dogbone

Dogbone is a term used for several bone-shaped objects. The most common is a bone-shaped chew toy for dogs. It also refers to a type of tensile specimen used in materials testing, known as a dogbone specimen, due to its characteristic shape.

Dogbone chew toys are manufactured from materials such as nylon, rubber, rawhide, or sturdy fabric. They come in various sizes and textures to suit different dogs. They are intended to promote dental health by reducing plaque and providing gum stimulation, and to entertain or alleviate boredom. Safety considerations include the risk of choking, tooth injury, or ingestion of broken pieces. Owners should select an appropriate size, supervise use, replace worn toys, and avoid real bones or materials that can splinter. Rawhide, in particular, carries digestive risk and can pose choking hazards in some dogs; many owners prefer synthetic or edible alternatives.

Dogbone tensile specimens are used in materials science to measure mechanical properties. The shape consists of wider ends and a narrow central gauge section, which concentrates stress and ensures fracture occurs in the middle. Tests following standards such as ASTM E8/E8M or ISO 6892-1 yield data on yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation. Specimens are typically machined from a larger sample or produced by forming methods, and may also be prepared by additive manufacturing. The dogbone geometry provides repeatable failure location but may not reflect behavior of real components under complex stress.

The origin of the name stems from the silhouette’s resemblance to a dog’s bone. Beyond toys and test specimens, the term appears in other technical contexts to describe similarly shaped objects or samples.