The noise is the point. A squeak triggers the same interest a small animal does, and the crinkle layer inside adds a second sound that keeps a dog investigating long after a silent toy has been dropped and forgotten. Add knotted rope feet and the same object becomes something to tug and gnaw at, which is where most of the actual playing time ends up going.

The body is soft enough to carry around and shake, while the rope limbs give teeth something with texture to work on instead of a smooth plush surface that offers no resistance at all. Because the rope is knotted into the toy rather than glued on, it takes a certain amount of tugging without immediately parting company. There are several characters to choose from, and multi-packs if you would rather have a set.

• Squeaker plus a crinkle layer for two kinds of noise
• Knotted rope feet for tugging and gentle gnawing
• Soft plush body for carrying and shaking
• Crocodile, duck, hippo and donkey designs
• Single toys or multi-packs available

This is a play toy, not a dental chew. It is sometimes described as one and it is not: nothing this soft scrubs plaque, and it will not stand in for brushing or for a proper dental chew. Buy it for entertainment and gentle mouthing, supervise the session, and take it away once the rope frays or the squeaker becomes exposed.

Who it's for: Dogs who play with noisy soft toys and enjoy a tug, rather than serious chewers who would have it apart in an evening.