If you ask one hundred different people what the best chew for a dog is, you will get two hundred different answers. What is OK for my dogs may not be for yours and vice versa. There are things my dogs can have when unsupervised (when I am not home). Some chews they can only have when supervised. Others we do not allow at all. It is possible to write volumes on the topic of dog chews. I am going to give you a brief look at some of the more popular chews on the market.
RAWHIDE: Rawhide is a byproduct of the leather industry. It is one of the more controversial chews. Rawhide, especially foreign made, may be produced using harsh chemicals. Therefore, purchase only US made rawhide to reduce that risk. Chews made of stuck together pieces (looks like particle board) break easily and can be swallowed in chunks. If you use rawhide, look for heavy, compressed bones properly sized for your dog. If in doubt of sizing, go larger. Rolled rawhide should be tightly rolled and from a thicker piece of hide. Avoid thinner rawhide and flat pieces, they tear and mush up easier making it easier to ingest. Throw rawhide chews away before they become small enough to swallow and potentially choke. Do not give rawhide chews unless you are able to watch your dog. Some dogs chew aggressively and can quickly wear these chews down to an unsafe size. Others try to gulp them quickly.
NATURAL BONES: Some dogs can chew natural bones with no problem while others break teeth, splinter the bones, ingest shards, etc. Not all bones are the same. Smoked and baked bones tend to be brittle. Bones that are too small pose an ingestion risk. Bones with holes too large can get stuck over a dog’s jaw. Some species bones may break easier than others even if from the same body part (think shank bones from cattle vs pigs). Many people recommend raw bones, but bacteria may be a concern for some owners.
HOOVES, HORNS, ANTLERS: Like natural bones, some dogs are fine with them while others are not. If you choose to use antlers or horns avoid ones that taper to a point (even a blunt point). Hooves can easily be bitten into shards. If you decide to try these, choose thicker, heavier items, watch for tooth damage and cracking of the chews.
OTHER BODY PARTS: Bully sticks, ears, snoots, dried muscle, dried tendons, trachea, etc., are popular chews. Some are softer and easier to chew, or rip apart, like pig ears. Others are dried and may crunch, like lungs. Others are harder like dried tendon. Some dogs are fine with these chews while others gulp down chunks or snap into shards. Hooves are smaller and could be swallowed by larger dogs.
RUBBER AND NYLON BONES: Often sold as ideal for hard chewing dogs, some dogs can chew chunks off the rubber bones or crack nylon ones. The nylon chews can develop sharp ends over time. Avoid bones with openings that could trap your dog’s jaw such as figure 8 shapes. Dogs can crack teeth on nylon bones. Some rubber bones have openings for inserting different treats for dogs to work out, which many dogs love.
OTHERS: These chews can include dried cheese, wood pulp or starch-based bones, “edibles,” etc. Some of these chews can last a long time while others can be eaten fast. Some break into large chunks dogs may swallow.
ROPE: Rope chew toys can cause a lot of damage if eaten. Many dogs can untie the knots or shred the bones. This can lead to serious intestinal damage. Save them for playing fetch or tug.
Spend time looking at different chew options and the observe your dog in action. There is no 100% safe chew no matter what anyone says. You need to learn what is safer for your individual dog.
What do I use with my dogs? My preference is toys I can stuff with food and freeze. Currently my four dogs are what I would call moderate chewers at the most. I have had dogs who were aggressive chewers and would snap natural bones, destroy even large, hard pressed rawhide, crunch hooves, etc. These dogs did best with food stuffed toys I would freeze. My current four beasts are good with Himalayan Yak chews and bully sticks (I watch the size and they only get them when I can observe). They love Toppl toys I layer with various things and top with canned pumpkin or wet dog food then freeze. There are various other toys I do this with as well.
West Wind Dog Training 
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