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Rottweilers are extremely intelligent and athletic dogs with loads of energy to spare. But that also means they can easily become bored and destructive without engaging toys to keep them occupied and provide an outlet for some of that extra energy.
Because of their large size and powerful jaws, Rottweilers require durable toys that won’t fall apart after one intense session of playing and chewing. They also need toys that allow them to expend lots of energy, and their intelligent nature means that they require plenty of mental stimulation as well.
We’re going to thoroughly discuss all the factors that make a dog toy ideal for a Rottweiler so that you can be confident in the toys you pick for your Rottie at home.
I’ll also recommend specific products that are perfect for Rottweilers, and if you want to skip straight to the recommendations, then you can check out that list here:
- Best Overall: Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball Tough Dog Toy
- Runner Up: Kong Classic Flyer Frisbee
- Best Value: MAMMOTH 3 Knot Dog Rope Toy
- Most Versatile: Youngever 6 Pack Large Dog Rope Toys
- Best Puzzle Toy: PetSafe Busy Buddy Challenging Puzzle Toy
- Best Chew Toy: PetsLA Dog Chew Toys Indestructible Hard Nylon Dog Bone Toy
What To Look for in a Rottweiler Toy
Later in this article, we’ll discuss six of the best dog toys for Rottweilers. Before we get to that, let’s cover the criteria that we compared these toys on. Understanding the features that make a dog toy a great choice for a Rottweiler can help you make a more informed decision.
Dog toys don’t list the breeds they’re made for on the packaging. Instead, you need to know what sorts of toys are a good fit for your Rottweiler.
While there are many dog toys on the market, not all of them will be compatible with your Rottie. If a toy is too small, for example, your Rottweiler might accidentally swallow it, turning it into a choking hazard.
On the other hand, consider your dog’s impressive bite. Rottweilers have some sizable teeth and some of the strongest jaws around. Give your Rottweiler a plush dog toy that’s perfect for a smaller dog like a Chihuahua and you’ll have a mess on your hands in no time.
Certain toys are just not going to work well with your Rottweiler.
By understanding what your Rottweiler needs from their toys, you’ll be able to weed out the toys that won’t be a good fit and choose something that will provide plenty of entertainment instead.
It’s too bad there’s no one-size-fits-all toy for Rottweilers. You won’t find many toys that fulfill all of these categories, but some toys will check off several boxes at once, and these are the toys you’re looking for.
They’re also the ones that made this list.
Engagement
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how great you think a toy is if your Rottweiler doesn’t play with it.
To entice your Rottie to play, a toy must be engaging and able to keep your dog’s attention. Unfortunately, this trait can be quite difficult to account for because different Rottweilers will be attracted to different types of toys.
Rotties are rarely completely disinterested in toys, but each pup will have their own personality that you’ll need to feel out.
Still, some toys are naturally more engaging than others. For example, a puzzle toy will almost always seem more engaging than a basic nylon bone meant for chewing. Chew toys definitely have their place, but a toy that keeps your dog entertained is likely to see more use in the long run.
Mental Stimulation
Aside from capturing and keeping your canine’s attention, the best Rottweiler toys also stimulate your dog mentally.
Remember, Rottweilers are some of the most intelligent dogs around. In fact, according to research, they’re the ninth smartest domestic dog breed.
While their high intelligence makes them easier to train, it also means they’re more susceptible to boredom than many other breeds. When such a big dog gets bored, it can turn to destructive behaviors that can cause some serious damage.
That’s the last thing you want to happen.
Luckily, you can help stave off the boredom by providing your Rottie with the type of toys that challenge them mentally.
Puzzle toys are great for mentally stimulating your Rottweiler. You can fill them with treats and your Rottie has to figure out how to extract them. Toys like this will provide plenty of engagement and mental stimulation simultaneously, killing two birds with one stone.
Puzzle toys come in multiple difficulty levels. Some are incredibly simple and probably won’t offer enough of a challenge for your Rottie. Since they’re so smart, Rottweilers are likely best served by the more difficult puzzle toys.
Also, keep in mind your Rottweiler’s large stature when picking out a puzzle toy. Many are made for small paws and your Rottie will have a difficult time making its giant paws perform movements that might be simple for a smaller dog.
Physical Exertion
Rottweilers need loads of exercise. They’re large and energetic dogs that need lots of playtime and plenty of structured physical activity.
