Best type of dog toys for Bichon Frise

bichon happy smiling at the cameraThe best type of toys for a Bichon Frise are dog toys that cater to their natural traits and personality. Although being considered a companion dog they are quite high energy.

They are also a smart little dog that needs to keep their mind busy. They also enjoy a good chase so love to play games such as fetch. The Bichon Frise also loves human company and loves any game that involves you.

Even though the Bichon Frise is a companion breed they are a relatively energetic dog and require daily exercise to release pent-up energy. Failure to provide adequate exercise and keep them occupied can result in behavior issues. This can include nuisance barking, destructive behavior, and even escaping. For a guide to the exercise needs of a Bichon Frise see here.

What toys do Bichon Frise like

The Bichon Frise loves to play and they need a variety of toys to keep them occupied and happy. Stuffed plush toys, especially ones with a squeaker, are a firm favorite. They also love any toy or ball that can be used in a game of fetch.

They are also smart little dogs and it is crucial to provide mental stimulation and enrichment to prevent boredom. To learn about the six categories of enrichment for dogs here. Puzzle and interactive toys are ideal to challenge a Bichon Frises’ mind.

Must have toy for a Bichon Frise

Kong Classic

If you don’t know what a Kong for dogs is it is a tough rubber dog toy with a hole in the center so you can stuff it with treats or even flavored paste. The Kong is actually three dog toys in one.

  • Food and treat stuffing puzzle toy. You can even freeze the Kong for a hot weather treat.
  • Chew toy – made of safe near-indestructible rubber
  • Fetch toy – due to its unique shape it bounces in unpredictable directions making a game of fetch more fun.

KONG - Classic Dog Toy, Durable Natural Rubber

They come in a range of sizes from XS to XL. For a Bichon Frise, I recommend using the medium Kong as the smaller sizes don’t hold as much food or treats as you would think.

For a Bichon puppy, you should choose the Puppy Kong. These are made of a softer more flexible rubber so they don’t do damage to their young and developing teeth and jaw. See Puppy Kongs on Amazon here.

To learn more about how to use a Kong for dogs see here. If your Bichon Frise doesn’t have a Kong, get them one or even two. See the Kong Classic on Amazon here.

Fetch toys for Bichon Frise

Bichons love to play fetch. As mentioned, the Kong for dogs is ideal for playing fetch due to its unique shape making it bounce in unpredictable directions. I don’t recommend using tennis balls or soft foam balls as the material is easy to tear off and can cause choking.

In addition to the Kong for dogs, I recommend the Chuckit ultra ball.

Chuckit ultra ball

This squeaker ball toy for dogs entices play with fun sounds and high bounce. These are tough and durable toys and also have a textured surface making them easy for your Bichon to pick up.

Stuffed and squeaky toys for Bichon Frise

Bichons love plush soft toys especially if they have a squeaker. When selecting plush toys for your Bichon Frise it is best to choose toys that are more durable. Even a Bichon who is a soft chewer will eventually create tears in the fabric.  It is also a good idea to have a selection of toys so you can rotate them.

Here are a couple of recommendations.

ZippyPaws – Loopy Hedgehog No Stuffing Squeaky Plush Dog Toy 

If your Bichon Frise loves a toy with a squeaker, then this is the ultimate.  Each toy includes 6 high-quality round squeakers. It also has no stuffing. This avoids having to clean up a mess if your dog manages to pull it apart.

goDog Checkers with Chew Guard Technology Durable Plush Dog Toys with Squeakers

Features Chew Guard Technology and double stitched seams to last longer than your standard plush toy. This toy has one grunter, two squeakers, and crinkle Mylar so it makes lots of interesting sounds engaging your Bichon.

Interactive and puzzle toys for Bichon Frise

Mental stimulation and enrichment are important for a smart little dog like the Bichon Frise. It not only helps to prevent boredom. Mental stimulation can tire a dog just as much as physical activity.

These are some recommended puzzles and interactive toys for a Bichon. For more puzzle toys for dogs see here.

Petgeek Automatic Rolling Treat Bone

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

It 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 dogs also.

View the Petgeek Automatic Rolling Bone on Amazon.

Tornado Puzzle

The Tornado puzzle has three layers that spin with four compartments on each level. It also comes with bone puzzle pieces you can place over the treats to add an extra level of difficulty.

The constant movement and spinning action keep your dog engaged. This puzzle is also great to feed your dog their dry kibble to slow them down. Especially if they are fast eaters or to make mealtime last longer if they are on a diet.

Busy Buddy Tug a Jug

The Tug a Jug is not just a puzzle toy as it has a dental gum massaging top and rope. Even without treats in it is a fun toy for dogs anyway.

This is one for smart dogs that solve most puzzle toys quickly. Your dog has to work out that they need to pull the rope in a precise way to get the treats to come out.

Although it looks like it may not be very durable it is, in fact, reasonably strong and can take pretty rough treatment. Also, it can hold a lot of food so it can be used at mealtime to slow that speed eater down.

tug a jug

View the Tug a Jug on Amazon

Chew toys for Bichon Frise

Chewing is a natural instinctive behavior for dogs. You can’t train an instinctive behavior out of a dog, but you can redirect it. That is why it is important to provide your Bichon with chew toys. Despite their cute looks, some Bichons can be destructive chewers. As mentioned, the Kong for dogs is an ideal durable chew toy.

Here are another suggestions for chew toys for Bichons.

Nylabone Dura Chew Regular Original

This durable chew toy has round knobs for your Bichon t work on and the shape is perfect for them to hold in their paws.

Edible dog chews

Natural edible dog chews are highly appealing to dogs as they are food.  a great way to add some variety to your dog’s diet. These include ears, antlers, bones, and bully sticks.

View Edible Chews on Amazon.

Chew toys for Bichon puppies

bichon puppy toyWhen selecting the best toys for a Bichon 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

The Kong for dogs is a must-have. 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.

All these toys are suitable for a Bichon Frise puppy who is teething.

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 some Bichon 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 keyring 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.

Let us know in the comments what your Bichons favorite toys are.

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.