Christmas Gifts For Dog Lovers

 Let's admit it, the US and UK are both countries of dog lovers, and dog owners love to indulge their dogs like children. You only have to listen to a dog owner call out to their dog, playing in the park or field, to realise how devoted they can be. Being devoted, dog lovers, and their friends, like to give dog gifts. Dog lovers often refer to their dogs as "baby", or to themselves, when talking to the dog, as mummy or daddy. It's no surprise then that dog toys are a big market, and can make excellent dog lover gifts.

Choosing the right dog toys can be more difficult than you may think. The problem is, you probably "think" in a human way. Dog lovers, and those buying gifts for them, love to buy cute, squeaky toys for the dogs, or give them stuffed animals which they can chew on and carry around. That's really the human thinking in baby terms. The result is likely to be a dog lover gift for the dog lover, not the dog.

If you are buying a gift for a dog lover, or are a dog lover buying for your own dog, then try to remember that dog toys have no need to be cute to look at. A dog does not appreciate cuteness, so if you want a real dog gift, rather than a dog lover gift, then look for something practical, fun for the dog, durable, and safe.

The Best And Safest Toys For Dog Lover Gifts

An important consideration with gifts for dogs is size. Kongs, balls, and other common dog toys must be small enough that the dog can chew them and also carry them. However, they should not be so small that they can become lodged in the dog’s mouth or throat.

For the same reasons, durability is an important factor, particularly for a dog that loves to chew. A toy that will break apart easily can become a hazard as the small, sharp parts of the toy can be swallowed, caught in the dog's throat, or they could cut the mouth and gums. A hard rubber Kong, easily one of the best dog toys ever conceived, is a great choice for a dog lover gift.

If you, or the dog lover you are buying the gift for, has a gentle softie of a dog, then you can consider softer toys, like the popular “squeak” toys made of thin plastic and full of air. These are good for dogs that are that bit gentler. Such dogs are unlikely to chew through these softer toys, so again these can be good dog lover gifts if chosen with the type of dog in mind.

A good ol' tennis ball can be a good choice, but are great for some dogs, and poor choices for others. This is likely to depend on size. If the dog is too small to fit a tennis ball all the way into its mouth, then it can be an excellent toy, one which the dog will love but will cost you very little. If the dog is a large one with a large mouth, and the tennis ball fits all the way in, then the tennis ball becomes a choking hazard. Your dog lover friend or relative may not thank you for buying a box of tennis balls that endanger the dog and land him with emergency vet bills.

About the Author

This gift for dog lovers article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Gifts For Xmas website, http://www.gifts-for-xmas.com,
and the Xmas ornament website: http://www.xmas-ornament.com

 Roy Thomsitt

More Articles 

Toy Dogs - Kirsten Hawkins
No, you don't wind them up and they don't take batteries "Toy" dogs are becoming more popular all the time. These little dogs, the result of generations of selective breeding, are generally bred as companion animals and people just seem to love...

The Artful Dog Shopper - Tina Spriggs
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just always loved the little four legged fur balls. Another thing I have always loved is animal art. It could be photographs, paintings, statues or even dog cartoons. I don't really know why I like them, but I...

Who's Pulling The Leash, You Or Your Dog? - Juanita Bellavance
Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation is that you and your dog are equally enjoying the walk and neither is pulling and tugging the other in any certain direction. If your dog tends to be pulling you off into its own direction...

3 Tips For Dealing With Dog Emergencies - Mark Eckenrode
3 Tips For Dealing With Dog Emergencies by Mark Eckenrode Have you ever thought about what you need to do should your dog – or another dog – ever suffer a serious, life-threatening injury? What if they have a severe allergy to an insect bite or a...

How To Stop Your Dog From Digging Holes In Your Garden - Adam G Katz
First, I need to figure out when he is digging. Since I know the dog and his lifestyle, I can rule out several factors such as boredom or puppyhood or gophers, etc... I noticed that every time he would start digging holes he was in the yard playing...

"Basic Principles In A Dog Lovers Club" - David Riewe
There are lots of dog lovers clubs in the US that offer a lot more for both the dog lovers and their dogs. Here are some of them. The American Kennel Club has a dog lovers sections called "For the Love of the Purebred Dog". This article is...

Tips on Choosing a Boxer Dog... - Daniel Lesser
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer starts with checking out the parent dogs for unbecoming traits like aggression, hyperactive and extreme shyness. This is easier to do when you get your Boxer from a reputable breeder or...

Dogs, Cats, And Horses... We Love Them All! - Willie Jones
We have a long history with domesticated animals and even the nay Sayers can't deny their roll in society past and present. There is evidence that as long as 10,000 years ago the Native Americans had domesticated dogs as depicted in early rock...

5 Tips For Choosing the Best Vet For Your Dog - Charlie Lafave
If you haven’t already found one, or worked with one in the past, you need to find a vet. Pick one you feel comfortable with, and who answers your questions in full, completely and gives you answers you can understand. You don’t need a vet who talks...

Training your dog the reward training way - Jeff Rose
Reward training is often seen as the most modern method of training a dog, but reward training is probably much older than other methods of dog training. It is possible that reward training for dogs has been around as long as there have been dogs to...