The 8 Best Staffy Toys Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024 

Shopping for the best dog toys might just be the most fun part of providing for your canine companion. However, when it comes to power-chewing breeds like APBTs or Staffordshire Bull Terriers, the story can get a bit more complicated. 

These breeds have powerful jaws that destroy flimsy toys with minimal effort. But we don't want to be wasting money on toys destined to be ripped to shreds within seconds. Not to worry, though, this guide is here to help you find the best Staffy toys available.

To provide you with everything you need to know, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviour experts and Staffy parents to research the toughest Staffy toys Australia offers. After months of research and many, many dog toys later, we were finally able to agree on this list. Let's check it out!

Australia's Best Toys for a Staffies Reviewed

Let's start with the fun part of this guide! Let’s look through the best toys for Staffies available as selected by our team of independent experts. These are the toys our dogs loved and held up to countless rounds of vigorous playtime. We made sure to include different types of toys so you’ll surely find something that suits your canine companion’s preferences.

It shouldn’t be a big surprise that the Kong Classic comes first on this list. This toy has been around for more than 40 years, and the design hasn't changed in all that time. It’s one of the most durable toys out there, which makes it perfect for power-chewers like Staffies.

The KONG toy comes in different sizes. While an adult Staffy will need an L or larger, those toys are too big for a puppy. If you’re buying a toy for a younger dog, start with a smaller version first. You don’t want the toy to be too big - it should fit into your dog’s mouth, but not completely. That’s what makes it fun.

The thing everyone on our panel of experts loved most about the KONG is the fact that it’s made of natural rubber. That gives it an elastic but tough texture which is great for both teething pups and adult dogs, making it similar to our number two and number three choices ahead. 

Due to its material and shape, the toy bounces off unpredictably and encourages playtime. It kept my Staffy entertained for longer playtimes, and it's the toy he goes back to play with time and time again,

At the bottom, this toy features an opening that you can fill with treats or snacks. As it rolls on the floor, it will casually drop the treat for your Staffy to find. Alternatively, you can fill the opening with peanut butter and watch your pooch work for food. Luckily, this toy is also easy to clean. You can simply put it on the top rack of your dishwasher, and have it clean as new after a wash.

However, some of our Staffy parents noted that the red Classic Kong still did not withstand their superpower chewers and the black Extreme Kong's were a better, tougher match for their pooches.

Oral hygiene is important for dogs too, and it doesn’t necessarily need to revolve around toothbrushes. A good chew toy with toothbrush grooves can be just as effective. This option from Schitec is a great example of that.

This toy is shaped like a bone and features cleaning grooves on each side. Like with the KONG toy above, you can fill the grooves with dog toothpaste or peanut butter, and let your Staffy clean their teeth while they play and chew. The molar bumps are specially designed to massage gums and remove plaque. 

The toy itself is flavoured, which made it even more appealing to my dogs. The blue toy tastes like bacon, while the orange one is beef-flavoured. If your dog loves flavoured toys, be sure to keep reading and check out our number seven choice ahead, too.

Everyone on our team of independent experts appreciated how the toy is made of tear-resistant natural rubber, so it can withstand heavy chewing without a problem. When squeezed, the chew toy makes a loud squeaky sound through two built-in squeakers. This will surely attract your dog’s attention and entice more playtime.

To some dogs, balls are just one type of toy. To others, it’s the only thing they want to play with. But the humble tennis ball stands no chance against a power chewer. If that’s the case with your dog, then you should consider a set of balls, like this one by Chuckit!

These balls come in different sizes, ranging from S to XXL, so they’re suitable for Staffies of all ages. They’re also sold in multi-packs of two, three or four balls, which is especially useful if you have multiple dogs - or one that always seems to misplace their ball in the yard! 

Like our first two choices, these balls are made of natural rubber, so they can bounce pretty high. This encourages pooches to engage in fetch time, even without a ball launcher. And because they’re designed with bright blue and orange colours, I was also able to easily spot the balls, even in high grass.

The balls are rather lightweight and buoyant, so they’re suitable for playing fetch on any terrain, including water. But even though they’re light, they’re not soft or easily destroyable. Members of our team of independent experts also appreciated that the smooth rubber surface made them easy to clean with just a wipe.

All toys on this list are extremely durable, which is no surprise given the fact that Staffies can be destructive of their toys. But if you’re looking for something that’s practically indestructible, then our panel of experts say this toy by Monster K9 is worth considering.

Related: Best Chew Proof Dog Toys

This toy is made of industrial-strength natural rubber that even the most aggressive chewers can’t bite through. While it’s heavy-duty, I also like how this toy is still soft and flexible, so it was not hard on my dog’s gum and teeth.

The shape of this ball makes it great for both fetch and tug of war. With a diameter of 12 centimetres, it’s a bit larger than an average ball. This makes it easy for both you and your canine companion to grab onto it while playing.

Related: Best Indestructible Dog Toys

To prove this toy is indestructible, the manufacturer offers a full refund or a one-time replacement, no matter how long it has been since you’ve bought it. What’s even better, there’s no need to return the destroyed toy. While this toy does have a more expensive upfront cost, you can't go past that lifetime replacement guarantee! 

If your pooch is not a fan of rubber toys, then a rope might be a better option. And for big dogs, like Staffords and Pit Bulls, you’ll have to get them a really large one, like this rope toy by Blueisland.

This rope toy is 92 centimetres long and weighs about 700 grams. It features five knots, which made it easy for me to hold it while playing tug of war with my furry best friend.

While it’s not indestructible like the afforementioned toys on this list, this rope toy is quite durable and can withstand hard chewing. In case your pooch manages to destroy it, the manufacturer has got you covered, with either a refund or a replacement.

