Top 10 Best Toys for Border Collies in 2023
Border Collies are incredible dogs known for their intelligence and will to work, but they can easily get bored if not provided with adequate physical and mental stimulation. This can come as a shock for first-time Border Collie owners, as boredom in a BC will often present itself through destructive behaviors like barking, digging or chewing – neither a desirable behavior when trying to live in harmony with a dog.
By providing challenging interactive toys for Border Collies, these behaviors are likely to be significantly reduced, and result in a happier and more harmonious dog! Teach your Border Collie to play fetch, to use a puzzle toy or something else, and use it as a great opportunity to connect with your four-legged friend.
These are some of the best toys for Border Collies and other active dog breeds, and you might want to get a few different ones so that you can switch it up for every play session.
View the Best Toys for Border Collies Below
1. StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy
A Border Collie needs challenges, and with this interactive dog toy, your fur friend will have to use his or her brain to get the treats out. The toy has a weight in the bottom that keeps it upright, and the dog will have to figure out how to push it either with their paws or their snout for treats or kibble to be released.
Having toys for Border Collies such as these will help make sure they get the mental stimulation they need, and it is one of the overall best dog toys to use when you want to make mealtime more interesting. By having your BC work for his or her food in this way, you will be feeding (no pun intended) into the breed’s natural drive to herd.
Pros:
+ Great for mental stimulation
+ Designed with dual chambers
+ Weighted bottom for stability
+ Prevents destructive behaviors
Why We Like It – One of the best things about food dispensing toys like these is that they are very durable, and they are likely to tire your Border Collie out mentally due to the challenging design.
2. KONG 2 Pack Large Classic
When you want to keep a Border Collie entertained, you need something that presents a challenge and that keeps them occupied for a while, and there are few toys as ready for the challenge as the classic KONG!
These interestingly shaped rubber toys can be stuffed with a variety of delicious treats, such as milk bones, peanut butter, mashed up banana and much more, depending on your Border Collie’s preferences, and it is also great for playing fetch as it bounces in the most unpredictable ways – raising the level of the game to better suit an intelligent dog breed like the impressive Border Collie.
Pros:
+ Durable and chew resistant
+ Bounces unpredictably
+ Recommended by trainers
+ Available in multiple sizes
Why We Like It – A toy like this provides hours of great fun, but another thing that makes them among the best dog toys for Border Collies is that they are dishwasher safe and easy to keep clean.
3. Chuckit! Sport Launcher Dog Ball Thrower
To get a chance to play fetch is something few Border Collies will say no to, but our human capacity to throw the ball as far as they would want to run is often (if not always) limited. The solution for this is the Chuckit ball launcher – a clever invention that lets you manually launch a tennis ball up to three times further and faster than you normally could!
You have several different sizes to choose from, where the shorter ball launcher is better suited for traveling due to being easy to carry with you, and the long ball launcher being the ultimate fit for backyard – or dog park play. Your Border Collie will love playing fetch with this device, and you will love how tired they get afterward.
Pros:
+ Launches ball up to 3 times faster
+ Kit with ball thrower and ball
+ Available in multiple sizes
+ No need to bend down to pick up the ball
Why We Like It – These are the best toys for Border Collies that love a good game of fetch, and they are lightweight and easy to carry with you, while also being durable enough to endure years of play.
4. Wellbro Interactive Extendable Teaser Wand
With Border Collies being both athletic and smart, a teaser wand, or a “flirt stick” which is another name for it, can give them that fun challenge they have been longing for! It is a rigid extendible stick with a durable rope at the end, ultimately attached to a lure, and the idea is for you to move it rapidly along the ground – changing direction frequently for your Border Collie to chase it. This is just the type of activity a Border Collie will love, and a guarantee for having a tired dog after only a few minutes of intense play.
Pros
+ Extendible and portable design
+ Appeals to the dog’s natural instincts
+ With a replaceable lure
+ Great budget dog toy
Why We Like It – These toys for Border Collies are inexpensive and tons of fun and your BC will love chasing after the lure as you move it along the ground!
5. SNiFFiz SmellyMatty Snuffle Mat for Dogs
There are so many puzzle toy options out there, but how about feeding your Border Collie with a snuffle mat? This product here consists of a mat with durable fleece strips attached and plenty of places for you to hide treats or your pup’s dinner.
Your dog will then have to “dig” out the food and find it wherever it has been hidden, and this is an incredibly enriching way for a canine to eat. The difficulty level can be adjusted with the included additions, and this toy has an anti-slip bottom to prevent it from sliding across the floor. These are interactive toys for Border Collies and other demanding dog breeds, and it makes eating a lot more fun as they have to work for it.
