Christmas gift ideas for dog lovers that are not another lead

Every dog owner already has a lead, a bowl and a drawer full of toys with the squeaker removed. If you are buying for someone whose dog is the centre of the household, the best presents are about the dog itself. Here are eight, from free to framed.

1. A walk voucher

Hand-written, redeemable for five early morning walks so they can sleep in. Costs nothing and gets used.

2. A cooling mat

Christmas here is in summer. A gel cooling mat on the tiles is the present the dog would choose.

3. A beach or camping towel that is officially the dog's

So the good towels survive January.

4. A donation in the dog's name

To a local rescue. Most will send a card you can put under the tree.

5. A personalised front page

This is ours, so we are biased. Send a photo and the dog's worst habit, and we write and typeset a newspaper front page about them, with a matching Christmas card and phone wallpaper. It arrives by email within 2 business days, so it suits a late purchase, and you print and frame it yourself.

6. A proper photo session

Many local pet photographers sell gift vouchers. Good for the owner who has four thousand phone photos and none on the wall.

7. A frozen treat kit

A lick mat, a silicone mould and a recipe card for dog-safe frozen treats. Cheap, and useful on a 35-degree day.

8. A frame, with the photo already in it

Print their favourite photo of the dog at a print kiosk, put it in a simple frame and wrap it. People rarely print photos for themselves.

One rule for all of them

Check what the dog can safely eat before buying food gifts, and remember that Christmas ham, chocolate, grapes and cooked bones are not for dogs, however convincing the stare.