Designer Dog Chew Toys That Last

"Designer" gets slapped on a lot of dog toys that are really just a parody logo on a plush bone. Designer dog chew toys, properly understood, are the ones where the design is the product: a point of view, a collaboration, an object you'd keep on the shelf even if you didn't own a dog. Freak On a Leash, founded by Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, makes six dog toys in that spirit, two of them with designer Ashton Michael. Here's what makes them designer pieces, which ones suit which dog, and how to keep any dog toy in rotation longer.

Key Takeaways

Freak On a Leash's designer pieces are the Freak on a Leash x Ashton Michael Planchette Plushie ($22) and Leather Rope Toy ($25), alongside four core toys: the Scorpion Plushie ($18), Eyeball Plushie ($18), Crimson Rope Toy ($16), and Crimson Throwing Balls 3-Pack ($20).
Design-led means the imagery is rock and subculture (a scorpion, an eyeball, a Ouija planchette) rather than pet-aisle cartoon shapes.
"Lasting" comes from matching the toy to your dog's play style and caring for it, not from a plush toy pretending to be a hard chew.
The Scorpion Plushie, Eyeball Plushie, and Crimson Rope Toy come in Small and Large.

What Makes a Dog Chew Toy "Designer"?

Three things separate a designer toy from a novelty: a real design point of view, a named designer or collaboration behind it, and objects you'd recognize as belonging to a collection rather than a bargain bin.

Freak On a Leash's point of view is rock and roll. The toys borrow from the same imagery as its spiked collars and leather leashes: a scorpion, an eyeball, the crimson-and-black palette, and a Ouija planchette. None of it is themed for a nursery, and none of it is a parody of somebody else's handbag.

Is designer the same as durable?

No, and it's worth being blunt about this. A designer plush toy is still a plush toy. What you're paying for is design and collaboration, and a toy that fits the aesthetic of the rest of your dog's gear, not a promise that it survives a dog that opens every toy it meets.

What Are the Ashton Michael Collaboration Toys?

Ashton Michael's collaboration with Freak On a Leash spans collars, a leash, dog vests, bandanas, and two toys.

Freak on a Leash x Ashton Michael Planchette Plushie ($22). A plush toy shaped like a planchette, the pointer from a Ouija board. It's the statement piece of the entire toy lineup.

Freak on a Leash x Ashton Michael Leather Rope Toy ($25). A rope toy with leather detailing that connects it to the leather goods in the collaboration.

Materials and sizing for both are on their product pages in the Freak on a Leash x Ashton Michael collection. If you want the pieces that read as designer objects first, these are the two.

Which Core Freak On a Leash Toys Fit Which Play Style?

The four core toys cover the three ways most dogs play.

Squeak and fetch: Scorpion Plushie ($18). A short-hair Velboa scorpion with a red pincer and telson. The head and abdomen are stuffed with crinkle paper and a squeaker, so it squeaks and crinkles. It's made for fetching and noise-making. Small is 11" long, Large is 17.25" long.

Squeak and carry: Eyeball Plushie ($18). 100% polyester plush with an internal squeaker, an embroidered eyeball on the front, and the FOAL logo on the back. Small is 5.5" in diameter, Large is 8.5".

Tug: Crimson Rope Toy ($16). A multi-colored twisted ball rope with a sturdy handle for your grip and an emblem rubber ring. Small is approximately 6.75" x 2.25", Large approximately 10.25" x 3".

Fetch: Crimson Throwing Balls 3-Pack ($20). Three bouncy balls, each with a squeaker made of non-abrasive felt and rubber and a black printed FOAL logo.

How Do You Make a Designer Dog Toy Last?

Longevity in a plush or rope toy is mostly about how it's used.

Match the toy to the play. A tug rope for a tugger, fetch balls for a chaser, a plush squeaker for a dog that carries and squeaks. A plush handed to a dog that dismantles toys won't last, and that isn't the toy's fault.
Size it right. Small for toy and small breeds, Large for medium and large dogs, and size up when a dog is in between. A toy should never be small enough to fit entirely inside the mouth.
Supervise and inspect. Plush and rope toys are for supervised play. Check seams and rope ends after rough sessions.
Rotate. Two or three toys in rotation stay interesting far longer than one toy that's out all day.
Retire it when it's damaged. Once stuffing shows or rope frays, the toy is done, regardless of what it cost.

What about dogs that shred everything?

Give them a hard chew built for that. Keep the designer plush and rope toys for fetch, tug, and squeak play, where they belong, and the hard-chew job for a hard chew.

FAQ

What makes Freak On a Leash toys designer dog chew toys?

A rock-and-roll design point of view carried across the whole lineup, plus two pieces made in collaboration with designer Ashton Michael.

Which is the best designer piece to start with?

The Freak on a Leash x Ashton Michael Planchette Plushie. It's the most recognizable object in the lineup.

Are designer dog chew toys tougher than regular ones?

Not by definition. Design and durability are separate things. These are plush, rope, and fetch-ball toys for supervised play.

What sizes are available?

The Scorpion Plushie (11" and 17.25"), Eyeball Plushie (5.5" and 8.5" diameter), and Crimson Rope Toy (approx. 6.75" x 2.25" and 10.25" x 3") come in Small and Large. The Throwing Balls are a 3-pack. Check the product pages for the Ashton Michael pieces.

Conclusion

Designer dog chew toys that last are the ones with a real design behind them and a dog that plays with them the way they're meant to be played with. Freak On a Leash supplies the design: six rock-inspired toys, two of them with Ashton Michael. Matching the toy to the dog and looking after it is what makes it last. Browse the full lineup of dog toys.