuries if they swallow the stuffing or other parts that they chew off.

Blue Heeler Toys Should Be Brightly Colored

Blue Heelers have a tendency to lose their toys, which makes purchasing bright, colorful toys a must. That way, when they do inevitably get lost, you’ll be able to find your pup’s favorite toys quickly and easily.

Conclusion

The best overall toy for your Blue Heeler is the Kong Classic; it’s a durable toy that caters to your dog’s instincts. For the best value, the Nylabone Power Chew is a fantastic choice and will give your Blue Heeler lots of chew time. Our premium choice goes to the Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole, which is fun for you and your Blue. Lastly, the Kong Puppy Goodie Bone is best for puppies and will also reduce their teething pain. Whichever dog toy you choose for your Blue Heeler, we hope they like it a lot, and you both have hours of fun playing, romping, and enjoying it together.

Featured Image Credit: Best dog photo, Shutterstock

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