The rope is made of 100% natural cotton. The threads might appear thin, but they’re very tough and durable. And even if your dog manages to swallow it, don’t worry as they’re completely safe for dogs.

If you're like me and feel no toy can keep your pooch interested for too long, then you should consider getting an interactive toy. They’re designed to keep your dog’s mind stimulated and challenged, without removing fun from the equation. This toy by Outward Hound is a good example of such a toy.

This puzzle cube contains two balls inside and features multiple openings of different sizes through which your pooch can take them out. This toy can easily keep your dog occupied for a long time trying to figure out different ways to get the balls out.

The cube cage is made of TPE rubber, which is non-toxic and quite durable. You don’t have to worry about your Staffy accidentally chewing it through while trying to get the balls out. And speaking of balls, they’re different in both colour and size, to make it even more interesting for your pooch, which is similar to our number three product. They also squeak, to keep your dog entertained for longer.

I definitely loved that the toy is easy to clean. I was able to wash the balls like a regular tennis ball, while the rubber cage just required a quick rinse under warm water.

Some dogs turn every toy into a chew toy, whether it’s a ball, rope or even a frisbee. If that’s the case with your pooch as well, then you might as well buy a toy that’s specially designed for chewing purposes, like this one by Nylabone.

The whole idea behind this toy is that it not only looks like meat but tastes like it as well. This one, in particular, is bacon-flavoured, so there’s no doubt your canine companion will love to chew on it. It’s shaped like a bone and quite durable. But unlike real bone, it has no splinters that are potentially hazardous to your dog.

The toy has a textured surface that helps with cleaning teeth and controlling plaque buildup. It’s made of durable nylon that can endure heavy chewing. That makes this toy great for teething puppies. What’s more, chew toys can serve as a reward for good behaviour.

But while strong, our team of independent experts point out that this toy is by no means indestructible. For that reason, you should always supervise your pooch while playing with it. In case the toy gets damaged, you should take it away.

On average, a Stafford needs at least 70 minutes of exercise each day. But some pooches seem to be tireless. They could be playing fetch all day long, with an occasional snack and sleep breaks. If this sounds like your dog, then you need a proper fetch toy, like this Squeakstix by Kong.

The toy comes in two sizes. The smaller one is suitable for pups, while an adult Staffy will need a larger one. Our experts note that this rubber toy is a much safer alternative to wooden sticks that all dogs love to play with. It’s gentle on a dog’s gums and teeth, and can’t be destroyed by even the toughest of chewers out there.

The stick is extra long so that it can be used for a quick tug of war session. You can also flex and twist it, and it will bounce when it hits the ground. Furthermore, it makes squeaking noises when squeezed, which enticed my dog into more play.

How I Choose the Right Toy for My Staffy

Now that we have shown you the best toys for Staffies we have found in Australia, it’s probably a good idea to talk a bit about things to look for in dog toys. How does a pet parent know which toy to buy for their pooch?

Well, there is always some trial and error involved in such decisions, but our team of independent experts recommend considering these points to help you pick the right toy:

Type & Function

Browsing dog toys aimlessly can be a fun experience, but if you don’t know what you are looking for, you might end up making some pointless purchases. Yes, that giant stuffed unicorn looks so cute, but is it really what your dog needs? Probably not.

Now, as you surely know, every dog is an individual and they have their own personalities. Not every dog will like the same things or want to play with the same toys, even among Staffies. If you don’t know where to start, it’s a good idea to have a couple of different kinds of toys to offer to your dog.

These four types of toys could be a good starting point for every pet parent’s toy arsenal:

Having different kinds of toys will help keep your dog entertained at all times, which can, in turn, prevent destructive behaviour [1]. Variety is the spice of life, as they say, but some toys can also perform multiple functions. Some balls and toys like the KONG, for example, can act as a chew toy, a fetch toy, and an interactive toy when stuffed with treats.

In short, you want to look for toys that have the right materials and are made for the kind of play your dog will be doing. A very soft ball is not a good chew toy, for example, although it might be good for playing fetch. This is because dogs can chew overly soft toys apart way too easily and end up ingesting the pieces.

Since it’s very difficult to determine what exactly is in a synthetic dog toy and whether it is good for dogs, it’s probably best to stick with manufacturers that are well-known and have a good reputation [4].

My Final Verdict

The best toy for Staffies? In the end, it will depend on what your dog likes to do. Everyone on our panel of indpendent experts agreed that the KONG is always a good option because it’s an awesome multi-functional toy. Almost every dog will like playing with it at least in one way, be it playing fetch, using it as a chew toy, or as a treat toy.

We also think that a good alternative, especially if you are looking for chew toys, is the SCHITEC Dog Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers which was specifically designed to help with maintaining good dental health.

References

1. Berger, J. April 27, 2023. "How To Keep Your Dog From Chewing And Scratching Everything".  PetMD. Retrieved January 7, 2024. https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/how-to-stop-dogs-from-chewing-and-scratching-everything
2. Schade, V. November 8, 2018. “Dog-Tested, Trainer-Approved Dog Toys”. PetMD. Retrieved January 7, 2024. https://www.petmd.com/dog/training/dog-tested-trainer-approved-dog-toys
3. Bratskeir, K. September 4, 2019. “Are Plastic Dog Toys Harming Your Pet?”. HuffPost. Retrieved January 7, 2024. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/no-plastic-dog-cat-toys_n_5d6a808ee4b0cdfe0570dbb3
4. RSPCA Australia. February 20, 2019. “Making playtime a good time for you and your pet”. Retrieved January 7, 2024.  https://www.rspca.org.au/blog/2019/making-playtime-good-time-you-and-your-pet