Types of Gremlin Toys for Dogs

People might imagine that dogs are aware of what their toys represent, but, while dogs definitely exhibit preferences about shapes, odors and textures of toys, they probably don't care if their toys look like people or birds, objects or food, animals or gremlins. Gremlin toys based on the Gremlins movies are not manufactured for dogs or for children under 3, and therefore they are not safe dog toys.

What Are Gremlins?

There are a few interpretations of "gremlin" in the dog toy market. The word, "Gremlin," may have originated from a combination of an Irish word, 'gruaimin,' a bad tempered, gloomy, surly little fellow, and the French word 'goblin,' an "evil, crabby, and mischievous creature described as a grotesquely disfigured or gnome-like phantom..." The dog toys called "Gremlins" resemble various incarnations of mythical Gremlins, from the mischievous imp to the grotesque creature.

Doozie Dog Gremlin

One Gremlin dog toy, "Doozie Dog Gremlin," is a green stuffed toy available at many pet supply stores. On the Dog.com website, people report that while their dogs absolutely love this toy, it is not very sturdy and dogs are able to tear it apart and quickly destroy it. Fortunately, if your dog really loves the Doozie Dog Gremlin, it is inexpensive to replace. The Doozie Gremlin has a squeaker inside which increases its appeal, but for pets who like to take apart toys to find and remove the noisemaker, this gremlin may not be a good choice.

Sea Gremlins

Vo-Toys, makes two types of Gremlin-esque dog toys. Rags to Riches Sea Gremlins are very colorful plush toys: the 6-inch long fish is bright orange, yellow and purple, with multi-colored metallic spots adorning its fins; the 10-inch long red hued lobster has silver metallic spots on its legs. Both Sea Gremlins are machine washable and have a squeaker inside.

Grrr-emlins

Another group of toys, called Grrr-emlins, are part of the Vo-Toys "Tuff N Stuffed Latex Characters" collection. Grrr-emlins are tough, yet soft, with heavy latex on the outside stuffed with non-toxic poly-foam filling on the inside. Each of the five odd gremlin characters is brightly colored and comically grotesque and is designed to withstand strong, though perhaps not aggressive, chewers.
According to user reviews at PetCareRx, the Tuff N Stuffed Grrr-emlins are durable and popular with dogs of all ages. Many dogs become attached to certain objects, so their people are always on the lookout for toys like the Grrr-emlins that are appealing to dogs, survive daily dog play and seldom need to be replaced.

Meet the Grrr-emlins

Your dog may not appreciate the appearance of the bizarre creatures that are the Grrr-emlins as much as you do, but it will probably enjoy playing with them and carrying them around the house.
Pedey, is a smiling green one-eyed head with six legs; Hornelius looks like a blue puppy monster with tusks; Goober is bright pink with crazy eyes and a huge tongue; Slugger is a sea Cyclops with flippers; and Booglin is grey and green, with tiny green spikes on top of its head and a strong resemblance to more traditional gremlins.

Warnings

Buying toys for your dogs is not as simple as choosing the cutest, funniest, softest or toughest toy. According to the Humane Society of the United States, if someone wants to give a dog a toy not made specifically for pets, he should "check labels for child safety. Look for stuffed toys that are labeled as safe for children under three years of age and that don't contain any dangerous fillings, such as nutshells or polystyrene beads."
There are many types of toys suitable for many different dog breeds and it is important to read labels on all toys before you give them to your dogs. Choose playthings that are size appropriate and can withstand your dog's chewing strength. Most toys, whether made for dogs or young children, should not be given to a dog to play with unsupervised.

References

• Etymology of "Gremlin"
• Doozie Dog Gremlin
• Tuff N Stuffed Latex Characters

Resources

• Dog Toys: You Need Them