The classic tug-of-war toy is a staple in every dog’s toy box. Tugging games give your dog’s upper body a workout, let them play out their natural instincts safely, and stave off boredom.
With such a diverse range of dog toys on the market, though, picking out the best tug-of-war toys can be tricky. If you’d like to learn more about the best tug-of-war toys out there, check out these reviews of 10 of our favorites.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Mammoth Cotton-blend Rope Toy
Long-lasting
Suitable for heavy chewers
Suitable for both adults and puppies
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Best Value
Spunky Pup Rope Toy
Sturdy and durable
Lightweight
Inexpensive
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Premium Choice
West Paw Echo Collection Zwig Dog Toy
Soft on dogs’ teeth
Waterproof and can float
Durable for moderate chewers
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Best for Puppies
Nylabone Teethe n’ Tug Puppy Toy
Soft on puppy teeth
Vet-recommended
Easy to clean
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Frisco Rope Dog Toy
Durable
Colorful
Knots for extra grip
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The 9 Best Tug-of-War Dog Toys
The Mammoth Cotton-blend 5-knot Rope Toy is our pick for the best overall tug-of-war dog toy. The rope fibers in this toy floss your dog’s teeth while they chew, and the 100% cotton rope is designed to withstand determined chewers and rough play. This toy is most suitable for large and giant breeds, and it’s suitable for adult dogs and puppies.
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User reviews are largely positive. Many have commented that they’ve been impressed with the toy’s strength and durability. Others have mentioned that they find the toy too heavy, so smaller dogs may find it hard to pick up and carry. That said, some users shared photos of their small and medium-sized dogs having fun with the toy, so it really depends.
Pros
Long-lasting
Suitable for heavy chewers
Suitable for both adults and puppies
May benefit destructive chewers
Cons
May be too large and heavy for small dogs
This recycled rope toy by Spunky Pup is our best tug-of-war dog toy for the money. This toy is made in the US from recycled water bottles and can be recycled itself if your dog gets tired of it. Densely woven material helps to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean. It also floats, which makes it a great choice for play on both water and land, and comes in two size options—medium and large.
Long-lasting
Suitable for heavy chewers
Suitable for both adults and puppies
May benefit destructive chewers
- Long-lasting
- Suitable for heavy chewers
- Suitable for both adults and puppies
- May benefit destructive chewers
May be too large and heavy for small dogs
- May be too large and heavy for small dogs
There aren’t many user reviews for this product, but those that we found were mostly positive. The general consensus is that this rope toy is sturdy, durable, and lightweight enough for smaller breeds to carry around. Others found the toy a little too simple for the money. One user also mentioned that it was a little too long for puppies, but the light weight of the toy balanced this out.
Pros
Sturdy and durable
Lightweight
Inexpensive
Eco-friendly
Helps maintain dental health
Cons
May be too long for puppies
The design may be too simple for some
If you don’t mind splashing out a little on your pooch, the West Paw Echo Collection Zwig Dog Toy is our premium pick on this occasion. Though on the pricey side, we like that this toy is designed to be soft on your dog’s teeth with bendy material and has the bounce factor for extra fun. It’s also waterproof and floats, so it’s a good choice for outdoor and water play.
Sturdy and durable
Lightweight
Inexpensive
Eco-friendly
Helps maintain dental health
- Sturdy and durable
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Eco-friendly
- Helps maintain dental health
May be too long for puppies
The design may be too simple for some
- May be too long for puppies
- The design may be too simple for some
Quite a few happy customers have been commenting that the toy stands up well to persistent chewing and that they appreciate how gentle it is on their dog’s teeth. Those less impressed with the toy commented that their dog managed to chew through it pretty quickly, so it may not be the best option for heavy chewers.
Pros
Soft on dogs’ teeth
Waterproof and can float
Durable for moderate chewers
Three color choices
Cons
Not suitable for heavy chewers
Expensive
We recommend this Nylabone Teethe n’ Tug puppy toy for teething puppies. With its ridged texture, it’s designed to go easy on puppy teeth while discouraging destructive chewing and easing anxiety and boredom. This toy is also vet-recommended—which adds an extra layer of reassurance—and allows your puppy to act on their natural urge to chew in a safe manner.
