If you’ve been reading Dogster a while, you’re well aware I’m a little over the top when it comes to decorating myself and my home with all things dog. Count ’em: Four tattoo tributes to my dog. More framed dog prints than I have fingers. Antique canine collectibles dot my bookshelf, and then there’s my license plate.
If you’re more excited to see smiling dog faces on your Facebook feed than human children, this list is for you. I apologize in advance if your wallet takes a hit, but take solace in the fact that mine took a hit first — more than half the items on this list I picked up in advance!
1. Canine-Centric Tea Towels by Gingiber
I recently picked up this trio of towels on Etsy, and love seeing them hanging in my kitchen. They are ridiculously cheerful and the linework on each is so clean and pleasing to the eye. The set is priced at $45 and includes a screenprint rendition of a Poodle, Boston Terrier, and Dalmatian. (I bugged the shop owner for a Greyhound, but it doesn’t sound like those have made the cut for production just yet.) If you’re only in the market for a single tea towel, they sell them individually, too.
2. Pet Portraits by Carter Kustera
My favorite portrait of my dog, Moxie, is a simple black silhouette pencil and paint piece by Carter Kustera. It features his striking side profile with the words “Moxie: The Mayor of Lafayette Park” below it. Kustera is well known for his silhouette paintings of people and pets, and his art has been featured in high-end stores like Jonathan Adler and Barney’s Co-op. A 9-by-7-inch portrait runs $110. (I suggest signing up for his mailing list — he sometimes does deals for subscribers, or will mention when he’s doing a Groupon or other coupon.)
3. Personalized Print Products from Minted
If you’re like me and are more interested in having your dog represent your family than any two-legger, check out Minted’s selection of personalized holiday cards. For the truly obsessed (and here I will raise my paw), they also have wrapping paper you can personalize with your pup’s smiling visage. Prices vary.
4. The Petalonia Tote from Crypton
If you’re not familiar with Crypton, go check out their website immediately. They make incredible fabrics that feature in equally incredible dog beds, and the best part is that they’re a cakewalk to clean. My dog isn’t the messiest, but if you have the kind of pup who loves taking a dip in the ocean or pool, it’s worth your while.
Anyway, Crypton partnered with artist William Wegman to create a collection, and my favorite piece of it is the tote you see above. It’s spun from the same solid fabric as Crypton’s pet beds and throws, and features durable leather handles. $120.
5. A Poopbuddy Gift Subscription
Poopbuddy has been one of my favorite finds this year. Indeed, I was recently crowing about them on an interview I did with Fern of The Great Dog Adventure. There are so many pet subscription boxes out there, and this one is on the lower end of the scale at $10 a month, which has made it my go-to for new pet parents I wish to give a “puppy warming” present to. Each shipment comes with an assortment of poop bag rolls in seasonally appropriate colors, as well as some fun surprises.
When the gals at Poopbuddy learned I was including them in my annual roundup, they were so thrilled they want to give our readers 15 percent off their order. You can claim that with the promo code DOGSTER until Dec. 14.[Note: We are in no way affiliated with this product, I’m just an honest-to-dog fan.]
6. Holiday Treats from Bone-Bons
When these arrived in the mail at Dogster HQ, we initially thought they were for humans. It was almost disappointing to learn they were for dogs! Bone-bons crafts a variety of grain-free treats with pups in mind, and their holiday assortment is almost too cute to consume. My favorite of the lot are the edible ornaments. The holiday assortment is $16.99.
7. The Dyson DC50 Pet Vacuum
If you’ve been vacuuming after your pet as long as I have, you know you need a serious device to get the job done. I’ve been a longtime Dyson fan and have gone through several of their vacuums. My new favorite is the DC50, which features their “tangle-free turbine tool,” and is a must for homes shared with creatures who shed. Ironically, I shed more than my dog does, and it’s not unusual to see long dark strands mixed in with the short red ones he produces. Dysons are pricey (mine is priced at $499.99) but they last forever and are completely worth the investment.
8. Tiny Dog Charms from Silhoupette
Silhoupette’s charms are so dainty — perfect for the dog lover on the downlow as opposed to people like me who have a license plate that reads DOGLADY. They come in sterling silver or gold-dipped sterling silver, and a variety of breeds are represented. If yours isn’t, you can also inquire about a custom charm modeled after your pet. Prices vary.
9. Nach Porcelain Rings
I fell in love with Nach while visiting a boutique called Brooklyn Fox in New York last week. The jewelry is created by the daughters of miniature-porcelain-animal-maker Christian Koch, and features a variety of dog breeds including the Boston you see above. Prices vary.
10. Cloud 7’s Dog Travel Bed
It’s no secret that Cloud 7 is my favorite Berlin-based brand. Everything they produce is a piece of art, and made to last. Their travel dog beds, lined with sheep’s wool, are my pick for dog families with many miles to travel this chilly holiday season. High on my wish list is their latest color option — the pleasing rose you see above. It’s priced at $145 on Petswag.
Read more of our Dogster holiday gift guides here.
About Janine Kahn: Your typical annoying Aries overachiever with nine human siblings and a soft spot for sighthounds. Tattoo collector, tea drinker, unabashedly into marshmallows and cheesy musicals. Believes responsible breeders exist because her dog is from one. Top Bitch at Dogster and Catster.