Pros
+ Adjustable difficulty level
+ Safe and durable fleece
+ With a non-slip bottom
+ Prolongs feeding time
Why We Like It – When you are looking for the best dog toys for Border Collies, interactive toys like these are the best for triggering natural canine behaviors, and this is a product with great features like difficulty levels and non-slip bottoms.
6. Hyper Pet Boredom Buster Slow Feeder Lickimat
It is not uncommon for Border Collies to become uncomfortable during thunderstorms or when the neighbors are sending up fireworks just around the corner from the house, and a lickimat is a great way to take their minds off whatever it is that is unpleasant.
A lickimat is used by smearing something on it, such as wet dog food, peanut butter, mashed up banana, pumpkin or anything else that is safe for your dog to eat, and many will then opt for sticking it in the freezer for an hour or two. This particular product is made with 100% non-toxic materials and it works wonders for anxiety, and you can get it in multiple colors and sizes.
Pros
+ Various colors and sizes available
+ Made with non-toxic materials
+ For anxiety reduction
+ Gently promotes calmness
Why We Like It – Using a lickimat like this helps stimulate saliva to form in the dog’s mouth, which is known to aid with digestion and overall gut health.
7. Nylabone Chew Toys
Edible treats are great and all, but there are times when you can’t give your dog a big chewy bone or treats, and especially if they have already had their daily rewards, and that’s when a Nylabone becomes a much better option” These dog toys for Border Collies and other breeds are some of the best toys you can get, as it motivates your BC to chew, which is known to be both calming and great for a dog’s teeth. The ridges help remove plaque and tartar while also preventing it from coming back, and the material is non-toxic and durable enough also for hardcore chewers, providing your pup with a long-lasting flavored chew toy.
Pros
+ Textured for gentle gum massage
+ For both puppies and adult dogs
+ With delicious cheesesteak flavor
+ Good alternative to edible chews
Why We Like It – If your Border seems to need more entertainment than just plush toys, these flavored chews will last forever, and they are safe for dogs all sizes and ages.
8. Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Dog Chew
When you choose to get a Border Collie, you basically sign up for entertaining a smart high-energy dog for the rest of your life, and one way to do this is by providing safe chews. Benebone produces high-quality non-edible chews loved by dogs all over the world, and the Border Collie is no exception!
The whole product is manufactured in the United States, and this includes the chew itself, packaging and everything, which means you know exactly where each part of your dog’s new chew comes from. We all want the best dog products for our Border Collies, and this chew is 100% safe and trustable when used under supervision.
Pros
+ Suitable for power chewers
+ 100% real bacon flavor
+ Designed for a good grip
+ Various sizes available
Why We Like It – Feeding too many treats can lead to obesity and health problems, and a chew like this is a great option for Border Collies that enjoy having something to chew on, also during the teething process for puppies. Learn why are puppy teeth so sharp here.
9. Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Toy
These puzzle toys are a little different, and it is a great way to motivate your Border Collie to search for what is hidden inside the main toy! The plush trunk contains three hidden plushie squirrels, and the dog needs to dig its snout into the holes to try and get them out, which will usually take them a while before they figure it out.
Toys for Border Collies need to be challenging and motivate them to want to play, and that is exactly what you get with these adorable plush puzzle toys. It is a great dog toy for you to use when playing together with your dog, something that will help strengthen the bond between the two of you, and while these are not chew toys exactly – they are still surprisingly durable.
Pros
+ Activates the brain
+ Hidden plush dog toys
+ Great for strengthening your bond
+ Durable and washable materials
Why We Like It – What Border Collie wouldn’t love a cute plush toy? This is an instant favorite thanks to the added level of interactivity, and it is something you and your dog can play with together.
10. JW Hol-ee Roller Original Dog Ball
The best toys for Border Collies might not be the ones you think, and these peculiar looking balls get a spot on the list! Why? Because they are so much more than what meets the eye!
First of all, it is a lightweight toy that is great for fetch, and especially for Border Collies and other dogs that might seem a little reluctant to carrying heavier objects around, and the low weight also makes it easy to stick in your bag and take with you wherever you go. Another way to use these is to hide something inside! It could be a sick, a smaller plush animal, treats like milk bones and much more, and you can change it up daily to give your Border Collie something new to work on.
Pros
+ Promotes engaging playtime
+ Can be used in different ways
+ Easy to keep clean
+ Available in packs of two
Why We Like It – These are among the best toys for Border Collies thanks to how versatile they are, and how you can do everything from playing fetch to using them as puzzle toys!
