Max may only be a West Highland Terrier but he is rather strong when it comes to chewing up his new (usually quite expensive) dog toys.. so next time I was in town I stopped by the local pet shop in hope of finding a toy tough enough to last more than a day or so. I'd heard good things about the Nylabone toys so I decieded to purchase one, they are rock hard bone shaped plastic chew toys which look most uncomfortable to chew, but are flavoured to appeal to dogs. I brought the Regular sized bacon flavoured bone, which cost £2.99. Other sizes are also available, as is a chicken flavoured one.

Back at home I took the Nylabone from its pack and presented it to an eager Max wagging his tail frantically by my feet. At first he didn't seem to know what he was supposed to do with it, there was a lot of sniffing and licking at the Nylabone before he decieded he was going to pick it up. When he finally did take hold of it, he still wasn't sure what to do and carried it around the house for a further fifteen minutes or so before returning back to his bed in the lounge. Eventually, after more licking and sniffing, he started to have a chew on it. He was chewing this rock solid bit of plastic for over an hour before he gave up, and came to me with a dissapointed look on his face as if to say ''Mum, why can't I kill it?''. However he kept going back for more and it was several weeks before the Nylabone started to show any signs of damage, but even then there was only a few teeth marks. Its now been about 5 months since I first brought a Nylabone for Max, he now on his second one as he did finally managed to chew pieces off the first one. But at only £2.99 its the kind of toy I don't mind replacing every few months. Aswell as keeping him occupied, all that chewing must be good for his teeth. Personally, I still don't see what is so appealing about this toy, it must be like chewing on a stone, but Max likes it and thats all that matters. You should bear in mind that Nylabones aren't suitable as a 'fetch' toy, you could seriously knock someone out with one of these things!

The normal Nylabones are designed for adult dogs and would probally brake a puppies brittle teeth if they were given one, there is a special Puppy Nylabone available which is softer and more gentle on the teeth and gums. These cost £2.49 for the Regular size.