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Best Christmas Gifts for Dogs & Dog Lovers 2026

Oct 14
9 min read

Updated: Oct 21

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Hunting for the best Christmas gifts for dogs and dog lovers in the UK this year? We’ve done the legwork (and the walkies). From cosy beds and clever car seats to puzzle toys and festive bandanas, every pick in our 2026 gift guide has been put to the test by our four-legged testing team.


Our Christmas Gift Guide for dogs & dog lovers

🎄 Naughty or nice, every dog deserves a present


And we haven’t forgotten the humans holding the lead. Our new Gifts for Dog Lovers section is packed with presents for the people who love their pups, from matching dog and owner coats to personalised paint by numbers pawtraits.


With gifts from under £10 to over £150, there’s something for every budget, every breed and every dog-obsessed friend on your list.


Looking for more festive inspiration? Pop over to our Christmas for Dogs hub, or sniff out our Best Christmas Dog Advent Calendars & Treats and Christmas Dog Toys guides.


TABLE OF CONTENTS



Best Christmas Gifts for Dogs



1. Best Dog Car Seat: Luther Bennett


dog peeking out of a luther bennett dog pod car seat in rosewood pink

For anyone travelling over Christmas with their dog, the Dog Pod from Luther Bennett is a genuinely practical gift.


It works as both a secure car seat for dogs and transforms into a comfortable dog bed on arrival, saving space and hassle on long journeys. Now available in some premium edition releases for 2026 in hazelnut and rosewood (pictured above).


Luther Bennett premium car seat for dogs

The latest version, the Dog Pod 2.0, comes equipped with ISOFIX connectors.


These easy-to-use fittings, borrowed from baby car seats, keep the car seat and your dog securely anchored during car rides for added peace of mind.


In testing we found that the generous soft padding means dogs can settle in comfortably, helping reduce travel stress and motion sickness.


One of the handiest features is that there’s no need to carry a separate bed.


Simply lift the Dog Pod out of the car and it doubles as a familiar, cosy spot for your dog to relax wherever you’re staying.


Available in a range of chic colours and 2 sizes with prices from £190.


With great user ratings and clever design touches, it’s a reliable and thoughtful pick for dog lovers heading away for Christmas.


For £10 OFF the Dog Pod range

(discount automatically applied)



2. Best Advent Calendar: Pooch & Mutt


Dog looking at Pooch & Mutt Advent Calendar for dogs

Give your dog a daily dose of Christmas cheer with Pooch & Mutt’s Gingerbread Advent Calendar.


New for 2026, every door hides two grain-free meaty treats, made with chicken plus added collagen and postbiotics, turning each December morning into a mini celebration.


Pooch & Mutt Christmas Range for dogs under a Christmas Tree

Want to wrap up the whole festive feast?


Pooch & Mutt have an extensive Christmas range to choose from with prices from £3.99.



The Christmas Advent & Selection Hamper bundles the calendar with a canine Christmas dinner, gravy, pigs in blankets and dental sticks.


So, from Christmas dinner to that long walk to burn off the festive feast, everything’s covered!


It's worth mentioning that the bundle costs less than buying them separately.


For 20% OFF Pooch & Mutt's entire range,

simply enter SMARTBARK20 at checkout

You may be interested....From tasty stocking fillers, Christmas dinners to countdown advent calendars, we have something for everyone and their four-legged friend - Best Christmas Dog Treats


3. Best Engraved Biscuits: Not on the High St.


Personalised dog biscuits

Nothing says “made just for you” quite like a biscuit with your name on it.


These bone-shaped biscuits from Sophia Victoria Joy are engraved with your dog’s name and arrive in a ‘Doggy Bag’, so they’re gift-ready straight from the box.


At 9.5cm long, they’re big, bold bites, so snap them into smaller pieces for little dogs.


A pocket-friendly present that feels personal and perfect for popping in a stocking from £14.00.



4. Best Festive Bandana: Not on the High St.


Dog wearing a Christmas Bandana

No Christmas celebration feels complete without a cute bandana for your dog. Bandanas offer a stress-free way to dress up dogs, as they’re much more comfortable than hats or full outfits, which many pups simply don’t enjoy.


Not on the High St. offer a fantastic range of personalised and non-personalised dog gifts including these super cute handmade tartan bandanas.


dog wearing festive bandana

With choices on size, style, name customisation, and different fonts, it’s easy to find a look that’ll make your dog stand out on Christmas Day with prices from £11.00.


We love that these handmade bandanas are a breeze to use. Just slip one over your dog’s existing collar for instant festive flair.


Such a hassle-free Christmas look!


Available in three sizes, there's a handy online guide outlining width, length, and the collar gap to help you find the perfect fit for your pooch.





5. Best Large Dog Toy: Pets at Home


Giant festive dog toy

For dogs who love playtime, the extra-large Rudy Reindeer plush is sure to deliver hours of festive fun this Christmas.


