French Bulldogs have powerful jaws packed into a small package. George has destroyed “indestructible” toys in under 10 minutes. Stuffed animals? Gone in seconds. Tennis balls? Shredded. Those cute rope toys? Turned into a pile of string that I then had to fish out of his mouth before he swallowed it.
Finding toys that are genuinely durable, safe for flat-faced breeds, and actually fun for Frenchies has been a journey. Here are the ones that survived George’s testing, and the ones you should avoid.
What to Look for in French Bulldog Toys
- Durability. Frenchies are strong chewers for their size. Thin rubber, plush toys, and cheap plastic won’t last.
- Size-appropriate. Too small and it’s a choking hazard. Too big and they can’t pick it up. Frenchies need medium-sized toys.
- Brachycephalic-friendly. Frenchies can’t grip round balls as easily due to their flat face. Look for toys with handles, odd shapes, or textured surfaces they can grab.
- Non-toxic materials. Natural rubber, food-grade silicone, and BPA-free plastics only. Frenchies chew hard, so material safety matters.
George as a puppy, already testing toys on the balcony
- Interactive options. Frenchies are smart and get bored easily. Puzzle toys and treat dispensers provide mental stimulation.
Best Chew Toys
1. KONG Classic. The Undisputed Champion
The KONG Classic has survived longer in George’s possession than any other toy. The natural rubber is incredibly durable, and the hollow center means you can stuff it with treats or peanut butter for hours of entertainment.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- Nearly indestructible natural rubber
- Hollow center for treats, extends play time
- Bounces unpredictably, great for solo play
- Available in multiple sizes (Medium for most Frenchies)
- Can be frozen with filling for a cooling summer treat
- Easy to clean in the dishwasher
Pro tip: Stuff with a mix of peanut butter and kibble, then freeze overnight. Keeps George occupied for 30-45 minutes.
Price: ~€8-12
2. Benebone Wishbone. Best Flavored Chew
The Benebone Wishbone is infused with real flavor (bacon, chicken, or peanut) throughout the entire toy, not just on the surface. The wishbone shape gives Frenchies multiple angles to chew from, and it’s surprisingly durable.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- Real flavor infused throughout, not just a coating
- Wishbone shape is easy for flat-faced dogs to grip
- Nylon construction is extremely durable
- Made in the USA
- No artificial flavors or additives
Watch out for: Replace when worn down enough that pieces could break off. Check weekly for excessive wear.
Price: ~€10-15
3. KONG Extreme. For Aggressive Chewers
If the regular KONG Classic isn’t tough enough (and for some Frenchies, it isn’t), the KONG Extreme uses a stronger black rubber formula designed for the most powerful chewers.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- Ultra-strong rubber, tougher than the Classic
- Same stuffable design as the Classic
- Virtually indestructible for Frenchie-sized dogs
- Bounces for interactive play
- Vet recommended
Price: ~€10-15
Best Puzzle & Interactive Toys
4. Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle. Best Puzzle Toy
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for Frenchies, maybe more so, since they can’t do intense physical activity without overheating. The Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado has rotating layers that hide treats, requiring your Frenchie to figure out how to access them.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- Multiple difficulty levels
- Rotating compartments require problem-solving
- Slows down treat consumption
- No small removable parts (safe design)
- Plastic is durable and easy to clean
- Keeps Frenchies occupied for 15-30 minutes
Watch out for: Some clever Frenchies figure it out fast. You can increase difficulty by using larger treats that are harder to extract.
Price: ~€15-25
5. Lickimat Classic. Best for Calming
A Lickimat isn’t technically a toy, but it’s one of George’s most-used items. Spread peanut butter, yogurt, or wet food on the textured surface, and your Frenchie spends 15-20 minutes licking it off. The repetitive licking action is naturally calming.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- Calming effect from repetitive licking
- Slows down eating, prevents bloating and gas
- Great for anxiety (vet visits, thunderstorms, alone time)
- Textured surface promotes dental health
- Can be frozen for longer engagement
- Food-grade silicone
Price: ~€8-12
Best Fetch & Play Toys
6. Chuckit! Ultra Ball. Best Fetch Ball
Regular tennis balls are too big and fuzzy for most Frenchies. The Chuckit! Ultra Ball is made of high-bounce natural rubber, comes in a size that’s perfect for Frenchie jaws, and is much more durable than a tennis ball.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- High-visibility orange and blue
- Natural rubber, durable and safe
- High bounce for unpredictable play
- Floats in water
- Compatible with Chuckit! launchers (but honestly, Frenchies shouldn’t be doing long-distance fetch, keep it short)
Important note: Keep fetch sessions short (5-10 minutes) and in cool conditions. Frenchies overheat quickly during exercise.
Price: ~€5-8 (2-pack)
7. Tug-A-Jug by PetSafe. Best Treat-Dispensing Play Toy
This combines tug, treat dispensing, and puzzle-solving in one toy. Fill it with kibble or treats, and your Frenchie has to figure out how to get them out through the rope wick. It rolls, bounces, and dispenses treats as they play.
Why it’s great for Frenchies:
- Combines physical play with mental challenge
- Transparent so they can see the treats (motivation!)
- Durable construction
- Rope adds tug element
- Adjustable difficulty
Watch out for: Monitor the rope for fraying. Replace the rope portion if it starts to come apart.
Price: ~€10-18
Toys to AVOID for French Bulldogs
Not all popular toys are safe for Frenchies. Avoid:
- Rawhide chews. Choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockages. Especially dangerous for breeds that tend to swallow without chewing properly.
- Small balls. Anything that could fit entirely in their mouth is a choking hazard. This includes golf balls and some small rubber balls.
- Plush toys with stuffing. Frenchies will destroy them and eat the stuffing. Swallowed stuffing can cause blockages.
- Rope toys used unsupervised. Fine for supervised tug games, but strings can be swallowed and cause intestinal issues.
- Cooked bones. Splinter and can puncture the digestive tract. Raw, size-appropriate bones are safer but still require supervision.
- Latex squeaky toys. Most Frenchies tear through thin latex quickly. The squeaker is a choking hazard.
Quick Comparison Table
| Toy | Type | Durability | Mental Stim | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KONG Classic | Chew/stuff | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €8-12 |
| Benebone Wishbone | Chew | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | €10-15 |
| KONG Extreme | Chew/stuff | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €10-15 |
| Nina Ottosson Tornado | Puzzle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €15-25 |
| Lickimat Classic | Calming/slow feed | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | €8-12 |
| Chuckit! Ultra Ball | Fetch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | €5-8 |
| Tug-A-Jug | Treat dispenser | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | €10-18 |
My Starter Kit Recommendation
If you’re starting from scratch, get these three:
- KONG Classic (Medium, The essential Frenchie toy. Stuff it, freeze it, let them go to town.
- Nina Ottosson Puzzle. Mental stimulation for days when it’s too hot for walks.
- Lickimat. Perfect for calming, slow feeding, and keeping them occupied.
Total cost: about €30-45. That’s a well-entertained Frenchie for months.
Last updated: February 2026. All toys tested on George the French Bulldog. Affiliate links support this site at no cost to you.