Birthday, adoption, the festive season: you are looking for a gift for a dog, or for someone who has one. A good gift is one that is really used, by the dog and in the home. Here are ideas sorted by use, with what to check before you buy.
Before choosing: three questions
- What size and weight? For a bed, a harness or a coat, size decides everything. If you are giving to someone else, discreetly ask the dog's weight.
- What age? A puppy, an athletic adult and an older dog do not have the same needs.
- What does the home look like? An object the dog uses every day stays in the living room. It is better if it goes with the decor.
For rest
A bed is a gift the dog uses every day, often for several hours. Choose according to how they sleep:
- They sleep curled in a ball: a round bed with high sides, where they can rest their head.
- They sleep stretched out: a rectangular mattress.
- They like the sofa: a dog sofa, with a backrest and armrests.
- They are getting older: a memory foam that moulds to the body and spreads pressure.
For size, it is better to measure than to guess: our guide to choosing the bed size explains how. Our dog beds and cushions have a zipped cover washable at 30 °C, a detail their human will appreciate. If the dog already has a bed in the living room, a second, simpler one for the bedroom or the car is also useful.
For games
- A fillable toy in rubber, to stuff with kibble: it keeps the dog busy when they are left alone.
- A snuffle mat, for scent games.
- A tug rope, sturdy, for playing together.
- A puzzle game, where the dog slides flaps to find a treat.
Always choose a toy suited to the size of their jaw, and avoid small parts that can be swallowed.
For walks
- A well-cut harness that leaves the shoulders free. Check the size on the dog themselves.
- A leather or rope lead, which ages well.
- A coat, for short-haired dogs or small dogs that feel the cold. Our guide to keeping your dog warm in winter helps you know whether they need one.
- A belt pouch for bags and treats.
- A collapsible water bottle for long summer walks.
According to the dog's age
For a puppy
Chew toys of different textures, suited to their milk teeth, and a simple, washable bed for the first months. A session with a dog trainer who uses positive methods also makes a lovely gift for new owners.
For an older dog
A thicker bed that is easy to get into, with a low edge to step in without effort. Calm scent games that keep them busy without tiring them. A non-slip rug where they get up most often.
For the human
Living with a dog also means hair on the sofa and wet paws in the entrance. A few ideas that please both:
- A lovely blanket, to lay on the sofa where the dog settles. Our alpaca and wool blankets are designed in Estonia and made in Peru. Dry cleaning is advised: they are made for the sofa and winter evenings, rather than for muddy returns from walks.
- A good brush suited to the coat, and a clothes brush for the hair.
- A jar or a nice tin for treats, to leave on the worktop.
- Coat hooks for leads and harnesses in the entrance.
- A portrait of the dog: a framed photo, or a drawing commissioned from an illustrator.
- Time: offering to walk the dog one Saturday, or to look after it for a weekend, often pleases more than an object.
Gifts to avoid
- Treats given without knowing the dog's diet: some have allergies or a diet prescribed by the vet.
- Human foods: chocolate, grapes and xylitol, a sweetener, are toxic to dogs.
- An animal as a surprise gift. An adoption is decided by those who will look after the animal, in full knowledge.
- Purely decorative clothing, which restricts movement.
In short
- Check the dog's size, age and sleeping style before you buy.
- A suitable bed is used every day.
- For play, think of scent games and fillable toys.
- A blanket or a brush pleases the human as much as the dog.
- Avoid unknown treats, human foods and the surprise animal.