Buying guides
Best Toys for Golden Retrievers: What to Look For
The best toys for a Golden Retriever are sized for a 55 to 75 pound retriever, not a generic medium dog. Three things decide it: a size too big to swallow, a build that survives real chewing, and a job that fits the dog, whether that is fetch, chewing or cuddling. Browse our toys for Golden Retrievers with those three checks in mind.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20265 min read3 sources
Why a Golden Retriever's size and breeding matter for toys
Adult Golden Retrievers stand about 21.5 to 24 inches tall and weigh 55 to 75 pounds, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. That is a big mouth. A ball or chew that suits a 30 pound terrier can slide to the back of a Golden's throat, so the first filter is always size. The AKC advises choosing balls and toys sized for your dog so they cannot be swallowed and cannot be torn into bite-size pieces.
The breed was originally bred for retrieving game on land and in water, and VCA notes that Goldens need significant daily exercise for both body and mind. That is why most of them go for anything they can carry, fetch or bring back to you. Toys that reward carrying and retrieving usually get used more than toys that only sit on the floor.
Fetch and water toys
Fetch is the natural fit. The AKC suggests durable rubber for balls and toys, and warns that tennis balls can wear down tooth enamel and can be popped open, with pieces swallowed. A rubber ball or a flat, flexible flyer in a size too big to fit entirely in the mouth is a safer starting point. A floating fetch toy is worth a look if your dog swims, since the breed's water-retrieving history shows up at any pond or beach.
Keep fetch sessions moderate. VCA lists hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, joint disease and obesity among the conditions to watch in Goldens, and notes that weight management plays a major role in preventing joint disease. Ask your vet how much high-impact fetch suits your dog's age and joints, and mix in sniffing and walking so the exercise is not all sprinting and jumping.
Chew toys: durable beats soft
For chewing, the AKC recommends nylon or hard rubber, which are less likely to fall apart after a few play sessions. A large, firm chew made for big dogs is usually a better match for a Golden than a soft toy, which a determined chewer can dismantle. A large-dog chew toy is one example of the category. Check the label for the dog size it is made for.
Check any chew regularly. The AKC says to throw out a toy that shows rips, tears or deep punctures, because small parts can break off and be swallowed. Rawhide deserves extra caution: the AKC notes that large pieces can create choking or blockage hazards, and that safety depends on the individual dog.
Plush and squeaky toys: soft mouths only
Many Goldens are famously gentle with their mouths, and a soft plush can be a lovely carrying toy for them. A plush squeaky bear or a pack of corduroy plush toys suits that style of play when you are watching. Plush is the weakest category for a dog that likes to shred, so match it to the dog, not the breed label.
The AKC warns not to let a dog pull out and chew a squeaker, because it can cause choking or an intestinal blockage, and says to throw away a plush toy once it is torn. If your Golden keeps destroying stuffed toys, the AKC suggests not giving them any. Pick up plush toys when you leave the room.
Tug and puzzle toys for a working-bred mind
A Golden bred for field work often needs a job as much as a run. Tug toys are best used interactively, with you holding the other end, and then put away afterward so the dog does not shred or eat them. That makes tug a good way to practice "drop it" and "leave it" while burning energy.
Puzzle feeders and snuffle-style toys give the same dog a calm way to use its nose. They are useful on rainy days and for dogs that need a settling activity after a walk. Choose a size that suits a 55 to 75 pound dog, so the mat or feeder cannot be gulped down or chewed apart.
What to avoid and when to retire a toy
Skip toys that are too small, too flimsy, or that you already see coming apart. String, rope shreds and stuffing are the usual culprits, and swallowed material can cause an intestinal blockage, which is an emergency. Toys that are hard enough to crack a tooth are as unwelcome as toys soft enough to swallow.
Inspect toys every week and retire them as they wear. Call your vet promptly if your dog vomits repeatedly, stops eating, seems painful in the belly, or you think part of a toy was swallowed. Browse our Golden Retriever toy collection again once you know which of the three jobs you are shopping for. This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
What size toy is right for a Golden Retriever?
Pick toys made for large dogs, since adult Goldens weigh about 55 to 75 pounds. Any ball or chew should be too big to swallow and not breakable into bite-size pieces. Always check the size on the label.
Are tennis balls safe for Golden Retrievers?
The AKC notes tennis balls can wear tooth enamel and can be popped open, with pieces swallowed. A durable rubber ball sized too big to swallow is a safer option for fetch.
Do Golden Retrievers need a lot of toys?
A handful of well-chosen toys beats a full basket. Rotate a fetch toy, a firm chew, a soft carrier and a puzzle toy so each stays interesting, and check all of them for damage.
How do I know when to throw away a dog toy?
Throw it away when you see rips, tears, deep punctures, a loose squeaker or any piece small enough to swallow. If you are not sure, replacing it costs less than a vet visit.
Are plush toys okay for a Golden Retriever puppy?
Only with supervision and only if your puppy is not a shredder. Remove plush toys when you are not watching, and ask your vet about chewing and teething if your puppy chews everything in reach.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
