This holiday season two-thirds of all dog owners will wrap a gift for their pooch and place it under the Christmas tree.
Wondering what to get your pup this year?
With visions of the chewing, chasing, and chomping to come, we send you holiday greetings--and this fabulous DogTime shopping list for your pups and gifts for your book hounds to boot! Pup as a present? Improve your odds of a happy homecoming with DogTime's tips (www.DogTime.com).
Stocking Stuffers for Spot: DogTime's Top Ten
1. The Kong. A rubber snowman-shaped toy you stuff with treats... and then wonder how your dog ever manages to free them.
2. Hide-a-Squirrel Plush-style hollowed-out tree stump housing three squeaky, removable squirrels.
3. The Frostbite. The latest in flying disc technology. Who knew?
4. Tuffies. Chewy, stuffed toys so durable, each one receives a toughness rating from the manufacturer.
5. Henrietta. A rubber chicken dog toy. A rubber chicken dog toy. Because nothing says fun like a rubber chicken in a bikini.
6. The Gappay ball and rope. A classic--what dogs played with in the olden days, before rubber chickens in bikinis were invented.
7. The Squirrel Dude. Similar to a Kong, but it features the so-called Treat Meter, which randomly dispenses treats.
8. The Toss-a-Lot., Looks like a small octopus, tastes like.. well, leave that to your dog
9. The Leo. If Lincoln Logs were chew toys. For dogs. Sort of.
10. Plush Gingerbread Man. It's soft. It's squishy. It squeaks. And the dogs say they like it.
Rex Reads! Gifts for Book Hounds
A Dog's Life, By Peter Mayle
Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm, By Jon Katz
Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit By the editors of Bark Magazine
Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog By John Grogan
Merle's Door: Lessons From a Freethinking Dog By Ted Kerasote
Pack of Two By Carolyn Knapp
The Hidden Life of Dogs By Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
The Other End of the Leash By Patricia McConnell
Walking in Circles before Lying Down: A Novel By Merrill Markoe
Pups as Presents? Do it the right way. Here's how:
A cute stubby-legged puppy under the tree and a Christmas morning the kids won't forget for years?
Improve your odds of a happy homecoming.
Before you bring home a dog, make sure you know what you're getting into.
Take DogTime's MatchUp to see what type of dog best
suits your personality and lifestyle. Many holiday pups end up in shelters months later, so give some extra thought to this very special gift idea.
How to give a puppy for Christmas
- Don't give a puppy as a surprise--unless you're prepared to be the primary caretaker.
- Ask yourself if you'd be better off with an adult dog.
- Ask yourself if you'd be better off waiting a few weeks (or months).
- If you need more time to make the right choice, take it.
- Don't support puppy mills or backyard breeders.
For more Howl-iday tips and stories, check out www.DogTime.com, the new and best site for dog people.
About DogTime
DogTimeMedia, the largest network focused exclusively on pets, reaches over 10 million pet enthusiasts through 50 plus pet sites and includes DogTime.com, the premier destination for dog people. DogTime is based in San Francisco, CA. Clare Ellis is the SVP of Content and Trevor Wright is President.