Mike's Doghouse

We currently have 3 dogs. Joella (85lb Rottweiler), Sam (95lb Catahoula x), and Mike (55lb Rottweiler x). It is Sam who is the Destruct-O-Dog.

Today we picked up a new toy our fave store had gotten in. It is was the Mega Ring Tuffy made by Vip Products. On the info tag hooked to it, it says “Worlds Most Durable Soft Dog Toy” and “Tiger Tested, Dog Approved”. It also has a “tuff” rating of 10. So we got it.

It lasted less than an hour with Sam.

Now, like all dog toys, it says This toy is designed as a “play” toy and is not a “chew toy”. It goes on to say don’t let them play unsupervised, etc. But we all know that isn’t how it goes. If I wanted a toy specifically between me and the dog(s), I wouldn’t necessarily go for one that is supposed to be “tiger tested, dog approved”. I’d go for its usefulness, my hand comfort, their joy, etc. No, we get a toy with that phrase to give to a heavy chewer and hope it lasts longer than the last alleged super tough thing.

It didn’t. While we are saddened to have wasted nearly $30, we are even more sad that once again, Sam doesn’t have a toy of his own. But we weren’t surprised because it has a notable design flaw that most “tough” dog toys have. The seams are heavily stitched, folded multiple times BUT they stick out in a nice, flat, chewable way. Why can’t they make it inside out like footballs are made?

PROS:
The ring shape was perfect for Sam to grab hold of and play tug.

CONS:
Heavy, hard, like most allegedly tough toys. I would not have wanted to throw it for fear of knocking Sam unconscious. Didn’t last an hour. Wonder how long it lasted with the tiger?

Bottom Line:
If you play rough with your dogs then this toy would indeed make a good tug toy. Tug wise, it’s not going to warp and tear. It might make a good tossing toy but I’d use caution. But if you are wanting it as a soft toy for your Destruct-O-Dog, then don’t bother. Even if you are supervising, even if you take it away if you see progress being made, well, damage is already done and it is only a matter of time before it is dead. We’ll keep this one up and give it to him at times when we can supervise. Not so we can take it away if we hear ripping, but so we can pick up the stuffing and make sure he’s not eating anything.

Toy is sold via stores and online through MyDogToy.com. The website calls it “Mega Gear Ring – Tiger Print“. If I had researched this before buying, I probably wouldn’t have bought it based on the website design and layout. For example, all over the tags of their toys it says “Mydogtoy.com” yet it is a redirect to another website. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just the first of many odd design issues.

A photo of it (and the amount of stuffing he pulled out!!) can be found in Mike’s Review photo album called Toys.