With the right toy, you can provide all the physical activity your Rottweiler needs.
Toys like ropes allow you to play tug-of-war. Balls and frisbees make great toys for playing fetch, which can get your Rottie running through the backyard at high speeds. Even a good chew toy can help your Rottweiler expel some of its vast energy stores with a rigorous chewing session.
Durability
Again, the sheer size and strength of a Rottweiler must be considered. Toys that a smaller dog might play with for days on end could easily be destroyed in a single play session by an eager Rottweiler. Though they’re gentle with their family members, these dogs can be very destructive when it comes to their toys!
If you expect the toys you purchase for your Rottweiler to last for any length of time, you’ll need to pick the most durable toys on the market. Certain types of toys are simply not applicable for Rottweilers.
Plush toys, for instance, the type that are like stuffed animals for dogs to chew on, would be utterly destroyed mere moments after being given to your Rottweiler.
Size
You’ve probably noticed that many dog toys come in multiple sizes. This is so that the same type of toy can be used by multiple dog breeds.
Imagine a Rottweiler trying to chew on the same size chew toy that you’d give to a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu. Your Rottie might swallow the toy whole!
Instead, a Rottweiler needs a much larger toy than these smaller breeds. You’ll want to find the large or extra-large version of any toy you wish to purchase for your Rottie. The smaller sizes simply won’t suffice for such a massive canine.
Material
Dog toys are crafted out of many different materials, some of which are poor choices for a Rottweiler. While you always need to be careful about certain materials, it’s especially important when looking at balls for Rottweilers since there can be so much variation in materials.
Rubber
Many rubber dog toys are extremely tough, making them great choices for a Rottweiler. Your Rottie will have a harder time destroying these tough toys, but that doesn’t mean they’ll last forever.
You’ll find that lots of rubber toys claim to be indestructible, but when your dog is a Rottweiler, no toy is truly indestructible! Still, tough rubber toys tend to outlast many other types of toys under the extreme stress a Rottweiler will put them through.
Rope
Rope toys are great because they’re inexpensive, rather durable, and they’re great for playing with your Rottweiler.
Left with your Rottie for an extended period, almost any rope toy will meet its doom. Luckily, they don’t break off in small chunks. Rather, rope toys tend to just fray and fall apart, but they’re so cheap that replacing them is rarely an issue.
Nylon
Lots of chew toys are made from nylon since it’s an inexpensive material and tends to be pretty durable.
Don’t expect a nylon chew toy to hold up very long if you give it to a Rottie though. Those strong jaws and sharp teeth will make short work of a nylon toy that would probably last a good while for another breed.
That said, some nylon chew toys are designed with aggressive chewers in mind, and many of these can hold up against the harsh chewing of a Rottweiler.
Textiles
Textile dog toys include any plush or fabric toys like stuffed animals that often contain squeakers. These are usually filled with some type of fiber filling that will get everywhere when your Rottweiler tears open the outer layer, which will likely happen within the first few minutes of playtime.
Because Rottweilers are so rough on their toys, textile dog toys are not recommended.
If you’d like to see some proof of just how rough Rottweilers are on plush textile toys, check out this video of Rottweiler making short work of a stuffed frog!
Price
Some dog toys are dirt-cheap while others are prohibitively pricey. Granted, you’ll often get what you pay for, but that doesn’t mean that you should purchase the most expensive toy you can find for your Rottie.
Truthfully, your Rottweiler will probably destroy just about any toy you get for it. Tougher toys will last longer, but they’re not always the most expensive options.
Look for toys that best match the traits we’ve laid out, comparing them in each category. Once you have several options picked out, then you should compare prices to ensure that none of your options is vastly pricier than the rest without due reason.
Sometimes, the cheapest toys offer the best value or the best fit for your dog.
Solo Toys vs Toys to Play with Together
The final thing to consider is how the toy will be used.
Some toys are intended for solo play, occupying your Rottweiler with little to no input from you, such as a chew toy. Other toys will require some input from you, like a puzzle toy that you must fill with treats.
You’ll also find toys that need more than a little input from you. A good example is a frisbee toy that you must throw for your Rottie to fetch. These can be great for providing exercise and even strengthening your bond with your best buddy, but dogs can’ entertain themselves with such toys.
Plenty of toys will fit into more than one category here. For instance, your Rottie can enjoy chewing a rope toy without your input, but you can also use a rope toy to play an engaging game of tug-of-war.