Measuring an impressive 90cm by 24cm, it’s perfect for even the biggest dogs to enjoy.


large dog with reindeer dog toy

There are some clever design ideas with rope arms and legs to encourage more boisterous tug play, plus an internal squeaker to keep your dog engaged and encourage plenty of interactive play.


We also love that the body is super soft for snuggle time.


Whilst built to withstand rough treatment, this jumbo toy isn’t invincible.


Like most fabric toys, it’s durable but not indestructible so monitor your dog during playtime.



For our guide to tough toys, check out our popular article on the best toys for aggressive chewers.


6. Best Raised Dog Bowl: EasyEat


EasyEat raised dog bowl in sage green

The EasyEat isn’t just a dog bowl, it’s a stylish upgrade for your dog's dinner time! The low front edge and extra wide opening means that your dog no longer needs to press their face against the bowl. Plus the higher back is designed to help prevent messy eaters from pushing food out.


All the food in the trough is so much easier to reach, plus you get a clean floor!


testing the EasyEat dog bowl

Check out these design features:


⭐️ Handy Handles - No more awkward bowl wrangling. Those smooth, built-in handles let you swoop the feeder off the floor like a pro.


⭐️ Stackability Magic - Got a dog gang? EasyEat bowls stack up neatly, so you reclaim precious cupboard space for other treats.


⭐️ Name Game - Make mealtime personal by adding your pup’s name. Let's face it, every dog deserves their own VIP bowl!


⭐️ Pastel Parade - Pick your favourite from a dreamy lineup of pastel shades.


With prices from £39.99.


We’re especially loving the matte beige finish, so chic, it’s basically kitchen couture. Since dog bowls live on display, you might as well go for one that’s a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds!


SAVE 10% with our discount code BARK10



7. Best Dog Bed: Baker & Bray


Brown dog rests on a grey bed with a "BAKER & BRAY" label.

Here at Smart Bark we're massive fans of Baker & Bray dog beds. Crowned "Best Buy 2025" by The Telegraph surpassing pricier competitors like George Barclay and Scruffs.


Available in a wide range of colours, we think this gorgeous warm grey bed from Baker & Bray's eco-friendly orthopaedic range is stunning and very on trend.


Dog sleeping in Baker & Bray dog bed

If your dog loves to curl up, then this box style bed should tick all those boxes.


With thickly padded sides to rest those weary heads, a super-soft yet hard wearing fabric with an orthopaedic central cushion, it's available in 4 sizes and a range of stunning muted colours.


In testing, we were surprised at just how heavy the bed was - it's a solid, good quality dog bed and the mattress feels cushioned and supportive.


You can even try the bed out for 30 days with the option to return it if your dog doesn't love it - trust us your dog will definitely adore this bed!


Plus if you're in a rush, Baker & Bray offer FREE UK next day delivery if you order before 3pm on a weekday. Prices from £79.99.


Specification : Sizes ( L x W x D ) : S/M 80cm x 60cm x 25cm | L/XL 100cm x 70cm x 28cm | XXL 120cm x 82cm x 28cm 


Colours: navy blue, slate grey, sage green, teal, regal blue, stone grey, peach fuzz, rhubarb red, warm grey


For 10% OFF enter discount code SMARTBARK10


Want more information ? Read our full Baker & Bray dog bed test and review



8. Best Parody Toy Range: Pet Hates Toys


Nigel Farage dog toy

Want to take a bite out of Farage or maybe make America great again with Trump?


We simply love the Pet Hates Toy range: the ultimate in satirical dog toys! A UK-based dog toy brand known for their humorous and satirical designs, they create unique toys featuring parodies of famous political figures and other public figures.  


Donald Trump dog toy with a dog

With a wide range of options to choose from including Nigel Farage, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, Meghan Markle or Prince Harry,they are incredibly entertaining.


Pet Hates Toy use durable materials, so their toys are built to last.


Crafted with durable polycotton fabric and reinforced seams, the inner squeakers are encased in an additional nylon pocket to make their late-afternoon chew on the political leader all the more satisfying!  


But be aware no toy is indestructible and these toys won't be suitable for power chewers.


Over the years, we've had a blast testing out the Trump and the Farage dog toys and they quickly became the star of the toy box (now you can buy Trump with his very own poo bags).


Give your pup a hilarious festive treat with one of these tongue-in-cheek chew toys this Christmas.


Available in two sizes, prices from £15.49.





9. Best Puzzle Toy: Kanoodle


Kanoodle puzzle toy for dogs

One of our favourite finds of last year has to be the Kanoodle (dog edition) from Brightkins!


Building on the success of their popular human version, Brightkins has brilliantly adapted this puzzle for our four-legged friends.


