German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds, especially in America. Originally bred for herding and guarding sheep they are mostly known as loyal and loving family pets today.
As well as their good looks and the loyal companionship they give us they are really intelligent dogs too.
They are no longer getting their physical and mental exercise from herding sheep so we need to ensure they are adequately entertained with other things for their health and wellbeing.
In other words, they need to be kept busy.
So if your dog is starting to show signs of boredom, like chewing on your furniture or getting into the trash, you need to buy them some German Shepherd toys that are designed to reduce boredom.
What kind of toys do German Shepherd like?
Not all dog toys are good for German Shepherds and not all German Shepherds will like the same toy either.
When choosing a toy for a German Shepherd it’s important to understand what kind of things they like to do. Being a herding dog German Shepherds like to chase things so toys such as balls and frisbees are great for exercise games and ideal when you are able to play with them.
They like to have a job to do so anything you give them which means they have to use their brains to work something out is great too.
They also love using their noses to seek and find things so toys you can put treats inside that will involve them having to work out how to get it out are great for this.
Interactive toys that make different noises or have different textures are also good for brain stimulation.
Like most dogs German Shepherds also like chew toys but it’s important to get ones that will withstand their strong powerful jaws.
So let’s have a look at what’s on the market today that would be suitable German Shepherd toys for boredom.
At A Glance: The Best German Shepherd Toys For Boredom (Updated List)
If you are in a hurry, here is a summary of the best German Shepherd toys for boredom. If you have the time I go into more detail about why I like these particular ones later in this article.
| # | Preview | Product | Rating |
| 1 |  | Food Grade Tough Toy Designed For German Shepherds | Best To Stuff Treats In |
| 2 |  | PetSafe Busy Buddy Ultra Stratos Treat Ring Dog Toy | Best For Determined Chewers |
| 3 |  | Bent Bone Toy For German Shepherds | Best For Dogs Who Like To Chew Bones |
| 4 |  | Pet Qwerks Interactive Dog Toy | Best Interactive Toy |
| 5 |  | Chuckit! Ultra Ball | Best For Dogs Who Love Balls |
| 6 |  | KONG Classic Dog Toy | Best For Puppies |
| 7 |  | Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers | Best For Aggressive Chewers |
Why You Should Get A German Shepherd Toys For Boredom
There are many dog toys on the market today but intelligent dogs like the German Shepherd can become bored easily if their minds are not stimulated.
German Shepherds need to be kept busy. When they become bored they will make their own entertainment and we may not like their idea of fun especially if it involves our shoes or furniture.
The main reason why you may get a German Shepherd toys for boredom are:-
It is good for their mental well-being and keeps them out of trouble.
No one wants to come home to a house trashed by our fury friends. So giving them plenty of exercise and providing toys that help stimulate their brains can stop them from becoming bored and destructive.
What to Look for When Buying A German Shepherd Toys For Boredom
When deciding on German Shepherd toys for boredom the most important things I believe the toys should have are as follows:-
Your Dog Must Love It
Not all dogs like the same toy or even the same type of toy. My male pretty much loves every type of toy especially if it’s one he can play fetch with but my female is a bit of a foodie and she much prefers flavoured chew toys or ones with treats inside. They both like stuffed toys too but these don’t last long, unfortunately.
Knowing what your dog prefers may sometimes be a bit of trial and error but in order to help with boredom, it is important that you get one that they love and want to play with.
It Needs To Be Strong And Durable
Any toy should be strong enough to withstand a lot of chewing, or else you’ll just be wasting money since German Shepherds are pretty aggressive with toys when they’re bored. Cheap stuffed toys will be de-stuffed in seconds.
Make Sure It Is Not Made Of Any Material That Could Be Toxic To Dogs
It is important that you only buy dog toys from reputable sources that have been made specifically for dogs.
Please do not give your dog old shoes or socks to play with. Not only does this give a message to your dog that it’s ok to chew human shoes and clothing you have no idea whether the synthetic materials or dyes that shoes are made out of are toxic to dogs or not.
Socks can also easily be swallowed by your dog causing blockages that will require life-saving surgery.
Look For A Toy That Makes Them Figure Things Out
Toys that you can hide treats in are really good for German Shepherds as they have to use their brains to figure out how to get to the food.
Make Sure It Is Easy To Clean
If your dog is anything like my dogs then beloved toys go everywhere. They can be dragged through mud left outside in all weathers and they spend a great deal of time in your dog’s mouth too.
It is important that they are easy to clean for hygiene purposes as well as to ensure that mud isn’t transferred all around your home.
Look For One That Makes Training Easier
If you have a toy that your German Shepherd Dog loves it will make crate training much easier. It can also be used as a training aid when teaching obedience commands. Instead of treat rewards, the treat will be their favourite toy which is great if you have a dog that has a tendency to put weight on.
