Kong Size Chart: Picking the Best Kong for Your Pooch

One of the most quintessential tools and toys every dog owner should own is the classic Kong. Kongs are appropriate for dogs of all ages, and they can be used in a number of ways to keep your pooch engaged throughout the day. 

These epicly popular puzzle toys are obviously awesome, but it’s important to select the right size for Spot. We’ll provide a comprehensive sizing guide below and share some of the benefits of these versatile dog toys. 

Kong Size Chart: Key Takeaways

• Kongs are wonderful toys and training tools, but you have to select the best one for your dog. This not only means picking the correct size for your canine, but also selecting the best type of Kong for your pup’s needs.
• Kongs come in four different versions and up to six sizes. You can choose from the Classic Kong, Extreme Kong, Puppy Kong, and Senior Kong, with sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-extra-large for some versions.
• You and your pooch can use Kongs in several different ways. Kongs are great for solo chew time and fetch, and they also work well as slow feeders or training rewards.

What Sizes Do Kongs Come In?

Kongs come in six different sizes: extra small (XS), small (S), medium (M), large (L), extra large (XL), and extra-extra large (XXL) (just scroll down to the chart below to see the actual dimensions of each size).

Every dog needs a Kong that’s well suited to his body type, and many dogs will need more than one Kong over the course of their lifetime due to changes in their size and chewing preferences. 

The toys also come in different strength varieties, and they’re color-coded to make it easy to tell the difference between each. Here is a quick breakdown of the general Kong types:

• Puppy: Puppy Kongs are much more malleable than the Kongs designed for older dogs, and they have super soft rubber, making them excellent chew toys for teething puppies. These Kongs come in blue or pink color options. 
• Senior: Senior Kongs are designed for older, light-chewing doggos. They are purple and are tougher than Puppy Kongs, but softer than Classic Kongs. 
• Classic: The Classic Kong is red and is designed for average chewers. This Kong is ideal for most adult dogs. 
• Extreme: Extreme Kongs are for power chewers since these toys are made with ultra-durable rubber. This Kong series is black. 

The Classic Kong can be purchased in any of the 6 sizes, while the Extreme Kong is available in small through extra-extra large. Senior Kongs only come in small, medium, and large sizes. Puppy Kongs come in all sizes except XL and XXL, though these sizes are likely unnecessary as dogs should grow out of their Puppy Kongs with age.  

What Size Kong Does My Dog Need?

Finding the right fit for Fido ensures that playtime with Kong toys is fun, safe, and engaging. You want your dog to be able to access the inside of the Kong while being able to grab the outside comfortably. 

Kongs can be somewhat heavy relative to other toys, so it’s important to select the right size so that your pooch isn’t lugging one around that’s too large. Plus, Kongs are frequently stuffed with food which can add to the weight count.  

Note that if you’re ever struggling to pick between two sizes, Kong recommends picking the larger size for safety purposes.

Kongs that are too small for your pooch could pose a choking hazard.

Such Kongs would also make it difficult for your doggo to get his tongue inside the toy, where he can access the tasty treats you’ve added. For that matter, it is conceivable that your dog’s tongue could become stuck inside an undersized Kong.

As a rule of thumb, here are some basic size recommendations broken down by weight: 

• Dogs weighing 5 pounds or less should use an extra small Kong (XS).
• Dogs weighing up to 20 pounds should use a small Kong (S).
• Dogs weighing between 15 and 35 pounds should use a medium Kong (M).
• Dogs who weigh between 30 and 65 pounds should use a large Kong (L).
• Dogs weighing between 60 and 90 pounds should use an extra-large Kong (XL).
• Dogs who weigh more than 85 pounds should use an extra-extra large Kong (XXL).

What Size Kong Works Best for Different Breeds? 

Every dog is different, but it can be helpful to know the recommended size for your best buddy’s breed (or breeds) — you may have to adjust, but this will give you a good starting point.  

Here are the different sizes of Kong paired with the general recommendation for various adult breeds.

Breeds That May Use An Extra Small Kong (Up to 5 pounds): 

• Chihuahua 
• Pomeranian
• Brussels griffon
• Yorkshire terrier
• Maltese
• Japanese chin
• Toy fox terrier
• Papillon
• Russian toy

Breeds That May Use A Small Kong (Up to 20 pounds):

• Bichon frise
• Shih tzu
• Havanese
• Miniature pinscher
• Papillon 
• Miniature poodle

Breeds That May Use A Medium Kong (Between 15 and 35 pounds):

• Beagle
• Boston terrier
• French bulldog
• Cavalier King Charles spaniel
• Cocker spaniel
• Miniature schnauzer 
• Pembroke Welsh corgi
• West Highland white terrier

Breeds That May Use An Extra-Large Kong (Between 60 and 90 pounds):

• American Staffordshire terrier
• Bloodhound
• Boxer
• Bull terrier
• Golden retriever
• Labrador retriever
• Pit bull terrier
• Weimaraner
• German shepherd 
• German shorthaired pointer

Kong’s Size Chart

Breeds That May Use A Large Kong (Between 30 and 65 pounds):

• Australian shepherd
• Basset hound
• Border collie 
• Collie
• English springer spaniel
• Shetland sheepdog
• Standard poodle
• Wheaten terrier 

Breeds That May Use An Extra-Extra-Large Kong (Over 85 pounds):

• Akita
• Newfoundland
• Bernese mountain dog
• Doberman pinscher
• Great Dane
• Great Pyrenees
• Mastiff
• Saint Bernard
• Rottweiler 
• Irish wolfhound

What Are the Benefits of Kongs? 

