A big dog with nothing to do can empty a room in an afternoon. The trouble is that most interactive toys are made for medium dogs, and a toy that is fine for a spaniel can be the wrong size for a Shepherd or a Lab. Size is the first thing to get right, and it matters more for a big dog than for any other.
Why size matters most for big dogs
A toy should be too big to swallow. That sounds obvious, but a ball that looks large in the photo can sit easily behind a big dog's back teeth. If a toy can fit fully inside your dog's mouth, it is too small for unsupervised play, and arguably too small for play at all.
A tennis ball is about 67 mm across, and it is a common reference. A sensible rule of thumb for a large breed is a ball bigger than that. When you shop, look for the actual diameter, not just the word large, and hold it up against your dog's mouth in your head before you buy.
Chasers and chewers need different toys
Big dogs split into two groups. Some chase: they want something to run after, catch and bring back. Others chew: they want to grind a toy down with their back teeth.
If your dog is a chaser, moving toys and balls are a good fit, as long as they are big enough. If your dog is a chewer, most interactive toys will not last, and a toy that breaks can leave pieces behind. Chewers are better served by a proper chew and by food puzzles that they work at rather than bite through.
Toys that suit a big chaser
A large self-rolling ball. A ball that moves on its own gives a big dog a real chase in a living room. Choose the largest size available, and read our guide to self-rolling dog balls for how they work.
A snuffle mat. Sniffing tires a big dog out without needing space. A larger mat spreads food out so there is more to find.
A heavy puzzle board. A wide board with a non slip base won't get pushed across the floor by a big paw.
A long rope for tug. Tug with you is one of the best outlets for a strong dog, and it builds a bond while it burns energy.
Rules that keep play safe
- Play together, especially with any toy that moves or has a battery inside.
- Put the toy away when the game is over, instead of leaving it on the floor.
- Check toys often, and throw away anything that is cracked or has pieces missing.
- Stop the game if your dog stops chasing and starts chewing.
- Don't leave a battery toy with your dog while you are out.
Signs your big dog needs more to do
Big dogs often show boredom in bigger ways. Watch for pacing, pushing their nose into your hand again and again, barking at nothing, chewing things that are not theirs, or a burst of wild running around the house in the evening. None of these mean you have a bad dog. They usually mean the day has had plenty of rest and not enough to think about.
A short game at the right time of day often fixes more than a longer walk. If you want to know what to look for, our guide on whether dogs get bored at home goes through the early signs.
Tiring a big dog out indoors
Big dogs often get plenty of walking and still aren't tired, because walking works the legs more than the brain. Ten minutes of searching for food, a short training session, or a game that makes them think does more to settle a large dog than an extra lap around the block. Our guide on how to tire out a dog without hours of walking has ideas that work well for big breeds.
What we suggest for bigger dogs
If your dog is a chaser, start with BorkBall Disco. At 80 mm (3.15 in) it is the largest ball we carry, noticeably bigger than a tennis ball. It rolls on its own, lights up, and starts again with a touch. Play together and put it away afterward, because it is built for chasing, not chewing.
For quieter time, BorkBrain Sniff is a 63.5 x 43.2 cm snuffle mat with room for a big nose, and BorkBrain Puzzle gives a thinker something to work out. For a big dog we point people to Disco first, because it is the largest. See all of them in the interactive dog balls collection.