Best Toys for a Border Collie
A Border Collie is bred to work, and a toy box built only for fetch will leave that brain understimulated even if the legs are tired. The toys worth having for this breed are the ones that ask for a decision — puzzles, foraging and controlled tugging — alongside the ordinary chew and fetch toys every dog uses.
Why fetch alone isn't enough
Collies were bred to read movement and respond to it, which is exactly why a thrown ball is so satisfying for them and why relying on it alone can leave a dog wound up rather than settled. Physical tiredness and mental tiredness aren't the same thing, and a Collie that's only ever run hard can still be restless in the evening.
Balancing a fetch session with something that makes the dog think — working out how to get a treat out of a puzzle, or following a scent trail across the garden — tends to produce a calmer dog afterwards than exercise alone.
Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats
Puzzle feeders that hide kibble or treats behind a sliding or lifting mechanism give a working breed something to solve rather than simply swallow, and they slow down a dog that eats too quickly as a side benefit.
A snuffle mat or scattering a meal across the lawn taps into the same scent-driven problem solving collies were bred for, and it's a cheap way to turn an ordinary meal into ten minutes of occupation.
Tug and fetch toys, used with rules
Rope tugs and fetch toys still matter for this breed, but a Collie tends to get more out of a game with a clear start and stop — a cue to grab, a cue to drop — than an unstructured free-for-all, because it turns physical play into another small mental task.
Durable rubber toys that bounce unpredictably also suit the breed's instinct to track and chase movement, which is part of why a simple ball often gets more use than a squeaky toy that just sits there.
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 Border Collies really need puzzle toys, or is a ball enough?
- A ball covers physical exercise but not much else, and this breed is known for wanting a job to do with its brain as well as its body. Rotating in a puzzle feeder or scent game alongside fetch generally produces a more settled dog than fetch on its own.
- How do I stop my Border Collie destroying toys quickly?
- Choose genuinely durable rubber or rope toys for unsupervised chewing, and save softer plush or squeaky toys for supervised play you can put away afterwards. A dog that destroys everything quickly often also needs more mental occupation, not just a tougher toy.
- Is it bad to play fetch every day with a Border Collie?
- Daily fetch isn't harmful on its own, but if it's the only activity your dog gets, it can leave them physically tired but still restless. Mixing in scent work, puzzles or training sessions alongside fetch tends to settle a working breed better than exercise alone.
- What toys help a Border Collie that herds or nips at things?
- Redirecting that instinct onto an appropriate toy, such as a tug or a flirt pole that mimics moving prey in a controlled way, gives the dog a legitimate outlet. If herding or nipping is a real problem around people or other pets, a qualified trainer is worth involving.
Related
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.