For a dog lover who enjoys a brainteaser, start with the Dog Crimes puzzle game; the SleekEZ deshedding brush suits anyone whose dog leaves fur on every couch.
*Paid link
A deshedding brush for dogs, run along the coat during regular grooming sessions to gather loose fur before it spreads around the house.
Why we like it
Heavy shedders leave hair on every sweater no matter how often the vacuum runs.
A SleekEZ brush pulls that loose coat off the dog in a quick session on the patio, so the fur ends up outside and off the rug. It earns its keep with a dog that drops fur all year.
Books
A book of poems centered on dogs and the bond with them, meant to be read slowly and returned to whenever the mood strikes.
Why we like it
Poems about dogs make Dog Songs a fine match for a friend who reads verse, whether they live with a dog now or grew up with one.
Any page of the Penguin book works as a starting point, and a reader with a dog at home can try one aloud on the porch to see if it lifts an ear.
Home
A picture frame with a paw print motif that holds a cherished dog photo for display on a shelf, desk or mantel.
Why we like it
A Lawrence Frames picture frame with paw prints holds a dog owner's favorite snapshot of their pup.
The look stays simple, so it reads as a keepsake for someone who skips jokey novelty items. After losing a pet, a friend can set that last portrait by the bed and see it each morning.
A travel water bottle for dogs, made to carry along on walks, hikes and car rides so a thirsty dog can drink on the go.
Why we like it
A travel water bottle works for an owner who rarely heads out the front door without the pup trotting alongside.
Their days revolve around a furry companion, so a ready sip for a panting friend matches how they live. Their tote stays packed with it, filled for the pup's drink break on the lake path.
Games and puzzles
A dog-themed logic game built around detective puzzles, where careful reasoning with clues points to the dog responsible for each crime.
Why we like it
Dogs are the suspects in Dog Crimes from ThinkFun, and a mystery reader who likes to name the culprit before the last chapter can put that habit to work.
Each case gives way to logic, and a puzzle-minded kid of 8 or older can take a turn too.
A puzzle feeder that hides snacks inside, so a dog has to figure out how to reach each tasty reward.
Why we like it
Outward Hound's Dog Tornado puzzle feeder lets a dog-loving friend hand their pup a present of its own.
Plenty of owners already spoil their dog, and this gives that habit something to wrap. Fill it with treats and set it down during a long video call, and the dog has its own thing to do.
Home
A basket that gives a dog's toys and chews a home of their own, so the floor stays clear and favorites are easy to grab.
Why we like it
Should your friend's new puppy scatter chews across every rug, this basket gives that pile a spot beside the couch.
A pup who drags its prizes from room to room can still find them, and the owner skips the nightly hunt under cushions.
Home
A kitchen towel featuring a playful dog joke, used for drying dishes and wiping hands while adding a bit of humor by the stove.
Why we like it
Owners of a dog that watches every bite will get this towel's joke at a glance.
Hung from the oven handle, it teases the pup parked on the kitchen tile while the pasta boils, waiting for something to drop.
Home
A sleeve that slips around a takeout cup of iced coffee or cold soda, giving a hand something to hold while carrying the drink.
Why we like it
A coworker who orders iced cold brew while her terrier waits at the café door can wrap that order in this sleeve.
Her caffeine runs and dog outings go together, so this small add-on pairs with a bigger dog present. Her wrap stays tucked in her tote for the next café stop.
Home
A dish for dog food or water that sits on the kitchen floor and gets filled each time the dog is fed.
Why we like it
The YETI Boomer bowl gives a pet owner a name-brand dish for the pup's daily meals.
It takes the place of a worn plastic bowl by the back door at breakfast and dinner.
Games and puzzles
A dog-themed card game in the Fluxx series, where players take turns drawing from a shared deck and playing from their hand.
Why we like it
Rules in Dog Fluxx shift as the dog-themed cards are played, so a round that starts one way can end under completely different terms.
Groups that enjoy surprises are its natural crowd, while a player who wants a fixed strategy may find it too chaotic.
Games and puzzles
A puppy-themed card game played around a table, with the deck dealt out for lighthearted rounds built on a love of dogs.
Why we like it
A kid who greets every pet on the street gets a puppy card game about naming dogs.
Everyone in the house can join, so the youngest animal fan plays right alongside the grown-ups. Deal it out after dinner while the family pet naps under a chair.
*Paid link
Books
A nonfiction book by Patricia McConnell, published as a single volume to read from start to finish.
Why we like it
The Other End of the Leash gives a dog owner a book on living with dogs.
They can read a chapter after the evening walk. It then sits beside the leash hooks for reference.
Books
A novel by W. Bruce Cameron, published as a single volume to read from start to finish.
Why we like it
A Dog's Purpose gives a dog lover a novel to curl up with beside their own pup.
They can read it on a lazy weekend at home. Afterward, it is easy to lend to another dog person.
A heavy shedder calls for the SleekEZ deshedding brush, which pulls loose coat off the dog in a quick session on the patio so the fur lands outside rather than on the rug. A puppy that drags its chews from room to room calls instead for the pet toy basket, giving that pile a spot beside the couch so the owner skips the nightly hunt under the cushions.
Groups that enjoy a round changing under their feet get the Dog Fluxx card game, where the dog-themed cards rewrite the rules as they are played, though a player who wants a fixed strategy may find it too chaotic. A household with a kid who greets every pet on the street can deal out the puppy card game after dinner, since everyone at the table can join in alongside the grown-ups.
The Lawrence Frames picture frame suits a friend who skips jokey novelty items: its paw print motif holds a favorite snapshot of the pup, and after a loss it can hold that last portrait by the bed. The Dog Songs poetry collection goes to a friend who reads verse, whether a dog lives with them now or only did in childhood, and any page of the book works as a starting point.
and 8 more
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