When choosing a toy for our dogs, most of us focus on size, durability and safety. We want something that will last, something they enjoy and something that won’t pose a risk. But how often do we consider what our dog’s mouth was actually bred to do?

For many breeds, particularly gun-dogs, the shape and function of the mouth may offer valuable clues about the types of toys they find most satisfying. Although there is currently little direct research examining toy preferences in relation to oral anatomy, research into breed morphology, behaviour and working function provides an interesting framework for thinking about toy selection.

A Mouth Shaped by Function

Many of the gundog breeds commonly seen throughout Ireland, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Hungarian Vizslas and German Shorthaired Pointers, were developed to locate, retrieve and carry game.

Retrievers in particular were bred to return birds to the handler without causing damage. One of the defining characteristics of a gundog retriever is a “soft mouth”, the ability to carry game without crushing or puncturing it. This required not only the ability to pick up game, but also to regulate pressure while carrying it. This tells us something important: these breeds were selected not merely for the ability to pick up game, but for the ability to carry it in a controlled manner. The “soft mouth” valued in retrievers is generally understood to involve both physical capability and behavioural control, allowing the dog to regulate bite pressure while transporting game safely.

Anatomy and Function Go Hand in Hand

Selective breeding has created substantial differences in skull shape and craniofacial anatomy across dog breeds. Dogs vary enormously in skull width, muzzle length and overall head structure as a result of human selection (Schoenebeck & Ostrander, 2013; Drake & Klingenberg, 2010). Research has also identified relationships between canine morphology and behaviour, suggesting that physical structure and behavioural tendencies often co-vary across breeds (McGreevy et al., 2013).Studies of canine cranial biomechanics have further shown that skull shape influences bite force and jaw mechanics (Ellis et al., 2009). In other words, there is good scientific evidence that the structure of a dog’s head and jaws influences how it uses its mouth.

What the research does not currently demonstrate is that retrievers possess a specific mouth shape that evolved solely to carry birds gently, nor has research directly examined whether toy preferences are influenced by oral anatomy. However, the historical purpose of these breeds, combined with what we know about morphology, behaviour and working function, provides a useful framework for thinking about enrichment.

A gundog’s mouth is not simply a collection of teeth. The tongue, lips, palate, jaw muscles and dentition work together to help the dog grasp, stabilise and carry objects. If you watch a gundog carrying a retrieve, you’ll often notice that the object is not tightly clamped between the front teeth. Instead, it sits comfortably within the mouth, supported by a combination of the tongue, palate and jaws. This allows the dog to transport an object securely while applying relatively little pressure. While this does not tell us which toys a dog will prefer, it does remind us that many gundogs were bred to use their mouths for carrying as much as chewing.

Looking Beyond Chew Strength

Modern toy marketing often focuses on durability and toughness. While these qualities are important for many dogs, they do not necessarily reflect the way every breed naturally uses its mouth.

For a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Hungarian Vizsla or German Shorthaired Pointer, carrying can be just as rewarding as chewing. Many owners recognise this behaviour immediately. The dog that greets visitors with a toy. The spaniel that insists on carrying something around the house. The Vizsla that proudly parades around with a favourite plush toy. The Labrador that settles contentedly while holding a soft object between its jaws. These dogs do not always appear to find destroying a toy reinforcing. Often, they simply seem to find carrying it reinforcing.

Why Soft Toys Appeal to Many Gundogs

At present, evidence linking toy preference to oral anatomy remains largely indirect. No studies have directly examined whether gundogs prefer plush bird toys because of similarities to game birds or because of the way such toys fit within the mouth. However, many gundog owners, trainers and behaviour professionals observe that these breeds find carrying larger soft-bodied toys for extended periods reinforcing.

One possible explanation is that these toys allow dogs to engage in behaviours that closely resemble those for which they were historically selected. Plush birds, rabbits and other soft toys are comfortable to carry, easy to hold and often encourage possession and transport rather than destruction. By comparison, a small hard ball or dense rubber toy may encourage a different style of interaction, such as chasing, chewing or repeated retrieval.

These observations should not be viewed as scientific proof, but they are consistent with the retrieving and carrying behaviours commonly seen in many gundog breeds. Importantly, this does not mean soft toys are inherently better. Different toys fulfil different functions. A well-sized canvas dummy, for example, remains one of the most useful tools available for retrieving breeds because it closely replicates many of the carrying mechanics involved in retrieving game. The key point is that toy choice should not be based solely on durability. It can also be informed by how a dog naturally prefers to use its mouth.

Breed Purpose Still Matters

Understanding why a breed was developed can help us make more informed choices about reinforcement. A Border Collie may be reinforced by controlling movement and chasing. A scent hound may seek reinforcement through following odours. A terrier may be reinforced by the action of digging, dissecting and problem-solving.

Likewise, many gundogs were bred to locate, retrieve and carry. Providing opportunities to engage in these behaviours can be every bit as important as providing opportunities to chew.

Choosing Toys with Function in Mind

The next time you select a toy, it may be worth asking a different question. Instead of asking, “How tough is this toy?” consider asking, “How was my dog’s mouth bred to be used?” For many gundogs, the answer is not simply to chew. They were bred to locate, retrieve, carry and deliver objects using their mouths with control and precision. While more research is needed to fully understand how oral anatomy influences toy preference, there is good evidence that breed function, morphology and behaviour are closely linked (McGreevy et al., 2013; Schoenebeck & Ostrander, 2013; Ellis et al., 2009).

Considering these factors when selecting toys offers a practical and scientifically informed approach to reinforcement. After all, a toy that allows a dog to use its mouth in a way that reflects its inherited purpose may provide a very different experience and behavioural outcome from one chosen for durability alone.

References

Drake, A. G., & Klingenberg, C. P. (2010). Large-scale diversification of skull shape in domestic dogs: disparity and modularity. The American Naturalist, 175(3), 289–301.

Ellis, J. L., Thomason, J. J., Kebreab, E., & France, J. (2009). Cranial dimensions and forces of biting in the domestic dog. Journal of Anatomy, 214(3), 362–373.

McGreevy, P. D., Georgevsky, D., Carrasco, J., Valenzuela, M., Duffy, D. L., & Serpell, J.A. (2013). Dog behaviour co-varies with height, bodyweight and skull shape. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e80529.

Schoenebeck, J. J., & Ostrander, E. A. (2013). The genetics of canine skull shape variation. Genetics, 193(2), 317–325.