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Shopping for the men in your life can be hard, right? But if the man in question happens to have a dog, you’re in luck, because we’ve dug up some great dog dad gifts for the holidays, Father’s Day, birthdays, and beyond. From subscription boxes to sports gear and gadgets—with a few classic dad jokes thrown in—this list has a gift for every “dogfather” on your list.
- Best for New Dog Dads: KONG Club
- Best for Coffee Lovers: Hugo Coffee Ground Dog Daze Cold Brew
- Best for Rescue Dog Dads: Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test
- Best for Muddy Dog Dads: Dexas Mudbuster Paw Cleaner
- Best for Adventure Dog Dads: K9 Sport Sack
- Best Novelty Gift for Dog Dads: “The Dogfather” Whiskey Glass
- Best Dog Toy to Gift: Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle Toy
- Best Book for Dog Dads: Dog Shaming, by Pascale Lemire
- Best Safety Device for Dog Dads: Whistle GO Explore
- Best for Car Trips: IOKHEIRA Dog Seat Belt Harness
- Best Pet Cam for Gifting: Furbo Dog Camera
- Best Dog Hack To Gift: Aqua Paw Dog Bath Brush
- Best Ball Launcher: Chuckit!
- Best Tumbler: Dog Lover Coffee Lover Insulated Tumbler
- Best Dog Tech: Wickedbone Smart Bone
- Best for Camping Dog Dads: Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid
- Best for Sports Lovers: NFL Dog Leash
- Best for Hiking Dog Dads: Best Hikes with Dogs
- Best for Dog Dads On the Go: OllyDog Water Bottle
- Best for Lazy Dog Dads: iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher
Best for New Dog Dads: KONG Club Subscription
Maple the Rover test pup inspects a KONG box.
We think KONG’s subscription box is a smart gift for any dog dad, but especially a new one. Each month’s box comes with a mixture of impressively durable toys, treats, tips, accessories, and recipes. Our test pup’s first box contained a standard KONG (plus brush cleaner), a spreadable liver treat, KONG bites, a floatable ball, a plush moose toy, a bandana, a recipe card, and some tips.
What we like best, though, is that it comes with a subscription to AskVet, which offers free pet coaching, live unlimited chat support from veterinarians via their app, and even an emergency fund (which grows the longer you’re a member, to a maximum of $1K). With the vet shortage, we’ve found it a big help—and we think other dog dads will too.
Key Features:
- Monthly boxes contain KONG toys, treats, tips, accessories, and recipes
- KONG toys are famously durable, making this a good choice for chewers
- Subscription to AskVet included
Best for Coffee Lovers: Hugo Coffee Ground Dog Daze Cold Brew
Is the dog lover in your life also a serious caffeine fiend? The best part about this responsibly sourced small-batch coffee roaster is its mission to support dog rescue. Proceeds from each bag go to Best Friends Animal Society and Nuzzles and Co. If cold brew isn’t his thing, gift your dog dad one of Hugo’s other flavorful blends.
Key Features:
- Proceeds support dog rescue organizations
- Hugo is committed to fair trade
- Organic beans
Best for Rescue Dog Dads: Wisdom Panel Dog DNA Test
A dog DNA kit can be a meaningful gift for a lot of dog parents with rescues. People often ask about a pup’s breed, but many rescue parents don’t know—it’s a mystery! A DNA test can identify not only a dog’s breed makeup but also some breed-based behavioral tendencies and even genetic health issues.
Wisdom Panel’s dog DNA lab analyzes over 350 breeds and varieties. Just like with human kits, you simply swab your dog’s cheek, activate the kit online, and mail it to the lab. We’ve tried it ourselves and thought it was pretty cool—so maybe your dog dad will too. Embark is another good dog DNA test option.
Key Features:
- Tests for over 350 breeds and varieties
- Screens for over 25 medical conditions and over 35 trait tests
- Results in 2 to 4 weeks
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Best for Muddy Dog Dads: Dexas Mudbuster Paw Cleaner
This dog paw cleaner is a great gift for any dog dad who lives in a rainy climate. It’s a quick and easy way to clean up muddy paws and protect floors and carpets. Soft silicon bristles scrub paws clean with a gentle twisting motion to keep your dog Dad happy and his hardwoods paw-print free.
