Best Toys for Bulldogs

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November 6, 2022 / Dog Toys / By: Krystine Therriault

Cute bulldog playing with tennis ball outside in park

Bulldogs are a playful, calm, and kind dog breed. They make great indoor dogs and companions, because they love to be around their families.

Bulldogs are less energetic than other dog breeds, but regular exercise in small spurts is still important to manage their weight. So how do they play and what toys do Bulldogs like to play with?

Let's take a look at some different high-quality toys to try out next time you play with your English Bulldog!

Our Top Picks: Best Dog Toys for Bulldogs 

  • West Paw Design’s Zogoflex Tux, $23.95; amazon.com
  • Multipet Latex Polka Dot Globlet Pig Dog Toy, $5.36 (orig. $11.99) chewy.com
  • KONG Classic Flyer, $12.99; amazon.com
  • Chuckit! Ultra Ball, $5.09 (orig. $13.99) chewy.com
  • Mammoth Flossy Chews Cottonblend 5-Knot Rope Tug, $21.34; amazon.com

Bulldog Breed Quick Overview

Bulldogs, a.k.a. British or English Bulldogs, are known for having a compact but solid build, wide face, and short legs. Their ears are small compared to the rest of their body, and they have thick folds of skin around their face and head.

Bulldogs’ coats are short and smooth, with coloring that can vary between white, red, and fawn.

In the past, Bulldogs were used for the banned sport of bull baiting until people started keeping them as their loyal companions. Bulldogs are generally patient and gentle with children, but they can be territorial when it comes to their homes and families.

As a brachycephalic breed, it's important that they are monitored carefully for heavy or noisy breathing during playtime in extreme hot temperatures as this can lead to a heat stroke. Supervise your Bulldog since they can struggle in hot weather and have a high risk of overheating.

Why Bulldogs are the Best?

They're fun loving, incredibly friendly, loyal lap dogs who just want to be with their family. They're also intelligent and learn remarkably quickly.

How does the Bulldog like to Play?

Compared to other medium sized dog breeds, the Bulldog doesn’t require quite as much exercise. Leisurely morning or evening walks are best for the Bulldog, who tends to overheat.

Owners should be careful not to keep them outside on warm or humid days, since the breed tends to suffer from breathing problems.

The solution? Owners should play with their Bulldogs in an air-conditioned house or apartment on these days instead!

Bulldogs are known for getting fixated on things that have their attention. If something catches their interest on a walk, it may be difficult to pull them away from it.

Rewards-based training using small treats can help improve the stubbornness sometimes seen in Bulldogs.

What Toys Do Bulldogs Like?

Chew, squeaky, plush, tug and fetch toys are all suitable English Bulldog toys.

What Do English Bulldogs Like To Play With?

Cute bulldog puppy playing with a teething dog toy

Unlike many dog breeds, Bulldogs don’t require a lot of exercise to stay healthy. They should be taken on daily walks to maintain their weight, but should never be pushed past their limits.

Hide and Seek

Use their favorite snack food or toy and instruct them to sit and wait in one spot while you hide the treats. Release them and gently encourage them to find the treats.

Finally remember to reward them through either praise or tossing the toy around a few times.

Fetch

A classic favorite and a great way for your Bulldog to meet all its exercise requirements without having you run out of breath yourself!

Just ensure that you have the right fetch dog toy so as to avoid injury to mouth or getting stuck in its throat. Try and stay away from sticks or stones or even small balls as these can be damaging to their jaw and may even block their airway. 

During hot days keep fetch games short and ensure you have plenty of water available for them .

Another way to keep a Bulldog active throughout the day without overworking them is by taking them to run errands or to visit friends.

They will enjoy being around their family during the day, and this gives the Bulldog the opportunity to socialize with other people and pets at the same time.

The Best Dog Toys for English Bulldogs

1. Best Treat Dispensing Toy:  Zogoflex Tux

Best Treat Dispensing Toy

For a powerful chewer with strong jaws toys like West Paw Design’s Zogoflex Tux are great toys for Bulldogs because they are built to be durable (if they break the company will replace them) and they are recyclable!

Fill it with kibble, peanut butter, plain yogurt, or pumpkin to keep them busy and entertained before you leave the house to defuse separation anxiety.

These versatile toys are dishwasher safe, they float, bounce, and can even withstand heavy chewing sessions. It comes in three colors!

2. Best Chew Toy For Bulldogs: Multipet

Multipet's 9-Inch Latex Polka Dot...

If you are on the hunt for something durable that has a squeaker and also keeps your dog entertained we recommend the Multipet Latex Polka Dot Globlet Pig Dog Toy.

Some claim it's "the longest-lasting toy" and others have claimed that their dog have yet to destroy it.  Several dog owners claim this toy has withstood playing and chewing for two years which is pretty remarkable.

It's available in a variety of colors and comes with a cheap price tag that's impossible to beat.

So if you have an English bulldog who is an avid chewer and shreds toys within minutes after you bring them home, this is a fun toy for them.

3. Best Dog Frisbee for Chewers: KONG

Dog Frisbee Chew-Proof

Does your Bulldog love to play fetch? Fetch is a great way to exercise your dog, strengthening the bond between you and your canine friend.

Look for a frisbee or disc that has a smaller circumference and is lightweight, and made from a softer material that won't damage your dog's teeth when they catch it.

The KONG Classic Flyer is one such toy. Kong toys are made from durable rubber that'll stand up to even the most aggressive chewers and won't harm your dog's teeth. It comes in two sizes!

4. Best Ball Toy: Chuckit! 

Chuck It Ultra Ball

If your Bulldog loves playing fetch, meet the Chuckit! Ultra Ball!

Our top pick for the best indestructible dog toy has earned a stamp of approval from thousands of dog owners on Amazon. It's lightweight, floats on water, and has a high-impact bounce. 

Several reviewers have said it’s tough enough for aggressive chewers, and great fun to play with. 

5. Best Rope Dog Toy: Mammoth

Rope Chew Toy

One thing is true for nearly every dog and especially Bulldogs: they love a good game of fetch or tug of war.  If you're looking for a rope tug that’s durable and built to last - the Mammoth Flossy Chews Cottonblend 5-Knot Rope Tug is our top pick for the best rope dog toy.

Coming in various sizes, your Bulldog will be able to play with it for hours on end before it wears out.

The Toys to Avoid

Small Balls

When choosing toys for a Bulldog, owners should avoid buying small balls and toys that their dog could potentially choke on.

Cheap Toys

Since Bulldogs can be avid chewers, owners should buy toys that their Bulldog won’t be able to easily chew through since some toys have small parts inside that dogs can choke on or harmful fillers that the dog can ingest.

And Finally

Bulldogs are known for their distinctive faces and cute, lovable demeanor.

Unlike most dog breeds, Bulldogs require minimal exercise and shouldn’t be pushed too hard. They do need some physical activity to stay in shape though, and toys to keep them happy and preoccupied. 

Owners should try to find dog toys that will withstand a Bulldog’s strength for optimal playtime.

WRITTEN BY

Krystine Therriault

Krystine Therriault is an accomplished writer. With a passion for all creatures cute and furry, Krystine's life has been touched by many beloved dogs over the years. She is also a loving mother of two boys and an avid yogi.

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