Sponsor

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Puzzle Toy Review: Kong Genius Leo

The Kong Genius Leo is a roller-type puzzle toy shaped a bit like a bowling pin. It is made in the USA from natural rubber, and comes in three different sizes. Ours is the large size.
Photo by Erin Koski

The Kong Genius Leo was once originally sold as the Canine Genius Leo. The Kong Company bought the rights and hopefully made the Canine Genius people very successful.

There are two Kong Genius toys. The Leo is named after Leonardo DaVinci, and the Mike is named after Michelangelo. The Leo has a funnel-shaped top, and x-shaped openings at the bottom and on the side. Kibble can be loaded through the top and falls out as the dog rolls the toy around.

For a more difficult puzzle, the neck of the Leo can be shoved through one of the x-shaped openings in either the Mike toy or another Leo. This allows the kibble to fall freely between the toys. It also keeps the most vulnerable part of the Leo, the neck, safer from serious chewing.
Photo by Erin Koski

Puzzle Toy Rating

Capacity: 5/5
Provided I can keep it from falling out, I can fit a good cup of food in here.

Loading Speed: 4/5
I should be able to funnel tons of food in here in no time, but the size of kibble I use tends to just fall out the other openings if I'm not super careful.

Unloading Speed (standard dog): 4/5
Darla can spend quite a while getting her 3/4 cup of kibble out of the Leo.

Photo by Erin Koski
Unloading Speed (superdog): 3/5
Briz would take a lot more time emptying the Leo if the holes weren't big enough for kibble to just fall out. I suspect our original Leo has slightly narrower holes.

Size: 5/5
Three sizes mean there is a Leo small enough for Ru and big enough for a really big dog. Our Large is supposed to be for dogs up to 40 pounds, but it sometimes feels a bit big for 40-pound Brisbane. The Extra Large is big enough for a really big dog.

Durability: 4/5
It's not made to be gnawed severely, but the Leo will stand up to pretty much anything else.

Noise: 4/5
It's hard enough to be a tad rattley on the hardwood when it's got a bunch of kibble in it, but it's not terrible.

Locatability: 4/5
That one flat side keeps it from rolling too far, and it's a pretty big toy.

Washability: 2/5
It doesn't open up and I can't see inside, but I can get a scrub brush in there.

Versatility: 3/5
It's big enough for a variety of critters to bat around, and to hold a variety of foods. The lack of washability somewhat limits what I'm willing to shove in there though.

Total: 38/50

2 comments:

  1. I am fascinated to see how many puzzle toys you have in total... should post a pic of all of them together. haha. I recently acquired Premier Linkables, they seem promising through a doggyloot special. Do you have a post on your absolute favorite puzzle toys?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should totally do a picture of all our puzzle toys! I started collecting them over a decade ago so we have quite a few now. I don't have a post about my favorites either, obviously it's time for one.

      Delete