Key Features:
- Soft silicon bristles clean mud and dirt from paws
- Easy and quick to use: just add water and twist to clean
- Comes in multiple sizes, from petite to large
Best for Adventure Dog Dads: K9 Sport Sack
That’s right—this is a backpack that carries dogs. Dog dads (and everyone else!) can hit the road, trails, and more with their dogs in tow with this backpack by K9 Sport Sack. The largest size, the Kolossus, can hold dogs up to 80 pounds and is outfitted with an attachable sun/rain hood and zippered vents as well as a removable storage bag. It’s also made from temperature-regulating material.
K9 Sport Sack has several other versions of backpack-carriers as well, all designed to fit different dogs of different sizes.
Key Features:
- Removable lap belt with hip pockets for waste bag dispenser
- Adjustable torso and shoulder straps
- Side cooling zipper vents
- Designed for large dogs, and comes in L-XXL sizes (up to 80 pounds)
Best Novelty Gift for Dog Dads: “The Dogfather” Whiskey Glass
This whiskey glass is perfect for a dog dad who enjoys a little nightcap next to their curled-up pup before hitting the hay. The design is hand-etched, so it won’t wash off, and the glass is dishwasher-safe.
Key Features:
- 10.25 ounce capacity
- Glass with etching
- Has a heavy base for stability
Best Dog Toy to Gift: Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle Toy
If the dog dad in your life takes pride in his pup’s cleverness, we bet he’ll like this popular interactive puzzle toy. Each brick hides a cavity where treats or kibble can be deposited, and not every brick moves the same way. Some need to be slid, some need to be flipped, and others need to be lifted away. It’s a challenging toy—but in our experience, a food-motivated pup will find a way!
Key Features:
- 12.75 x 9.25 x 2 inch board
- Clean with warm water and soap
- Plastic is durable and free of BPA, PVC, and phthalate
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Best Book for Dog Dads: Dog Shaming by Pascale Lemire
For the dog dad who regularly has to laugh at his pup’s behavior, we like this book full of dogs misbehaving, sneaking, or doing something gross—but always being hilarious. After all, even when dogs are at their worst, they’re still the best. And the dog dad in your life will know he’s in good company.
Key Features:
- Available in Kindle, Hardcover, or Paperback
- A NYT Bestseller
Best Safety Device for Dog Dads: Whistle GO Explore
For a lot of dog parents with a rambunctious pup, a dog GPS device like the Whistle can be a really thoughtful gift. If your dog dad’s pup has ever hopped a fence or slipped a leash, a GPS device can make it a lot easier to get them back. The Whistle is an especially fun pick because it’s also a health tracker—a fitbit for dogs.
Our product tester had a blast with the Whistle, but if the dog dad in your life doesn’t go for bells and whistles (no pun intended), the Tractive is also a great safety pick with a little less emphasis on fitness tracking.
Key Features:
- Subscription includes GPS tracker, health updates, on-demand vet advice, and fitness monitoring
- 20-day battery (we tested it, and it lasts!)
- Uses AT&T nationwide network and Google Maps
To Consider:
- Tracking features require monthly subscription, starting at $8.25/month when purchased for 12 months
Best for Car Trips: IOKHEIRA Dog Seat Belt Harness
Does the dog dad in your life love a good road trip? This multi-function latch has two types of clips and fits most cars. It can either buckle into a seat belt fastener or into the child car seat hook. Made of nylon and aluminum, it safely secures a pup in the car. Pair it with a car seat cover for neater rides.
Key Features:
- Three-in-one latch can fit into a seat belt fastener or child car seat hook
- Made from sturdy nylon and aluminum
- Comes in many colors
- Can safely latch a dog in the front or back seat
Best Pet Cam for Gifting: Furbo Dog Camera
Gadget-happy dog dads will love this cool pet camera. They can use it to check up on, talk to, and even toss a treat for their dog buddy when they’re away from home. Plus, it has night vision for full-on spy mode. It’s one of our favorite gifts for a pet parent who’s going back to the office or feeling anxious about leaving their buddy home alone. We also give it two thumbs up for puppy monitoring.
Key Features:
- Compatible with Alexa
- Tosses treats to your dog
- Easy three-step setup
- Two-way audio with barking alert
To Consider:
- Requires stable WiFi / internet connection
Best Dog Hack To Gift: Aqua Paw Dog Bath Brush
Dog bath time can be way easier (and more fun) with this Aqua Paw Dog Brush. The Aqua Paw bath tool attaches to your shower or to your outdoor hose, and water flow is controlled by a button on the side. It has an ergonomic design to fit hands and rubber nubs to make scrubbing easy. We’re wiling to bet that the dog dad in your life doesn’t have one of these (yet).