Still, you don’t want to get a toy that requires you to play with your dog if you want your dog to be entertained on its own with the toy. Make sure you match the toy you pick with your intended outcome.
The 6 Best Dog Toys for Rottweilers
At this point, you should understand exactly what makes any given dog toy a great fit for a Rottweiler and what traits might make a toy a poor fit. Now, it’s time to start discussing some specific recommendations for your Rottweiler.
To make these recommendations more helpful, they’re broken down into categories.
We’ll start with the best overall, which is a great toy for any Rottweiler. Then, we’ll start covering recommendations for the option with the best value, the most engaging choice, and more, ensuring that whatever your needs are, you can find the recommendation here that will fulfill them.
Best Overall: Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball Tough Dog Toy
- Safe for the dishwasher for easy slobber clean up
- Almost indestructible
- Holds up to a cup of food to keep Rottie's busy for longer
Considering everything the Starmark treat dispensing ball can do, it’s surprisingly easy on the budget. Once you see how much entertainment this toy can provide for your Rottweiler, I think you’ll agree that it’s probably the best overall choice for just about any Rottie.
The concept of this toy is surprisingly simple. It’s a ball with a small hole in it. You can fill this ball with up to one cup of dog food or treats. As your dog plays with the ball and it rolls around, it will occasionally hit the right angle for a treat to dispense, rewarding your Rottie for their efforts.
Each time your Rottweiler earns a treat, it will be enticed to keep playing, and since this ball holds so many treats, you can expect it to keep your pooch entertained for quite a while.
Starmark paid attention when producing this toy. It’s made from a “virtually indestructible” material that contains no latex, vinyl, or phthalates but is supposedly stronger than rubber. Reviewers seem to be impressed with its ability to withstand sharp Rottie teeth, and with budget-friendly pricing, it wouldn’t be a big deal to replace anyway.
Figuring out how to earn a treat will keep your dog mentally focused and stimulated. Few toys offer such engagement without the need for your input. But since this toy is so durable, you can even use it to play with your dog by kicking, rolling, or tossing it for them to retrieve.
Click here to see today’s price on Amazon and read more reviews.
What I love about it: This toy ticks all the boxes. It’s cheap, durable, keeps your Rottie engaged, provides mental stimulation, and can even provide physical exercise and interactive play if you toss it around for your pooch to fetch.
What I wish it had: There’s really nothing missing here, which is why this toy is my pick for best overall.
Runner Up: Kong Classic Flyer Frisbee
- Tough Dog Toy: This flying disc dog toy for playful dogs is durable enough for aggressive chewers, yet...
- Outdoor Dog Toy: The rubber material of this dog flying disc toy provides a dynamic rebound in case your...
Rottweilers love a good game of fetch, even if they aren’t always the best at the retrieving part, and frisbees are some of the best toys for a game of fetch with most dogs. However, a Rottweiler can make short work of a frisbee, destroying it without meaning to by just biting down as they catch it!
Now, with the Kong Classic Flyer Frisbee, you can play fetch with your Rottie as often as you like and never worry about the frisbee getting destroyed.
Made from the same material as classic Kong toys, this frisbee is designed to handle even the toughest teeth and strongest bites. While it’s not intended to be used as a chew toy, it’s durable enough to handle plenty of chewing and even tug-of-war games!
Of course, you’ll have to throw this frisbee for your dog to fetch it. You could let your Rottie chew it, but if you want a chew toy or something to entertain your dog without your input, then this frisbee isn’t it.
Since it’s made of thick rubber, this frisbee is quite heavy. You’ll have to give it a good toss to get it flying, but if you generate enough force, it will travel some serious distance, providing tons of exercise for your Rottweiler as they chase it down.
You can read more reviews and check out today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: It’s extremely engaging, durable, and able to provide plenty of exercise. This frisbee lets you play with your dog and build your bond while your Rottie gets tons of physical activity.
What I wish it had: The only downside to this toy is that it won’t entertain your Rottie without you. Granted, you could let them chew it, but if you want a chew toy, there are better options.
Best Value: MAMMOTH 3 Knot Dog Rope Toy
Some dog toys can seem pretty pricey, especially knowing that they’re going to be destroyed by your Rottweiler before too long anyway. Rope toys are still susceptible to destruction by your Rottie’s teeth, but this rope toy is priced so affordably that you probably won’t mind replacing it when the time comes.
