How to Design Pet Toys for Different Dog Sizes and Play Styles

A dog toy that works well for one dog may not work for another.

A small dog may struggle with a toy that is too large or heavy. A large dog may quickly destroy a toy designed around lighter play. Some dogs prefer carrying and cuddling soft toys, while others focus almost entirely on tugging, chewing or chasing.

For pet brands developing new products, this creates an important design challenge.

A toy should not be designed only around appearance.

Its size, weight, materials, construction and features should also match the type of dog and the way the toy is expected to be used.

This is particularly important when developing a product for multiple markets. A design that looks appealing in a product catalog may still create a poor user experience if the toy is uncomfortable to carry, too easy to destroy or unsuitable for the intended type of play.

Why Dog Size Should Influence Toy Design

Dog size affects more than the overall dimensions of a toy.

It can also influence:

• Bite strength

• Mouth size

• Carrying ability

• Body weight

• Pulling force

• Play intensity

A toy designed for a small companion dog may need to be lightweight and easy to grip.

A toy intended for a larger breed may require stronger construction and a different material structure.

Simply enlarging the same design is not always enough.

For example, increasing the size of a plush toy without adjusting the stitching or material thickness may create weak points.

The design needs to scale with the expected use.

Small Dogs Need Toys That Are Easy to Handle

For smaller dogs, a toy can become less enjoyable if it is too heavy or difficult to grip.

Important design considerations may include:

• Smaller dimensions

• Lower overall weight

• Softer materials

• Easy-to-carry shapes

• Smaller interactive components

The goal is not necessarily to make the toy extremely small.

The toy should still be large enough to suit the intended play and reduce the risk of inappropriate use.

Shapes with clear grip points can also improve the play experience.

For example, narrow sections, ears, handles or rope elements may make it easier for a smaller dog to pick up and carry the toy.

Medium-Sized Dogs Often Require More Versatile Designs

Medium-sized dogs can vary significantly in behavior.

Some may prefer gentle plush toys, while others may spend most of their playtime chewing, shaking or playing tug-of-war.

For this reason, medium-size products often benefit from balanced design.

The toy may need to combine:

• Comfortable handling

• Adequate durability

• Moderate weight

• Interactive features

• Stable construction

This is where a single material may not always provide the best result.

Combining plush fabric with reinforced sections, rope elements or sound features can create a more versatile product.

The exact combination should depend on the intended play style.

Large Dogs Can Place More Stress on Toy Construction

Larger dogs can apply greater force when pulling, shaking and biting.

However, size alone does not determine toy durability.

A calm large dog may play gently, while a smaller but highly energetic dog may repeatedly target the same seam or component.

Still, when designing toys for larger dogs, manufacturers should pay close attention to:

• Seam strength

• Material thickness

• Reinforced connection points

• Filling retention

• Attachment security

• Overall structure

A toy designed for vigorous interaction should be evaluated based on where stress is most likely to occur.

The weakest point is often more important than the average strength of the material.

DKING's current dog product range includes plush, chew and interactive toy designs, showing how different construction approaches can be used for different types of play.

Play Style Can Be More Important Than Dog Size

Two dogs of the same size may use toys in completely different ways.

One may carry the toy around the house.

Another may immediately begin chewing the same section.

Another may only engage when the owner participates.

This is why pet toy design should consider play behavior as well as physical size.

Common play styles include:

• Chewing

• Fetching

• Tugging

• Shaking

• Chasing

• Carrying

• Solo interaction

• Owner-and-pet interaction

A toy does not need to support every type of play.

In many cases, a clearer product purpose creates a better user experience.

Designing for Chewing

Chewing creates repeated pressure on the same areas of a toy.

For a chew-oriented design, manufacturers may need to consider:

• Material durability

• Surface texture

• Seam placement

• Filling exposure

• Component attachment

The goal is not simply to use the hardest possible material.

The material should match the intended dog and product category.

A very rigid design may not suit every dog or every type of product.

The expected use should guide the material and structural decisions.

Designing for Tugging and Pulling

Tug toys experience a different type of stress.

The main force is often applied in opposite directions.

This means connection points become particularly important.

A design may use:

• Rope sections

• Reinforced fabric

• Integrated handles

• Multiple stitched layers

The areas where different components meet should receive special attention.

For example, attaching a rope to the outside of a plush body may create a concentrated stress point.

Integrating the rope structure more deeply into the toy can create a different load distribution.

The best construction depends on the design and intended level of interaction.

Designing for Fetch and Chase

Fetch toys need to be easy to see, carry and retrieve.

