12 Best Dog Toys for Border Collies in 2024
Quick Guide
- What is the Best Dog Toy for a Border Collie?
- Different Types of Dog Toys for Border Collies
- What to Look for in a Good Toy for Border Collies
- Best Dog Toys for Border Collies
- KONG Jumbler Ball Dog Toy
- Busy Buddy Bristle Bone Dog Toy
- KONG Puppy Goodie Bone Dog Toy
- Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Dog Brick Toy
- Chuckit! Max Glow Pro Launcher Toy
- Multipet Nuts for Knots Ball Dog Toy
- Ethical Pet Spot Seek-a-Treat Flip ‘N Slide Treat Dispenser Dog Toy
- ZippyPaws Squeakie Buddie Bunny Plush Toy
- The Virtually Indestructible Ball Toy
- Best Dog Toys for Border Collie Puppies
- Tips for Playing with Your Border Collie
- Conclusion
Historically, Border Collies have had one purpose: herding. Compared to the big-boned herding dogs of the Roman Empire, Border Collies were swift, agile, and energized. Even today, Collies are still considered by many to be the best herding dogs in the world.
Anyone who owns a Collie knows that, while these dogs may look easy-going, keeping them entertained and engaged for any length of time can be a challenge. Since they have a lot of energy to burn off, Collies who don’t get properly stimulated may resort to tearing apart their owner’s most prized possessions instead.
The only real way to prevent this kind of behavior, besides training, is to mentally stimulate your Collie with toys. Unfortunately, finding the right Border Collie toys can feel impossible if you don’t know where to start—which is why we’ve included a list of our favorite top-rated products of 2024 as well what to look for in a good toy.
What is the Best Dog Toy for a Border Collie?
Different Types of Dog Toys for Border Collies
No toy tends to look the same, and there’s a reason for that. In addition to entertaining your Border Collie, there are plenty of different types of toys out there—all of which serve different purposes too.
One of the most important toys in your Border Collie’s puppy stage will be a plush toy. Although Collies of all ages enjoy these stuffed toys, puppies cling to them specifically. Plush toys, much like stuffed animals, give your dog something to carry around and sleep with at night. When you leave for work or school, the plush toy might even be able to soothe some of your Collie’s separation anxiety.
Speaking of bonding, interactive toys also play a key role in your Collie’s life. Interactive, or puzzle toys, can come in a variety of different designs, but they all serve the same purpose: to challenge your dog and strengthen the bond between you two. Whether your Collie is digging stuffed squirrels out of a fake log or fetching a tennis ball, they’ll be challenged either way.
Rope or tug toys, which may sometimes fall under the category of “interactive,”are designed for one game: tug-of-war. If tug-of-war is your Collie’s favorite past-time, investing in a good-quality, knotted rope or a toy that contains handles can make the game much easier.
What to Look for in a Good Toy for Border Collies
With so many toys to choose from, knowing which ones will be great can be impossible. Fortunately, identifying a good toy might not be as difficult as you think – all you need to know is what to look for.
Any toy you buy should be effective. Although most brands will tell you that their products work great, you can often tell by what promises are made. While it isn’t always the case, brands who may specific promises about what their toys can and can’t do tend to function better. A toy, however, that doesn’t seem to include anything but vague statements in its description might not hold up as well.
Speaking of holding up, durability is just as important as function. Typically, long-lasting toys tend to use long-lasting materials: while rubber and nylon tend to be durable and last the test of time, cheap plastic or thin fabric might not even make it a week with an aggressive chewer.
Keep in mind that every Border Collie is different. Your dog’s individual preferences may mean that one factor—like durability—is a lot more important than function or effectiveness.
Best Dog Toys for Border Collies
| Our 2024 Picks: Best Border Collie Dog Toys | |||
| Rank | Toy | Price | Rating |
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#1 |
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$$ |
A+
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#2 |
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$$ |
A
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#3 |
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$ |
A
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#4 |
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$$ |
A-
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#5 |
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$ |
B+
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#6 |
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$ |
B+
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#7 |
 Ethical Pet Spot Seek-a-Treat Flip ‘N Slide Treat Dispenser Dog Toy |
$$ |
B+
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#8 |
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$ |
B+
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#9 |
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$$ |
B+
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Although dog toys are generally designed to work for a variety of different breeds, that doesn’t mean all of them will work equally as well for your Collie. The good news is, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best of the best:
KONG Jumbler Ball Dog Toy
Best Overall
For a toy that can promote endless amounts of play, there’s almost no better option than the KONG Jumbler Ball. Not only does it contain an interior tennis ball to make bouncing and rolling that much easier, but there’s also a loud squeaker that can help hold your dog’s interest.
Along with playing fetch or letting your dog nibble on it, you can also use the Jumbler’s handles to make tug-of-war a little easier (or just use them to pick up the ball).
