We have tried just about every toy on the toy isle at the pet store and the ones that last the very longest are the ropes with knots in them. Not very chewy though. Kongs seem to last a good while, but if they aren't filled with goodies, Sammie loses interest quick. Tennis balls are her favorite..
We have a very similar issue with our cat (of 7 years) and our lab (of just under 2 years). The cat thinks she is little miss queen of the house while the lab just wants to play. The cat will growl and hiss and the dog and the dog thinks its all part of the game.
It has been almost two years...
Sammie loves to skin tennis balls.. her favorite obsession is still chewing stuff that she isn't supposed to though :(
The one dog toy that we have had for many months and that is still in tact is a big rope with two knots in it. Everything else is chewed to bits in days.