This is a specific conversation about Kong and chew toys — for serious chewers — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
A one-year-old Border Collie in a city flat is basically a supercomputer with nowhere to run its programs — destructive chewing is almost always the symptom, not the problem. The right chew toy for a serious chewer needs to be durable enough to last but not so hard it risks cracking teeth, and the right choice depends significantly on your dog's chewing style and jaw strength. So: is your Collie a methodical, persistent chewer or more of a frantic, aggressive one — and when the destruction happens, is it more boredom between walks or full-blown anxiety when you're out?
She's pretty methodical about it — works away at things for ages. It's definitely boredom more than anxiety, she's fine when I'm home but if I leave her with nothing to do she'll go for chair legs, shoes, anything really. She's a standard size female, probably around 18kg.
inparticular.ai
That methodical, persistent chewing style is actually really useful information — it means she's not going to demolish a toy in five minutes, she's going to work at it. That's exactly what a stuffed Kong is designed for. Before I give you my recommendation, one quick question: have you tried food-stuffed toys before, or is she currently getting nothing to occupy her jaw when you're out?
She's had a couple of cheap rubber toys but I've never tried stuffing anything. I didn't really know that was a thing until recently.
inparticular.ai
Right, then this is going to be a bit of a revelation. Get the Kong Classic in size Large — the red one, not the black Extreme. The black is for the hardest-core power chewers, and for a methodical Collie it's actually overkill and less satisfying to work at. The red Large is tough enough to last but has enough give that she'll get real engagement from it. The key is how you use it: stuff it with something like peanut butter or wet food mixed with kibble, then freeze it overnight. A frozen stuffed Kong will keep a Border Collie occupied for 30 to 45 minutes — give her one every time you leave and she has a job to do instead of eyeing up your chair legs. One Kong won't be enough on its own; you'll want two or three on rotation in the freezer. But start with one, see how she takes to it, and go from there.
That makes a lot of sense. Is there a particular size I should get — she's 18kg so I wasn't sure if Large is right or if I need the XL?
inparticular.ai
Large is the right call at 18kg. XL is really designed for dogs 30kg and up — Labradors, large Retrievers. At 18kg, the Large gives her a good mouthful without being so big it's awkward to work with. The opening size on the Large is also ideal for the stuffing and freezing approach — wide enough to pack well, narrow enough that she has to work to get it out. Stick with Large.
Perfect, I'll order one today. Should I get anything else alongside it or is the Kong enough to start?
inparticular.ai
Start with just the Kong and nail the stuffing routine first — if she takes to it well, you can add a Licki Mat later for variety, but don't overcomplicate it on day one. The Kong Classic Large is the backbone of what you need. One thing worth knowing: Border Collies often need the mental stimulation as much as the physical, and a frozen Kong is genuinely both. Get two or three once you know she likes it, keep them rotating in the freezer, and it'll make a real dent in the destructive behaviour without you having to be there.
