It’s that time of year again!
It’s 28 days to Christmas! Christmas shopping is going well, because I’ve learned to embrace online shopping. There is still 1 or 2 more gifts to buy, so If you’re looking for gift ideas, you have come to the right place! Best of all, these are small NZ businesses & artists, any of these from the list of gift ideas for dogs and dog lovers, you'll be able to buy online and be sorted for Christmas, without heading in to the crowded malls.
As a pet photographer over the last 4 years in Auckland’s doggy industry, I've met and come in contact with great New Zealand brands who supply dog products / services who I think you should know about. Plus you know it’s a good idea to support local. NZ has about 530 000 small businesses & self employed, and when we support a small business, we help support a dream, pay the rent or a family’s Christmas holiday etc.
This year, putting the gift guide together is different……. I always wrote it as something my clients would love, and I didn’t have my own dog. NOW my family finally has a little puppy to call our own, Max (that’s him in the main image of this blog. I think I love him WAY.Too.Much!)!
I’ve split the Christmas gift guide into 2 parts: Gifts for Max, or YOUR puppy dog & gifts for dog lovers, hint hint to my husband in what to get me for Christmas ;-).
Yellow Lab gift guide 2020, gift ideas for dogs and dog lovers in New Zealand
Gifts for your pooch (or Max):
Treats
Max’s treat cupboard is choc-a-block, but if you’d like to add some new yummy treats for your pooch, I suggest you go to Feed My Fur Baby & Brodies (especially if you raw feed).
Feed My Fur Baby has two different gifts, wrapped up for different budgets and girl/ boy dogs. It comes with a bonus recipe and tricks card I’d love to see myself!
Brodies Raw Pet Food Delivery has a huge selection of air dried treats and you can top up on supplements and pet care while you’re there.
Bandanas
Max has way too many bandanas already….. but if your doggy is in need of a cute accessory for Christmas day or just for every day, these are my favs.
4urpaws Website - Insta - Facebook
Happy Hounds <——- order on DM Insta
Dobercolliecrew Insta - Facebook
Harvey and co <——- you can customise them if you’d like with your dog’s name (update Sept 2021, not available anymore)
Rocco and Co <——- also customisable and I LOVE the over the collar design. Max is small, so these sit better on him. Website - Insta - Facebook
Jewel Designs Jewel Designs website - Insta - Facebook
Otiboatiboutique also makes the cutest dog jackets and doggy pjs! Website - Insta - Facebook
Fashionable doggy essentials
From FurChild Supply Co I’m currently coveting the all purpose Mustard Spot harness with matching poop bag holder for Max. You won’t wear the same clothes everyday, so change up your doggy’s colours too. Other handy things: doggy seat belt, travel/ cafe mats, LED rechargeable harness and so much more.
There is so many different designs, poop bags, harnesses, leashes to choose from at Daisy Chains, it totally depends on your taste and the patterns and colours you love.
Wolves of Wellington is another fav. Have a browse. Doggos look so flash when they’re sporting the matching sets, collar, harness, leash and poopbag. I’m wondering if Max will be able to pull off the Penny set, that’s the fluro yellow, pink and red🤔
The Barking Tagsmith makes the cutest name tags for dogs. They’re like a little artwork with their phone number and name. They add personailty & fun to an absolute essential. Max already has one, but I know of a friend or two who need to find this link.
Gifts for dog mum/ the dog lover in your life:
Gift of memories
Yellow Lab Dog & Family Photography (that’s me!)
If she’s in Auckland, gift a dog & family photoshoot. Yellow Lab specialises in photographing dogs and people WITH their furbaby best friends so they can remember their bond and love forever. Gift vouchers are available at different price points. Book here. Hair and makeup is also available before she joins her pooch in the spotlight. It’s an experience my clients LOVE.
Buy a dog photoshoot voucher here.
Buy before Monday 21 December and a physical gift card will be sent to you to write in and gift to her in person, or we can write your special message in it and post it off to her. If it’s a last minute gift, email [email protected] and a digital voucher will be sent to you that you can either email or print.
If she’s not in Auckland, you can gift a set of Yellow Lab flower dog gift cards. There is also set of grumpy cats in gift cards for animal lovers.
Pawtraits in Pencil can capture the real character, likeness and personality of your furry buddy any size in whatever way suits you, with any animal. This beautiful, life-like drawing is done with graphite or coloured pencils on high quality archival paper, to keep your pets close forever.
Pickle’s Pawtraits make cute digital portraits of your dog/ you and your dog.
Handmade keepsake word blocks
Wordsofheartnz is a true inspiration with feel good reminders you can display in your home. If you’d love one of her custom orders, make sure you get in by 30 November! I’m a big fan of the personalised doggy silhouette made up of different words.
Wordsofheart website - Insta - Facebook
Jewellery
Fingerprints make adorable personalised jewels, of your furbaby’s paw prints, your loved ones fingerprints, initials in sterling silver. It’ll be pretty special to get a petpaw print on a silver disc and onto a bracelet. Perhaps even add my kids’ and hubby’s fingerprints to their own silver discs…
Luxury doggy shop
Pets of Ponsonby
I really like the Stylish Hound black waist/ cross body bag. It looks like the perfect run around for every day. And you can add an express pouch (I’m thinking the yellow one - you know, brand colours ;-)) for when you want a little more/ less space.
Max will certainly be adding one of their jumpers (the Sonny one) to his winter attire next year.
Clothes & accessories for dog mum and dad
FurChild Supply Co have gifts for dog mum and dog dad too! PERSONALISED doggy pj’s, travel mugs (us doggy folk like our take away coffees), Dog Father and Poochie Mama mugs to spice up your desk, hoodies, crews and attire for the whole family. You simply MUST check them out.
My family members are getting a collapsible Stojo cup each, no more take away slushies in plastic, and Caitlyn makes a cute holder for your collapsible Stojo cup so if you don’t have enough space in your bag for your own keep cup, you can simply clip it onto your bag.
Personally I’d love the black Good Boy cap and the Rose Premium Crew with Good Boy embroidered on it from the Goodboy Store. Hubby will look extra smashing in the black Samson jumper.
Happy Christmas shopping friends!
Have I missed something? What other dog products/ services do you think should have made this gift list for dogs and dog lovers, especially New Zealand based ones? Let me know in the comments - your commenting makes my day!
Want to see the previous’ years gift guides?