Important factors can include:

• Weight

• Shape

• Throwing performance

• Visibility

• Ease of pickup

A toy that is difficult for the owner to throw may reduce its usefulness.

A toy that is difficult for the dog to pick up may also shorten playtime.

Rounded, elongated or disc-shaped products can create different play experiences.

DKING's current product range includes interactive plush and flying-disk-style products designed around chasing and owner-pet interaction.

Designing for Solo Play

Not every toy requires human participation.

Some products are intended to keep dogs engaged independently.

For solo play, designers may consider:

• Sound

• Texture

• Movement

• Hidden features

• Multiple gripping points

The objective should be clear.

Adding too many features simply to make the product look more complex can increase manufacturing difficulty without improving the play experience.

A good interactive feature should support a specific type of engagement.

Plush Toys Need More Than an Attractive Character

Character design is important, especially for retail appeal.

However, a plush pet toy also needs to perform during actual use.

Product developers should consider:

• Fabric selection

• Embroidery

• Printed details

• Filling quantity

• Internal sound components

• Seam placement

• Reinforced sections

A long-necked character, for example, may look visually distinctive but may also create a narrow section that experiences repeated pulling.

A toy with large ears may create attractive visual features while also becoming common gripping points.

These characteristics should be considered during product development.

DKING currently offers Dog Plush/Stuff Toys as part of its product range, alongside other functional toy categories.

One Design Can Have Multiple Size Versions

For brands, developing multiple sizes of the same product can create a more complete product line.

A character design could potentially be offered in:

• Small

• Medium

• Large

However, each size should not necessarily be treated as an identical scaled copy.

As the product size changes, manufacturers may also need to review:

• Fabric thickness

• Stitching requirements

• Filling volume

• Sound component size

• Reinforcement areas

The product can maintain the same visual identity while using different construction details.

This approach can help brands create product families while adapting the toy to different customer needs.

Weight Is an Often Overlooked Design Factor

Pet toy weight can influence how the product is used.

A lightweight toy may be easier to carry.

A heavier toy may feel more stable but become less suitable for some forms of fetch or independent play.

Weight can also influence shipping and packaging costs for brands selling in volume.

When developing an OEM pet toy, it is useful to consider the relationship between:

A toy should not become unnecessarily heavy simply because more filling is added.

The correct filling level depends on the intended shape and function.

Think About the Dog's Mouth, Not Only Its Body Size

A dog's ability to interact with a toy depends heavily on its mouth and grip.

A broad, flat toy may be easy for one breed to carry but awkward for another.

Similarly, a narrow rope may provide a comfortable grip for some dogs while being too small or too flexible for others.

Designers should think about:

• Grip width

• Toy thickness

• Flexible sections

• Carrying points

• Bite areas

This can improve the practical experience without requiring major changes to the overall appearance.

How to Create a Better Product Brief

Before developing a new pet toy, brands can define the intended user more clearly.

A useful product brief may include:

Target Dog Size

For example:

• Small dogs

• Medium dogs

• Large dogs

Expected Play Style

Specify whether the toy is mainly for:

• Chewing

• Fetching

• Tugging

• Interactive play

• Carrying

Preferred Materials

Identify any required fabrics, ropes, fillings or other components.

Target Retail Position

Consider whether the product is intended as:

• Entry-level

• Premium

• Seasonal

• Gift-oriented

• Private label

Expected Retail Market

Different markets may have different customer preferences and product requirements.

The clearer the product brief, the easier it is to make design decisions before sampling begins.

Test the Product Around Real Use

A pet toy should not be evaluated only by appearance.

Before mass production, brands should consider how the product behaves during its intended use.

For example:

This type of evaluation can reveal practical issues that may not be obvious in a product drawing.

It also supports a more effective transition from concept to production.

A Simple Design Framework

A practical way to approach pet toy development is:

This sequence can help prevent a common problem:

Creating an attractive product first and only later asking whether it is practical for the intended pet.

Final Thoughts

There is no universal pet toy that works equally well for every dog.

Dog size, bite strength and play behavior can all influence how a product should be designed.

A better toy development process begins with the user.

Understand:

• Who will use the toy

• How the toy will be used

• Where the product will experience stress

• What type of interaction it should support

Then build the product around those requirements.

For pet brands, retailers and private-label buyers, this approach can help create products that offer more than an attractive appearance.

A well-designed pet toy should be easy for the intended dog to interact with, suitable for its expected play style and practical to manufacture consistently.

When size and play behavior are considered early in the development process, the final product is more likely to provide a better experience for both pets and their owners.