What Are the Best Toys for a Dachshund? Our Top 6
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A hunter at heart, a tireless player, smart but easily destructive when bored: the dachshund needs toys suited to its unique temperament. No flimsy plastic, no unsafe materials, no oversized gadgets. Here is our selection of the 6 best toys for dachshunds, tested, safe, and designed to respect both their build and their hunting instinct.
The essentials: The best toy for a dachshund is a plush made from European fabric with no plastic parts, embroidered eyes and easy-to-grab handles. Our top list starts with the Pegasus Plush (€26.95), the best-seller from Bowl & Bone Republic, followed by Rex, Unicorn, Bone, Bullet and Flamingo. All made in Europe, with no hazardous plastic, perfect for play sessions and long naps in the dog bed.
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What is the best toy for a dachshund?
The best toy for a dachshund is a plush made from premium European fabric, with no plastic or metal parts at all, with embroidered eyes and grab points (wings, ears, legs) that are easy to hold in a small mouth. This design ticks the three fundamental needs of a dachshund: stimulating its hunting instinct, giving it a bed companion for long naps, and guaranteeing total safety during unsupervised play.
Every toy in our collection meets this specification and is made in Europe by Bowl & Bone Republic, a premium brand specializing in accessories for dogs with unique builds. Here is our selection of the 6 best models for your dachshund.
Our top 6 best toys for dachshunds
Our selection of the 6 best toys for dachshunds, all handcrafted in Europe by Bowl & Bone Republic: high-end plushies, activity toys and bed companions designed around the dachshund's build and temperament.
Pegasus Plush — Our premium favorite
Best-sellerThe Pegasus is our all-time best-seller, and for good reason. It is a winged horse plush made of premium European textile, whose large, soft wings give your dachshund ideal grab points to catch, shake and carry the toy all over the house, a real outlet for its hunting instinct.
Its handcrafted finish (embroidered eyes, no plastic or metal parts) guarantees total safety, even when your dachshund is home alone. Its understated gray colorway blends into any interior and does not show stains the way white plushies do.
- High-end European textile with a "peach skin" feel
- Easy-to-grab wings — perfect for a dachshund's mouth
- Embroidered eyes and details — no risk of swallowing parts
- Hypoallergenic filling that keeps its fluffiness
- Machine washable at 86°F (30°C) (gentle cycle)
- Handcrafted in Europe
Like any quality plush, use it under supervision for very heavy chewers: it is not an intensive chew toy, it is a play and nap companion.
Rex Toy — The playful original
OriginalThe Rex steps outside the classic plush mold. Its dinosaur-style design and angular shapes make it an enrichment toy that engages both your dachshund's mouth and its visual curiosity. Ideal for varying play sessions and breaking the routine of a single plush.
Like every Bowl & Bone Republic toy, it is designed with no hazardous parts: no buttons, no plastic bells, no small pieces. Everything is sewn and embroidered to stand up to intense play sessions.
- Unique design that stands out from classic plushies
- Angular shapes that encourage grabbing with the mouth
- Reinforced stitching to withstand active play
- Ideal for curious, playful dachshunds
Unicorn Plush — The crinkle-sound favorite
StimulationThe Unicorn hides a feature dachshunds love: a crinkle sheet sewn inside that makes a soft rustling sound with every bite. This detail instantly wakes up the hunting instinct: the dachshund nibbles, listens, shakes, and starts again for dozens of minutes.
Its soft, compact shape also makes it an excellent travel companion: easy to slip into a bag, it reassures your dachshund in new environments (vet, transport, vacations).
- Built-in crinkle sheet — auditory stimulation
- 100% thick cotton, soft and durable
- Soft format, perfect for travel
- Reinforced stitching
- Hand washable or machine washable at 86°F (30°C)
Bone Plush — The bed companion
Cuddle toyThe Bone is the ideal first toy for a dachshund puppy, or for an adult looking for a comforting bed cuddle toy. Its bone shape is sized for a small dog's mouth: not too big, easy to hold, lightweight.
It is also our most affordable model, perfect for rounding out a toy collection or having several to rotate. Its classic bone shape can be left anywhere in the house without clashing with your decor.
- Bone shape perfectly suited to a dachshund's small mouth
- Reassuring bed companion — helps reduce anxiety
- The cheapest in our selection
- Ideal as a first toy (puppy)
Bullet Toy — For active sessions
ActiveThe Bullet is our most dynamic toy. Its elongated shape and reinforced structure make it the ideal partner for active play sessions: tug-of-war, fetch, shaking. It is the toy you grab for 15 minutes of energy when your dachshund starts running in circles.
A word of caution: vets recommend limiting violent tugging games in dachshunds because of their sensitive spine. The Bullet is for gentle, short sessions, not for strength contests.
- Elongated format that is easy to grab
- Reinforced stitching for active play
- Visible blue colorway, easy to find
- Excellent for burning off energy now and then
Use for short, gentle tug sessions. The dachshund has a sensitive back: avoid abrupt pulling and overly forceful vertical shaking.
Flamingo Plush — The stylish decor toy
StylishThe Flamingo is a no-brainer for dachshunds with their own Instagram account. Its vibrant flamingo pink and elegant long-legged silhouette make it the most photogenic plush in the collection. But behind the look, it is a real dachshund toy: long legs that act as natural grab points, a soft body to chew on, and Bowl & Bone finishing (embroidered eyes, zero plastic).