Here’s an added bonus: as your Rottweiler chews up this rope toy, the fibers will actually help to clean their teeth because the rope fibers floss while your Rottie chews.
Rope toys can do a lot. Your Rottweiler should love the texture, making this toy a likely new favorite for chewing. For a more interactive experience, you can play fetch or tug-of-war with your Rottie using this rope toy. And if you’ve got two dogs, then they can play together with it, pulling back and forth in an attempt to wrestle it out of the other’s mouth.
Thankfully, this rope toy is cheap because you’ll need to replace it somewhat often. It’s not quite as durable as the hard nylon and rubber toys. Your Rottie will still get plenty of good use out of it, but you’ll be replacing it much sooner than toys made of more durable materials.
You can click here to read more reviews and see today’s price on Chewy.
What I love about it: It’s dirt-cheap and provides ways for your Rottie to entertain themselves or for you to play with them.
What I wish it had: Durability is the only downside to an affordable rope toy like this. It’s a great value, but it won’t last too long against a Rottweilers tenacious chewing.
Most Versatile: Youngever 6 Pack Large Dog Rope Toys
- Dog Rope Toys - 6 Pack Large Size Dog Ropes. 2 Pack of 2 Feet 3 Knots Rope, 4 Knots Rope, 4 inch Rope...
- Dental Health - Teeth Cleaning Toys. Fight Plaque Build-Up. Perfect toys for tug, toss, and chew games...
As we’ve previously mentioned, rope toys are already some of the most versatile toys of Rottweilers since they offer so many ways to play. Multiply that by six different rope toys and you can see that the versatility of the Youngever six-pack of rope toys is hard to beat.
Your Rottie can entertain itself chewing on these ropes, which will also help keep your dog’s teeth clean. Some of the longer rope toys are great for playing tug-of-war, either together with your dog or just two of your dogs together.
In addition to the longer rope toys, there are also some shorter ones with large rope balls that are great for a game of fetch. Of course, they’re just as good for chewing, and I’m sure that your Rottweiler will agree wholeheartedly.
This is the extra-large pack, so all the toys included are large enough for the likes of big Rottweilers. They’re made from natural materials, ensuring that everything is safe for your dog.
That said, they’re just not as durable as hard rubber and nylon toys. Your Rottweiler will destroy even the thickest of these rope toys in time. Thankfully, there are six here, so even if your Rottie destroys several, you’ll still have a few left before you have to replace them.
You can take a closer look at everything that’s inside and see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: You can’t beat this level of versatility. Numerous ways to play together or allow your Rottie to be entertained on their own.
What I wish it had: These are simple toys that can do a lot, but they won’t do much to mentally stimulate your super-intelligent Rottweiler.
Best Puzzle Toy: PetSafe Busy Buddy Challenging Puzzle Toy
- FUN AND CHALLENGING TOY: The textured rubber sprockets and smooth nylon knobs make it tough for your dog...
- DESIGNED FOR TOUGH CHEWERS: Made from durable nylon and rubber, this toy was designed to satisfy strong...
You’d be hard-pressed to find another puzzle toy that meets as many of our Rottweiler-specific qualifications as this one from PetSafe. It’s available in a large size that’s ideal for Rottweilers, unlike most puzzle toys for dogs. More importantly, it’s tough enough to withstand countless hours of your Rottie’s relentless chewing assault!
This toy offers several modes of entertainment for your Rottweiler. First, you can put treat rings inside of the toy and your dog will spend hours trying to get them. Once the treats are gone, your Rottie will likely start chewing the toy, but that’s perfectly ok! It was designed with tough chewers in mind, so this toy is built from incredibly durable nylon and rubber that should take even a hard-chewing Rottweiler many months to destroy.
Puzzling out how to get the treats off will keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated for long periods. Many Rottweiler owners were thrilled at how long their dog was kept occupied by the PetSafe Busy Buddy, and they were even more impressed at how long it held up through their Rotties’ vigorous chewing.
Thanks to the design of this toy, your Rottie’s teeth will be getting cleaned by the rubber as it chews. Care is simple, as you can wash the toy in the top rack of the dishwasher to keep it sanitary.
Be aware that the nylon can start to have sharp spots as it gets chewed up by your Rottweiler. It might become difficult to open to put the treats in. Additionally, you’ll have to buy more ring treats to fit the toy since it only comes with six. But you can still get a great deal on a bulk package that should last you a while.
