Finding the right chew for your dog shouldn't feel like guesswork — so we built a tool that takes the guesswork out of it completely.
CHECK OUT OUR CHEWSING GUIDE TO FIND THE RIGHT BONE FOR YOU HERE
If you've ever stood in a pet aisle wondering whether your dog needs a soft chew or a hard one, you're not alone. We hear it all the time: "My dog destroys everything — what do I get?" or "She's getting older and I'm worried about her teeth." These are real concerns, and they deserve better answers than "just try one and see."
That's exactly why we created the BetterBone Chew-Sing Guide — an interactive tool that considers your dog's breed, age, chewing style, and health to recommend the perfect BetterBone durability, size, and flavor. It takes less than 30 seconds, and the science behind it is something we're really proud of.
Here's how it works and why it matters.
Why "One Size Fits All" Doesn't Work for Dog Chews
Think about it: a 7-pound Chihuahua and a 105-pound Rottweiler don't just differ in size — they have completely different jaw structures, bite pressures, chewing habits, and dental needs. A Chihuahua generates around 55 PSI (pounds per square inch) of bite force. A Rottweiler? Over 300 PSI. That's a massive difference, and it means the chew that's perfect for one could be completely wrong for the other.
But breed is only part of the picture. A 2-year-old Labrador in the prime of life chews very differently than a 10-year-old Lab with sensitive gums. A Golden Retriever who loses interest after a few minutes needs a different approach than one who works a chew like it's a full-time job.
Most chew toy companies handle this with vague labels like "small" and "large." We think your dog deserves more thought than that.
The Logic Behind the Guide: Four Factors That Matter
Our Chew-Sing Guide walks you through four quick questions. Each one feeds into an algorithm that narrows down the best recommendation for your specific dog. Here's what we're looking at and why.
1. Breed — Your Starting Point
When you select your dog's breed, we're pulling from a database of over 230 breeds and mixes — including Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Pomskies, Puggles, Pit Bull mixes, and more. Each breed entry includes estimated bite force data based on published veterinary research, factoring in skull structure, jaw muscle mass, and breed-specific chewing tendencies.
Why does breed matter so much? Because a Staffordshire Bull Terrier at 32 pounds generates more bite pressure than many dogs twice its size. An Australian Cattle Dog is relentlessly tenacious with chews in a way that a same-sized Whippet simply isn't. Breed tells us about your dog's natural chewing DNA, and it's the foundation everything else builds on.
For mixed breeds and designer breeds, we've included specific entries for popular mixes at different size ranges, so even if your dog isn't a purebred AKC breed, the guide has you covered.
2. Age — And Why Senior Means Different Things for Different Dogs
This is where the guide gets really smart. Most people think of "senior" as a single age — maybe 8 or 9 years old. But veterinary science tells us that when a dog becomes a senior depends heavily on their size.
Here's what we built into the guide:
- Giant breeds (over 90 lbs) like Great Danes and Mastiffs are considered seniors as early as 5 to 7 years old
- Large breeds (50–90 lbs) like Labs and Golden Retrievers hit senior status around 6 to 8 years
- Medium breeds (20–50 lbs) like Beagles and Corgis are seniors at 8 to 10 years
- Small and toy breeds (under 20 lbs) like Yorkies and Chihuahuas may not be seniors until 10 to 13 years old
This matters because senior dogs benefit from softer chews that are gentler on aging teeth and gums. A 6-year-old Great Dane has very different dental needs than a 6-year-old Dachshund, even though they're the same age. The guide uses your dog's breed weight to automatically determine whether they've crossed into senior territory, and adjusts the recommendation accordingly.
Similarly, puppies under 1 year old always get nudged toward softer options to protect their developing teeth — regardless of breed.
3. Chew Style — Because Every Dog Is an Individual
Breed gives us the baseline. Chew style lets you tell us what your dog actually does day-to-day. We ask you to choose between three categories:
- Gentle Chewer — light gnawing, loses interest quickly, more of a nibbler
- Everyday Chewer — chews daily with moderate pressure, steady and content
- Power Chewer — destroys toys, heavy gnawing, treats chewing like a competitive sport
A gentle Pit Bull exists. So does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who somehow shreds everything in sight. Breed tendencies are averages — your dog is an individual, and this step lets you fine-tune the recommendation based on how they actually behave.
4. Health Considerations — Allergies and Dental Sensitivity
The final step checks for two important health factors:
Allergies: If your dog has food sensitivities, skin reactions, or a sensitive stomach, we steer the flavor recommendation toward our Classic / Veggie or Venison options — both formulated to avoid common allergens. If allergies aren't a concern, our natural Beef flavor is a fan favorite.