It is also our perfect gift suggestion for the birth of a dachshund puppy or the arrival of a new companion in the family.
- Long, slim legs that are very easy to grip
- Pink colorway that stands out in photos
- Original gift idea
- Same safety guarantees as the whole range
🛍️ See the whole toy collection
13 toys made in Europe, all plastic-free, designed around the dachshund's build and temperament.
→ Discover all our toysThe different types of toys for dachshunds
The dog toy market is vast, but not every type suits the dachshund. Here is a clear overview to help you make the right choices for your companion's needs.
| Toy type | Main benefit | Suitable for a dachshund? |
|---|---|---|
| Premium plastic-free plush | Companionship, gentle play, naps | ✅ Ideal — #1 choice |
| Treat-dispensing toy (Kong, snack ball) | Mental stimulation, keeping busy | ✅ Excellent (size S required) |
| Snuffle mat | Hunting instinct, scent work | ✅ Perfect for the dachshund's nose |
| Chew toy (rubber, wood) | Dental hygiene, anti-boredom | ✅ Good as a complement |
| Classic ball | Running, fetch | ⚠️ Limit — back risk |
| Hard plastic toy with squeaker | Sound stimulation | ❌ Squeaker swallowing risk |
| Oversized toy (medium+ dog) | — | ❌ Too heavy / hard to grip |
- Total safety — embroidered eyes, no swallowable plastic parts
- Bed companion — eases separation anxiety, common in dachshunds
- Stimulates the hunting instinct — grab, shake, "kill the prey"
- Versatile — a toy by day, a cuddle toy by night
How to choose the right toy for your dachshund
Beyond the model, 5 criteria make the difference between a good toy and one that is unsuited to the dachshund.
1. A size suited to a small mouth
A toy that is too big will be abandoned, and one that is too small is a swallowing risk. Look for toys between 6 and 10 in (15 to 25 cm), with grab points (legs, ears, wings) that your dachshund can hold with its teeth.
2. No plastic or metal parts
No sewn-on buttons, no glued-on plastic eyes, no bells, no removable squeakers. All details should be embroidered or sewn into the fabric. Bowl & Bone Republic toys strictly follow this rule.
3. Thick fabric with reinforced stitching
Thick European cotton lasts far longer than the thin fabrics of entry-level plushies. Reinforced stitching doubles or even triples the toy's lifespan against regular chewing.
4. An element that stimulates the hunting instinct
Rustling (built-in crinkle sheet), varied textures, unexpected shapes (the Flamingo's long legs, the Pegasus's wings): these details hold a dachshund's interest much longer than a uniform toy.
5. Machine washable
A toy used every day soaks up drool, dirt and grass. Regular washing (86°F / 30°C, gentle cycle) is essential for hygiene. Favor toys that survive 10-20 cycles without losing their shape.
Which toy for which age?
Needs change a lot with age. Here is a quick guide for each stage.
| Age | Main need | Recommended toy |
|---|---|---|
| 2-6 months (puppy) | Soothing gums, learning to chew | Bone Plush, soft toys |
| 6-18 months (young) | Channeling energy, strong stimulation | Bullet, Rex, Unicorn (crinkle) |
| 1-7 years (adult) | Daily companion, anti-boredom | Pegasus, Flamingo, premium plushies |
| 7+ years (senior) | Bed cuddle toy, gentle play | Soft plushies, Bone format |
Dachshunds get bored quickly with a single toy out all the time. The best strategy is to rotate 4 or 5 toys weekly. You "put away" 3 toys during the week, and bring them back out when your dachshund starts sulking over its current stash. A novelty effect is guaranteed, without spending an extra euro.
The 5 mistakes to avoid with your dachshund's toys
- Buying a toy for a large dog. Too heavy, unsuitable grab points, your dachshund will ignore it within 2 days.
- Choosing a cheap toy with a plastic squeaker. The squeaker can be pulled out, swallowed, and cause a serious intestinal blockage.
- Leaving a damaged toy out for free play. As soon as a seam gives or stuffing comes out, take the toy away — risk of swallowing the filling.
- Encouraging violent tugging games. The dachshund has a fragile spine (1 in 4 develops disc disease). Tug = gentle, short play, never aggressive vertical shaking.
- Never washing the toy. Drool + dirt + bacteria = ear, nose and throat and skin problems. Wash at 86°F (30°C) once every 2-4 weeks.
Frequently asked questions about dachshund toys
🐾 The right toy to stimulate and soothe your dachshund
13 premium toys, all made in Europe, with no hazardous plastic, designed around the unique build and temperament of the dachshund.
→ See all our toysThe best toy for a dachshund is a premium European-fabric plush with no plastic parts at all, grab points suited to its small mouth and a detail that stimulates its hunting instinct (rustling, graspable shapes, varied textures). Our top 6 gives you the choice between the iconic premium plush (Pegasus), an original enrichment toy (Rex), a crinkle plush (Unicorn), an affordable bed cuddle toy (Bone), an active toy for energetic sessions (Bullet), and a stylish, photogenic plush (Flamingo). Beyond the model, remember the golden rule for a happy dachshund: rotating 4 to 5 toys each week, which effectively fights boredom and limits the destructive behavior typical of the breed. To go further, also check out our guide to the best harness for dachshunds and our full selection of dachshund accessories.
Play & wellness tips – Teckel Paris