Best toys for a Great Dane
A Great Dane's sheer size and jaw strength rule out a lot of standard dog toys before you even get to what the dog might enjoy. The real starting point for this breed is durability and scale: a toy built for a medium-sized dog will not survive long, and a toy sized for a smaller dog is a genuine choking risk in a mouth this large.
Size and durability come first
Look specifically for toys marked as suitable for giant or extra-large breeds rather than simply the largest size offered on a general product, since some ranges cap out at large without genuinely accounting for a dog the size of a Great Dane. A toy that disappears whole into the mouth of a dog this size is not doing its job, however tough the material.
Reinforced rubber and heavy-duty rope toys tend to hold up better than plush or lightly stitched fabric ones, which a Great Dane can often destroy within a single session despite the breed's generally gentle reputation. Jaw strength scales with size, even in a breed not known for aggressive chewing.
What actually suits the breed's temperament
Despite their size, Great Danes are often a fairly low-energy breed as adults, sometimes called gentle giants for good reason, and many are content with a slower, more interactive toy rather than something built for high-intensity fetch. A large, durable tug toy or a big puzzle feeder can suit the breed's calmer temperament better than a ball designed for a much smaller, faster dog.
Great Dane puppies, on the other hand, go through a real chewing and teething phase and grow at a startling rate, so a puppy-appropriate toy that is still large enough to be safe is worth prioritising early, rather than buying an adult-sized toy from day one and hoping it works for both stages.
Sizing and safety
Always check the toy's stated size guidance against your dog's actual weight rather than assuming 'large' automatically means Great Dane-sized, since breed-size labelling varies a lot between manufacturers and ranges.
Supervise a new toy the first few times regardless of how tough it is marketed as, since even a well-reviewed durable toy can occasionally have a weak point that only shows up once a dog this size gets to work on it.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Remote-Controlled Jumping Ball Dog Toy
A self-rolling, light-up ball that jumps and rolls to keep dogs entertained. A paw-shaped remote sets three activity gears, so both small and large dogs can chase and play. Rechargeable and tough against chewing.
From£19.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs
A large inflatable ball too big for a dog to pick up, with a bite-resistant double-layer shell that slow-deflates if punctured, for high-drive chasing and nudging.
£23.99
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Durables Toy Crocodile
The crocodile from Red Dingo's Durables line: solid hardware, hard-wearing materials and a five-year manufacturer guarantee, which is rare enough to be the reason to buy.
£20.49
Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat
An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.
From£13.99
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo
A junior-sized Tuffy hippo built in bonded layers with webbed, multi-row stitched seams, light enough for smaller dogs and puppies, that floats and is machine washable.
£18.99
No-Stuffing Crinkle Plush Dog Toy
A cuddly stuffing-free plush lion with built-in crinkle and dual squeakers to keep small and medium dogs entertained. Less mess if chewed open, and the soft body is machine washable for easy cleaning.
£10.99
Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw
Meet the Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw — one of the toughest dog toys we stock. Tuffy build their toys in multiple bonded layers with several rows of stitching and protective webbing on the seams, so they stand up to serious chewers far better than an ordinary plush. They float, and they’re machine washable (air dry).
£13.99
Chase Buddy Boredom Busting Dog Toy
A sturdy chase toy for dogs left alone for short spells, redirecting the energy that turns into barking, pacing and chewed skirting boards into active play.
£23.99
Common questions
- Do Great Danes need extra-durable toys?
- Generally yes. Their jaw strength scales with their size, and toys built for medium or even large dogs can be destroyed quickly by a Great Dane, whatever the breed's usually gentle temperament suggests. Look specifically for giant-breed rated products where available.
- Are Great Danes high-energy dogs that need lots of toys?
- Not particularly. Many adult Great Danes are fairly low-energy and content with calmer, more interactive play than a working or sporting breed would need, though puppies go through a much more active chewing and exploring phase.
- What size toy is safe for a Great Dane?
- Check the manufacturer's stated size and breed guidance rather than assuming from the picture, since 'large' on one product's packaging can still be too small for a dog this size. A toy that could fit whole into the mouth is too small, regardless of the label.
- Should I buy different toys for a Great Dane puppy versus an adult?
- Yes, generally. Puppies need toys appropriate to their teething stage and current, smaller size, while a full adult Great Dane needs genuinely giant-breed rated, heavy-duty options. The two stages have quite different needs given how much the breed grows.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.