9 Best Dog Toys for Dachshunds

Dachshunds are most often characterized by their unique body shape – the infamous “Weiner” build that includes a long body and short, stubby legs. While their appearance catches the attention of many hearts, it doesn’t tell us much about their personalities or play habits.

What this breed lacks in size, it makes up for in personality. These natural-born hunters are brave, stubborn, and mischievous. Without the right playtime activities, stimulation, and proper toys, these traits can quickly become destructive – and it’s your furniture that will pay the price.

Fortunately for pet owners around the world, we now have access to such a wide and versatile range of toys made for specific breeds, personalities, and habits. Today, we’re going to focus on the best dog toys for Dachshunds and how you can use them to keep them happy and healthy.

Once playtime is over, feel free to head back over to read through our comprehensive reviews of each of these toys. We also have some awesome and helpful tips specific to Dachshunds, so continue on for more info.

Read our article about 7 Best Dachshund Shampoos On The Market

Different Types of Toys for Dachshunds

Toys come in all shapes and sizes, even if they are made just for Dachshunds. The selection available today can seem overwhelming, but it helps to narrow down which types of toys are best for Dachshunds.

Fetch Toys

Dachshunds love to chase things; it’s simply a part of their natural instincts. Before they transitioned to house pets, they worked as hunting dogs in Germany. They would chase small game and burrow into underground homes.

It’s this very background that heightens their love of the game of fetch.

Fetch toys, very simply, are toys designed to be thrown and brought back. Most commonly, you might play fetch with a rubber ball or a tennis ball. You can also throw stick-shaped toys or even rubber bones.

Plush Toys

There’s no doubt that your Dachshund will love to cuddle, and plush toys are excellent companions for the breed. Plush toys are less for playing and more for security. You might get a couple to keep in their crate, and your Dachshund will likely choose a favorite to snuggle with during naps and at night.

Don’t be surprised if you see them carry it around during the day as well. A plush toy can quickly become your dog’s best friend.

Teething Toys

Before you hand over the plush toys, make sure you have designated teething toys for your Dachshund puppy. Teething isn’t specific to this breed – every puppy goes through it – but you may find your Dachshund’s teething habits are amplified by their desire to hunt.

Investing in teething toys can save you furniture, shoes, and other possessions from getting destroyed.

Treat Toys

What dog doesn’t love a fetch toy that doubles as a treat dispenser? Treat toys have spaces that you can place treats, leaving a very exciting surprise for your pup. Plus, on a busy day, they work well to keep your Dachshund entertained when you can’t be there.

Best Toys for a Dachshund

Below are our top nine picks for the best toys for Dachshunds, along with some information concerning each option.

West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Tough Dog Chew Toy

Key Features:

• Mini and Small size options for small breed
• Dual-purpose chew and fetch toy
• Exclusive Zogoflex material is tough, stretchy, and bouncy
• Dishwasher safe and FDA-compliant

One simple toy gives you everything you need to keep your Dachshund entertained and stimulated for hours on end. With multiple size options, you don’t have to worry about your little dog struggling to dig his teeth in.

The toy also comes in three colors, all of which are super bright, so your dog can find it in the grass, snow, water, and dirt. Not only does this make for an excellent chew toy, but it’s also perfect for games of fetch.

The unique Zogoflex material is tough – that’s for sure. But it also floats in water and bounces on hard surfaces for even more fun. The material is easy on your pup’s mouth, teeth, and gums, and it’s got some stretch and flexibility to it.

Perhaps the best part is that it’s 100% recyclable, FDA-compliant, and you can wash it right in your dishwasher.

KONG Squeezz Crackle Dumbbell

Key Features:

• Dual-purpose chew and fetch toy
• Affordable price
• Crackle sounds to intrigue pets
• Durable, non-toxic material

Made from durable plastic, this dumbbell toy will keep your Dachshund entertained all day long. It’s great for chewing and lasts a long time, but the crackling sound inside mimics that of a water bottle, which captures their attention.

This toy is also excellent for playing fetch, which taps into a Dachshund’s chasing instincts. The fun material catches their eye, while the construction offers a fun bounce once it hits the ground. You never know which direction it’s going to bounce towards, and that’s half the fun for your pup.

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy

Key Features:

• Mentally stimulating puzzle
• Great for training
• Forges excellent pet-owner relationship
• Various difficulty levels

The Hound Brick Puzzle Game is a plastic, interactive toy that keeps your puppy learning and growing mentally. By hiding treats in the designated slots, you incentivize your dog to learn in the best way possible.

