Lifestyle

10 Unique Holiday Gifts for Dog Lovers on Etsy

By Heather Marcoux

, November 26, 2014

The best holiday gifts are those that won’t be forgotten, presents that the receivers would never buy for themselves but will cherish upon unwrapping.

Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to track down a gift that is really, truly meant for a particular person. For those times when the mall just won’t do, Etsy holds open the door to a world of distinctive gifts for the dog lovers in your life. Check out 10 of the coolest items I’ve found while shopping for others (and myself) through the online marketplace.

1. Leather poop-bag dispenser from Dogzy

A poop-bag holder is such a conventional item that it almost doesn’t belong in an Etsy gift guide, but this simple and stylish accessory really won me over. It may be the least unusual gift on this list, but it’s also the most useful. Without some kind of bag-dispensing system, dog owners end up walking around with numerous plastic bags stuffed into their coat pockets. Not only does this create an unflattering lumpy look around the midsection, it also means you can’t keep anything else (like treats) in your pockets. Since dogs like us to carry treats, I assume they’re also in favor of this product.

$12.99 at Dogzy

2. Breed-specific cookie cutters from the Fussy Pup

When I first stumbled into the Fussy Pup shop on Etsy and spotted cookie cutters shaped like various breeds, I was hoping to find a Frenchie-shaped tool. Neither of my own dogs are Frenchies, but I do have a friend who bakes hypoallergenic dog treats for her itchy little Frenchton, and this cookie shape would be adorable whether she were making cookies for pups or people. Breeds of all shapes and sizes are represented at this store, so doggy bakers can be sure their cookies will come out looking cute, even if their kitchen smells like hot dog food.

$12.50 at the Fussy Pup

3. Giant dog-head purse from BENWINEWIN

The shop behind these incredible purses is based in Hong Kong, with an international shipping expectation of eight to 14 business days, so getting it in time for the big day might be a bit of a Christmas miracle, but I think a wait would be worth it. Imagine seeing your Chihuahua-loving loved one getting onto a plane with that as her carry-on. Imagine her walking down the street with this giant adorable face slung over her shoulder, her real Chi strutting along the sidewalk in the shadow of this epic bag. If Chihuahuas aren’t your bag, don’t worry: This store has printed plenty of other breeds (and cats) onto oversized purses. Maybe there’s a giant pet-head purse for everyone on your list.

$39.90 at BENWINEWIN

4. Framed Yellow Dog Coffee print from DexMex

Perhaps I’m partial to this item because it reminds me of two of the great loves in my life: coffee and my wonderful yellow Lab mix, GhostBuster. This print is perfect for coffee-loving, Lab-loving types like myself, and the dog’s name is customizable. If the person you’re shopping for prefers their dogs to be brown and their beverages to be beer, well, this seller has a print for that too.

$38 at DexMex

5. Jack Russell earrings from Kriss Art Creation

If the last gift reminded me of my Lab, these French earrings are practically the spitting image of my Jack Russell mix, Marshmallow. Again, we’re dealing with international shipping on this one, so it’s a bit risky, but since when is French jewelry not worth a little risk? If you’ve got a Jack lover in your life, these earrings will go with anything in her (quite possibly hair-covered) wardrobe.

$36 at Kriss Art Creation

6. Hand-painted dog portrait on wineglass from Handpainted by Cyndie

Perfect for a holiday-morning toast, this custom-painted pup-portrait wine glass is a great gift for any dog lover who also loves fermented grapes. I doubt it’s dishwasher safe, but the glass sure would look great on a shelf, and it’s a cool way to capture and display a canine companion’s likeness.

$59.99 at Handpainted by Cyndie

7. Greyhound ring from RingRingRing

Imagine this silver Greyhound ring doing laps around the finger of your loved one. This handsome piece of jewelry will no doubt be adored by any Greyhound lover who gets it as a gift. Made in the USA, this custom item takes one to four days to make, but that means you can pick the right ring size.

$59.90 at RingRingRing

8. Wire dog sculpture from Wire Art Ink

The Etsy artist behind Wire Art Ink has the knack for creating unique wire sculptures of pets. These works of art bend reality while still being recognizable as representations of a beloved pet. There are plenty of breeds to choose from in this store, and for just five bucks more you can order a custom wire pet portrait based on a photo.

$30 at Wire Art Ink

9. Vintage 1990s Golden Retriever pullover from GothWave

The perfect gift for someone who believes that everything uncool becomes cool again and that Golden Retrievers never go out of style. This vintage piece may be 20 years old, but that playful pup gives this outfit a youthful vibe.

$16.00 GothWave

10. Winter wonderland Pug clock from EvaDesignsArt

No house is complete without a Pug clock, so this timepiece featuring two confused Pugs chillin’ in a winter landscape is the perfect addition to any decor. Why would anyone want to tell time without looking at a painting of Pugs? If this clock doesn’t say “Happy Holidays,” then I don’t know what does. Order one for the Pug lover on your shopping list.

$22.00 at EvaDesignsArt