Busy Buddy Bristle Bone Dog Toy
Best for Aggressive Chewers
Although they aren’t always aggressive chewers, Collies, like any breed, have the potential to do some damage with their teeth if they want to. Fortunately, the extra-durable Busy Buddy Bristle Bone Dog Toy may be able to handle even the strongest of chewers. In addition to rubber nubs and nylon bristles to help stimulate better dental health in your Collie’s gums, the Bristle Bone may also be able to help remove tartar.
The rubber is also designed to compress so that instead of staying stiff, the bone will change shape, and keep your dog occupied for hours to come.
KONG Puppy Goodie Bone Dog Toy
Most Durable Kong Toy
While Collies will chew on just about anything they can get their hands on, they may enjoy nibbling on the KONG Puppy Goodie Bone Dog Toy more than your shoes or clothing. For a little extra excitement, you can fill the sides of the bone with your Collie’s favorite treats, and watch him spend hours trying to dig them out.
For Collie puppies that are still growing, the Goodie Bone presents a unique opportunity for stimulation as well as intellectual growth. The toy comes in both pink and blue, and ships in random so that both you and your Collie can get a fun surprise when you open the package.
Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Dog Brick Toy
Best Interactive Puzzle Toy
Playtime is supposed to be fun, but there’s no reason it shouldn’t also challenge and stimulate your Border Collie too—and with the Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Dog Brick Dog Toy, that may just be a possibility.
With this toy, you can hide treats under each disc and then watch your dog spend hours digging them out with his paws and nose. If you feel as if the game isn’t challenging your Collie quite enough, you can always up the difficulty by adding white blocks to the nooks. However, if it proves to be too difficult, you can always slide them out.
Chuckit! Max Glow Pro Launcher Toy
Best Dog Launcher
One of the downsides to fetch is that, regardless of where you play it, it can be limited to prime daylight hours. If you’ve already got an odd schedule, that can make fetch impossible. Fortunately, the Chuckit! Max Glow Pro Launcher Toy may be exactly what you need to make fetch happen at any time—whether it be in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning.
With the launcher, you can effortlessly scoop up tennis balls and then throw them incredible distances (without having to move much more than a finger). When charged, the entire launcher will glow in the dark and will provide up to thirty minutes of light for you and your Collie.
Multipet Nuts for Knots Ball Dog Toy
Best Rope Toy
For a rope toy that can be both a chew toy and something for your Collie to play tug-of-war with, there’s no reason to look any further than the Multipets Nuts for Knots Ball Dog Toy. Not only does it provide your Collie with something to latch onto while you play, but it may also give them something to nibble on while you’re gone.
If you need to substitute something for a fetch toy, your Collie will likely spend hours chasing and retrieving the Nuts for Knots Ball. It’s worth noting that the ball comes in an assortment of different colors that ship at random.
Ethical Pet Spot Seek-a-Treat Flip ‘N Slide Treat Dispenser Dog Toy
Best Treat Dispenser Toy
Although treat dispensing toys can come in all shapes and sizes, most of them do not have a design as unique as the Ethical Pet Spot Seek-a-Treat Flip ‘N Slide Treat Dispensing Dog Toy. In order to reach the treats inside, your Collie will first need to “flip and slide” the different compartments until they find what they’re looking for.
For an even bigger challenge, you can try connecting multiple puzzles together and see if your Collie can still sniff his favorite treats out. In addition to providing mental stimulation, the Ethical Pet toy can also work to prevent restlessness or boredom as well.
ZippyPaws Squeakie Buddie Bunny Plush Toy
Best Squeaky Toy
Whether your Collie is playing a quick game of fetch or needs a toy to cuddle up with at night, the ZippyPaws Squeakie Buddie Bunny Plush Toy works for both occasions. With just one loud squeaker inside, your Collie will get all the noise stimulation they need from this toy.
While it’s soft on the outside, the stuffed bunny doesn’t contain any stuffing on the inside—so you won’t need to worry about cleaning up a mess if your Collie gets a little too rough or excited. The soft design is also easy on Collies who have sensitive gums and teeth.
The Virtually Indestructible Ball Toy
Made In The USA
If you’ve ever wondered if there was a toy that could survive more than a few weeks with your Collie, then you may be in luck—the Virtually Indestructible Ball Toy is designed to last against even the toughest dogs. Made in the USA, this doggie-safe ball uses durable, heavy-duty polyethylene to provide your pup with a playtime experience that doesn’t need to end.
Depending on the weight and age of your Border Collie, there are multiple sizes to pick from so that everyone from young pups to aging seniors can play with this toy. It’s worth noting that the ball ships in an assortment of different colors for you to pick from.
