English Bulldogs are quite the paradox. They can be really lazy and sleepy, but when they start playing, their energy levels spike up. They’re actually a very playful breed, especially when you play tug-o-war or give them chew toys.
Before you decide which play activity is best for your dog, check out the best toys for English Bulldogs.
Disclosure: We believe in transparency. The links within this article are affiliate links which means any purchases you make as a result of clicking them will result in us making a small commission. This does not affect the price nor does it influence the products we feature.
Table of Contents
Best Toys for English Bulldogs Comparison
- West Paw Zogoflex Qwizl Dog Puzzle Treat Toy
- Planet Dog Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
- KONG Dental Dog Toy
- KONG Goodie Bone Dog Toy
Picking a Toy for your English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are bred from ancestors that were trained to fight with bulls. Without going into details, English Bulldogs are born to gnaw and tear stuff. They are also a stubborn breed, which means that you’ll have to train them not to be greedy with their toys.
This is especially important for a multi-dog household. There are many different toys for English Bulldogs, but some toys are more suitable, while others are a big no-no.
Is the Toy Best for Your English Bulldog’s Health?
English Bulldogs are unlike other dogs who enjoy almost every kind of play out there. These dogs have flat faces, which means they are prone to breathing problems. It is also the reason why they rest a lot because they get exhausted easily. When playing with English Bulldogs, the toys have to be designed for medium-level energy instead of high energy. Examples of high-energy toys include frisbees, toy launchers, automatic toys that move around – basically anything that will make your dog run around for a long time.
When buying toys for English Bulldogs, you should consider balls so they can play fetch, but also chew them when they don’t feel like running. You can also buy tug toys because you can control the level of energy they will exert during playtime.
Is It Durable Enough for Your Bulldog’s Bite Pressure?
One thing is true about bulldogs. They have a really powerful bite. Luckily, their temperament is not as aggressive as other dogs breeds’. However, when they start playing, they can really get riled up and their bite gets more powerful.
Even when they’re not playing with you, like when they’re playing with a chew toy, they can still get really riled up when biting into their toys. This usually leads to broken toys in as little as thirty seconds. I’ve seen it and it really hurts your pocket. That’s why it is best to buy toys that are really durable and are built for dogs with powerful bites.
Is the Color Stimulating Enough for Your Dog?
Dogs have partial color blindness. They are completely colorblind, wherein they only see black, white, and shades of grey. They see different shades of specific tones. For example, dogs can see all colors, but some just stand out better than the rest. Because of this, some things don’t hold their attention because the color meshes in with the environment.
One example is green. It’s very prominent in their vision, which means that it’s not such a good choice for a toy. The best colors for dogs to play with are yellow, blue, and purple. You can buy any colored toy, but you’ll hold your dog’s attention more if you buy the toys that have the bright shades they see.
Does It Break Down Easily?
Because of your dog’s powerful bite, it is best to buy toys for English Bulldogs that don’t break into pieces. That is because your dog may swallow the broken pieces and they can cause an obstruction in their gastrointestinal tract. They will always poop smaller objects, but you should not risk them swallowing anything larger.
Is the Toy Toxin-Free?
Be wary of the toys you buys because dogs always play with their mouths. This means that they are always prone to contamination or poison. The toys you buy must be made from non-toxic, high-quality materials. Before buying a toy, check to see what it is made of and maybe ask the seller if it’s not stated on the label. The best thing to do, however, is to buy from a trusted brand that makes non-toxic toys for dogs.
What Is the Purpose of the Toy?
When buying toys, pet owners have two things in mind: entertaining their pets and training them. Stimulating toys fall under entertainment. These are puzzle toys or toys that dispense treats. Training toys include balls, tug toys, and chew toys.
When you buy a toy, make sure that you’re not just spoiling your dog (or yourself because your dog looks so cute with toys). Buy a toy for the purpose of training your dog to be a better pet. Toys are meant to stimulate them mentally and physically. They will drain your dog’s energy, the way walking does, and you’ll want to choose the ones that your English Bulldog will really enjoy.
How Much Is the Toy?
There are times that you may want to get the really cheap dog toy since you can always buy another one anyway, but think again. Investing in dog toys does not have to be heavy on your pocket. Dogs don’t get sick of toys that easily, especially once they’ve marked it with their scent. You just need to keep the toys away when it’s not play time so that they’ll always be excited when it’s time to take the toys out.
