It’s not just humans who get a kick out of the holidays. Many dogs are ecstatic when they know there are new toys, sweaters, and special treats coming their way. While some breeds can be picky about their snacks or gifts, Labradors tend to love most things that taste good or signal a good walk is on the horizon. If you own a Lab and want to give them something special, check out these best gifts for Labrador Retrievers; read until the end to discover what gifts will make your dog as happy as a Labrador with two tails. Firstly lets freshen our memories about Labrador Retrievers with a small guide.
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A Guide to Lab Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are affectionately called “Labbies” by their owners and those who love dogs in general. They are among the most popular dog breeds in the US and are loved globally as well. They have been bred for hunting and as service dogs. A Lab was the first dog in space and also has a US Armed Forces rank of Petty Officer (second class). Labrador Retrievers are easygoing and friendly. They love being with their owners, playing, and going on walks. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They are also very loving, especially with children. Labbies are excellent family pets and are very sociable. These warm dogs are also very gentle and friendly with other pets. Labbies are sturdy and healthy dogs and do not bark or shed excessively. They are low maintenance dogs except for their requirement of plenty of exercise. The following ‘best gifts for Labrador Retrievers’ offer my ideas based on the above traits of the Labrador Retriever.
Tender, Chewy Treats
Labradors love to chew and will spend hours keeping their teeth clean and their jaws strong. These dogs need a lot of exercise, but they are not efficient at burning fat compared to other breeds. Chewing keeps them from becoming overweight, provided they get enough exercise. Stuff your Lab’s stocking with a bag of tender, chewy treats that they can’t wait to sink their teeth into. Make sure whatever treats you choose have no added ingredients like sugar, which can be harmful to Labradors’ sensitive stomachs.
Nylabones
Nylabones are a firm favorite of Labrador retrievers. Made to look like big femur bones, these clever nylon toys give your Labrador needed chewing time to help with exercise and stress. Infused with beef flavor, your Labrador Retriever will spend hours upon hours enjoying this toy.
With a handy chewing scale from soft puppy chewing femur all the way up to ‘tough strong chew’ the Nylabone has a size for small to large dogs. Good for rewarding your dog while training, the Nylabone will help keep your lab’s teeth in check and provide weight management as your pet will be distracted from looking for food.
Pros
- Lasts for several months for even the most determined chewers
- Chunks don’t come off while chewing
- It looks like a femur bone
- Economical toy
Cons
er um.
See how much these useful treats are on Amazon (we may get a small commission for purchases)
Dog Winter Jacket Suitable For a Labrador
If you live in a cold climate where ice and snow are prevalent, a dog jacket designed for warmth is a great gift for your Labrador Retriever. Of windproof materials and a fleece lining, the QBLEEV is also waterproof so walks outside will be more pleasurable for Fido. The inside fleece lining is so soft and warm I wish they made one for humans as I certainly would wear one.
Coming in purple, blue, black or red, these stylish jackets are sure to glean glances from other dog owners and the reflective strips on the rump are an added likable safety feature worth noting.
How To Put A QBLEEV Dog Jacket On your Dog
Putting the QBLEEV dog jacket on your dog is an easy regular ritual. Simply pull the turtle neck collar over his head,
snap on the belly buckle and pull the hind leg bands into place.
Pros
- Extra warmth and weather protection
- Striking colors
- Versatile sizes
Cons
- er um…
We found a good price on Amazon (We may get a commission for purchases)
Snuggle Puppy
Especially when crate training a puppy the snuggle puppy is a clever toy to make it feel at home. Heating pads and a battery powered heart gives your pup a stress relieving friend to lie on and snuggle up to. The heart works for 8 hours or can be set to 24 hours while 3 included heat pads work as real body warmth helping your dog get over loneliness issues while its settling into a new home.
The good news, too, is its made from machine washable extra-soft fleece, 48″ x 30″. Another bonus of this great treat for Labrador Retrievers is that it collects shedding fur from your dog, keeping more off the furniture. The included blanket is easy to clean. Another good way to keep dander off the furniture is a dog blanket.
Pros
- This kit is well made, good quality, great value.
- Good fun for your puppy
- Good company at night
Cons
- The chewy heart toy may only last 2 months if your dog is a strong chewer
Check out this gift on Amazon (We may get a small commission for purchases)
WOPET 6L Automatic Dog Feeder
Certain key features make the WOPET auto dog food dispenser a clever device that would be a good gift for Labrador and own alike. Set a schedule for meal times and easily set the portion control via your smartphone. Amazingly even record a message for your pet every time its feeding time. An infra red sensor knows how much food is in the detachable feeding tray so it won’t over fill.
Running from the wall plug or from batteries, the system is designed to work with good timing and reliability. Please note your home WiFi network needs to be a 2.4GHz frequency in order for the pet feeder to work.
You can easily download the Pet Zero iOS/Android app without charge. The WOPET is compatible with iOS 9.0
or later or a compatible Android smartphone 4.4 or later.
Pros
- Great if you have a busy lifestyle
- Nice to give commands that your pet will recognize
Cons
- Only serves dry food
Check out the decent price we found on Amazon (We may get a small commission for purchases).
OneTigris Tactical Dog Harness
Your Labrador Retriever will look handsome in this working dog’s harness. Offering comfort and superior control for the dog handler, use this harness on walks and hikes and more serious adventures.
Metal buckles maintain a strong durability while handles on the back allow you to secure a tough grip on the dog. The cutouts on either side don’t restrain shoulder movement which allows your dog more flexibility while running and climbing. Of 1000D Nylon, the harness is tough and water repellent.
A MOLLE system on the flanks can attach to useful working dog accessories such as litter bags and glow sticks. It’s important to measure your dog before choosing your correct size dog harness. When loading dog add-ons for a dog harness or pack, for most dogs, 10% to 12% of its body weight is a recommended size.
Check out the good price we found on Amazon (We may get a small commission for purchases).
Smoked Salmon
If your dog is as stubborn as a Labrador, nothing will persuade him to get his teeth brushed like the promise of smoked salmon. Salmon is known for being one of the best treats to give a Labrador Retriever because it’s high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for keeping your dog’s coat shiny, their joints healthy, and their skin and coat healthy.
If you want to give your Lab a healthy treat that doesn’t come in a toy, salmon is a great option. You can either dice some up and mix it in with their regular kibble or you can break off a large piece and let your dog enjoy it like a treat. Salmon is not only healthy, but it also has a strong smell that can help your dog’s breath stay fresh and clean.
In Conclusion
Labrador Retrievers are charming, playful dogs that make great family pets. They are very active, sociable, and love to be indoors and outdoors. They are also very intelligent dogs that are easy to train. These traits make them great dogs for families with young kids. They are patient and playful with kids, and they are also very loving and make great companions.
If you are looking for gift ideas for Labrador Retriever lovers, an item that will preserve its warmth while out in the great outdoors would be most welcome by your dog like the QBLEEV Dog Jacket. The Snuggle Puppy is a win – win gift especially for your young Labrador. At night it will enjoy snuggling up to the soft toy that emulates a member of the pack with a beating heart and warmth pads while by day it will enjoy wrestling this fluffy pup which also gathers shedded fur.
- You may like: Best Waterproof Dog Car Seat Covers
- Read about Dog Car Passenger Leashes Vs Crates
- An interesting read: Best Dog Blankets For Winter (and Cold Spells)
- Read about exercise: Benefits of a Jog With Your Dog
- Read more about Labradors: Labradors Vs Charcoal Labradors: The Differences