Some toys work because a dog simply cannot ignore them, and the shrieking rubber chicken has been proving that point for decades. The noise sits in a register dogs react to instantly, a drawn-out scream rather than a polite squeak, and most go from lying flat to airborne in about a second. It is daft, and it remains one of the most reliable ways to start a game indoors on a wet afternoon.

The body is soft flexible rubber, so it gives under teeth, bends when carried and bounces unpredictably when dropped, which stops a fetch game becoming routine. It is light enough for a small dog to run with and big enough to grab properly, and it wipes clean under the tap rather than needing a wash. Four looks are offered, including a three-colour option, though the shape and the noise are the same across all of them.

• Soft flexible rubber that bends and bounces
• Loud drawn-out squeaker rather than a standard squeak
• Good for fetch, tug and solo play
• Wipe-clean surface
• Four options including a three-colour set
• Best suited to small and medium dogs

On durability. This is a squeaky toy, not a chew toy. A determined chewer will get through soft rubber and reach the squeaker, so supervise play, put it away between sessions and bin it once it splits.

Who it's for: Playful small and medium dogs, households that want a noisy game they can start in the hallway, and anyone buying a cheap gift for a dog who already owns everything.