Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Tabitha Henson
Veterinarian, DVM
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Tabitha Henson
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
With their happy smiles and tails that often seem stuck on a permanent wag cycle, it’s easy to see why Golden Retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in the world. While their friendly temperaments add to their appeal, their playfulness, and energy level guarantee that they’ll need to be matched with an owner willing to commit to daily exercise and play. A carefully curated selection of toys can make your Golden Retriever’s life far more exciting and yours much simpler when it comes to keeping your fun-loving pup entertained.
To help you sort through the seemingly endless dog toy options on the market, we’ve brought together reviews of what we think are the 10 best toys for Golden Retrievers this year. Whether you have a teething puppy or a Golden entering their golden years, there’s a toy on this list that just might become your dog’s new favorite!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
ChuckIt Classic Launcher
Easy to use
Works for all ages
Maximum exercise for your dog with minimal effort
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Mammoth 3 Knot Dog Rope Toy
Versatile
Multiple sizes and colors are available
Good for all ages
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ZippyPaws Burrow Dog Toy
Ideal for less active older Goldens
Provides mental stimulation
Machine washable
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Benebone Wishbone Toy
Unique, easy to grip design
Tasty bacon flavor
Won’t stain carpets
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Kong Classic Dog Toy
Versatile, can be used for fetch, chew, or mental enrichment
Flexible enough for gentle to moderate chewers
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The 10 Best Toys For Golden Retrievers
Our pick for the best overall toy for Golden Retrievers is the Chuckit Classic Ball Launcher! Classic Launcher. Playing fetch with a dog born and bred to retrieve might seem like the obvious choice but that doesn’t make it wrong. The Chuckit! Classic Launcher does all the work for you, allowing you to toss tennis balls much farther than you could on arm strength alone. It also helps ensure your arm won’t get tired before your Golden does! Best of all, you won’t have to pick up slimy tennis balls straight from your dog’s mouth by hand anymore. This toy works for Goldens of all ages and activity levels, although small puppies may struggle to pick up tennis balls until they grow a bit.
Type Of Toy: Fetch/Exercise
Materials: Plastic
Life Stage: All ages
Users of this product give it overwhelmingly positive reviews but do note that the included ball is not very durable and often splits or pops quickly. Luckily, the Chuckit can also be used with regular tennis balls. The only drawback is that tennis balls can be abrasive on your Golden’s teeth. It’s unlikely to do major damage during a game of fetch but do not let your Golden chew on the tennis ball excessively. This toy allows you to give your dog the maximum amount of exercise with minimal effort from you. Relax on a lawn chair and keep your Golden entertained at the same time!
Pros
Easy to use
Works for all ages
Maximum exercise for your dog with minimal effort
Cons
Included ball is not durable
Tennis balls can be abrasive on teeth
Supervised play
Our pick for the best toy for Golden Retrievers for the money is the Mammoth 3 Knot Dog Rope Toy. This toy is a great value not only because of the price but because of the versatility of the toy itself. Goldens of all ages will find something to love about this rope toy. It can serve as a chew toy, with the natural fibers of the cotton rope helping keep your pup’s teeth clean in the process. You can use it to play tug of war with your dog, offering a chance for you to bond and build your dog’s confidence. Or the rope toy can serve as a fetch object for indoor or outdoor retrieving sessions.
Easy to use
Works for all ages
Maximum exercise for your dog with minimal effort
- Easy to use
- Works for all ages
- Maximum exercise for your dog with minimal effort
Included ball is not durable
Tennis balls can be abrasive on teeth
Supervised play
- Included ball is not durable
- Tennis balls can be abrasive on teeth
- Supervised play
Type Of Toy: Tug, chew, fetch
Materials: Cotton rope
Life Stage: All ages
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The Mammoth Rope Toy comes in multiple sizes and colors. However, the toy may not be durable enough to withstand strong chewers and you should always supervise your dog to ensure they don’t ingest any pieces.