Kongs are well-loved by pooch parents and dogs alike for a number of reasons. Here are just a few of the benefits of these unique and essential toys: 

• Kongs make excellent training tools. These dog training toys are great rewards for furry friends when stuffed. They can also help keep dogs occupied and entertained for longer which is great for when you need a breather from your best buddy. Kongs can also serve as slow feeders to help even out the pace of your mutt’s mealtime. 
• They’re pretty easy to clean. Kongs can be hand washed or just thrown on  the top rack of the dishwasher. The rubber material holds up well in the dishwasher and won’t absorb any lingering detergent. 
• These toys last a long time for most dogs. Kong toys are known partially for their durability, so they’ll last a long time for your furry friend. 
• Kongs are portable. Kong toys can be used indoors and outdoors. They’re also fairly compact and lightweight, so you can always pop one in your backpack if you’re going out on an adventure with your best buddy. 
• They’re high-quality toys. Kongs are made in the USA dog toys with globally sourced materials. These toys hit the sweet spot between versatility and durability, and we actually recognize KONG as one of the best dog toy brands. 

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Puppy KONG

Available in 5 sizes, this is the perfect chew toy for your young pupperino!

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Classic KONG

Available in all 6 sizes, this is the best KONG for dogs with typical chewing tendencies.

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Senior KONG

Designed for seniors and available in 3 sizes, this is the ideal choice for older doggos.

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Extreme KONG

These durable KONGs come in 6 sizes and are perfect for power-chewing pooches.

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5 Different Ways to Use a Kong: How to Use a Kong with Your Dog 

Kong toys are known for their versatility and it’s a huge reason why so many owners swear by these toys.

But as with any toy, it’s important to introduce your dog to the Kong properly so that he knows how to use it — some just seem to need a bit of a Kong crash course to understand how to play with these toys.. 

Start by letting your pooch sniff and investigate the toy at his own pace. In some cases, that’ll be all it takes! He’ll grab his new toy and head off to play or chew.

But, if your pooch seems uninterested, try shaking or tossing it to help your furry friend better understand the situation. Using a high-pitched voice while introducing the Kong can also help add interest. 

One of the easiest ways to get your pooch quickly engaged is to fill the Kong with a couple of high-value treats and present it to your pooch. This will work in most cases, although you may still need to be a bit patient — especially with skittish doggos.

Once your furry friend starts to get the hang of it, you can try out any of several different games and activities.

Some of the most popular ways to use Kongs include:

• Play a game of fetch. Kong’s are delightfully bouncy, making these toys great for an engaging game of fetch. Just be sure to clear your play area since the thicker rubber may be able to knock over household items. 
• Use it as a chew toy. Kong toys are perfect for pups who love to chew. If your furry friend is a power chewer, be sure to pick up an Extreme Kong. 
• Stuff the Kong with your pup’s favorite treats. Dogs adore the way Kongs work as treat-dispensing toys. Filling up your dog’s Kong keeps our furry friends busy for a couple of minutes. It also challenges our canine companions by doubling as a puzzle toy. 
• Freeze the Kong to cool off your canine. Kong toys can be filled and frozen to give your canine a cool treat. You can also just freeze the Kong on it’s own, as some pups may prefer a cooler frozen chew toy, especially during the warmer months. 
• Use the Kong as a slow feeder. You can use your Kong as a slow feeder for your furry friend. While you may have to serve the meal in stages, this can help slow down Fido’s veracious eating and keep your dog occupied for a pocket of time. 

What Can You Stuff a Kong With? 

There are plenty of ways to stuff a Kong to keep your pooch’s playtime interesting. Here are a few ways you can fill up Fido’s favorite toy:

• Use your dog’s food. You can fill your dog’s Kong with wet or dry food for an easy filling. It’s a good idea to put the dry food in first and wet food at the top of the Kong to act like a sealant. Otherwise, your dog’s kibbles might fall right out of the puzzle toy. 
• Fill with Easy Treat. Kong’s Easy Treat is a cheese-whizzy treat that comes in a convenient spray can so that filling your pup’s Kong is a breeze. These treats come in peanut butter, pepperoni, liver, and bacon & cheese flavor options. 
• Make a veggie Kong. Check out our video below to learn a couple of DIY filling recipes for your dog’s Kong. You can use dog-safe peanut butter, chopped carrots, and celery to give your dog a nutritious and delicious treat. Check out the video for the full recipe and 4 others to choose from!  
• Use Kong Marathon treats. Kong marathon treats give your pooch a tasty treat both on the outside and inside of the Kong toy. These peanut butter toys will keep your pooch occupied and can also be frozen for a longer-lasting treat. 
• Use a bully stick. Kongs can also be stuffed with bully sticks or other long chews so long as there is something soft in the Kong to keep the chew in place. For example, you could put dog-safe peanut butter or pumpkin puree into a Kong first, and then place a bully stick into the center of the Kong. Some dogs may also appreciate having an extra “handle” on their toy. 
• Utilize dog-friendly peanut butter. Dog-safe peanut butter acts as a great sealant for filling Kongs with just about anything. Just note that filling your pup’s Kong with peanut butter can represent a ton of calories, so you’ll want to factor that into your dog’s diet for the day. 

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Kongs make highly versatile and engaging toys for our four-footers. Hopefully, this guide makes it easier for you to find the perfect fit for your furry family member. 

Does your dog love Kong toys? What’s his favorite way to play with it? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!