Dental sensitivity: Dogs with cracked teeth, worn enamel, gum issues, or recent dental work get nudged one durability level softer. A dog that would normally be recommended Hard gets Balanced/Moderate instead. Protecting teeth always comes first.
How the Recommendation Comes Together
Behind the scenes, the guide starts with your breed's default durability level, then adjusts based on each factor:
- Puppy or senior dog? Shifts one level softer
- Power chewer? Shifts one level harder
- Gentle chewer? Shifts one level softer
- Dental sensitivity? Shifts one level softer
The result lands on one of our three durability levels:
- BetterBone Soft — similar in feel to rawhide, perfect for puppies, seniors, and gentle chewers
- BetterBone Balanced / Moderate — similar to nylon chews or hardwood, great for everyday adult chewers
- BetterBone Hard — similar to antlers, built for power chewers and toy destroyers
Along with durability, the guide also recommends a bone size based on your breed's average weight (Mini for dogs under 25 lbs, Small for 25–50 lbs, Large for 50+ lbs) and a flavor based on your dog's allergy profile.
Why Getting the Right Durability Actually Matters
Choosing the right chew isn't just about satisfaction — it's about safety and dental health.
Too hard: A chew that's too firm for your dog can lead to cracked teeth, sore gums, and frustration. Your dog might lose interest entirely, or worse, hurt themselves trying to break through material that's too dense for their jaws. This is actually one of the biggest problems with traditional nylon bones and antlers — they're one-hardness-fits-all, and for many dogs, that hardness is simply too much.
Too soft: A chew that's too easy gets demolished in minutes. Your dog doesn't get the lasting enrichment they need, you're replacing chews constantly, and larger pieces can break off faster than intended.
Just right: When durability matches your dog's chewing behavior, the BetterBone flakes off in small, safe pieces the way it's designed to — protecting teeth while providing satisfying, long-lasting chew sessions. Your dog stays engaged, their teeth stay healthy, and you get peace of mind.
The Simple Adjustment Rule
Even with all the data behind our guide, every dog is unique. That's why we always recommend a simple approach after your first BetterBone:
If the bone disappears too quickly — your dog might need one level harder.
If your dog loses interest or seems uncomfortable — try one level softer.
And here's the part we're especially proud of: our free replacement guarantee. If you pick the wrong durability, donate it to a local shelter and we'll send you the right one — completely free. We call it the BetterBone Promise, because choosing the right chew should never feel like a gamble.
How to Use the Chew-Sing Guide
Using the guide is simple — just head to our Chew-Sing Guide page and follow four quick steps:
- Select your dog's breed — search from over 230 breeds and mixes, including Doodles, Pit Bull mixes, and mixed breed options at every size
- Choose their age range — the guide automatically determines whether your dog qualifies as a puppy, adult, or senior based on their breed's size
- Describe their chew style — gentle, everyday, or power chewer
- Note any health concerns — allergies and/or dental sensitivity
In under 30 seconds, you'll get a personalized recommendation with your dog's ideal durability, bone size, and flavor — plus a breakdown of exactly why we're making that recommendation, including your breed's estimated bite force.
Built for Every Dog, Not Just Purebreds
We know that the most popular dog in America isn't a purebred — it's a mix. That's why we made sure the Chew-Sing Guide includes dedicated entries for popular designer breeds like Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, Aussiedoodles, Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Maltipoos, Pomskies, Puggles, Chiweenies, and more. Many of these come in multiple size variants (Mini, Medium, Standard) with different bite force profiles for each.
For truly unique mixes, we've included catch-all options — Mixed Breed (Small), Mixed Breed (Medium), Mixed Breed (Large) — so every dog can get a recommendation, no matter their family tree.
The Bottom Line
Your dog's chewing is natural, healthy, and important. It relieves stress, supports dental health, and satisfies one of their deepest instincts. They deserve a chew that's made from ingredients you can actually trust — just cellulose and corn-based composite, sourced from the European food industry — and matched to the way they actually chew.
The Chew-Sing Guide is our way of making sure every dog gets the right BetterBone from day one. No guessing. No wasted money. No risk to their teeth.
Because every dog chews differently — and every dog deserves a BetterBone that's made for them.
Have questions about which BetterBone is right for your dog? Our team is always happy to help — reach out anytime and let us know about your pup. We love talking dogs almost as much as we love making bones for them.