Soft on dogs’ teeth
Waterproof and can float
Durable for moderate chewers
Three color choices
- Soft on dogs’ teeth
- Waterproof and can float
- Durable for moderate chewers
- Three color choices
Not suitable for heavy chewers
Expensive
- Not suitable for heavy chewers
- Expensive
Bear in mind that this toy is for light chewers and may not stand up for long against adult dogs or pups that really go to town on their chew toys. A few users have commented on this, recommending the toy only for small breeds and small puppies. Other users were more than happy with the toy and appreciate how lightweight it is and how much their puppies enjoyed carrying it about with them everywhere!
Pros
Soft on puppy teeth
Vet-recommended
Easy to clean
Lightweight and easy to carry
Cons
Too soft for adult dogs or determined puppies
- Frisco Rope with 5 Knots Dog Toy Check Latest Price
Dimensions: 35 x 2 x 2 inches
Most suitable for: Large and giant breeds
Toy feature: Exercise
Lifestage: Adult, puppies
Soft on puppy teeth
Vet-recommended
Easy to clean
Lightweight and easy to carry
- Soft on puppy teeth
- Vet-recommended
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Too soft for adult dogs or determined puppies
- Too soft for adult dogs or determined puppies
Many users have left glowing reviews sharing how much their dogs love this tug toy and that they find it durable and perfect for both indoor and outdoor play. We also spotted smaller breeds playing with it in user photos, so it may work for some small dogs, but be a bit too heavy for others. Some users found that the ends of the rope were easy to shed so got a little messy, and others mention that their dog chewed through it quickly. This toy is not recommended for heavy chewers.
Pros
Durable
Colorful
Knots for extra grip
A good choice for large breeds
Cons
Not recommended for heavy chewers
Ends may leave a mess when chewed
May be too big for smaller breeds
For your tough chewer, you might want to give the Chuckit! Ultra Duo Tug Tough Dog Toy. This one is a little different from our other picks, as it comes with two balls on either side of the nylon handle. Though it’s a tug toy, it can double up as a fetch toy and the handle makes it easy to toss and launch. Its fluorescent colors also get the thumbs up as this could be really useful, especially if you have a big yard or your dog likes to play in the evenings.
Durable
Colorful
Knots for extra grip
A good choice for large breeds
- Durable
- Colorful
- Knots for extra grip
- A good choice for large breeds
Not recommended for heavy chewers
Ends may leave a mess when chewed
May be too big for smaller breeds
- Not recommended for heavy chewers
- Ends may leave a mess when chewed
- May be too big for smaller breeds
According to user reviews, it seems that a whole lot of pooches enjoyed playing tug-of-war with this toy, and their humans were impressed by its length and durability and that it can be used in a variety of games. Others mentioned that their dogs managed to chew through it or chew the balls off, so it’s always best to supervise play to keep things under control. There are two sizes available—medium and small.
Pros
Multipurpose
Fluorescent
Soft rubber edges
Two available sizes (medium and small)
Cons
Determined chewers may be able to break the handle
Don’t be fooled by this toy’s soft appearance—it’s made with multiple layers of material with seven seams to toughen it up. The squeakers are inside safety pockets for extra reassurance in case your dog does manage to chew them out. It can be used to play tug-of-war and fetch and is designed to be kind to the teeth and gums. It also floats, so it’s a good choice for dogs that love water.
Multipurpose
Fluorescent
Soft rubber edges
Two available sizes (medium and small)
- Multipurpose
- Fluorescent
- Soft rubber edges
- Two available sizes (medium and small)
Determined chewers may be able to break the handle
- Determined chewers may be able to break the handle
According to a lot of users, the Tuffy’s ultimate Tug-O-War Squeaky Plush Toy has been a hit with pooches and their humans, who have appreciated how easy it is to grip and how long it lasts—in most cases. We say that because it wasn’t tough enough for every dog’s jaws, and some determined chewers managed to tear through the seams. If your dog is a moderate chewer, though, this toy may be a decent choice.
