Chews-ing the right size for your pup

Breed guides · Oct 26, 2026 · 5 min read · #Education

Start with weight and chewing style

Two things decide your dog's size. Weight gives you the starting point. Chewing style tells you whether to stay there or move up.

• Weight: match your dog's weight to the size guide below.
• Chewing style: slow gnawers stay put. Dogs who go at a chew like it owes them money go up.

When in doubt, size up

A chew that's too big is safer than one that's too small. Coffee wood is safe because it's dense. It resists cracking instead of splintering into sharp pieces.

A big dog with a small chew can crush it, like snapping a twig. Give them a chew too large to wrap their mouth around and they gnaw the ends instead. Gnawing softens the wood gradually and makes the soft, stringy fibers you want to see.

Between sizes? Go up. Your dog won't mind having more chew to work through.

Why the size changes the wood

Density changes across the tree, even though every chew is coffee wood. That is why a Large feels so different from an XS.

• XS and Small: younger, thinner branches near the top. Softer and more delicate. Right for small dogs and light chewers.
• Medium to XXL: older, thicker trunk wood. More years of growth means tighter, denser wood.
• Root Chew: the oldest, densest part of the tree, with a knobbly shape dogs love to work around. It tends to last noticeably longer for heavy chewers.

Here is how to choose:

• Light chewer, small dog: Original Chew in their weight-based size.
• Moderate chewer: Original Chew, and think about sizing up.
• Heavy chewer: size up on Original Chew, or try Root Chew.

The Mumbies size guide

• XS: up to 10 lbs. Small breeds, very light chewers.
• Small: 11-15 lbs. Small dogs, light chewers.
• Medium: 16-30 lbs. Medium dogs, light to moderate chewers.
• Large: 31-60 lbs. Large dogs, moderate to heavy chewers.
• XL: 61-79 lbs. Larger dogs, strong chewers.
• XXL: 80+ lbs. The biggest dogs and the chewers who mean business.

Need dimensions? See the full size chart.

Does your dog need to size up?

Two dogs at the same weight can need different sizes. Look at how yours chews.

Size up if your dog:

• Finishes chews quickly
• Bites through the middle instead of gnawing the ends
• Has broken other tough chews, like antlers or thick bully sticks
• Is a strong-jawed breed: Pitbull, Rottweiler, Mastiff, Labrador

Stay at their weight size if your dog:

• Nibbles slowly and takes their time
• Gnaws the ends instead of crushing the whole chew
• Has always been gentle with toys and chews

What to expect once they start

Use the first few sessions to learn your dog's style. These are normal:

• Soft, stringy fibers forming at the ends as the wood breaks down
• Small fibers your dog spits out
• The chew getting slightly softer where they've worked it

If the chew is being crushed or snapped instead of gnawed, size up on the next order.

Stay close for the first few chews. As with any chew, supervise your dog until you know their style.

Still not sure?

Email support@mumbies.com and Team Mumbies will help you pick the right size.

Ready to find the right fit? Shop all Mumbies chews.