One Saturday evening, I was attending a local "Paint and Sip" with some local artists. We practiced our Sgraffito technique as we enjoyed some of the best wines from a local vineyard. Saying something is the "best" is always a bold move. I don't think anyone should take the superlative lightly.

So, as a dog mom of 3 who has tried more than a few of the best bones and chews for medium-sized dogs, I wanted to share why I feel comfortable labeling these 5 dog bones and chews the best.

Criteria for the Best Bones Good for Dogs to Chew

Let me tell you, not just any bone is right for a medium-sized crew. In my eyes, to be the best, it needs to:

• Be healthy treats for dogs. From teeth cleaning to bone and joint support, I want tangible benefits like I get from marrow bones.
• Be safe to chew on
• Be all-natural and preferably single-ingredient, like dog bones and chews from beef cattle.
• Come from grass-fed, pasture-raised, humanely raised herds
• Local when possible. Now, there aren't any cattle ranches where I am, but I at least want to buy USA to support local economies.
• Appropriately sized. Some dog bones are too small for a medium dog and could pose a choking hazard.

Best Chew Bones for Dogs

I'm going to break down the best bones for medium dogs by use and need to help you choose the best bones for your pup. Take your time to consider the benefits and any drawbacks because they're in no particular order.

And let's jump into this.

1. Best Dog Chews for Training

A well-trained dog is a happy dog. Agree?

Through generations of selective breeding, dogs have developed a desire to please their humans. They can sense when we're disappointed in them, and it can make them feel anxious and depressed.

When dogs know what we expect of them, they understand their role in the family. Now, my dogs are spoiled and have fully replaced my human kids, who are now in college. But they also know how to behave.

And I owe this good behavior to our time spent training and to the best training chews, beef lung treats.

Let me tell you why they're so great. First, they check all of the above boxes, and I can buy them in bulk on Amazon, so I never run out. Each one is small (around the tip of your thumb), but I can also break it into smaller pieces to avoid overfeeding.

This allows me to have longer training sessions, as long as my dogs are down for it. Often, they are, probably because this is the only time they get these treats.

But these best chews aren't just meaty deliciousness that dogs like my terrier Pixie crave. They're also low in fat and rich in healthy fat, collagen, and a list of essential vitamins and minerals. When I bring out the bag, Pixie is ready to go, and I feel good about what I'm giving her—even if it takes a dozen treats to learn a trick.

2. Best Dog Bones for Aggressive Chewers

Now, when some people think of aggressive chewers, German shepherds and American Bullies come to mind. But you and I both know that any size dog can really get into that chomping action. And when they do, most dog bones don't stand a chance, except this one. The bones for mid-sized aggressive chewers are Crown Knuckle Bones.

These single-ingredient marrow bones are built to last. They did hold a whole cow up at one point, after all. They also have lots of interesting crevices and protrusions. This makes them great for both mental stimulation and teeth cleaning. We're keeping our pearly whites in top shape around our house—and dog breath at bay.

They're filled with nutritious bone marrow that dogs can lick out a little at a time for a healthy treat.

And these are bigger than you'd thin, but still compact, so heavy jaw action is no match for their durability. Oh, and because of the unique shape, small dogs can enjoy these too!

3. Best Refillable Marrow Bones for Dogs

Speaking of marrow bones, here's another winner. And I call it the best refillable bone because it's perfectly shaped to hold a lot of filling. You can cram it in there with the handle of a wooden spoon or squeeze it in from a bag with the corner cut. It's called the Dynamo Bone, and you can buy them here.

Once the marrow is all gone, I refill the bone with any number of tasty fillings—peanut butter, mashed banana, or even just a bit of kibble mixed with yogurt. It makes the bones last even longer. Pixie stays busy trying to get every last morsel out. Plus, it’s a healthy option that doesn’t add unnecessary calories to her diet, making it one of the best bones for medium dogs like her.

I even made this free downloadable dog bone refill guide with some of my favorite recipes and techniques. I'd love it if you'd check it out and let me know what you think.

4. Best Chew for Joint Health & Senior Dogs

Senior dogs have special needs, but it's never too early to start feeding dogs chews that support bones and joints. If they're stronger when they're young, they'll stay more stable and resilient as they age. My Pixie is getting a little older now, but she's still got that pep in her step since we started her on these early.

Even older puppies (6 months plus) can enjoy these joint chews that replaced my dogs' glucosamine supplements. They're also easier on older teeth than dog bones.

Beef trachea chews are mostly cartilage, which is primarily collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and a range of vitamins and minerals. These come in two sizes (3in and 7in) in a generous-sized bag and can give my pups some great chewing action. You can get some for your K9 here.

5. Overall Best Bone for Medium Dogs

It's so hard to choose. But if you force my hand, I'll go with meaty ribs for medium dogs as their overall fave. They're tough enough for some active gnawing but flatter, so they give the jaws a break. Pixie would chew on these for hours if I'd let her.

All of the best chew bones for dogs in this list are great for dogs. We have regularly scheduled chew times 2-3 times a week for 15-20 minutes. That's just enough time to get the benefits from these healthy treats for dogs.

Final Thoughts About Dog Bones

The bones that are good for dogs to chew are a single ingredient and come from beef cattle raised in the USA. My terrier Pixie has her favorites. Now, it's time for you to help your mid-sized K9 find their favorite chew.

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