The best type of dog toys for Beagles

beagle exerciseThe best types of dog toys for Beagles are automatic moving balls, automatic ball launchers and scent related toys.  These are the best types of toys for Beagles because they cater to their natural traits and instincts. The Beagle is an energetic and playful dog that needs something to do. A bored Beagle often will look to entertain themselves. This can be in unconstructive ways resulting in naughty behavior. For a guide to how much and what type of exercise your Beagle needs see here.

Beagles were bred to work as hunting dogs as scent hounds. Their sense of smell is amazing. It is often said that a Beagle’s brain is controlled by their nose. Once their nose hits the ground the ears turn off.

They are also very social dogs and love to play with either humans or other dogs. This is because of their long history of hunting in packs of other Beagles with human hunting partners. Interactive toys and games are ideal for Beagles.

Other traits to take into consideration when choosing toys for your Beagle include their strong food drive. Interactive and puzzle toys that use treats are a dream for Beagles.

Although not all Beagles are diggers, many Beagles are. This can become a problem when they are digging up your garden or even your carpet. Digging is a natural behavior for many dogs. You can’t really train a natural instinct out of a dog, but you can redirect the behavior.

What toys do Beagles like

What are the best toys for your Beagle? The dog toys that cater to these natural traits and instincts of the Beagle will be best.

  • Toys that burn energy.
  • Scenting and nose play-type toys.
  • Digging toys if your Beagle is a digger.
  • Toys that they can play with you or other dogs with.
  • Toys they can’t shred. Beagles can be a bit rough with their toys.
  • Puzzle and mentally challenging toys. Beagles are smart dogs.

Best Beagle toys that burn energy

Flirt Pole

A Flirt pole is like a giant cat tickler for dogs. It has a long handle with a bungy type rope with a lure or toy attached to the end. You simply move the lure along the ground around in circles or in different directions as your dog chases it. It works directly with their natural prey instinct. Be sure they have a good leave-it command and don’t allow them to destroy the toy. This game is excellent for burning up that pent-up energy in a short amount of time. For a full guide to flirt pole exercise for dogs see here.

View the range of flirt poles on Amazon.

Wicked Ball

If your dog is ball mad then the Wicked Ball is the ultimate moving dog toy for them. The magic ball runs and bounces all by itself and the LED light adds another level of engagement for your dog. No App or remote controller required.

It has several settings such as the Intelligent Companion mode. In this mode, the Wicked ball has 10 minutes of play and 30 minutes of rest. If your dog pushes or hits the ball it starts the play cycle again. It also has three reaction modes (gentle, normal, active) so you can set it to suit your dog’s mood.  Due to its obstacle avoidance system (collision sensor), it doesn’t get stuck in tight spots.

 

The Wicked ball is durable and dog safe and is also waterproof so can be played with when swimming. It also has a treat hole for dogs that are food motivated.

View the Wicked Ball on Amazon.

Automatic Ball Launchers

Fetch is the favorite game of the majority of dogs. I am sure you have had the experience of your dog wanting you to throw the ball just a few more times. With an Automatic Ball Launcher, they can play fetch all by themselves. This will require training them to put the ball in the funnel initially, but once they know what to do they are away and fetching. Read “Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs” to learn more

Manual Ball Launchers

Handheld ball launchers are an excellent way to exercise your dog. Obviously, the further you can throw the ball the more your dog has to run.

They also make life easier for you as the long handle lets you pick up a ball without having to bend over to the ground. It also prevents you from having to touch a slobbery ball.

The best quality and well-known brand are the Chuckit.  These are also extremely inexpensive and well worth having. Check out the Chuckit ball thrower on Amazon.

Kong Flying Disc

Most dogs can chase and catch a ball. But a flying disc requires a little bit more skill, coordination, and timing. Roll the Disc on the ground towards your dog. They will instinctually want to grab it in his mouth. Once you’ve accomplished this, try tossing it at a very low level first to your dog. If you feel like your Beagle is ready to go to the next level, toss the disc a little higher and further. Great energy burner and you may be amazed at your dog’s agility and acrobatic skill.

