Dog Chew Size Guide

Choosing the right size is the most important decision when buying a natural wood chew. Too small and it becomes a choking hazard; too large and some dogs won't engage with it. This guide takes the guesswork out.

Quick Size Reference

Size	Dog Weight	Typical Breeds	Best Wood
XS	Under 5 kg	Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier	Olive Wood
S	5–10 kg	Dachshund, Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog	Olive Wood
M	10–20 kg	Beagle, Border Collie, Springer Spaniel, Whippet	Either — try both
L	20–35 kg	Labrador, Golden Retriever, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boxer	Coffee Wood
XL	35 kg+	German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Mastiff	Coffee Wood

Coffee Wood or Olive Wood?

Size and wood type work together:

• Coffee wood is denser and harder — better for dogs that chew aggressively and work through softer materials quickly. Recommended for L and XL, and any dedicated chewer regardless of size.
• Olive wood is slightly softer — a gentler introduction to natural chews. Recommended for XS and S, puppies, and moderate chewers at any size.
• Medium breeds can go either way — if your dog is a relaxed chewer, start with olive. If they destroy toys, go coffee.

Not sure? The Coffee + Olive Bundle lets your dog try both and show you which they prefer.

When in Doubt, Size Up

A chew that's slightly too large is always safer than one that's slightly too small. A dog can work down a large chew over time. A chew that's already borderline small can become a swallowing risk quickly. If your dog is between sizes — always choose the larger option.

When to Discard a Chew

Replace the chew when it becomes small enough that your dog could swallow it in one piece. For most dogs this means when the chew is shorter than the width of their muzzle. Supervise chewing sessions and remove the chew before it reaches a risky size.

Puppies

• Under 12 weeks — avoid hard chews entirely while milk teeth are at their most fragile
• 3–6 months (teething) — olive wood is ideal; firm enough to satisfy the chewing urge without risking developing teeth
• 6 months+ — can introduce coffee wood as adult teeth come through; always supervise first sessions