The KONG Classic is one of the most widely recognised dog toys on the market — the XXlarge size suits large and giant breeds that apply real force when chewing. The hollow natural rubber construction has remained largely unchanged for decades, which is either a sign that the original design was right, or that no one's worked out how to improve on it. Possibly both.

The hollow centre stuffs with kibble, wet food, peanut butter, or soft treats — freeze it overnight and the contents last considerably longer. The unpredictable bounce maintains interest during fetch better than a predictable ball. It floats, which opens up water retrieval without a separate toy. The red rubber compound is built to absorb impact rather than crack, making it one of the few toys that holds up to dogs who reduce most things to pieces within the first session.

The KONG Classic earns its place through longevity rather than novelty. Owners who've trialled newer options often come back to it — it's the toy that stays in rotation when others don't, and shifts roles from fetch toy to treat dispenser to crate companion depending on the day.