With that being said, you should invest in a good toy for your English Bulldog because as I said, they have powerful bites that can break toys easily. They are also prone to rashes so the toy must be free from toxic materials like low-quality dye and other harmful materials. You should simply invest in one or two toys that your English Bulldog can play with for a long time.
Best Chew Toys for English Bulldogs
West Paw Zogoflex Qwizl Dog Puzzle Treat Toy
This is like five toys in one. Not only is it a durable chew toy for your dog, it also works as a treat dispenser.
It has two treat pockets that you can stuff with dog treats like peanut butter, or dog gravy, or a piece of kibble. You can also use it to play fetch because its durable enough to throw. Lastly, because of its shape and size, you can play tug-o-war with your English Bulldog.
The material is BPA and lead-free, which makes it ideal for every dog. This way they won’t get any toxins in their body. It is also easy to clean because it is dishwasher safe. However, for those who don’t want to put the toy with the dishes, you can easily clean it by putting it under running water and washing it with dishwashing soap.
Lastly, it is available in three attractive colors that your English Bulldog will love – neon orange, purple, and green. It also comes in three sizes, which are ideal for both puppies and adults.
All in all, it’s a durable chew toy, stimulation toy, and training toy as well. The only issue with the toy is that it is not suitable for aggressive dogs who have sharp teeth like Dobermans, Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers, etc.
Planet Dog Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
The Bionic Ball is a unique toy because its treat-dispensing properties are enticing for English Bulldogs. The ball can be stuffed with treats and frozen so that your dog can play with it longer. Dogs also like ice, so the cool ball with be a great treat for them as well.
Since it’s also a ball, it’s ideal for fetch especially because it has unpredictable bounce effects. The ball is made with different openings that make each bounce different, which is definitely an entertaining feature for your dog. If you have a pool, the ball also floats so that your Bulldog can play with it while swimming.
It is made from FDA-approved Bionic Rubber, which means that it is BPA-free and lead-free as well. Although this is not the strongest toy of the bunch, it certainly is one of the most entertaining.
It can last for months with daily chewing, but it does need to be replaced if the ball starts to deteriorate. Luckily for you, it’s more affordable than its competition.
After considering all of its merits, it’s a great toy for English Bulldogs because of its many uses. It can last really long with supervised play as well.
KONG Dental Dog Toy
The KONG Dental Dog Toy is made from Kong’s trademark rubber material. It is one of the most popular brands because its durability is almost unmatched. There may be something stronger out there, but for now KONG makes other toys look like rawhide.
The Dental Dog Toy has multiple purposes as well, the most important one being a durable teeth cleaner for your dog. It has special grooves that are designed to clean your dog’s teeth. The chewing sensation stimulates the production of saliva that washes the food out of the teeth as well.
Aside from that, the Dental Dog Toy has ridges and openings that are ideal for peanut butter and solid treats. The toy can entertain your dog for hours and it can also be used to play fetch. Its distinct red color is attractive to dogs as well, when it’s not combined with a grassy backdrop.
In terms of durability, Kong takes the top spot. Most users attest that their dogs have been using it for months with minimal damage – even dogs who are super aggressive with their toys. It’s more expensive than other brands, especially if you want large-sized toys, but it sure is worth every penny because it lasts for a long time.
KONG Goodie Bone Dog Toy
The Goodie Bone Dog Toy is another one of Kong’s durable and stimulating toys. It is the best substitute for rawhide and real dog bones because of its durability. You can also put treats inside so that your dog can play with it and learn the joys of play rewards. It comes in different sizes, but the large size is better for your Bulldog.
The reason is that the Goodie Bone Dog Toy is best for training instead of chewing. Kong has other toys that are meant for heavy chewers. Just keep checking the toy to see if it has any cracks or breakage. The good thing about the Goodie Bone Dog Toy is that it is one of the more affordable models of Kong’s dog toys. You can buy more than one to make sure that your Bulldog gets the most out of the toy, but can still play with another one once it starts to degrade after a couple of months.
The Goodie Bone Dog Toy is ideally suited to keep a restless Bulldog at bay with the treat dispensing function. However, if you want a chew toy that lasts for months, maybe go for another model.
Summing Up
Because English Bulldogs go through toys like kibble, you have to choose wisely. The best toys for English Bulldogs have to be durable, nontoxic, and of course, fun to play with. Now, which one do you want for your English Bulldog?