Best Toys for Border Collies Buyers Guide
The best toy for your Border Collie will be one that challenges him or her, but also one that is fun to play with and that won’t get ripped to pieces within the first few minutes. You need to make sure it is safe for a BC to use, and that is where this guide comes in. We have already listed some of the absolute best dog toys to make the choice easier for you, and below you will find a comprehensive buyer’s guide to further expand your knowledge and understanding for what a Border Collie needs, and why.
Many happy customers will leave a comment on the products featured in this article – a review – but the truth is that all Border Collies are different, and what was right for someone else’s BC might not be as big of a hit with yours. Let’s have a look at how you can learn to single out a good toy for your dog in an intimidatingly large selection.
About the Border Collie
This is a fun and playful medium-sized breed that loves to tag along with their owners on hikes, adventures or to learn canine sports like agility and obedience, and while they were originally bred for herding sheep and other animals – there is so much more to the breed.
One thing is for sure, though, and it is that Border Collie will need plenty of physical exercises and mental stimulation, and that is something you need to be ready for as a new owner. The more you know about your dog’s breed, the more likely are you to find the perfect toy for your next play session, so make sure you look up all the information you can get your hands on about Border Collie dogs.
The Border Collie’s Age
Age matters, in this case, as some dog toy products could be better suited for an adult dog or for a puppy, and that is something to keep track of. Puppy products, for example, can sometimes be made with softer materials to better accommodate their sensitive mouth while teething, and these products may not be strong enough to survive an adult super chewer. Take your Collie dog’s age into consideration, and check the product you are contemplating buying for any age recommendations and/or restrictions.
Personality
With every dog being different, your Border Collie and his or her personality also matters. If you have a very calm BC, then perhaps a lickimat or a Kong would be a good way to provide enriching activities, and if your BC is more on the active and adventurous side, why not consider a ball launcher or an extra tricky dog food puzzle? Remember, nobody knows your dog as well as you do, so be his voice and help him find that perfect dog toy or dog toys you have been in the search for!
Chew Toys
Chewing has a calming and relaxing effect on dogs, which not everyone is aware of, and this is what makes chews such great toys for a dog like the Border Collie. The only issue is that you can’t exactly feed your dog chews and treats all day long, as this would most certainly result in weight gain, but there are quite a few non-edible bones like Nylabones and Benebones you can give your dog instead. These types of toys are flavored to make them more appealing, and they are long-lasting and great for reducing plaque and tartar.
Puzzle Toys
Border Collies are known for having tons of energy, and a way to deal with that is by purchasing an interactive toy in the form of a puzzle toy, as a puzzle toy is great for occupying also the Border’s mind and to keep them busy.
Many puzzle toys can be used to serve the dog his or her dinner in it, and what you generally do is that you fill-up the toy with a portion of regular dog food instead of feeding it from a bowl. Working for food with puzzle toys is a more natural behavior for the canine, and it will become a lot more enriching than to just feed dog food straight from a bowl.
Fetch
Playing fetch is often one of the first games that come to mind when you are researching ways to entertain your dog, but there are many different ways you can play this physically challenging game too. Tennis balls are great dog toys and all that, but for a Collie type dog – there might be better options!
There are balls that light up when you throw it, balls that make a noise, balls you can stuff something else inside it and more, and balls for fetch come in a variety of sizes. Focus on finding a ball that your dog will feel motivated to retrieve because every Border Collie deserves a chance to play a good game of fetch with a decent toy from time to time!
Keep In Mind
The first thing to keep in mind is that a dog should preferably always be supervised when using a toy, no matter how durable they are said to be, as accidents can happen. This is especially true if you have more than one dog, as resource guarding can become a problem also between dogs that are normally good friends, so whenever you can – keep an eye on your dog no matter what toy you are letting them play with.
You also want to have a look at your dog’s favorite toy and dog toys as often as possible, to make sure no chunks have come off and that they are still in good condition, or the toy/toys could end up being unsafe for your fur friend. A Border Collie can often be a little rough with their toys, so the second you notice a toy looking a little dated – it is probably time to change it and replace it with something new.
Conclusion
Now that we have had a look at some of the absolute best and most suitable toys for Border Collie playtime, you should be ready to pick out the one that is right for you and your dog. Border Collies love to work and they are excellent at problem-solving, and the more you allow them to do what they do best – the better they will behave in a family environment. They are indeed bred for herding, yes, but there are other ways to entertain and please a Border Collie too, which is what we have tried to demonstrate here.
Expert Tip
The best way to find that perfect toy for your Border Collies is by taking both their breed and their individual personalities into consideration.
Did You Know?
The Border Collie is a breed often seen in movies and on TV, and this is because of their intelligence, eagerness to please and their ability to learn.
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