View the Kong Flying Disc on Amazon

Petgeek Automatic Rolling Treat Ball

This automatic rolling treat ball from Petgeek is activated by a soft touch from your dog and can last for up to 7 hours. Requires two AAA batteries and goes into sleep mode after a period of no activity.

Provides physical exercise and mental stimulation as they figure out how to release the treats.  Can hold up to 380ml of kibble or small treats(sized up to 0.3 inches). This is ideal for the home-alone dog also.

View the Petgeek Automatic Rolling Ball on Amazon,

PetGeek Play Bone

The PetGeek Play Bone is a motorized chase bone for your dog. You simply pat the bone and it bursts into action. It can be easily dismantled and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Check out the video to see how this works.

View the PetGeek Play Bone on Amazon

There are motorized play bones available such as the GoBone and the Wicked Bone. These are actually known as Smart bones as they are operated through your wifi or Bluetooth and controlled by a phone app.

This enables you to operate the toy when you are not home or to control the moment yourself like a remote control. The smart bones are more expensive than the PetGeek play bone, but they provide you more versatility. To learn more about these dog toys that move on their own see here.

Scenting and nose work toys for Beagles

Beagles are a scent hound. Providing toys and games that provide mental enrichment that work their scenting skills is essential. See here for 12 nose and scenting games for dogs. 

Here are some recommended toys that provide scenting enrichment for your Beagle.

Hound dog scenting kit

These kits are used to train dogs for hunting. However, they are ideal even for a pet Beagle to challenge their nose work skills. Comes complete with the training dummy toy and a bottle of Rabbit scent. There are other scents available such as duck and goose.

See the Hound dog scenting kit on Amazon

Snuffle Rugs

Snuffe Mat is another great way to provide for your dog’s natural digging instinct and to provide mental stimulation and relieve boredom. A Snuffe mat is a mat that is made of fleece and you can hide dry food or treats into it. If you are someone that is good at crafts you can try to make one yourself or check out the range of Snuffle Mats at Amazon.

My top pick for a snuffle mat for a Beagle is the SNiFFiz SmellyMatty Snuffle Mat for Dogs. This particular snuffle rug also comes with five puzzle pockets to make this not another a feeding puzzle, but an all-round puzzle enrichment toy.

Interactive Puzzle Toys for Beagles

Providing mental enrichment and stimulation for your Beagle is just as important as physical activity. Mental exercise can burn as much energy as physical exercise.

The best toys for achieving this are puzzle toys. Most of these types of toys involve your dog working out how to get the treat out of the toy. As Beagles are very food-driven and smart, they absolutely love puzzle toys.

There is a wide range of different puzzle toys available. For the top puzzle toys for dogs see here.

Digging toys for Beagles

IDigg Go

Although not all Beagles are diggers, most tend to be. This is just something common to the breed. The latest toy for dogs that dig is the iDig Go from the people that have brought you the iFetch automatic ball launcher. See “Automatic ball launchers for dogs” to learn more.

This is the first dog toy that has been specially designed to cater to your dog’s natural digging instinct. You simply hide their favorite toy or treats in the flaps and let them dig away to uncover the hidden treasure. Not only will the action of digging help burn off pent-up energy, but the mental challenge of working out how to get to the goodies will help to tire them also.

Check out the video to see how this works or view the iDig Go on Amazon.

For more toys for dogs that like to dig see here.

Toys for Beagles that like to shred

Most Beagles love soft plush toys. However, Beagles can be quite tough on their toys. It can get quite expensive not to mention having to clean up the mess every time you give your JBeagle a new toy.  The Tuffy range of plush toys is my top pick for the toughest nearly indestructible plush dog toys.

For more recommended dog toys for dogs that like to shred see here.