I find that smaller toys such as balls that fit in your pocket easily are usually best for this.
German Shepherd Toys For Boredom Product Reviews
Here are severn German Shepherd toys that will help keep your dog entertained and out of trouble:
1. Food Grade Tough Toy Designed For German Shepherds (Best To Stuff Treats In)
This tough little toy is specifically designed to help ward off boredom in German Shepherds by stimulating their minds.
It’s made from food-grade materials and is 40% more tear resistant than most other chew toys, meaning it will stand up to the jaws of a German Shepherd chewer. You won’t find the toy becoming brittle after weeks of use either as is the case with some cheaper toys.
Plus, the grenade design means it can be stuffed with treats, making it even more fun for your dog.
And if that’s not enough, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
So you can rest assured that your German Shepherd will love this toy, and it will be safe for them to chew.
What I Liked About It
- Strong and durable shape
- Can use any small treat with it
- Lifetime guarantee
What I Did Not Like About It
- The treat hole is quite small
- The handle part is vulnerable to very aggressive chewers
- Not all dogs like it
2. PetSafe Busy Buddy Ultra Stratos Treat Ring Dog Toy (Best For Determined Chewers)
This toy is designed to keep your German Shepherd mentally and physically stimulated. The treat ring dispenses treats as your dog plays, encouraging them to keep playing. You can also use the toy to play fetch with your German Shepherd.
The PetSafe Busy Buddy Ultra Stratos Treat Ring Dog Toy comprises a nylon core that can easily withstand chewing. In addition, the rubber is resilient and won’t tear off easily, making them one of the best German shepherd toys for boredom.
The ring is also dishwasher safe and four times thicker than regular rings, making it a durable and long-lasting toy for your German shepherd.
I didn’t particularly notice this myself but when I was reading the reviews there have been some reports of a strong rubber smell although this does not seem to deter the dogs.
What I Liked About It
- Strong and durable
- Entertaining for your dog
- Easy to clean
What I Did Not Like About It
- Needs specific types of treats to go with it
- There have been some reports of a strong rubber smell
- Not suitable for really aggressive chewers
3. Bent Bone Toy For German Shepherds (Best For Dogs That Like To Chew Bones)
If you’re always looking for new toys to keep your German Shepherd entertained and your dog likes to chew bones then the Bent Bone Toy from BZONZOON is a good option.
This toy is made from non-toxic, food-grade polymer nylon with a natural beef flavouring, so you don’t have to worry about your dog chewing on it. It’s also very durable – you can have your dog play with it for months, and it doesn’t show any signs of serious wear and tear.
And if your dog is a natural chewer, you’ll be happy to know that this toy comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
When dogs chew these types of chews they do make teeth mark indentations in them and these can feel quite sharp to the touch in some cases.
What I Liked About It
- Strong and durable
- Easy shape for dogs to hold when chewing
- Lifetime replacement warranty
What I Did Not Like About It
- Not all dogs like it
- Can become sharp when chewed
- Very hard material
4. Pet Qwerks Interactive Babble Ball Dog Toy (Best Interactive Toy)
If you have a German Shepherd, it’s important to find toys that can withstand their powerful jaws. The Pet Qwerks Interactive Dog Toy is perfect for German Shepherds who tend to get bored easily.
This toy is made of hard plastic that can take a beating from a German Shepherd. It also talks and growls with your German Shepherd entertaining them by giving a different sound each time it moves. Its unique sounds don’t let your German Shepherd get bored easily and keep them busy for quite a while.
The toy comes with 20 sounds and sayings that reduce anxiety. Thus, making it one of the best German Shepherd toys for boredom.
The Pet Qwerks Interactive Dog Toy is manufactured with high-quality ABS – making it ideal for aggressive chewers like German Shepherds.
If you’re looking for a German Shepherd toy that will keep your dog entertained, the Pet Qwerks Interactive Dog Toy is the perfect option. Likewise, German Shepherd owners looking for a durable and entertaining toy for their dog should definitely consider the Pet Qwerks Interactive Dog Toy.
What I Liked About It
- Strong and durable
- Great for dogs that like ball toys
- The sounds encourage longer interaction
What I Did Not Like About It
- Not all dogs like it
- It needs batteries
- There is no switch to turn it off when not in use
5. Chuckit! Ultra Ball (Best For Dogs Who Love Balls)
The Chuckit! Ultra Ball fits the bill when it comes to excellent and robust German Shepherd toys for boredom. This ball is made of an extra durable rubber core that can withstand the powerful jaws of a German Shepherd – and doesn’t go poof!
The ball is super bouncy and floatable, making it perfect for playing fetch in the water. German Shepherds who love to swim will have a blast playing with this ball.
When this ball is around your German Shepherd, boredom will be a thing of the past! German Shepherd owners should definitely consider adding the Chuckit! Ultra Ball to their dog’s toy collection.
These balls do have a very slight sweet odour to them. I don’t know if it is the rubber they have been manufactured from but I did not find it unpleasant and it certainly hasn’t bothered my dogs.
What I Liked About It
- They are strong and durable
- They Bounce well
- They Float
What I Did Not Like About It
- Not great for strong chewers
- They can become slippery when wet
- Some people don’t seem to like the sweet odour of the rubber
6. KONG Classic Dog Toy (Best For Puppies)
KONG do quite a few different types of toy which are very good. I particularly like the Classic KONG for a German Shepherd puppy though.
The KONG Classic’s unique all-natural red rubber formula is ultra-durable for those sharp puppy teeth.
It also bounces all over the place which is great for energetic puppies. It’s very unpredictable and can bounce in any direction when thrown.
Your puppy will really enjoy burning off lots of energy as they chase it around. It also provides plenty of mental stimulation as they use their natural prey drive instincts to determine which way it’s going to go.
It can make a great training aid too as it is small enough to carry around and you can fill it with all sorts of tasty treats. My female has a very strong prey drive which basically means she was very focused on movement. When she was a puppy the target of her attention was unfortunately our ankles. I found this toy really helped us train her to stop this type of puppy biting.
Some reviews appear to mention a chemical smell with these toys although I have not particularly noticed this myself.
What I Liked About It
- Not too harsh on puppy teeth
- The unpredictable bounce satisfies instinctive needs
- The fact you can put treats in it
What I Did Not Like About It
- Not all puppies like it
- Not good for aggressive chewers
- Some reports of having a chemical smell
7. Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy For Aggressive Chewers (Best For Aggressive Chewers)
Last but not least in my list of best German Shepherd toys for boredom is the Benebone Wishbone. This durable chew toy is perfect for aggressive chewers and will keep your dog entertained for hours. Made from real bacon, the Wishbone is sure to be a hit with your German Shepherd.
Considering its durability, it’s off the charts! It is made of durable material that is strong like real bones.
Available in three delicious flavors – bacon, chicken, and peanut. Thus, your German Shepherd will love chewing on this toy, which will keep them entertained for hours.
As is the case with these types of chews teeth mark indentations can make the product rough and sharp where it has been chewed.
What I Liked About It
- Natural flavours dogs seem to enjoy
- Good shape for dogs to grip
- Strong and durable
What I Did Not Like About It
- Not all dogs like it
- Can become sharp after being chewed
- Very hard material
FAQ’s
Here are some commonly asked questions about German Shepherd toys for boredom.
Is there such thing as an indestructible dog toy?
Unfortunately, no dog toys are indestructible. If your dog is intent on destroying it then the chances are they will succeed no matter what it is they have.
But…
The toys I recommend in this article are ones that are ideal for large breed dogs such as the German Shepherd and they are also designed with the bored chewers in mind.
As German Shepherd owners our aim is to prevent boredom in our dogs. These toys help do this by giving them something to think about as well as just chew. It won’t take them long to work out there is a treat inside they just need to work out how to get it.
They tick all the boxes that we should be looking for when buying a quality toy to prevent boredom in a German Shepherd.
The key is to give them something they will love whilst keeping them entertained for longer than a cheap soft toy would.
Having a good variety of different toys around will help your dog to keep themselves busy for hours.
What toys are best for German Shepherd puppies?
German Shepherd puppies have very sharp teeth and strong jaws. When teething they will chew a lot and can be quite destructive.
Some adult dog toys may be a little bit harsh on their baby teeth so it is important to check that the product is suitable for use by puppies. When choosing a toy for a German Shepherd puppy it needs to be safe for use by them. It also needs to be durable and entertaining for them.
I like the KONG brand personally. They have a good reputation and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. They can be used for training, exercise and stuffed with treats to provide some brain stimulation too.
Although KONG does a puppy teething product this is too small for a German Shepherd puppy and is not suitable. Choose the red Classic Kong instead either medium or large will be fine.
The Final Word
So that concludes my list of some of the best German Shepherd toys for boredom on the market today.
German Shepherds are intelligent dogs who need stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Boredom can lead to destructive behaviors, so keeping your German Shepherd entertained is vital.
Therefore, German Shepherd toys for boredom are the perfect solution to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Make sure to get plenty of solid and durable toys, so your dog doesn’t tear them apart.
Also, get a good variety of toys that serve a different purpose. For example, some chew toys when they want to chew, some treat dispenser toys for brain stimulation and also some fetch toys such as balls or frisbees for training, exercise and fun.
