By

Brenley Goertzen,

a writer at the Strategist covering clothing basics and bath and body.

She joined the Strategist as a junior writer in 2022 after interning at the site.

Ringo, my basset hound, and Georgie, my basset hound mix, are both under 3 years old, which means their toy bin is overflowing with all kinds of squeakers, chews, and treat puzzles. But not every dog is the same when it comes to the toys that will actually keep them entertained (breed and energy levels can make a difference). That’s why I decided to ask the dog owners on the Strategist staff about which toys their furry friend(s) actually like, from refillable bento balls to the classic Kong and even a Nerf blaster for shooting mini tennis balls. Below you’ll find some of our top contenders, vetted with tail wags and zoomies by the pups of the Strategist.