Four Paws Ruff & Rugged Drumstick v. Nylabone Turkey Leg

    Both Four Paws and Nylabone advertise these products as “virtually indestructible."   Both sounded promising, but could either stand up to Maddie?

     They are somewhat similar in shape;  so, we decided to compare them rather than review them separately.  Besides, could Maddie have two drumstick type toys that were truly “virtually indestructible.”  We hoped at best one would last...

    We purchased the Four Paws Ruff & Rugged Drumstick first, from Petco.  We were drawn to it not only by its wild, tie-dyed appearance, but by the fact that the words “Virtually Indestructible” are boldly displayed at the top its packaging.  The company boasts that this “natural gum rubber” toy has “maximum strength and durability.” This drumstick sounded like just the ticket!

    When we gave Maddie the Four Paws Ruff & Rugged Drumstick she liked it enough.  She bit into the narrow end right away and started ripping little pieces of rubber off of the toy.  Here we go again, right?  After all, we started this quest to find great dog toys, toys that withstand our dog, because she was leaving toys crumbled rubber or a pile of fluff after just a few minutes.  Well, the packaging on the Four Paws Ruff & Rugged Drumstick warns to “[r]emove toy from pet immediately if any part becomes loose or detached.”  But she hadn’t had it for 30 seconds yet!  If we took every toy away as soon as a piece of rubber fell off Maddie would never have anything to play with.  Luckily, she’s good about ripping pieces off of her toys and promptly dropping them.  I guess swallowing little pieces would get in the way of her goal of total destruction.  But after a few more pieces came off she stopped ripping the toy apart, leaving it generally intact.  The drumstick did suffer a lot of teeth marks, but seemed to hold up well.  Maddie does go back to this toy every once in a while, but she’s not totally enamored with the Four Paws Ruff & Rugged Drumstick.

    Would the Nylabone Turkey Leg prove a better fit?  The turkey leg was actually one of her presents for graduation from her Beginner Obedience Class.  We purchased this toy from a local pet store called Cold Spot Feeds.  You could also purchase one online at Drs. Fosters and Smith.  We were a little leery about a Nylabone because Maddie’s best friend, Fennis the Alaskan Malamute puppy, had a Nylabone (however not one of the “Big Chews for Big Dogs” variety like the Turkey Leg) that got pretty rough after being chewed up and cut his mouth.  However, we decided to give this “virtually indestructible” product a whirl.  Plus, the packaging proclaims that this toy that was “designed to stand up to the most POWERFUL CHEWER” has been tested “in clinics and kennels, so [Nylabone is] sure they satisfy even the most aggressive dog!”  We took this as a challenge. Secretly, I really like this turkey leg because it reminds me of one of those jumbo, roasted turkey legs that people walk around eating at Disney World and fairs.  Yum!

    When we introduced Maddie to her Nylabone Turkey Leg she showed an instant infatuation.  She has chewed and chewed on this turkey leg like everyday is Thanksgiving.  And after a week, both the love affair and the turkey leg are still intact.  Finally, a great buy and a wonderful chew toy! Maddie absolutely LOVES this toy.

    If we had it to do over again, we would have probably just bought the Nylabone Turkey Leg. While both toys have the same draw back--they are pretty heavy and difficult for Maddie to swing around in her mouth as she prances around the living room--she just loves the turkey leg more.  We would recommend the Four Paws Ruff & Rugged Drumstick for dogs who either don’t rip rubber toys apart when they chew them or don’t make a habit of eating those tiny pieces when they do come off.  The drumstick is also probably a good choice for a dog with a more sensitive mouth.  The gum rubber of the drumstick does have some give, and the nylon of the turkey leg is pretty rock solid.  While Maddie has chewed the Nylabone Turkey Leg a lot, it has remained one of her all time favorites, and hasn’t gotten too rough.  This is definitely a toy that Maddie the Dane can stand behind.

Comments

[Jamie]

Hi! I have a Great Dane who 15 months old, and we too are tying to find toys that will last and he will enjoy. I read your article about the Nylabone Turkey Leg and was wondering if your Dane is still enjoying it, and has it still lasted?

I also read about the Tshirt rope that you made and am very excited to try it this weekend!

Thanks for setting up this site....it is so hard to find toys that danes won't chew up right away.

Hope to hear back from you soon. Please respond to dixiemocha1@gmail.com

Jamie