Pros
7 seams and multi-layered for durability
Can float
Squeakers inside safety pockets
Easy to grip
Suitable for moderate chewers
Cons
Not recommended for heavy chewers
Noisy
This Dogzilla Monster Tug Dog Toy has an extra special feature—it’s vanilla scented! Made of durable rubber, it was designed to withstand power chewers’ jaws and give you a better grip when playing. Another major bonus is that its bumpiness may be beneficial to your dog’s dental health. It can be used in a game of tug-of-war or given to your dog to chew on in their downtime.
7 seams and multi-layered for durability
Can float
Squeakers inside safety pockets
Easy to grip
Suitable for moderate chewers
- 7 seams and multi-layered for durability
- Can float
- Squeakers inside safety pockets
- Easy to grip
- Suitable for moderate chewers
Not recommended for heavy chewers
Noisy
- Not recommended for heavy chewers
- Noisy
That said, some users caution against offering it as a chew toy, as their dogs managed to chew through it when it was offered for this purpose. However, others have mentioned that the toy has worked well for them as a chew toy and for dual play with two dogs at the same time.
Pros
Made of durable rubber
Can be used as a solo chew toy or tug-of-war toy
Bumpy texture may benefit dogs’ dental health
Easy to grip
Cons
May be too heavy for smaller dogs
Heavy chewers may be able to chew through it
Some tug toys can be too heavy and large for small breeds, so here we present to you the Chuckit! Ultra Tug Ball Tough Dog Toy designed specifically for little dogs. The ball is made of thick rubber for durability and there’s a 2-play nylon loop handle for you to hold onto. Those who can’t stand getting their hands dirty are sure to appreciate this handle as there’s no second ball on the other side to get slobbered up!
Made of durable rubber
Can be used as a solo chew toy or tug-of-war toy
Bumpy texture may benefit dogs’ dental health
Easy to grip
- Made of durable rubber
- Can be used as a solo chew toy or tug-of-war toy
- Bumpy texture may benefit dogs’ dental health
- Easy to grip
May be too heavy for smaller dogs
Heavy chewers may be able to chew through it
- May be too heavy for smaller dogs
- Heavy chewers may be able to chew through it
Like Chuckit’s other designs, it’s fluorescent, so it’s less likely to get lost in your yard. It doubles up as a fetch toy and can also be used with launcher toys. Some dog parents who shared their thoughts on this toy commented that they liked the easy-grip handle and others mentioned that even their larger dogs haven’t managed to destroy it yet!
Some users were less impressed, though, commenting that the toy frayed easily and the color faded, making it hard to find after a while.
Pros
A good option for small dogs
Can be used for tugging games and fetch
Easy-grip handle
Durable
Cons
May become frayed
The color may fade with time
A good option for small dogs
Can be used for tugging games and fetch
Easy-grip handle
Durable
- A good option for small dogs
- Can be used for tugging games and fetch
- Easy-grip handle
- Durable
May become frayed
The color may fade with time
- May become frayed
- The color may fade with time
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Tug-of-War Dog Toy
When you’re picking out a dog toy for the purpose of tugging games, it’s better to go for a product that’s more likely to last—even if it costs a little more—as this will save you money down the line. To maximize your chances of getting a toy that lasts, the first thing to consider is whether or not the toy you’re looking into is suitable for your dog’s breed, size, and chewing habits.
Some breeds are heavier chewers than others. For example, Labradors and Jack Russells are known for being pretty determined chewers because they’re such active breeds with a lot of energy to work out. By contrast, other breeds, like the Mini Schnauzer and Chihuahua, are lighter chewers.
If you have a heavy chewer on your hands, you’ll want to go for something built to withstand the amount of chewing it will receive. On the other hand, a lighter chewer may do just fine with a more standard tug toy.
It’s also prudent to take into account your dog’s size. For example, some tug toys featuring balls may be too large for a dog with a smaller mouth. Likewise, a short rope toy may not be the best choice for a large dog with bigger jaws.
- Related Read: 10 DIY Dog Rope Toy Plans (Cheap & Easy)
Conclusion
To recap, our best overall tug-of-war dog toy is the Mammoth cotton-blend 5-knot rope toy, which we like for its strength and suitability for heavy chewers. Our best value recommendation is the simple, eco-friendly rope toy by Spunky Pup, and our premium choice is the expensive but flexible and gentle West Paw Zwig toy. We hope that our reviews have helped to ready you for your next human vs hound tug-of-war showdown!
Featured Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock
