If you are looking for the ultimate gift guide for large dogs (and their owners) and wondering what to buy your dog this Christmas, you are in the right place!

I have compiled our absolute favorite products of the year – some you may have seen before, many you have not. 

Every product on this list is something that I use, and that neither I nor my Mastiffs could live without.  

They have been fully vetted to ensure durability and maximal enjoyment for every large dog and its owner. 

And, while I may receive a tiny commission if you use some of the affiliate links in this post, I purchased ALL of these products and am not being paid to endorse or recommend them.  

Be sure to check out our full video guide as well linked below.  You will LOVE it! 

And with that, let’s get started…

Counting down, starting with the number 13.

13. SUV Cargo Net Barrier 

While I prefer the look and style of this Kurgo barrier, unfortunately, it doesn’t fit large SUVs like our Navigator.  So, after several iterations of homemade barriers, I decided to purchase something that would be a better-looking and more functional permanent barrier for our Mastiffs. 

I found this cargo net on Amazon and really like it so far. 

This net is extremely easy to install – simply hook the supplied carabiner hooks to the lower legs of seats and put the top loops over the headrests.  

As a fun bonus, this cargo barrier comes with three pockets in which you can store your dogs’ leashes, a harness, some treats, a travel water bowl, or anything else you need to conveniently store in the back. 

So, if you are looking for a way to keep your big dogs safely in the cargo space of your car and don’t want to use cardboard or a piece of wood… check out this mesh barrier today. 

12. True Leaf Market Seeds

While many may question the presence of SEEDS for a gift guide for dogs, let me explain….

As I mentioned in my video on emergency preparedness, I believe we all need to be thinking about how we can prepare for potential future supply issues and price increases.  

To be frank, that time is now and I believe it could get worse.  

For that reason, I suggest you consider planting a garden. 

A garden will enable you to grow food for your family, herbs and teas for medicinal healing, and as a bonus, you can harvest seeds from your garden for future food security.  

The book The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs is a wonderful supplement to this topic of wellness and preparedness, so I will link that below as well. 

Yes, I know dogs are carnivores, and a garden will not be able to supply your dog the protein and fat he needs most.  These seeds are for your whole family and will provide some needed food for the balance of your dog’s diet. 

I urge you to stock up on dog food (raw or kibble) as well.  

I am not recommending a doomsday prepper pallet of dog food.  Just buy an extra bag or a little extra meat with every order if you have the means and storage space to do so. 

11.  Real Dog Box Subscription

With new and updated terms and pricing, I thought I’d share one of my favorite dog treat companies. 

Real Dog Box has been featured on previous top 10 list gift guides, however, they have evolved and improved since presenting them to the Big Dog Mom audience. 

Not only has their menu grown and improved, but they recently added a fantastic membership option to their subscription service as well. 

Everything on their menu is 100% air-dried and unprocessed single-ingredient meats which are made fresh daily out of their headquarters in San Diego, CA.  

Real Dog Box offers a month-to-month subscription box in four configurations (treat and chew box, chew box, treat box, and a mini-treat and chew box for little dogs).  They have several special order items, like Junior and Sulley’s favorite SUPER chews, you can add on as well.  

Every month is a new lineup of treats and chews so your dog will never get bored! 

Given the variability in the cost of shipping, Real Dog Box made the decision in August to reduce their subscription box prices and begin to charge for shipping.  

In addition, Real Dog Box has added a membership option as well that you can add to your subscription.  For $13/month (plus $3 for each additional dog), you will get 

• One (1) free monthly dog health/nutrition consultation. – Avg $30 value per session
• 1 hour early access to Secret Shop drops
• Guaranteed what’s on the month’s RDB menu if you have a subscription box
• Free shipping on everything including subscription boxes, Secret Shop, and one-time orders

Secret Shop: This is your opportunity to grab your big dog’s favorite treats and chews a la carte as they are freshly made. This shop is where all the extra items go that are freshly made each day and is for subscribers and members only.  Once you have subscribed, you will get a notification when new products are in the Secret Shop, about 1-2 times per week. Members get free shipping on these awesome deals! 

Check out my full blog post and video review of Real Dog Box here. 

10. Best Toys for Big Dogs

Any one of the following dog toys would make fantastic gifts for your big dog or even a stocking stuffer (if you can get them to fit).

I am not known as an indecisive person, but I just couldn’t single out one toy this year so I’m giving you a few options to choose from. 

There are two caveats to this list of our favorite dog toys:

First, It’s very hard to find stuffed dog toys that can endure a big dog beating so balls, in my experience, last longer and encourage more exercise.  Therefore, most of the toys I am highlighting here are in the “ball” category. 

Secondly, these are not ALL of the toys I love for big dogs.  Not by a long shot. 

You can find a more comprehensive list of toys in Top 10 Best Toys for Big Dogs: Battle-Tested and Big Dog Approved. 

Gnawsome Extra Large Squeaker Ball

While this isn’t the most durable dog toy, I guarantee it will provide hours of obnoxiously loud fun for your big dog.  

Sized right for large and giant breed dogs with a soft plastic that is easy to carry and squeak.  

And, boy, does this toy ever SQUEAK!!  

We literally have to set time limits with these balls because they are such a favorite of the dogs, yet cause minor pandemonium for those trying to watch tv. 

West Paw Design – Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Puzzle

Based in Montana, West Paw Design manufactures the absolute BEST dog toys on the market for big dogs!  

They are the highest quality and most durable toys and they come in a plethora of sizes and configurations to fit the needs and desires of your specific dog. 

Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Puzzle is a newer toy that promises to provide both mental and physical stimulation for your dog. 

With partitions inside and holes on the outside, the combination of a small size Toppl and a large allows you to create a crazy-shaped durable toy that can dispense small treats as your dog pushes it around the floor.  

And if you have drooly dogs as I do, never fear!  West Paw toys are completely dishwasher safe and come out looking like new. 

Wobble WAG Giggle Ball

This one is an annual favorite!

Keep in mind, for giant breed dogs, strong chewers, or dogs who set out to destroy squeakers, the Giggle Ball is not the most durable toy.  

Our “giggles” typically last a day or two at the most and I have a growing collection of the giggle cylinders in my dog storage closet which I use as an attention-getter during training and filming.  

The toy itself is a pretty hard plastic that tends to stick around for several weeks to several months and the dogs LOVE it. 

Virtually Indestructible Ball

This one is new for us and I have not yet allowed the boys to play with it since we didn’t have grass in our yard until a few weeks ago. 

I bought this toy to test if it truly is “indestructible” and to compare it to the giant size Jolly Ball.  

Stay tuned for that video coming in the future. 

It is made in the USA and according to the company, “this interactive dog toy is perfect for rough and tumble canine companions that enjoy hard-hitting backyard playtime.”

We shall see very soon. 

Jolly Pets Teaser Ball

This was one of my Mastiffs’ favorites when we lived in Arizona and one I have featured many times on BigDogMom.com.

The benefit of this version of the Jolly Ball is that it’s easy for your dog to carry in his mouth.  

Made of hard, durable plastic, while not indestructible over time, it provides months of fantastic exercise for the ball-motivated dog. 

Take your pick from the options above and enjoy watching your dog have a blast with his new toy!  

9. Fur-Zoff Pet Hair Remover

Let’s be honest, Just because you live with a giant dog, doesn’t mean you want a giant amount of dog hair on you and in your car. 

In my review of the top pet hair remover products on Amazon, the Fur-Zoff performed surprisingly well compared to the competition.  

As stated on their packaging, “It’s not pretty, but it works!”

Made of 90% post-consumer recycled materials, the Fur-Zoff is hypoallergenic, odor-free, and made in the USA. 

If you are looking for the best way to clean embedded dog hair from the carpet in your car, look no further than the Fur-Zoff Pet Hair Remover! 

Watch my full video review of the top-selling pet hair removers and see how they perform on a variety of heavily dog hair-soiled surfaces like furniture and clothing. 

8. NEW! Dremel 8220

This one is near and dear to my heart and, if I’m honest, should be ranked number 1 with how often I use it and depend on it for trimming my dog’s nails. 

Coming in at #8 is the NEW and improved Dremel 8220!  

For those who have been following me for any length of time, you know I frequently recommend the Dremel Micro.  So frequently, it’s got a top spot on my top resources page!

The NEW Dremel 8220 appears to have replaced the Dremel Micro 8050. 

As they say, out with the old, in with the new, right?  

Dremel also markets the Dremel Lite 7760 specifically for dog owners, however, let me show you how they compare.

First, Consider the battery difference between the three: 

Dremel Lite has a small 4V battery, my old Dremel 8050 is 7.2V and the new Dremel 8220 is a whopping 12V! 

The larger battery equates to more power for a longer time between needing a charge, which is especially important if you are trimming the nails of more than one large or giant breed dog. 

And when it comes to power and precision, the 8220 provides a variable speed range from 5,000 RPM – 35,000 RPM compared with 8,000-25,000 RPM for the Dremel Lite 7660. My Dremel Micro 8050 has a range of 5,000-28,000 RPM.  

This is important because running your Dremel at a higher RPM can reduce the time it takes to trim nails, thus reducing the amount of heat generated by your bit. 

If you are looking for a more efficient way to trim your dog’s nails and would like to try a cordless Dremel, I highly recommend the Dremel 8220 for large and giant breed dogs! 

7. Duo-Gear American Dog Harness

While it has been featured on my previous top 10 lists, the DUO American Adapt Dog Harness remains one of my absolute must-haves for Junior. 

Junior’s Wobbler Syndrome diagnosis forced me begrudgingly into the world of dog harnesses. 

With about 30 leashes and collars for all-size puppies and dogs, the last thing I wanted to do was drop $200 on yet another tool for walking him. 

But after trying several other brands with limited success given his immense size, the Duo Gear rose to the top of my list of favorites the instant I put it on him.  

It fit him “like a glove,” you might say. 

This harness is available in several new configurations with more options for leash attachments, so no matter the size or shape of your big dog, Duo Gear has a harness for you.  

Check out my comprehensive guide to buying a harness for large or giant breed dogs if you want more information.  Be sure to watch my harness guide video as well! 

Lastly, if you are struggling with a large dog that hasn’t figured out how to walk calmly by your side, stay tuned to BigDogMom.com and Big Dog Mom on YouTube as I will be doing a full review of the new Duo Gear American Direct No PUll harness very soon!  

6. Coat Defense Preventative Powder & Clean Shampoo

One of the things I absolutely love about my YouTube channel is meeting amazing dog owners who are willing to share their experiences in the comments.  

I commented in this video about my struggle with Junior’s seasonal skin issues, which can turn from hivey skin to a bacterial infection and hot spots seemingly overnight.  

In response to my video, the most wonderful viewer recommended I give Coat Defense a try.  

After a little bit of research, which included speaking to the couple who founded the company, I learned why using products with chlorhexidine, commonly recommended by veterinarians, for allergic skin and skin issues in dogs does more harm than good.  

According to the Coat Defense website, 

“These chemicals [SODIUM LAUREL SULFATE, CHLORHEXIDINE, COAL TAR, and SALYCILIC ACID] are known skin allergens and remove the protective oils and microbiome that are essential for skin wellness and required by the immune system to provide true healing.”

Chlorhexidine, is a widely used antibacterial agent with activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria (less against Pseudomonas species), and yeasts.  

Yet, while it’s effective initially in beating back bacterial and yeast-based skin infections, it makes sense that regular use would be counterproductive from a wellness perspective.  

To illustrate, consider giving your dog an antibiotic every day of his life in order to prevent bacterial infections?  At some point, pretty quickly, the bacteria figure out how to get around it and the antibiotic is rendered useless. 

And in the process, all of the “good” bacteria, the microbiome, have been killed. 

It makes sense to me that this is possibly what is happening with the widespread use of chlorhexidine on our dog’s coats for skin allergies. 

This chemical is not only not solving the root of the problem (what’s triggering the allergy), but it is also deteriorating the body’s natural defense against it.

According to the company, Coat Defense Preventive Powder is “effective for itch, odor, and yeast because it alters the terrain on the skin. It creates a dry, safe environment that makes it uninhabitable for pests (pathogenic microbes, fleas, mites) to take up residence on your pet.” 

While these are not the best photos, I hope you can see the dramatic difference Coat Defense and CD Clean Shampoo have made in Junior’s coat.  His hot spots, itchy skin, and hair loss started to heal within two days of using this powder with almost complete healing by Day 7!  

I have found this powder is fantastic as a once-weekly preventative to keep the skin dry and healthy without the need for other harsh chemicals or more frequent bathing.  

Between these two photos, he was bathed once with the CD Clean Shampoo. 

Like the Coat Defense Preventative Powder, CD Clean Shampoo is 100% all-natural with an Aloe Vera and plant-based formula that is safe, soothing, and gentle – nourishing dry, flaky skin, coat, or scalp.  

According to Coat Defense, CD Clean Shampoo “is the only one on the market that leaves the protective microbiome in place and allows the skin to retain its natural oils… an essential for overall health!”

As crazy as it sounds, I have been using this shampoo on my hair as well and I LOVE it!! 

Before moving on, I will provide one quick caveat. 

If your dog is currently suffering from a bacterial or fungal infection, you will want to seek veterinary care for an antibiotic and/or antifungal to get the infection under control first.  

While Coat Defense is amazing, it’s not a medication or treatment for these types of infections. 

5. Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray

Wondercide is hands down, THE world’s BEST insect killer!  

I found this product when searching for a way to not just kill fruit flies, but annihilate them.

We hadn’t been in our house for more than a few months when I started to notice these little bugs in my pantry. 

Long story short… I was at WAR – trying to defend my beautiful new kitchen and pantry from these devil bugs from Hell. 

After much research, I found Wondercide and decided to give it a try. 

To my shock and amazement, Wondercide kills fruit flies on contact.  Within about 3-5 seconds the fly would die.  

And it doesn’t just work on fruit flies… I sprayed it on some spiders outside and it worked on them, too.  

The best thing about Wondercide, and my reason for mentioning it here, is that it is all-natural and completely SAFE for KIDS and PETS.

 Wondercide comes in several scents (Lemongrass, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Cedarwood) and varieties – including a DEET-Free repellent as well as a Flea & Tick Spray for your big dogs. 

Trust me, you want this glorious product under your sink and in your dog storage closet.  

I’m happy to report our beautiful home is bug-free once again thanks to Wondercide!  

** One final note about our fruit fly infestation… It was the combination of using Gentrol Insect Growth Regulator plus Wondercide that ultimately gave me victory over the devil bugs. The Wondercide killed the flies we saw while the Gentrol IGR inhibited their reproduction. 

4. Heininger Twistep

No big dog gift guide would be complete without the Heininger Twistep!

The Twistep has absolutely revolutionized how I am able to travel with two Mastiffs in a large SUV.

Its function couldn’t be easier – Simply lift the lock and swing the step either out for use or under your vehicle for storage.

No more lugging around a huge ramp in your already crowded vehicle.  

The Twistep is made for all makes and models of vehicles, including pick-up trucks.  

If you want more information about the Twistep and want to see it more in action, read Traveling with Dogs Made Easy: 5 Tips for Road Trip Success [Large Dogs] and watch our video about traveling with large dogs as I go into much more detail about it. 

Put it this way, if you have a large dog and you travel in a large vehicle, you WANT a Twistep!  

3. Full Bucket Health Probiotics

Full Bucket Health Daily Dog was another product that surprised me this year.  

Not because I didn’t believe in the importance of feeding a probiotic for gut health. 

If you have followed me for any length of time, you know I’m a broken record on the subject of probiotics for dogs. 

That said, my interview with Dr. Rob Franklin, Veterinary specialist and co-founder of Full Bucket Health, Gut Health and Probiotics For Dogs: What You Need to Know, opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about probiotics and how to better take care of my dog’s immune system through their gut.  

While you definitely need to watch the entire interview, there are two key facts you need to understand when it comes to feeding a probiotic.

First, no matter if the bottle says 1 billion or 50 billion colony forming units, if you are feeding a bacteria-based probiotic, these numbers are only a tiny fraction of the total that resides in your dog’s gut.  

So efforts to outnumber “bad” bacteria by feeding “good” bacteria is an uphill battle, to say the least. 

Second, we need to reframe how we are thinking about our dog’s gut – rather than a good versus bad bug battle, we should focus on balance, God-given diversity, and protection.  

Feeding a yeast-based probiotic made from saccharomyces boulardii like the Daily Dog does just that. 

Daily Dog supplementation will help fight pathogens that attempt to invade your dog’s body without competing with or disrupting the normal gut flora that your dog’s immune system depends on. 

We have been feeding Daily Dog for several months and absolutely LOVE it!  

Daily Dog is super easy to feed – simply scoop the amount for your dog’s weight and feed it once a day with either raw or kibble meals. 

Whether your dog is on an antibiotic (or not), is healthy (or not), and/or fed a raw diet (or not), consider adding Daily Dog supplementation to his or her daily routine. 

2. Big Barker Premium Dog Bed

Like the Twistep and my Dremel, no gift guide for large dogs would be complete without a USA-made Big Barker Premium Dog Bed.

Whether it is the traditional sleek bed, or the headrest edition, Sulley’s personal favorite, or the Backseat Barker, or their new sofa edition… Big Barker is a MUST HAVE staple for every big dog home!  

Because here’s the deal…

While a Big Barker IS an investment, it is one of the BEST investments you will EVER make for your big dog! 

Worth every cent! 

Their premium quality foam provides clinically-proven therapeutic support for your big dog’s bones and joints – shown to reduce pain and stiffness and provide a more restful sleeping experience for your dog. 

University of Pennsylvania researchers set out to see how well Big Barker Dog Beds relieved joint pain and stiffness in large dogs (70+ pounds) with osteoarthritis. 

Dog owners in the trial reported that the Big Barker bed reduced joint pain (21.6%) and stiffness (12.5%), improved joint function (17.6%) and gait (9.6%) and led to improved nighttime restfulness (15.1%) in large dogs with arthritis.

As an owner of 200+ pound Mastiffs who has slept on Big Barker Beds for many years, I believe that the results of this study would only improve with time.  28 days is not near long enough to see the truly remarkable impact these therapeutic beds can have.  

Junior and Sulley LOVE their Big Barker beds and sleep on them every night! 

They sleep so soundly in fact, that when I leave and come home from CrossFit, they are still snoozing and have to be coaxed to get up and go outside to potty. 

As I shared in Big Barker Dog Bed Review: Overpriced Or An Investment?, Big Barker beds are beautifully made and super easy to clean.  

So many dog beds become a disgusting, stinky, and embarrassing eyesore in an otherwise clean living room.  

Not Big Barker.  

These beds maintain their shape perfectly and are so beautiful, they exist like a separate piece of furniture in your room.  

Big Barkers come in several varieties and sizes to fit your specific dog and your home which I love!

So far, I have reviewed the traditional Big Barker dog bed – both the sleek and the bolster pillow version – as well as the Backseat Barker for our Navigator if you would like to learn more about either of those beds. 

And in the coming weeks, you will see a full review of the NEW Big Barker Sofa Edition which I’m super excited about sharing with you!   

Subscribe to Big Dog Mom today so you don’t miss anything! 

And now for my top pick for the BEST gift for large dogs and large dog owners this year….

Drum roll, please… 

1. iRobot Roomba

Ok, ok, this is not a gift for your big dog.  This is a gift for every dog lover on the planet!

If you are unfamiliar with the iRobot Roomba, it’s a programmable robot that sweeps your floor for you!  

For those who know me personally, you know that I am a DIYer through and through.  

It goes against every fiber of my being to have someone else do work that I could or should be doing myself. 

That is until I was gifted our sweet and lovable M-O.  

When you get your Roomba, you will name him. We named ours M-O after the little sweeping robot in the animated movie Wall-E. 

From Mastiff shedding to 12-year-old boy crumbs, M-O has given me back my sanity from the mess in my house. 

Sweeping is just one less thing I have to do every day, and I am forever grateful for that time back.

M-O has mapped all three levels of our home and has cleaning assignments every day.  

What’s cool is On the iRobot mobile app, you can set certain rooms or jobs as favorites – such as high traffic areas like your kitchen or living room and then program your robot to focus on those areas more frequently than other areas of your home.  

We have carpet, tile, and laminate flooring and M-O works flawlessly on all three. 

The Roomba is super easy to program and run, though it does require regular maintenance to keep it in tip-top condition.

This includes wiping the sensors regularly to ensure a strong connection between the robot and his home base, replacing the dust bin, and checking the rollers for hair and cleaning that out every few days, etc.  

I could go on and on about how much I love our little M-O… but I’ll stop here for now. 

Let me know if you would like me to do a full review of the iRobot Roomba and I’m happy to share more about it – specifically how well it might work for heavy shedding dog breeds like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, or Alaskan Malamutes.  

For now, if you are looking for an amazing gift for the dog lover in your life, give him or her the gift of time and a dog hair-free home with the iRobot Roomba!

VIDEO: Ultimate Gift Guide for Large Dogs | Top 13 Gifts Your Big Dog Will LOVE! [GUARANTEED]

What Your Dog Really Wants for a Gift

So, there you have it, big dog friends… 

I hope you found a gift idea on this list that will be a blessing to your big dog or for the big dog lover in your life.  Remember, it’s not really about WHAT you buy your dog that matters most. It’s your outward show of thankfulness for the unconditional love they enthusiastically give you every day of their life.

Now for the question of the day… 

What other products would you add to your “must-have” list for your big dog? 

Let me know in the comments below.