Key Features:
- Comes with an eight-foot adaptable hose
- Brush and rinse your dog simultaneously
- Ergonomic design
- Made with 100% FDA approved silicon
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Best Ball Launcher: Chuckit!
This one is for both dad and dog! The Chuckit! makes it a lot easier to launch your dog’s ball a lot farther—improving the odds that your dog will get tired before your shoulder gives out. It’s great for dog dads with pups who like to fetch. Or if the dog dad in your life could use a break, try an automatic ball launcher—we’ve reviewed and rated some of the best.
Key Features:
- 26-inch throwing arm for longest Chuckit! launches
- Compatible with any medium-sized Chuckit! ball and most standard tennis balls
Best Tumbler: Dog Lover Coffee Lover Insulated Tumbler
For the dog dad who’s always got a leash in one hand and a cup of to-go joe in the other, this insulated 20-ounce engraved stainless steel tumbler, available in four color combos, is definitely handy. It’ll keep drinks hot or cold and comes with a stainless steel straw and straw brush. Consider this the perfect dog dad mug.
Key Features:
- Made from stainless steel with laser etching
- 20-ounce capacity
- Thermal insulated
To Consider:
- Hand wash only
Best Dog Tech: Wickedbone Smart Bone
Is your dog dad a fan of tech gear? This robotic dog toy is designed to keep your dog (and his dog dad!) busy. It has multiple modes for different play styles and can be controlled via an app on your phone (but can also be fully automated). We’ve tested it on our own hyperactive pups and had a blast.
Key Features:
- Has interactive and auto-play modes
- Safe and durable: made from FDA-approved materials and designed to withstand rough treatment
- Easy to clean / comes apart to clean
- Long battery life
Best for Camping Dog Dads: Adventure Medical Kits Trail Dog First Aid
This medical kit is a practical dog dad gift for the outdoorsy dad who loves to take his pup with him on hiking and camping adventures. Made in the U.S., the kit contains dog-appropriate bandages, dressings, and tools—a good idea for any dog emergency kit. We think it’s a smart pick for any pet parent who regularly spends time in the wild.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and easy to pack for day trips
- Contains both human and dog emergency essentials: cold compress, emergency blanket, fabric bandages, butterfly closure bandages, sterile dressing, conforming gauze, elastic bandages, irrigation syringe, nitrile glove, moleskin, safety pin, shears, tick remover, emergency manual, leash, aspirin, antihistamine, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipe, alcohol swab, hydrogen peroxide, saline wound and eye wash
Best for Sports Lovers: NFL Dog Leash
Have your dog dad rock his favorite team’s logo and colors on his next dog walk with this durable leash made from nylon webbing. It’s classy, functional, and comes in several sizes.
Key Features:
- Comes in small (4′ long, 3/8″ wide), medium (4′ long, 5/8″ wide), and large (6′ long, 1″ wide)
- Logo sewn onto heavy-duty nylon
- Includes durable spring hook
Best for Hiking Dog Dads: Best Hikes with Dogs
Know an outdoorsy dog dad who likes to hit the trails with his best friend on the weekends? Mountaineers Books has published hiking guides for several regions, with hiking experts choosing trails for a variety of good-for-your-dog reasons, from paths with fewer children and hikers to terrain that’s less damaging to your pooch’s paws.
Key Features:
- Includes 85 hiking trails, with trails for all abilities
- Embraces “leave no trace” ethos
Best for Dog Dads On the Go: OllyDog Water Bottle
If you’re often on the move with your dog, you’ll want to bring water for them—but human water bottles are messy at best and disastrous at worst. That’s why we like the OllyDog water bottle, which lets you hygienically share water with your pup with no contact between the mouth of the bottle and your pup’s bowl. It’s a great pick for hikes and car rides, and it was our test pups’ favorite out of all the dog water bottles they tried.
Key Features:
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in five colors and two sizes: one liter and 600 milliliter
Best for Lazy Dog Dads: iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher
As lazy dog parents ourselves, we think this one is just downright cool. This toy is made especially for smaller dogs, and comes with three mini tennis balls that it will launch around your dog dad’s house on demand. Fun for everyone! (If you are looking for a larger version, check out this Launcher, also from iFetch.)
Key Features:
- Comes with three mini tennis balls
- Physical and mental exercise for your dog
- Launches balls 10, 20, or 30 feet
To Consider:
- Balls that are too wet or dirty could damage launcher
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