The KONG Extreme and the Goughnuts MAXX Ring are the two most-recommended tough dog toys on the internet. Both are made from natural rubber. Both are designed for the most aggressive chewers. Both cost significantly more than cheap chew toys.
But they’re very different products — and choosing the wrong one is a $30-40 mistake. We tested both for six weeks with four dogs classified as “power chewers” by their owners. Here’s exactly what happened.
The Dogs in Our Test
- Rex: 4-year-old male Belgian Malinois, working line. Has destroyed 6+ different “durable” toys in under an hour.
- Bella: 3-year-old female Pit Bull mix, rescue. Chews obsessively when anxious.
- Bruno: 2-year-old male Rottweiler. Heavy, sustained chewer with extremely powerful jaw pressure.
- Koda: 5-year-old female German Shepherd. Determined chewer who targets seams and edges.
Each dog received both a KONG Extreme (size XL) and a Goughnuts MAXX Ring (the heaviest option). We alternated which toy each dog received first to control for novelty effects.
Week-by-Week Results
Week 1-2
Both toys showed similar surface wear — tooth marks, compression dents, minor abrasion. No structural concerns for either toy with any dog. Rex showed the most aggressive engagement.
Week 3-4
The KONG Extreme started showing deeper compression marks around the entrance hole with Bruno (Rottweiler). The rubber was beginning to show permanent deformation. The Goughnuts MAXX showed similar tooth marks but no compression deformation — the rubber appeared to have higher rebound.
With Rex (Malinois), we noticed he’d figured out to grip the KONG’s legs and torque them. One leg showed a small surface crack forming by week 4.
Week 5-6
Bruno’s KONG: The entrance hole area had permanent deformation, though no through-damage. We considered it borderline for continued use. Bruno’s Goughnuts: Superficial tooth marks only. No deformation. No color change indicating proximity to the red indicator layer.
Rex’s KONG: The surface crack on one leg extended to ~1cm. We retired this KONG. Rex’s Goughnuts: Heavier wear than Bruno’s, but still well above the red indicator layer. Continued use safe.
Bella and Koda: Both KONGs were intact after 6 weeks. Both Goughnuts MAXXes were intact.
The Results
For Rex and Bruno (extreme chewers with high bite force): Goughnuts MAXX won clearly. It showed less deformation, no cracking, and continued to be structurally sound where the KONG showed signs of failure.
For Bella and Koda (aggressive but not extreme chewers): Both toys survived equally well. No meaningful durability difference.
Conclusion: For the average aggressive chewer, both toys are equally durable and either is appropriate. For truly extreme power chewers (specifically working-line dogs with exceptionally high bite force, like Malinois or strong Rottweilers), the Goughnuts MAXX is tougher.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Durability
KONG Extreme: Excellent for 80-90% of aggressive chewers. The black rubber compound is genuinely tough.
Goughnuts MAXX: Superior to KONG for the top 10-15% most extreme chewers. The rubber compound is denser and shows better rebound under repeated compression.
Winner: Goughnuts (marginally for most dogs; significantly for true power chewers)
Engagement / How Long Dogs Play With It
KONG Extreme: Much higher. The hollow center allows food stuffing, which creates a puzzle element that extends engagement dramatically. Frozen stuffed KONGs kept Bella and Koda engaged for 45-60 minutes. Rex and Bruno: 20-30 minutes each session.
Goughnuts MAXX: Cannot be stuffed. Engagement is purely from the chewing satisfaction. Rex engaged most enthusiastically (about 30 minutes), but Bella and Koda often abandoned it after 10-15 minutes.
Winner: KONG Extreme (not close — the stuffing advantage is enormous)
Value for Money
KONG Extreme XL: ~$25-30. If it lasts 3+ months, that’s reasonable.
Goughnuts MAXX: ~$39. Comes with a replacement guarantee, which somewhat offsets the higher price. If it lasts significantly longer, the value equation works out.
For extreme chewers who destroy KONGs frequently, the Goughnuts guarantee makes the math work.
Winner: KONG for most owners (value + engagement). Goughnuts for extreme chewer owners who factor in the guarantee.
Safety Features
KONG: No safety indicator — you must visually inspect for structural integrity. Retire when cracking or large chunks are at risk.
Goughnuts: Red indicator layer is a genuinely smart design. No guessing required — when you see red, the toy is done. The indicator takes the stress out of monitoring.
Winner: Goughnuts (the safety indicator system is meaningfully better)
Who Should Buy Each
Buy the KONG Extreme if:
- Your dog is an aggressive but not extreme chewer
- You want to stuff toys with food for extended engagement
- You want the best-value starting point before escalating
- Your dog enjoys food-dispensing puzzle elements
Buy the Goughnuts MAXX if:
- Your dog has already destroyed multiple KONGs
- You have a working-line, high-drive breed with extreme bite force
- You want the peace of mind of the safety indicator
- You want the manufacturer guarantee
Buy BOTH if:
- You want the KONG for stuffed/puzzle use and the Goughnuts for dedicated chewing sessions
- Your dog distinguishes well between “chew this” and “play the food puzzle”
FAQ
Q: Is the Goughnuts MAXX safe to leave with dogs unsupervised? A: No toy should be used unsupervised. Even the MAXX can potentially be destroyed by the most extreme chewers, and monitoring lets you catch problems early.
Q: What size KONG should I get for my large breed? A: For dogs 50-85 lbs, Large. For 85+ lbs or very powerful breeds, XL. When in doubt, size up — a slightly too large toy is much safer than one that’s too small.
Q: Does the Goughnuts guarantee actually work? A: Based on owner reports in forum discussions and reviews, yes — Goughnuts honors their guarantee reliably. Contact them through their website when you see the red indicator.
Q: Can I use a KONG Extreme with a dog who has previously destroyed a regular KONG? A: The Extreme (black) compound is significantly tougher than the Classic (red) compound. Many dogs who destroy Classic KONGs do well with Extreme KONGs. It’s worth trying before going straight to Goughnuts.
Our Final Verdict
For most dog owners with aggressive chewers: KONG Extreme. The food stuffing advantage is substantial, the price is lower, and it handles 85-90% of aggressive chewers well.
For owners of true power chewers or working-line breeds: Goughnuts MAXX. The tougher compound, safety indicator, and guarantee justify the premium for dogs at the extreme end of the chewing spectrum.
Both are legitimately excellent products. The right answer depends on your specific dog.
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