In our handmade range of toys, we have several real animal hides available to choose from. While all of them are sure to get your dog excited about tug time, you might be wondering what’s the difference between them and if there’s a choice that’s better suited for your dog.
Currently, we offer real Australian sheepskin, rabbit fur, fox fur and kangaroo. We are proud to say that we source all our hides as ethically and sustainably as we can, as this is a big part of our ethos at Wildhunde!
But back to the topic: what is the difference between each hide?
Rabbit
Rabbit is a much softer pelt than sheepskin, one which we categorise as a lightweight hide. As it’s so soft, it’s a great choice for smaller and/or gentler dogs, but it will still wear out over time.
Rabbit provides an amazing natural scent for your dog, so it can be used for “hide” and seek (har har) scent games, or getting your dog started and used to tug games. Some dogs may gravitate more towards rabbit hide over others (terriers and gun dogs in particular may love it) but just remember that rabbit fur is not expected to withstand heavy use!
Fox
Fox hide is an excellent “level up” option from rabbit. It’s a lightweight to midweight hide, so a great choice for dogs that need something a little bit sturdier than rabbit while still having that very gamey scent.
Fox hide is a great way to build interest in tug, and a solid choice for dogs that fall into the category of ‘vigorous but not too rough’ when it comes to playing tug. It has a super unique scent that will intrigue even the most disinterested dogs. As with all fur tugs, shedding can be expected but with proper care, your fox tug will still last some time.
Kangaroo
Kangaroo fur lands pretty solidly in the midweight hide category. Tougher than both rabbit and fox fur, but coming in behind sheepskin for durability – it's a great choice for when you want a gamey hide that can withstand a bit more tug time.
Kangaroo hide is excellent for dogs that love tug, and/or have a high drive. Kangaroo will hold up to moderate use but for maximum lifespan, use it in short bursts, not prolonged games and definitely not as a chew toy!
Sheepskin
If any hide can be classed as heavyweight, it’s sheepskin. As our toughest hide option, sheepskin is a great versatile choice for any tug, which is why you’ll see it on a lot more of our toys than the rest! It’s a natural hide, so it still provides stimulation for your dog through scent and texture. Sheepskin is also naturally tough and durable (this is why it’s often used for rugs and footwear!) so it can withstand heavy-duty tug play.
With proper care and maintenance, sheepskin is also a long-lasting animal hide that will keep your dog entertained for months or years to come. Sheepskin tugs make a great choice for dogs who play tough, dogs who already love tug and for when you want an all-rounder animal hide tug that will last as long as possible.
The Ethics of Real Animal Fur
Unfortunately, rabbits and foxes are an invasive pest species in Australia that have an ongoing devastating impact on native plants and wildlife. We source all of our rabbit and fox hides from animals that have been hunted for population or pest control within Australia.
All parts of the hunted rabbits are also used, meaning nothing goes to waste.
Kangaroo populations in Australia are extremely substantial and self-replenishing, so they are strictly managed to prevent welfare issues caused by overpopulation (over-grazing, land degradation, and potential starvation during times of drought). We source our hide from kangaroos that are legally hunted in line with these policies. The harvested kangaroos are used for both meat and fur, ensuring as little waste as possible.
We also ensure that our hides are only eco-tanned! This means they are tanned using natural plant extracts (tree barks that contain natural tannins) rather than the common chemical alternative (usually chromium). Eco-tanning is environmentally friendly due to its use of natural, renewable resources and reduced waste, and most importantly: it’s safe for your dog to play with! And frankly, we think this is why dogs go absolutely crazy for Wildhunde fur!
If you're interested in more details on how and where we source our animal hides, please get in touch with us at info@wildhunde.com.