This game isn’t just a one-and-done kind of toy either. With increasing levels of difficulty, you can work with your Dachshund to move onto the next level. Ultimately, this creates a strong bond between you and your pet, and it also helps them develop their sniffer.

KONG Wobbler Dog Toy

Key Features:

• Small and Large options available
• Offers treat incentive to play
• Mentally stimulating and entertaining
• Tough, durable materials

The KONG Wobbler is super simple to use, and yet, the outcome is so huge. This chew toy doubles as a treat dispense. All you have to do is unscrew it and fill it up. The more your dog plays with this toy, the more treats fall out of it.

This is a great reward system for any puppy who’s learning how to play properly, and it’s excellent stimulation for pups with minds like Dachshunds. Their stubbornness will have them keeping at this toy for hours until they get every last treat.

Luckily, with super durable nylon construction, the KONG Wobbler will definitely be able to keep up with their tenacity. A small size option makes this a very suitable toy for the smaller breed.

Nylabone DuraChew Flavor Frenzy Dog Chew Toy

Key Features:

• Great flavor for dog’s enjoyment
• Super tough for extreme chewers
• Offers great dental hygiene
• Veterinarian recommended

It’s gotta be more satisfying as a dog to chew on something that tastes like a cheesy, meaty sandwich than a piece of wooden furniture, right? This flavored bone attracts and keeps your dog’s attention with its tasty flavor.

The nylon material is tough and long-lasting, allowing your dog to get endless hours of entertainment from it. Plus, its design is great for promoting oral health, as chewing on this bone helps to clean your dog’s teeth.

The ridged texture is also soothing for teething puppies and can help settle anxieties, making it a great option for dogs who get left alone during daytime work hours.

Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball

Key Features:

• Tough exterior for heavy chewers
• Extra bouncy
• Floats in water
• Bright colors add visibility

Unlike tennis balls that get soggy, waterlogged, and dirty, the Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball is made from highly durable rubber that’s easy to clean. The thick rubber is great for chewing, and the material allows for big, intensive bounces for all the more fun.

The high-quality design lasts for a lifetime, making the most of your purchase. Plus, the ball floats in water.

You can also purchase the Chuckit! Ball Launchers that are compatible with this toy for extra throwing leverage. Finally, we love the bright colors because they increase visibility for both you and your dog. Never lose a ball at the park again!

Frisco Hide and Seek Plush Volcano Puzzle Dog Toy

Key Features:

• Interactive fun
• Mental stimulation
• Squeaky toys for extra attention
• Soft texture for cuddling and safe play

This Frisco Hide and Seek toy comes packed with six plush dinosaurs, each of which comes with its own squeaker for some extra fun and excitement. Your pup can play for hours, finding and pulling the dinosaurs out of their volcano home.

This puzzle game provides excellent stimulation for your dog – especially a Dachshund who enjoys mental exercise. When you play along with them, it builds your bond as their master, too.

At the same time, the softness of this toy makes it more gentle. Your pup may very well cling to his new little dinosaur friends and curl up with them at bed time.

Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispenser Ball Dog Toy

Key Features:

• Long-lasting playtime
• Helps slow down fast eaters
• Small size option for small dogs
• Various difficulty settings for learning

This Pet Zone toy offers pups a more challenging way to play, learn, and receive rewards. The tough, durable ball encloses treats or even kibble – it’s your choice. Once you fill the ball, your dog can play and try to figure out how to get his treats out.

The ball itself is fun for your dog, but it’s the treats inside that keep him at it for hours. Not only is he happy and busy, but he’s learning as he goes – and he doesn’t even realize it!

This kind of mental activity is great because it minimizes destructive behavior caused by boredom. This ball is long-lasting, engaging, and fun. Plus, it all comes apart easily, so you can thoroughly wash it between uses.

KONG Cozie Marvin the Moose Plush Dog Toy

Key Features:

• Soft and cozy companion
• Various size options
• Affordable price
• Built-in squeaker for stimulation

This soft, polyester toy moose is the ideal stuffed animal for your Dachshund. Dachshunds love to cuddle, but whether you’re out of the house or they sleep alone in a crate, they may need something to snuggle up with other than you.

KONG is a widely trusted name in the dog toy industry, so it’s easy to pick this plush toy out of the mix. It’s soft and durable, using an extra layer of material to protect against anxious chewing. Plus, there’s minimal filling, so even if little Spike does chew through, there won’t be a huge mess.