This engaging dog toy features a tray with pockets designed to hold treats or kibble. These are cleverly covered by brightly coloured, different shaped, rotating lids (kanoodle pieces).


Your dog's mission? To nudge these lids with their nose or paw to uncover the delicious rewards hidden underneath.


dog with Kanoodle dog puzzle

Available in two sizes, we were impressed by the puzzle's vibrant design and overall quality. It's truly eye-catching.


The larger puzzle has three pieces which are removable and the rest rotate. Despite the removable pieces, the larger puzzle was our favourite in testing as it offers even more treat-hiding opportunities.


It also appeared much trickier to solve and therefore kept our pup busier for longer. If your dog isn't a big chewer, we'd recommend looking at the larger version.


The treat compartments are fairly shallow, making this puzzle perfect for smaller dogs or flat-nosed breeds like pugs. Plus, the base is equipped with rubber feet, ensuring it won't scratch your flooring.


The Kanoodle also arrives with helpful instructions and a training guide, showing you how to adjust the difficulty to keep your dog challenged and engaged as they learn.



Gearing Up for Geniuses!  Is your dog a master problem-solver? We have lots of puzzle toy recommendations which will put any dog's skills to the test.



Best Christmas Gifts for Dog Lovers


1. Best Matching Dog & Owner Coat: TOG24


Tog24 Fetch dog coat and matching Garriston human coat

Twinning on the trail!


TOG24, the Yorkshire outdoor brand, has given its Fetch dog coat a human sidekick, so you and your dog can match from muddy paws to muddy boots.


Freddie and I have been testing the Fetch and the matching Garriston coat for a few weeks, and we’re smitten.


The dog coat is light as a feather and gives good underbelly cover for short-legged breeds. You lay it flat, your dog steps in and you zip it up the back.


Tog24 dog coat close up showing back zip

There’s nothing to pull over their head and no Velcro to snag in the undergrowth.


Flip it inside out and the pale grey reflective side turns your dog from stylish to street-safe on those dark December walks.


The Garriston is a perfect puffer partner, soft and super lightweight, with zipped pockets big enough for treats and poo bags.


Size up if you want to layer it over a jumper.


Perfect for: the dog lover who wants to walk in style with their four-legged twin this Christmas.


❄️ Want the full lowdown? Read our complete TOG24 Fetch review in our round-up of the best dog coats for winter walks.




2. Best Custom Paint By Numbers Kit: Paint a Moment


Fancy turning your favourite four-legged friend into a proper piece of art?

Paint A Moment’s custom paint-by-numbers kit lets you paint your own pooch from a photo, and we put it properly through its paces.


Paint-by-numbers canvas on a wooden table with brushes and numbered paint pots arranged beside it.

Ordering was fuss-free and fast. Simply pick your preferred size, choose whether you’d like a frame, and settle on how detailed you fancy going (24, 36 or 48 colours), then send Paint A Moment your favourite photo. Prices start at a purse-friendly £27.99.


It’s worth mentioning they have a lovely line of off-the-shelf designs too.


We loved that every product is labelled beginner, intermediate or advanced, so you can pick the right level for your skills, with advanced kits using more shades for the most lifelike, lifelong results.


Our kit padded onto the doormat in around a week, packed with paints aplenty (up to 36 colours in neat little pots) and everything needed to get cracking, frame included.


Person assembles a canvas on a wooden table, with paint pots and instruction sheets spread out in a bright room.

The painting itself is brilliantly relaxing, a lovely way to wind down and pick up a few brush techniques along the way, and after roughly ten happy hours you’ll have something truly personal to hang on the wall.


A few tips from testing worth passing on: pick a simpler, clearer snap rather than a super-detailed one like we did, as fine detail makes the numbers titchy and the likeness trickier to nail.


Paint-by-numbers canvas of a fluffy dog standing by a lake, with gray water and green-black unfinished patches

The brushes are the one weak spot, so keener painters might reach for their own. And take your time folding the frame corners for a neat, even finish (you’ll want a little wire or string to hang it).


The verdict: a beautiful, bespoke and brilliantly personal present for the dog lover who enjoys a creative challenge.


Minimal black-and-white line drawing of christmas hanging baubles on a mostly blank white background


We hope that we've given you lots of festive ideas for treating your four-legged best friend. Thanks for dropping by and taking a look at our Christmas Dog Gifts 2026.



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Why Trust Smart Bark ?

​

Claire is the founder of Smart Bark and a lifelong dog lover.

 

With a 10 year background in retail buying for one of the UK’s major retailers, she brings a keen eye for quality and value to every dog product review.

 

Claire personally tests every item featured on Smart Bark with her own family dog and her team of dog testers—so you get honest, expert advice (not recycled marketing blurb) from someone who truly understands what works in real life (and what doesn’t).

 

No gimmicks. Just trusted recommendations backed by experience.

 

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