Learn more about this puzzle toy and see the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: It keeps your Rottweiler mentally stimulated and engaged for long periods. Plus, it’s extremely durable and comes in a size large enough for a Rottie.
What I wish it had: The only real downsides to this toy are that it requires special ring-shaped treats and there’s no way for you to play interactively with your dog using it.
Best Chew Toy: PetsLA Dog Chew Toys Indestructible Hard Nylon Dog Bone Toy
- Long Lasting Dog Toy Designed For the Toughest Chewers - If your dog tends to chew on wooden furniture or...
- Improves Dental Hygiene - Chewing can help to clean teeth(dental calculus), controls plaque and tartar....
Toys don’t always have to be complicated or interactive to be entertaining for your Rottweiler. Sometimes, your Rottie just wants something hard that it can chew on, and in such cases, this chew toy from PetsLA is a great choice.
Specifically built for aggressive chewers, this toy is made from durable nylon that can withstand many hours of the chewing assault your Rottie is certain to inflict. It comes in a large size that’s ideal for Rottweilers, and you can pick between an antler or a bone-shaped toy.
Chewing on this toy can improve your dog’s dental health as it helps to control plaque and tartar. Plus, it will help your dog to expend some excess energy and help prevent boredom when your Rottie has to spend long hours alone. It’s also a better choice compared to chewing on an actual bone.
One of the best features of this toy is the lifetime replacement guarantee backing it. Whether the toy doesn’t live up to your standards or your dog just doesn’t like it, the supplier is willing to replace or refund the toy once per household.
Read more reviews and check today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
What I love about it: It’s simple and durable enough to withstand months of hard chewing. After all, Rottweilers do love to chew.
What I wish it had: For a basic chew toy, this one has all the basics covered, but don’t expect to be more than that.
FAQ
Okay, we’ve already done a bit of a deep dive into the best Rottie toys but if you still have questions we have answers!
Let’s get into some common questions!
What kind of toy is best to keep my Rottweiler entertained?
For Rottweilers that are home alone a lot and need to entertain themselves, a durable chew toy is a great bet, and it’s even better if that chew toy offers a puzzle of some sort.
The Starmark treat-dispensing chew ball is a great choice for entertaining a Rottweiler since you can put up to a cup of food in it and it will provide mental stimulation while keeping your Rottie entertained for long periods.
Are Rottweilers aggressive chewers?
Absolutely. Rottweilers are very large dogs that often weigh over 100 pounds. They’ve got large heads with powerful jaws and sharp teeth that can destroy any toys that are lacking in durability in a very short time.
How many toys should my Rottweiler have?
In truth, there’s no hard and fast rule for how many toys to provide your Rottweiler with. These are highly intelligent dogs though, so it’s best to provide several options. Your Rottie will benefit from having multiple types of toys, such as one to chew on, a puzzle toy for mental stimulation, a ball for fetch, and so on.
Why does my Rottweiler destroy his toys?
It’s not your Rottie’s fault. They’re aggressive chewers with powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Even durable toys are going to be put to the test when a Rottweiler gets ahold of them.
What’s the best type of toy for a Rottweiler?
The best type of toy for a Rottweiler will mentally stimulate the dog and provide lots of engagement. It must also be large enough for a 100-pound dog to play with and tough enough that your Rottie doesn’t destroy it in a single session!
Durable puzzle toys are one of the best options, but you also can’t go wrong with a rope toy since they’re so versatile and can provide entertainment for your Rottie in many ways.
Are any dog toys really indestructible?
You’ll often see dog toys claiming to be indestructible, but if you give one of these toys to your Rottweiler, you’ll probably learn the truth pretty quickly.
No dog toy is truly indestructible. That said, some toys are extremely durable and will withstand many months and even years of abuse from a big dog with aggressive chewing tendencies like a Rottweiler.
Final Thoughts
Not all dog toys are a good fit for a Rottweiler. These massive dogs are incredibly strong and can destroy a dog toy in no time flat. But if you get the right toy, it will not only withstand your Rottie’s best chewing efforts, but it will also provide countless hours of entertainment, engagement, mental stimulation, and physical activity.
Hopefully, one of the toys I’ve recommended is the perfect fit for your pooch. I’m confident that these are some of the best toys on the market for Rottweilers, and I believe your Rottie will agree!