Pros
Versatile
Multiple sizes and colors are available
Good for all ages
Cons
Not durable enough for hard chewers
Dogs should be supervised when using
This interactive toy is a great option for older Golden Retrievers whose bodies aren’t as active as they used to be but who still enjoy playing to keep their minds sharp. The ZippyPaws Burrow Hide and Seek allows your pup to use their nose and their brains as they figure out how to extract the squeaky chipmunks hiding in the plush log.
Versatile
Multiple sizes and colors are available
Good for all ages
- Versatile
- Multiple sizes and colors are available
- Good for all ages
Not durable enough for hard chewers
Dogs should be supervised when using
- Not durable enough for hard chewers
- Dogs should be supervised when using
Type Of Toy: Puzzle/Interactive
Materials: Fleece
Life Stage: All ages
While you should still supervise your dog while playing with this toy, it’s ideal for keeping your pup busy if you need them out of the way for a while. It’s also machine-washable for easy cleaning. However, the ZippyPaws is not designed as a chew toy and isn’t a good choice for destructive dogs.
Pros
Ideal for less active older Goldens
Provides mental stimulation
Interactive for self-entertainment
Machine washable
Cons
The dog must be supervised during play
Not durable enough for destructive dogs
To get your Golden Retriever puppy through the height of teething, consider the Benebone Wishbone chew toy. This uniquely designed chew toy allows your puppy to get a good grip no matter which way they prefer to chew. Durable construction and tasty bacon flavoring keep your puppy busy and save your possessions from destruction at the same time. Unlike many chew bones, this one won’t stain your carpets during chewing either. For adult Goldens who still get the urge to chew, the Benebone gives them a safe way to exercise that desire.
Ideal for less active older Goldens
Provides mental stimulation
Interactive for self-entertainment
Machine washable
- Ideal for less active older Goldens
- Provides mental stimulation
- Interactive for self-entertainment
- Machine washable
The dog must be supervised during play
Not durable enough for destructive dogs
- The dog must be supervised during play
- Not durable enough for destructive dogs
Type Of Toy: Chew
Materials: Nylon
Life Stage: All ages
As with any chew toy, you should supervise your dog when using this product. Benebone is made in the USA and the company donates a portion of sales to animal welfare organizations. This bone is not edible and may not be suitable for strong, destructive chewers.
Pros
Unique, easy to grip design
Tasty bacon flavor
Won’t stain carpets
Cons
Not edible, supervise when chewing
Not suitable for destructive chewers
One of the most popular dog toys in existence, the Kong Classic Dog Toy offers your Golden Retriever hours of self-guided fun or humorous fetch sessions with you laughing as your dog tries to predict which way the Kong will bounce. Durable enough for gentle to moderate chewers, the Kong can also serve as a safe chew object. To keep your dog busy and their mind enriched, this toy can also be filled with treats or peanut butter, allowing your dog the chance to puzzle their way into extracting their tasty reward.
Unique, easy to grip design
Tasty bacon flavor
Won’t stain carpets
- Unique, easy to grip design
- Tasty bacon flavor
- Won’t stain carpets
Not edible, supervise when chewing
Not suitable for destructive chewers
- Not edible, supervise when chewing
- Not suitable for destructive chewers
Type Of Toy: Chew, exercise, puzzle
Materials: Rubber
Life Stage: All ages
If your dog is an extreme chewer, use caution to make sure they don’t destroy and swallow any pieces of the Kong. Some owners found their dogs weren’t interested in this toy, even with the addition of tasty fillings.
