11 Great Toys for Herding Dogs (2024)
Athletic, nimble, and oh-so-agile, herding dogs are the primo athletes of the canine world. Just look at any agility competition and you’d see that the vast majority of agility champions belong to the herding dog group.
Herding dogs are breeds of dogs that were originally bred to herd livestock. These dogs have a natural instinct to move animals around, and they are often used on farms and ranches to help keep livestock in order. Some of the most popular herding dog breeds include Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Welsh Corgis.
When it comes to entertaining a herding dog, the sky’s the limit. These guys are bred for the perfect combination of speed and endurance, and anyone that has ever had one of these gorgeous creatures will attest that they are extremely difficult to tire out!
Not only do they have formidable athleticism and a high prey drive, but they are also known to be extremely intelligent. It is no mean feat to keep an intelligent, physically hyperactive herding dog occupied.
So when it comes to toys, they understandably have discerning tastes. If you are shopping for toys for your herding dog, we’re happy to share with you some of our favorites.
Great Toys for Herding Dogs
1. SNiFFiz Smelly UFO Durable Interactive Treat Dispensing Puzzle
Other than toys, what do you think delights a dog more? Food of course!
Combine them both and you’ll give your dog an afternoon of pure fun. SNiFFiz’s UFO Treat Dispensing Puzzle is like a game on its own! Fill the toy with treats and watch it move around as your dog tries to get the treats out.
This UFO toy will keep your dog physically and mentally active as it figures out how to get the treats to come out of the puzzle. The toy is also customizable depending on how long you want your dog to play with it. You may adjust the size of the mouth of the toy to control the difficulty and the duration it takes for the treat to come out.
2. ZippyPaws X-Large Burrow Log and Chipmunks Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Toy
Which intelligent canine doesn’t like puzzles? ZippyPaw store has got you covered. This squeaky hide and seek plush toy is an interactive toy that your dog will love.
Your herding dog will probably have a high prey drive and will enjoy hours of catching the chipmunks out of the log. It comes with an entertaining sound that will goad your dog even more!
The toy comes in different colors and sizes that will cater to dogs of all sizes but is not advisable for aggressive chewers.
3. Jolly Pets Teaser Ball Dog Toy
Jolly Pets Teaser Ball Dog Toy is a 6-inch toy that is good for dogs of about 20 to 60 lbs. What is unique with this toy is that it has a ball within a ball!
Your herder will have heaps of fun trying to get the side ball out from the exterior ball. The ball floats, and is perfect for some water time. You can stuff the interior ball full of treats like frozen peanut butter to add an incentive to get it out.
This versatile ball can be used to play fetch, tug-of-war, or simply used as a chew toy. Easily cleaned and maintained, this puzzle toy will keep your pooch occupied for a while.
4. Jolly Pets Tug-N-Toss Jolly Ball
This Tug-N-Toss Jolly Ball is famous for its handle which allows dogs to carry this toy. This toy is available in multiple sizes from S to XL. A typical medium-sized herding dog will do well with the M or L sizes, which are 6 and 8 inches respectively.
This ball doesn’t deflate even when punctured and is perfect for the herding dogs that enjoy a good game of tug. It floats as well, so take it to the beach or lake for a good session of fetch in the water.
5. Jolly Bounce-N-Play Dog Toy
Also by Jolly Pets, this toy called Bounce-N-Play floats and is an excellent toy for a day out at the beach. With a diameter of 8 inches, this toy suit dogs over 60 lbs.
Just like the other Jolly Pets products, the JollyFlex gives the toy a bouncy, tough feel, and the material also prevents deflation. This toy can also be used for herding dogs who like to chase, kick, and retrieve, which let’s face it, applies to almost all dogs!
6. ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher
When your dog fetches tireless, what do you do? Increase the distance!
The ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher is a 26-inch dog toy that can be used with any ChuckIt ball. The launcher allows you to gain great distances, which equates to having a very tired dog. And as a bonus, you won’t have to pick up a ball that’s dripping with doggy drool all the time!
7. ChuckIt-Ultra-Ball
Used together with the ChuckIt! launcher, this ball will fly, and will fly FAR! Looking for a fun way to keep your dog entertained?
These durable balls are designed for fetching, and they come in a variety of sizes to suit any dog. Best of all, they’re easy to clean. With high bounce and high visibility, ChuckIt balls are also bouncy and float, making them perfect for water-loving dogs.
8. Dog Soccer Ball with Grab Tabs
Voerou’s Dog Soccer Ball with Grab Tabs is a 6-inch toy that is easy to handle by both dogs and humans. The grab tabs, which are made of nylon, are sewn into the ball and do not fall off easily. Your dog will enjoy fetching with this ball or using it for a quick game of tug with his canine buddy.
The ball’s material is TPU which gives it the same quality as that of a soccer ball. It is waterproof which makes it safe from deformation or liquid absorption during water play. This ball is suited for smaller herding dogs with a weight of 20 to 40 pounds.
Buyers vouch for this toy’s durability, ease of inflating, and sturdiness. The package includes a pump and air needle.
9. Indestructible Bowling Ball
This toy from Dogify offers a lot of versatility for a dog toy. Indestructible, chew-proof and puncture-proof, this toy will suit the voracious chewers.
Not only is it a toy, but it also will do your pooch’s dental health wonders. With its soft bristles that clean your dog’s teeth, the toy doubles up as a fetch toy. It comes in two sizes – 6 inches and 10 inches.
The 6-inch toy will suit dogs below 60 lbs and the larger one will suit dogs above.
10. Virtually Indestructible Best Ball for Dogs
The indestructible ball from Doggie Dooley is best for herding dogs that like to chase and fetch. The ball is made from hard plastic which is hard to be punctured or destroyed. It even floats on water which your dog can enjoy during a fetch session at the lake or beach.
This ball comes in multiple sizes, so be sure to pick the appropriate size for your dog. To avoid choking hazards, your pooch shouldn’t be able to fit the ball in his mouth.
11. Kong – Flyer – Durable Rubber Flying Disc
From legendary pet toy maker Kong, this rubber flying disc is a Frisbee-type toy that can fly some serious distances.
Made of soft rubber that is durable yet safe, you won’t have to worry about having your dog’s teeth klonked by a hard disc when catching. Two sizes are available – the small and the large.
What Toys Do Herding Dogs Like?
Just like shopping for presents for your human friends, you’ll know your dog best and what he or she would like.
Some dogs are canine brainaics that love puzzle toys that challenge their intellectual capabilities, giving them a vigorous mental workout. Other dogs like a good, physical workout when playing with their toys.
You probably already know this if you have a herding dog, but they tend to want BOTH! These canine Einsteins enjoy mental stimulation as much as physical stimulation, which is rare in many other breeds which tend to favor one over the other.
Dog toys should also challenge the inherent instincts of the breed. Bred for agility and stamina, herding dogs like to chase, run, and jump. Their pure athleticism and high prey drive make them ideal candidates to be wizards at fetch.
Games that tend to suit herding dogs include:
- Puzzle toys that they can swat around and chase.
- Frisbees.
- Long-distance fetch.
- Chew toys that they can toss and chase on their own.
- Bonus if the toy squeaks!
Final Thoughts
Herding dogs are hard to tire, and usually are game for anything you throw at them, so stock up on your arsenal of toys, and have a ball! Pun fully intended.
Playing with your dog is one of the funnest things about being a dog parent. In the case of these cattle chasing pooches, you should be prepared to play. A LOT!
