KONG Classic

The safe bet for any dog you have never met. The red rubber snowman bounces unpredictably when thrown, but its real value is the hollow middle: stuff it with kibble and a smear of peanut butter and an ordinary chew becomes a puzzle that buys the owner a quiet half hour. It also survives the kitchen. KONG says the Classic is top-rack dishwasher safe, which matters more than it sounds once a toy has been through a few weeks of wet food. It comes in several sizes, and the one real decision is choosing up rather than down: a toy small enough to swallow is the wrong gift, so ask roughly how big the dog is before buying.