Pros
Versatile, can be used for fetch, chew, or mental enrichment
Flexible enough for gentle to moderate chewers
Cons
Not for strong chewers
Some dogs may not be interested
For the Golden Retriever who prefers a toy that works equally well for playtime and nap time, try the Frisco Flat Plush Squeaking Duck Dog Toy. This duck contains multiple squeakers to keep your pup’s interest during playtime. Not designed to serve as a chew toy, it will be easily torn apart by destructive dogs. On the plus side, unlike many plush toys, this one is stuffing-free so there will be less mess if your Golden does destroy it. The Frisco Duck is ideal for indoor games of fetch or for the Golden Retriever who just likes to carry something in their mouth all day. It’s also soft enough to serve as a bedtime companion for lonely puppies who miss their mom and littermates.
Versatile, can be used for fetch, chew, or mental enrichment
Flexible enough for gentle to moderate chewers
- Versatile, can be used for fetch, chew, or mental enrichment
- Flexible enough for gentle to moderate chewers
Not for strong chewers
Some dogs may not be interested
- Not for strong chewers
- Some dogs may not be interested
Type Of Toy: Fetch, Cuddle
Materials: Polyester
Life Stage: All ages
This toy won’t be a good pick for destructive dogs and the squeakers could be a choking or ingestion hazard as well.
Pros
No stuffing
Soft enough for cuddling
Squeakers help hold interest
Cons
Not durable for destructive dogs
Squeakers could be a choking hazard
For the Golden Retriever who’s all about balls all the time, consider the Kong Jumbler Football Dog Toy. This tough toy is actually two balls in one, with an enticing tennis ball trapped inside the durable rubber football shape. A squeaky element adds to the appeal of this ball as well. The Kong Jumbler is the perfect option for dogs who love to shake their “prey” once they catch it. This toy is a great outdoor plaything for you and your dog or for two dogs to play tug of war with.
No stuffing
Soft enough for cuddling
Squeakers help hold interest
- No stuffing
- Soft enough for cuddling
- Squeakers help hold interest
Not durable for destructive dogs
Squeakers could be a choking hazard
- Not durable for destructive dogs
- Squeakers could be a choking hazard
Type Of Toy: Fetch/Exercise, Chew
Materials: Rubber
Life Stage: All ages
Strong enough for hard chewers, this toy isn’t indestructible, but aggressive chewers should still be supervised closely.
Pros
Good for multiple dogs to play together
Durable
Functions as a fetch and chew toy
Cons
May not hold up to aggressive chewers
If your Golden Retriever is obsessed with sticks but you worry about the potential dangers of chewing them, the PetStages Dogwood Chew Toy might be just right for you! Made from real wood combined with a durable synthetic material, this toy has the look and feel of a stick but fewer possible hazards. Use the Dogwood chew for a rousing game of fetch (it floats on water too!) or supervise your pup as they gnaw away at their prize. Although labeled as a tough toy, owners of aggressive chewing dogs found that this product doesn’t hold up well. It’s also messy when it is chewed up, leaving splinters of “wood” in its wake.
Good for multiple dogs to play together
Durable
Functions as a fetch and chew toy
- Good for multiple dogs to play together
- Durable
- Functions as a fetch and chew toy
May not hold up to aggressive chewers
- May not hold up to aggressive chewers
Type Of Toy: Chew, fetch
Materials: Polypropylene, wood
Life Stage: All ages
Because it lacks any added flavor, this toy may truly only appeal to dogs who love sticks, as some dog owners found their pups weren’t interested.
Pros
Safer than chewing real sticks
Can also be used as a fetch object
Cons
Not durable enough for aggressive chewers
No added flavors
This toy won’t suit every Golden Retriever but for those who prefer to use their brains more than their teeth, the Trixie Activity Flip Board might be just the ticket. Designed to challenge your dog, this toy features multiple compartments where treats can be hidden, forcing your pup to solve the puzzle of how to reach them. The non-skid rim holds this toy steady as your dog plays and it’s also dishwasher-safe to easily clean off dirt and slobber.
Safer than chewing real sticks
Can also be used as a fetch object
- Safer than chewing real sticks
- Can also be used as a fetch object
Not durable enough for aggressive chewers
No added flavors
- Not durable enough for aggressive chewers
- No added flavors
Type Of Toy: Puzzle
Materials: Plastic
Life Stage: All ages
The Trixie Activity Board is easily chewed and is not a good choice for mouthy dogs. It also takes more mind power than muscle power so active Goldens will need another option to burn off energy.
