Short answer: match the bully stick to your dog's weight and chewing style. A 6-inch bully stick is right for dogs 10 lbs and under, a 12-inch stick suits dogs up to about 70 lbs, and large or heavy "power" chewers do best with a 12-inch stick in a thick, jumbo, or braided cut that lasts longer and is harder to gulp. When in doubt, size up in thickness rather than length.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We make single-ingredient chews that are 100% natural, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contain no rawhide, so the only real question left is which size fits your dog. Here's how we think about it.
How do I pick the right bully stick size?
Every bully stick varies a little in size and shape because it's a real, whole-muscle product, not something stamped out of a mold. That's why we always recommend checking the sizing chart on each product page before you buy. As a quick reference:
The average length of our pizzle (cane) style chews runs between 6 and 12 inches, and two sizes cover most dogs.
6-inch bully sticks: dogs 10 lbs and under
A 6-inch bully stick is our pick for small dogs and toy breeds. It's enough of a chew session for most little dogs, roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on how hard they go at it, without leaving a large chew lying around the house half-finished. If you have a smaller dog who chews fast, this is the size to start with.
12-inch bully sticks: dogs up to about 70 lbs
A 12-inch bully stick is ideal for medium and larger dogs up to around 70 lbs. In a standard thickness it typically lasts 2 to 6 hours of active chewing. Bigger breeds can absolutely enjoy this length too, they may just work through more than one per session.
Large and heavy chewers: go thicker, not just longer
For big dogs and determined power chewers, thickness matters more than length. A thick, jumbo, or braided 12-inch stick gives them more to work on, holds up longer, and is harder to break off and swallow in large pieces. If your dog tends to bite off big chunks, a denser cut is the safer, longer-lasting choice.
What size bully stick is safe for a puppy?
Puppies can enjoy bully sticks once they're teething and eating solid food, but supervision and sizing are key. Pick a size your puppy can comfortably hold and gnaw without trying to swallow it whole, and always watch them while they chew. For a full breakdown, see our guide on bully sticks for puppies. The American Kennel Club also notes that any chew should be matched to your dog's size and chewing habits and given under supervision (AKC).
How many bully sticks can a dog have in a day?
Treats and chews should stay treats. A common veterinary guideline is that treats make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories (VCA Animal Hospitals). For most dogs, one bully stick a day is plenty. Because ours are single-ingredient and fully digestible, they're a cleaner everyday chew than rawhide, but they still count toward that daily calorie budget.
Why size and safety go together
The right size isn't only about how long the chew lasts, it's about safe chewing. Too small for a big dog and it becomes a choking hazard; too large for a little dog and they may lose interest or strain to manage it. As with any chew, put the stick away once it's down to a small nub, and keep fresh water nearby. If you like the softer, digestible profile of bully sticks, you may also want to read whether trachea chews are a safe option for your dog.
Every bully stick we sell is 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, no rawhide, and ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. It's all 100% high-quality guaranteed, so once you've got the size dialed in, you can feel good about the chew itself.
This post was last updated at August 23, 2026 15:18
