KONG Extreme

Black KONG rubber is the firmest compound the brand makes, and it is the answer to one specific problem: a dog that gets through red Classic rubber faster than it should. The shapes mirror the Classic line - the stuffable Extreme, ball with hole, ball with rope, Goodie Bone, Goodie Ribbon, dental, donut and flyer - so you can usually swap like for like.

Extreme is firmer, not unbreakable. It is still rubber, and a determined dog with time and molars will eventually mark it. What it buys you is a much longer service life with power chewers, and rubber that flexes rather than shatters, which is the real argument against hard nylon and bone for heavy chewers.

Because the compound is harder, it is the wrong choice for puppies with milk teeth and for older dogs with worn or missing teeth. Softer grades exist for both, and using black rubber there is uncomfortable rather than durable.

Size so the whole toy cannot pass behind the molars, and stuff and freeze it the same way you would a red one - the firmer walls hold a frozen filling for longer.

• All KONG - the full brand page
• KONG Dog Toys - the rest of the dog line
• KONG Balls - including the Extreme ball shapes
• All Dog Toys - every brand we stock