Tuffy plush toy range

The Tuffy range is known as the toughest soft toy for dogs. Tuffy plush toy range combines durability with softness. This is accomplished with seven-layer stitching, multiple tough outer layers of material and a fleece inner lining. They are also machine washable and float.

Tuffy Ocean Creature Octopus      

Tuffy Ultimate Dog Toy                           

Tuffy Barnyard Dog Toy            

(available in a range of animal shapes)     

See the full range of Tuffy Plush Toys on Amazon              

Chew toys for Beagles

Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs and has many benefits for them. Providing chew toys for your Beagles is not only a great way to keep them occupied and help with their dental health. It is also a natural stress release for them.

When a dog chews, it releases endorphins to the brain giving them a calming and relaxing feeling.

There are in general three categories of chewing types in dogs – gentle chewers, average chewers, and power chewers. Beagles tend to fit into the power chewer or average chewer categories.

Power Chewers are strongly determined chewers. It is important to select chew toys that they can destroy with ease.

Gough Nuts Indestructible Chew Toy

The Gough Nuts chew toys are my number one pick for aggressive power chewers. Extremely popular with people with power-strong dogs for their toughness.

Gough Nuts Maxx Chew Stick

Extremely tough and a good size and shape (11.75 inches long). Dogs like stick-shaped toys because they can hold them between their paws while they work on the end. Also great for a game of fetch.

View Gough Nuts Maxx Stick on Amazon

Gough Nuts Dog Chew Ring

The Gough Nuts ring is 5″ in diameter with a 1.75″ cross-section. Virtually indestructible, guaranteed! If your pet can chew through the outer layer to expose the inner red layer, GoughNuts will replace your toy.

View Gough Nuts Chew Ring on Amazon

Deer Antlers

If you are wanting a more edible dog chew, deer antlers are one of the toughest and longest-lasting. These are available in a range of different sizes to suit your dog. Antlers are a source of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. And many dogs seem to really like the taste.

View Deer Antlers on Amazon.

For more chew toy recommendations see here.

Best toys for Beagle puppies

Beagle puppyWhen selecting the best toys for a Beagle puppy it is important to consider several things. Firstly, they should not be too hard and should have some give. This prevents damage to the jaw and the new teeth. It is also important that they do not shatter or break into small pieces. This is to prevent the risk of your puppy choking on any fragments that come off the toy.

Kong puppy chew toys

In addition to the classic shape Kong, there are other shapes available such as the Kong teething stick and the Kong Goodie Bone. These have grooves on the side so you can spread a little paste into them to make the toy more interesting than your shoes.

Kong Classic for puppies 

Kong teething stick 
Kong Puppy Goodie Bone 

Tuffy Junior dog toys

For puppies that love plush toys but tend to pull apart normal plush toys like Beagle puppies tend to, The Tuffy Junior range is ideal. They are more durable than other plush toys and are machine washable. These are for puppies mainly as an adult dog would be more than likely to be able to destroy them. They are available in a range of sizes to suit your puppy.

Nylabone puppy key ring

The Nylabone puppy teething key ring is a classic. These have been available for teething puppies ever since I can remember. These are soft enough for enjoyable chewing, yet strong enough to withstand it.

They have lots of moving parts that make a sound when shaken. Toys that make a sound are always more preferable and fun for a puppy. The irregular shape and texture provide choices of different surfaces and feelings while chewing and after some chewing, raised bristles are released that clean the teeth to help dental health.

Related post for best toys for Beagles

Dog toys that encourage exercise

Top puzzle toys for dogs

Best chew toys for dogs

Toys for dogs that like to shred

Dog toys for diggers

Author

  • Joseph Coleman

    A lifelong writer and proud dog dad. Joseph started this blog dedicated to helping other dog owners find accurate information on how to keep their pets at their healthiest through exercise and nutrition. His passion for all things canine shines through in his writing, and he believes that every dog deserves the best possible care. If you're a dog owner looking for reliable advice on how to keep your pup healthy and happy, be sure to check out Joseph's work.