Gifts for dog lovers are tricky for one simple reason. The dog already has everything. Three beds, a basket of squeaky toys, a raincoat it refuses to wear. Buy one more chew toy and it joins the pile under the couch. So this list skips the dog and shops for the human. The person who walks in the rain, cleans the paw prints and shows you forty photos of the same nap. Frankly, they deserve a treat too.
Below are seven ideas, grouped by how dog people actually live, each with who it suits and an honest catch. We make one of them, a memory game made from photos.
Gifts for dog lovers for the daily routine
Dog life runs on routine. Walks, meals, the same squirrel every morning. Gifts that make the routine easier get used every single day.
1. A hands free walking bag
A small waist or crossbody bag with room for keys, phone, treats and a roll of bags. Both hands stay free for the leash and the coffee.
Good for: anyone with a dog that pulls, or a habit of losing their keys on walks.
The catch: it will smell faintly of liver treats forever.
2. A homemade dog treat kit
A simple dog treat cookbook and a set of bone shaped cookie cutters. Baking for the dog is weirdly satisfying.
Good for: dog people who already bake for humans.
The catch: check the recipes against their vet's advice, especially for dogs with allergies.
Gifts for the dog person who loves to look back
Dogs grow up fast. The puppy who fit in one hand is suddenly eighty pounds of opinions. These gifts hold on to the years.
3. A memory game made from dog photos
Pick a dozen photos of the dog. Puppy days, the beach, the birthday hat, the guilty face after the trash incident. Matchy Matchy Memory turns them into a matching card game, from $19.99. Mix in the humans too, if they behave.
Good for: families with kids, and dog people who host game nights.
The catch: it's a game, so it shines when there are people to play with. A dog lover who lives alone might prefer a framed print.
4. A painted portrait of the dog
Commission a local artist to paint the dog from a favorite photo. It ends up on the wall in the best spot in the house.
Good for: anyone whose phone wallpaper is already the dog.
The catch: artists need time, so ask about their schedule before the holidays get close.
5. A paw print keepsake
A kit that captures a paw print in clay or ink, ready to frame.
Good for: owners of a new puppy, or a gray muzzled senior.
The catch: getting a dog to hold still for it takes two people and a lot of cheese.
Gifts of time for dog people
Ask any dog person what they want most and the honest answer is often a break. A little help, a little freedom, or a day out where the dog comes along and everyone wins.
6. A weekend of dog sitting
Offer to take the dog for a weekend so they can finally go somewhere without checking the pet cam every hour.
Good for: dog people who have not had a trip in a long while.
The catch: you are now responsible for the dog. Ask about the bedtime routine. There is always a bedtime routine.
7. A day trip built around the dog
Plan a day to a dog friendly trail, beach or lake, with a picnic for the humans and a new ball for the dog.
Good for: active owners of active dogs.
The catch: the car will need a serious cleaning afterwards.
Why the dog deck gets the loudest laughs
Put a family photo game on the table and people smile. Put the dog on half the cards and people howl. Every flip is a small reunion with the puppy who ate a whole loaf of bread.
Kids especially love it. They know every dog card by heart, and they shout the dog's name every time one turns up. Expect the dog cards to be the ones everyone fights over.
For extra fun, Matchy Matchy Magic re-draws the photos in 3D Film, Watercolor or Anime, from $29.99. The family dog as an Anime hero is a sight to see.
The game also gives a busy house a reason to gather. Grandparents play with the kids, and the dog usually wanders over to inspect the table. Keep the snacks out of reach.
Getting good photos of a dog who will not sit still
- Get low. Shoot at the dog's eye level. The photos instantly look more like them.
- Use daylight. A window or a walk at the golden hour beats indoor lamps.
- Hold a treat above the phone. Instant eye contact, at least for a second.
- Use burst mode. Take twenty and keep the one where both ears are up.
- Catch the personality. The head tilt, the zoomies, the stolen sock. Those are the cards people remember.
- Raid the archive. The puppy photos are already in their camera roll. Ask a family member to send a few.
You upload from your phone and pick every photo yourself, so a blurry tail never makes the cut. You see your first card before you pay.
Make one for the dog person
Pick the best dog photos you can find. Choose real or re-drawn. Choose 12, 24 or 48 cards. Check your first card before you pay. Shipping is $5, and free when you order 2 or more decks. US only, ships in 3 to 5 business days. Order early for the holidays.
Start with Matchy Matchy Memory for the real dog, or Matchy Matchy Magic to see the dog re-drawn. Questions? Write to us at hello@matchygame.com.