Best Chews for Staffies, Labradors and Other Power Chewers

Some dogs chew the way other dogs breathe — constantly, enthusiastically, and with a commitment that writes off most toys within minutes.

If you own a Staffie, a Labrador, a German Shepherd, or any other breed with a strong chewing instinct, you already know the feeling. You spend money on a chew. It's gone in an afternoon. You're back to square one, and the furniture is looking vulnerable.

This guide covers what actually works for power chewers — and why most chews don't.

Why "heavy duty" toys fail power chewers

The problem with most "indestructible" or "heavy duty" dog toys is that they're designed to survive rather than satisfy. A rubber toy that won't break doesn't give a determined chewer the sensory feedback they're looking for — the resistance, the give, the sense of progress. So they lose interest, and go back to whatever they were chewing before.

Power chewers aren't just chewing for the sake of it. They're chewing because they need to. The instinct is deep — and the only thing that actually satisfies it is something that chews like the real thing.

What makes a chew right for a power chewer

Three things matter:

Density — a power chewer will work through soft or medium-density materials quickly. You need something hard enough to provide sustained resistance without being so hard it risks teeth. (Antlers and bones fail this test for many dogs — they're too hard, leading to cracked or chipped teeth.)

How it breaks down — it should fibre or shred, not chunk. Large chunks mean swallowing risk. Rawhide fails this test. Wood passes it — natural wood fibres into fine strands rather than breaking into pieces.

Duration — a chew that's gone in 20 minutes isn't helping the dog or the owner. For power chewers, duration matters both for value and for behavioural benefit. Sustained chewing releases more endorphins than a brief burst.

Coffee wood: the right material for serious chewers

Coffee wood is particularly well suited to power chewers because of its natural density. It's one of the hardest natural woods used for dog chews — hard enough to provide genuine resistance, but not so hard that it creates a tooth fracture risk the way antler or bone can.

As a power chewer works through a coffee wood stick, the surface fibres away gradually rather than breaking into chunks. This is the key safety advantage: the material is being consumed, but in a form that passes safely through the digestive system.

Breed-specific guide

Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffies have some of the most powerful jaws relative to body size of any breed. Standard M chews often last only a session or two. For a Staffie at 12–18 kg, go L — the extra thickness makes a meaningful difference. Coffee wood is the right material; olive wood is too soft for most Staffies to take seriously.

Labrador Retriever
Labradors are enthusiastic rather than aggressive chewers — they'll chew for hours if given something worth chewing. At 25–36 kg, go L or XL. Labs respond well to both coffee and olive wood, but coffee wood lasts longer for a sustained session.

German Shepherd
GSDs have strong jaws and often show anxiety-related chewing alongside the natural instinct. XL is almost always the right size. The behavioural benefit of sustained chewing — calming focus — is particularly valuable for this breed.

Golden Retriever
Goldens tend to be gentler chewers than Labs despite similar size. L is usually right. Both coffee and olive wood work well; if your Golden is not an intense chewer, olive wood is a good fit.

Boxer
Boxers are powerful and playful chewers with broad jaws. XL in coffee wood. They often carry their chews around as much as chew them — the size and weight of an XL stick suits this.

Husky and Malamute
Working breeds with exceptional energy and a strong oral fixation. XL coffee wood. These dogs are often the ones that test the limits of what a chew can handle — coffee wood is one of the few materials that holds up.

Rottweiler and Dobermann
XL, always coffee wood. These are among the most powerful chewers of any breed. Anything softer or smaller isn't worth buying.

What to expect the first time

Some power chewers take to a new material immediately. Others — particularly dogs who've always had soft toys or rawhide — take a session or two to get interested. The natural smell of coffee wood helps; most dogs approach it within minutes of it being put down.

Frequently asked questions

Is coffee wood safe for dogs with a history of tooth problems?

If your dog has had a cracked or chipped tooth, consult your vet before introducing any hard chew. Coffee wood is significantly safer than antler or bone, but any hard material should be approached with caution for dogs with known dental issues. As a general rule: if you can't make a dent in the material with your thumbnail, it may be too hard for a dog with compromised teeth.

My dog destroys every chew I buy — will this be different?

Possibly. Coffee wood is considerably denser than most chew materials — denser than most rubber toys and far harder than rawhide or bully sticks. Dogs that demolish other chews often find coffee wood lasts several sessions. That said, exceptional chewers may still work through it faster than the average dog. Sizing up is always the right move for a heavy chewer.

How do I know when to replace the chew for a power chewer?

Replace the chew when it's short enough that your dog could fit the remaining piece in their mouth in one go. For a power chewer who chews quickly, check the length at the end of each session rather than assuming it's still a safe size.

Can I give a power chewer two chews at once?

Yes — some owners give one coffee wood stick and one coffee root (different texture, different chewing experience). The dog alternates between them and both last longer as a result. This is exactly what the Power Chewer Bundle is designed for.