Pros
Dishwasher-safe
Good for mental stimulation
Can be used by all ages
Cons
Not a good exercise toy
Easily chewed
For the Golden Retriever who loves to play fetch and loves the water, why not combine their two passions by purchasing the HyperPet Flippy Flopper Flying Disc? A soft fetch toy designed to fly like a Frisbee, the Flippy Flopper floats in water, allowing it to be used on land or lake.
Dishwasher-safe
Good for mental stimulation
Can be used by all ages
- Dishwasher-safe
- Good for mental stimulation
- Can be used by all ages
Not a good exercise toy
Easily chewed
- Not a good exercise toy
- Easily chewed
Type Of Toy: Fetch/Exercise, water
Materials: Nylon
Life Stage: All ages
Sturdy enough for outdoor use, this toy is not meant to be chewed and dogs should not play with it unsupervised. All ages of dogs will appreciate this toy and it’s made up to human kids’ toy standards so your children can safely enjoy playing with their pups too. This toy is also ideal to get future sporting dogs used to retrieving objects from the water. Available in multiple colors, this flying disc is easier on your pup’s mouth than a hard plastic Frisbee.
Pros
Floats in water
Safe for kids to play with
Gentler on dog’s mouth
Cons
Not designed to be chewed
Floats in water
Safe for kids to play with
Gentler on dog’s mouth
- Floats in water
- Safe for kids to play with
- Gentler on dog’s mouth
Not designed to be chewed
- Not designed to be chewed
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Toy For Golden Retrievers
Your Golden Retriever might be thrilled if you purchase every toy on our list but for those of you who need a little help narrowing down your options, we’ve come up with a few important points to consider.
How Old Is Your Golden Retriever?
While all the toys we listed could be used by any age dog, some will likely suit certain age groups better. Puppies, for example, may be more likely to destroy their toys than an older dog, even those not meant to be chewed. Older Goldens may get less use out of the more active toys like the Chuckit or the Flying Disc.
Is Your Golden Retriever a Strong Chewer?
Many of the toys we listed, even those designated as chew toys, are still vulnerable to destruction by aggressive chewers. Some dogs just can’t help but try to destroy their toys. If your Golden Retriever is a strong chewer, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t purchase toys for them but you will need to supervise them more carefully.
- See Also: 10 Best Indestructible Dog Toys: Reviews & Top Picks!
What Kind Of Play Time Are You Looking For?
Do you need a toy you can hand off to your dog and allow them to entertain themselves without help from you? A Kong or an activity board might be your best bet. Or are you searching for a toy you and your dog can play with together? Consider a ChuckIt or a rope tug toy. Maybe you’re planning to use playtime as a reward during training sessions. Something like a Kong Jumbler might do the trick. Do you want a toy that your kids can use to play with your dog? The HyperPet Flying Disc could be just what you’re looking for.
There’s not necessarily a wrong answer when it comes to picking a toy for your Golden Retriever but there are some toys that will fit certain dogs’ personalities and playstyles best.
Conclusion
As our best overall toy for Golden Retrievers, the ChuckIt Classic allows you to help your dog expend energy without needing to use much yourself. Our best toy for the money, the Mammoth Rope Tug, serves multiple play functions all in one reasonably priced object. No matter what style of play your dog prefers, you can find a toy that fits. Hopefully, our reviews of these 10 toys gave you some helpful guidance on your quest to find the perfect toy for your Golden Retriever.
See also:
- 10 Best Cordless Dog Clippers
- 10 Best Brushes for Maltipoos
- 10 Best Dog Bowls for Large Dogs
- 10 Best Chew Toys for Large Dogs
Featured Image Credit: Kashaeva Irina, Shutterstock