What to Look for in a Good Toy for Dachshunds

Aside from cute designs and big brand names, there are a few features you should look out for when purchasing a good Dachshund toy.

Durability

Dachshunds are definitely known for their chewing habits. Long after the teething stage, you may still find your pup has a natural desire to dig his teeth into things. Especially given that this breed can be very stubborn, you may not be able to stop their chewing entirely.

Of course, this is where a durable chew toy can come in to save the day. Rather than trying to stop the chewing altogether, you should simply try to redirect it. These dogs get especially chewy when they’re bored or lonely, so if you have to leave him home alone for long periods of time, chewing can increase.

Invest in durable toys that last long – even with the toughest chewers – and you and your Dachshund will be A-okay.

Stimulating

Dachshunds are curious, mischievous, and spunky little animals. Because of these traits, they need good stimulation – both physically and mentally.

Dachshund owners tend to find success by not only finding a mentally stimulating toy but keeping several toys on hand on any given day. It’s worth it to invest in a high-quality design and then buy a wide variety of them.

A bored Dachshund just spells out trouble, and it’s your property that will suffer damage in the end. By making sure your dog’s toys are interesting and appealing, you will keep their attention on them instead of your nice leather couch.

Safety

Every dog owner should have safety at the top of their priority list when searching for high-quality toys. Anything with small parts or sharp edges that your pup can swallow should be an immediate red flag.

If you want to take things a step further, you can also consider toys made with all-natural, all-hygienic ingredients.

Tips for Playing with Your Dachshund

With their comical-looking long bodies and their adorable short legs, it can be easy to overlook the strong characteristics that Dachshunds possess. For example, these cute little creatures are actually hunters at heart.

This fact, along with many others, plays a critical role in how your Dachshund plays.

High-energy doesn’t properly describe these little fellows, but playfulness certainly does. It’s a big part of how this breed releases both physical and mental tension, which overall makes them a better pet.

Following some of these tips for playing with your Dachshund can make both you and your pup happier at the end of the day.

1. Because Dachshunds are not necessarily high-energy dogs, it’s best to keep your play session short yet frequent, taking little breaks throughout your day to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.
2. Along the same lines as number one, you should never force your Dachshund to play if they don’t want to; this will only increase frustration.
3. It’s a good idea to have several different toys that your dog likes; rotating them can keep them interested with something new during every play session.
4. When playtime is over, make sure to put the toys back where they belong. This can become a signal to your pup that it’s time to stop.
5. Try to avoid chasing games with a Dachshund, as this can trigger their natural hunting instincts.
6. Pay attention to what your Dachshund likes. While we’ve recommended several toys that are good for the breed, every dog has a different personality and may favor certain types of toys over others; Do they like fetch, or do they prefer to sit and chew?
7. Encourage good habits and discourage bad during playtime. Dachshunds are known to kick into high-gear during playtime, which can quickly turn into aggression. Try to avoid aggressive games such as tug of war or wrestling with other dogs.
8. Finally, Dachshunds are known for their back issue due to the shape of their bodies. Avoid any playtime games that can cause a lot of strain, such as obstacle courses, jumping, and too much running.

By keeping some of the above-mentioned tips in mind, you can ensure that your Dachshund engages in safe, fun, and healthy playtime.

Dachshund Dog Toy Comparison Table
Rank	Toy	Price	Rating
#1	West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Tough Dog Chew Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#2	KONG Squeezz Crackle Dumbbell Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#3	Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A+
#4	KONG Wobbler Dog Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A+
#5	Nylabone DuraChew Flavor Frenzy Dog Chew Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A
#6	Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#7	Frisco Hide and Seek Plush Volcano Puzzle Dog Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A
#8	Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispenser Ball Dog Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A
#9	KONG Cozie Marvin the Moose Plush Dog Toy Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Dachshunds require a lot of play and exercise?

Dachshunds are not particularly high-energy breeds, so they don’t require as much exercise as some other types of dogs. Generally, short play sessions throughout the day, and one or two walks are enough to keep them happy and healthy.

Is running bad for Dachshunds?

Because of their long bodies and short legs, things like staircases and jumping pose health risks for Dachshunds. However, a healthy Dachshund adult or puppy should have no trouble with normal, everyday running. In fact, the exercise is good for them.

Can I leave my Dachshund alone all day?

Most people can leave their fully-trained dogs home alone while they go to work, but because Dachshunds are pack animals, they can easily become stressed, bored, and lonely when left for four hours or more at a time. Also, because they are small breeds, they need to be let out to go to the bathroom more often.