Best Dog Toys for Border Collie Puppies
| Our 2024 Picks: Best Border Collie Puppy Toys | |||
| Rank | Toy | Price | Rating |
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#1 |
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$ |
A+
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#2 |
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$ |
A
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#3 |
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$ |
A
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Even if the toy works well for a Collie adult, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it’s going to be effective for a Border Collie puppy. Fortunately, we’ve already highlighted a few stand-out Border Collie toys for puppies (based on your developing dog’s needs):
Hartz Chew ‘n’ Clean Dental Duo Dog Treat and Chew
Best for Teething
If you just can’t get your Collie interested in a teething toy, you might want to try using the Hartz Chew ‘n’ Clean Dental Duo Dog Treat and Chew. Designed with a durable nylon shell that can massage his sore gums while he nibbles, the edible bacon center will keep him coming back for more.
As your Collie continues to grow, there’s no reason the fun needs to stop. This chew will also work great for adult Collies who may need just a little extra dental hygiene. The unique design helps reduce tartar and plaque that may build up on your dog’s teeth.
Nylabone DuraChew Triple Pack Dog Chew Bones
Another Great Teething Toy
If your Collie just doesn’t seem to like bacon (or wears the Hartz toy out quicker than you might expect), it might be time to also invest in the Nylabone DuraChew Triple Pack Dog Chew Bones. With this product, you don’t just get one toy for your teething pup to nibble on—you get three different ones.
If your Collie doesn’t like one specific flavor (or you’ve got more than one Collie), this pack of Nylabones may be able to last a little bit longer than similar choices. For a little bit of extra relief on those sore gums, you can always try popping one or all of these chews in the freezer.
KONG Cozie Marvin the Moose Plush Dog Toy
Best Plush Toy
For a plush toy that uses non-toxic, doggie-safe materials, there’s almost no better option than the Kong Cozie Marvin the Moose Plush Dog Toy. Even if it looks soft, this stuffed toy is made with an extra layer of material so that it can stand up to rough Collie puppies.
Depending on the size of your Collie and their age, the plush toy comes in both small and medium sizes so that you can pick the paw-fect fit for your pup. While it does contain some filling, the moose toy is designed to make less of a mess than some other toys.
Tips for Playing with Your Border Collie
Once you’ve purchased the right toys for your Collie, it’s time to figure out how to use them:
- The first step is to introduce your Border Collie to their new toys by allowing him to sniff them. If your Collie doesn’t seem particularly interested, you can try putting a swipe of peanut butter on the end of the toy.
- Make sure your Collie knows who is in charge. During playtime, it’s important that things don’t go too far – such as biting, snapping, or disobedience. One way to prevent these behaviors is by establishing yourself as the “alpha dog” early on.
- When rules do get broken, it’s important to put your foot down. If your Collie bites you or refuses to give up the toy when you ask for it, playtime should stop right then and there. If you let it go, you’ll be teaching your dog that the behavior is okay.
- Supervising your dog during playtime is crucial. Whenever you buy your Collie a new toy, it’s important that you supervise them in case things take a turn for the worst. In some cases, your Collie could swallow a detachable part of a rubber toy or eat the stuffing out of a plush toy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of toys can help me bond with my Border Collie?
If you’re looking for a toy that can help strengthen the bond between you and your Collie, your best bet is to invest in a few interactive toys. Interactive toys, which can be as complex as treat-dispensing activity boards or as simple as tug-of-war with a rope, are designed for two-person play. Not only are you mentally stimulating your Collie, but you’re also building the relationship between owner and pet.
What types of Border Collie toys are best for this breed’s temperament?
While every Collie is different, this energetic breed does well with toys that require them to stay active. Besides chew or plush toys, your Collie may particularly enjoy playing with fetch and rope toys as well.
What if my Border Collie stops playing with his toys?
If, for suddenly no reason at all, your Collie stops playing with his toys, it could be because he isn’t feeling all that well. If a vet rules out a medical reason for your Collie’s behavior, however, it might be that the location of playtime doesn’t make your dog feel safe or he may need some new toys.
How can I promote better dental health in my Border Collie?
Dental-related diseases can be a bigger issue among dogs than you thought. If you don’t pay close attention to your pup’s oral hygiene, they could end up falling ill (or needing to have a few teeth pulled). The good news is that, while you will never be able to completely prevent dental disease in your Collie, you can use toys to stay on top of your pup’s dental cleanings. Dental chews, which often contain different textures that can remove plaque and tartar build-up without lifting a finger. In many cases, all you need to do is add a little bit of peanut butter or treat paste to the end of the dental chew, and watch your Collie go crazy. Keep in mind, however, that dental chews are not a substitute for regular vet visits or teeth cleanings. Even if you use them all the time, your pup will still likely need their teeth cleaned on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to look for and what toys are supposed to do what, it may be time to begin shopping for Border Collie toys. If you aren’t sure where you should begin, you can always try purchasing one of the top-rated Collie toys that we’ve listed and reviewed above for you.
