Dogs pick favourites among their toys, and the ones that win are usually soft enough to carry and odd enough to stay interesting. A platypus qualifies on both counts. The flat bill gives a mouth something distinct to grip, and the whole thing is light enough to be hauled from room to room and dropped hopefully at your feet whenever the house goes quiet.

It is plush throughout with a one-touch sound unit inside, so a press or a gentle bite sets it off rather than needing a hard squeeze from a strong jaw. Fabric toys take on a dog's own scent within a few days, which is why a plush favourite so often ends up in the bed rather than the toy basket. It becomes a settling object as much as a plaything. There is one version, with no colours or sizes to choose between.

• Soft plush body with a flat platypus bill
• One-touch built-in sound
• Light enough to carry around the house
• Holds your dog's scent, so it works for settling as well as play
• A single option, with no size or colour choice

Not a toy to leave with a shredder. Plush plus a sound unit means a dog who dismantles toys will find the squeaker, and that is a swallowing risk rather than a nuisance. Supervise the first few sessions, and take it away for good once the seams start to go.

Who it's for: Gentle-mouthed dogs who love a soft squeaky friend to carry and fuss over, rather than committed toy-destroyers.