The best toys for a Jack Russell
A Jack Russell generally does better with tough, interactive toys than soft plush ones, because their strong jaws, high energy and hunting instinct make quick work of anything not built to handle real chewing and chasing. The toys that hold up longest tend to be the ones that also give them a job to do.
Why a Jack Russell's toys need to be tougher
Jack Russells were bred to work — originally for fox hunting — which shows up today as a terrier with real bite strength, a strong prey drive, and very little patience for a toy that squeaks once and falls apart. A soft plush toy aimed at a calmer breed often does not survive a first play session.
That same drive makes them excellent candidates for toys that reward problem-solving or a satisfying chase, rather than just something to carry around, because a bored Jack Russell with nothing to occupy that energy tends to find their own entertainment, which is not always something you want chewed.
What actually works
Durable rubber toys designed for strong chewers hold up far better than plush, and ones that can hide a treat inside add a problem-solving element that suits a breed this sharp and food-motivated. Rope toys designed for tugging give them a physical outlet that matches their strength without the toy disappearing in one sitting.
A flirt pole or a ball for genuine chase-and-catch play taps directly into their hunting instinct in a way that is far more satisfying for them than a toy that just sits there, and it is a good way to tire out a genuinely high-energy dog in a smaller space than a long walk would need.
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.
Kowloon All Senses Branch Bone Bacon
A 15cm bacon-scented rubber branch bone, for chewing, fetch and dental play
£4.19
Guru Distracto Pod Bone
Medium Guru suction treat pod for paste-based distraction on hard surfaces
£5.19
Kingdom Fruit Rope Dog Toy
A plush fruit-shaped rope toy with a squeaker in both the head and the body
£6.99
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
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
Durables Toy Crocodile
A crocodile dog toy from Red Dingo's Durables range: a 150g character toy for fetch, tug and carrying about, backed by Red Dingo's five-year guarantee.
£20.49
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo Dog Toy
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
Sportspet High Bounce Glow in the Dark Balls
Sportspet High Bounce glow in the dark dog balls: charge them in daylight and keep playing after the sun goes down.
From£4.99
Ancol Orva Puzzle Ring
A 30 x 3.5cm dog puzzle ring for treats or paste, with a built-in lick mat
£21.99
Common questions
- Why do Jack Russells destroy soft toys so quickly?
- Their strong jaws and terrier drive to grab, shake and dismantle things — traits bred in for hunting — mean a soft plush toy rarely survives long. Durable rubber or rope toys built for strong chewers are a better match for how they actually play.
- Are puzzle toys good for Jack Russells?
- Yes, very much so. They are a sharp, food-motivated breed, and a treat-dispensing puzzle toy gives them a problem to solve, which suits their intelligence and helps use up mental energy alongside physical exercise.
- What toys help with a Jack Russell's high prey drive?
- A flirt pole or a ball used for genuine chase-and-catch games taps into their hunting instinct directly and tends to be more satisfying for them than a static toy. Always supervise vigorous chase games and give them a clear 'drop' cue.
- How do I stop my Jack Russell chewing furniture instead of toys?
- Make sure they have durable, engaging toys readily available and enough exercise and mental stimulation through the day, since a bored, under-stimulated Jack Russell often redirects that energy onto whatever is nearby. Consistent redirection to an appropriate toy when you catch them chewing something else also helps over time.
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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.