Our Australian Shepherd, Olive, was part dog, part engineer. She didn’t just play with toys—she analyzed them, dismantled them, and occasionally humored us by not destroying them right away. If it squeaked, she hunted down the mechanism. If it had seams, she tested them. And if it was plush? Well… we hope you didn’t get attached.
If you’ve got a strong chewer or a dog in the working breed world—the herders, the swimmers, the cart-pullers, or just those with serious opinions and extra energy—this list is for you. Unfortunately, most of these dogs are too smart for their own good and too strong for bargain-bin squeaky toys. The good stuff is more expensive—but if it lasts longer than 20 minutes, you’re already ahead.
Some of these toys made it a week. A few made it a lifetime. Every single one earned a place on this list by surviving Olive—even if barely.
1. Sharlovy Cotton Rope Toy (Tug Style)
This rope toy didn’t meet its end through destruction—we retired it only after it got too grimy from use. It held up longer than most, especially through hours of tug sessions and sneak attacks.
Just a word of warning: if your dog is a tactical player like Olive, watch your hands. She’d slowly “readjust her grip” during tug, moving up the rope inch by inch until she was practically holding our hands. Then she’d take the whole thing for a victory shake, flop down like she’d earned it, and settle in to destroy it—I mean, chew on it lovingly.
We recommend the bright-colored versions made from 100% cotton. They’re soft on the mouth but durable in a true tug session. For an Aussie or similarly sized dog, the medium works well. If you want more space between your hands and your dog’s enthusiasm, the large is a solid choice.
2. Jolly Ball by Jolly Pets (Blueberry-Scented, 8″)
This was the toy. An 8-inch blueberry-scented Jolly Ball that Olive claimed in her puppy days and never let go of—literally or figuratively. It had its share of tooth marks but never deflated, despite years of her trying to figure out how to get her mouth around it. Instead, she’d herd it across the yard with her nose like it was misbehaving livestock.
It was very clear this was her ball. No one else was allowed to touch it unless invited. If you tried? You’d get a stern look, some vocal commentary, and then she’d take her ball and walk away. Rules were rules.
If your dog likes to herd, guard, or micromanage their belongings, this ball is a classic.
3. Kong Puppy & Kong Extreme (Treat-Filled Chew Time Champions)
Kongs are classics for a reason, especially if you have a smart dog who needs a job. Olive loved hers—especially when it involved peanut butter. She’d go into full puzzle-solving mode, flipping it, pawing it, and occasionally throwing it down just to shake something loose.
We started with the Kong Puppy, which is a little softer and great for early stages—but keep an eye on it. Olive was able to tear at the edges once she got older and more determined. After that, we upgraded to the Kong Extreme, which is tougher but still has that classic shape and just enough give to keep her interested.
Bonus: It’s fairly easy to clean, even after a full peanut butter mission.
4. Chuckit! Ultra Ball (for When the Dog Is Exercising You)
Fetch? Not exactly. Olive’s version of the game was: let the human throw it, she’ll find it, then wait for the human to come get it again. Occasionally, she’d carry it halfway back, but more often, she’d just look proud and let us do the retrieving. She exercised us.
Still, the Chuckit! Ultra Ball earned a spot for durability. It survived the yard, the river, and the occasional bush burial. Plus, it works with the Chuckit! Launcher, which helped save our arms when she did decide to play along.
If your dog likes to supervise more than participate, this ball might still make them happy—and you mildly sweaty.
5. Tuffy Stuffed Toys (Plush… with a Fighting Chance)
Most plush toys in our house were on borrowed time. Olive approached them like she was performing squeaker extractions for science. But the Tuffy brand animals held their own—sometimes for a couple of weeks, which in power-chewer time is practically a lifetime.
What made them worth the price? The look on her face when she got one. Olive would come over, plushie in mouth, smiling that big Aussie smile, and wiggling with joy. It was one of the few soft toys we felt good giving her—softer than rubber, fun to carry, and durable enough that we didn’t immediately go into squeaker-defusal mode. We still had to keep an eye on her, of course, but she got to enjoy her plush toys like any other happy pup.
For dogs like Olive—strong-jawed, clever, and still craving something soft—this toy was worth every penny.
Finding the right toy for a smart, strong-jawed dog isn’t easy—and it definitely isn’t cheap—but it’s worth it. These were Olive’s favorites, tested with enthusiasm, determination, and just enough mischief. Whether your dog herds, chews, or supervises from the shade, there’s something on this list that might just survive—and even spark a full-body wiggle of joy.
P.S. The links to the manufacturers are not affiliate links, nor do I get paid from them.
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These stories are so very entertaining. Your descriptions make it easy to visualize what you are describing and your word choices are perfect! Well done!
Thank you very much! You made my day!