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When shopping for hunting dog owners, do you buy for the handler or the dog? We’ve found that the best approach in this gift-giving realm is to shop for the sport they both participate in and love. While most sporting dogs will have overlap in gear, focus on the individuals and what they need or want in that season.
For the hunters that seem to have it all already, ask them if there are any things in particular they need to replace or something fun they’ve been wanting, whether it's the splurge-worthy Gunner kennel or a neoprene hunting dog vest for the waterfowl season. Another classic choice for hunters and their dogs is to buy something they can never have too much of, like dog treats or training dummies. Below, we’ve rounded up all the best gifts for hunting dog owners (and their hunting dogs) you can give this year.
We've tested quite a few hunting dog kennels, and the Gunner G1 reigns supreme. It's the safest, the sturdiest, the most comfortable for your pup, and even the most attractive. The only rotomolded double-walled crate on the market, it's made with a heavy-duty aluminum frame that's impact-resistant and 5-star crash test certified. The G1 offers plenty of ventilation for your dog, along with thoughtful features like a reversible door, safety latches, and built-on stainless steel tie-down pins.
Anyone who owns a bird dog will be thrilled to don this Duck Camp cap. The soft polyester hat features an embroidered German short-haired pointer and a retro silhouette, while the adjustable snapback design will comfortably fit any head shape and size.
Help the hunter keep track of their four-legged companion with the Garmin Alpha 200. While you can buy the collar and handheld device separately, the bundle makes it easy to get a gift for both the handler and the hunting dog. The Alpha has a large screen making it easy to use, and it can pair with as many as 20 dog collars and store their information, so you don’t have to add or change dogs each time you hunt. Along with all of the mapping features Garmin typically offers, the Garmin Alpha 200 also shows the dog’s location and direction of movement. The collar receiver can track up to 9 miles away and is water resistant up to 10 meters. If the dog is e-collar trained, this collar can be used on any 18 levels of continuous or momentary stimulation or an audible tone or vibration. The Alpha 200 holds a charge for up to 20 hours, and the rechargeable collar has 80-hour battery life.
For all the waterfowl hunters in your life, invest in a MoMarsh Stand. It is a versatile stand perfect for retrievers. It can be set up in various settings because of the telescoping legs and the stability of the pivoting mud feet. The materials are designed to be outdoors and can be trusted in dry fields, swamps, flooded fields, and any shallow water up to 30” deep. MoMarsh stands can be used for training and in the field for hunting. It is lightweight and packable, so it isn’t hard to carry to the hunting location. The soft DuraMesh materials are comfortable for the dog, and water drains quickly. Other MoMarsh accessories are available, like an Invisi Lab Hunting Blind, if you want to gift a complete setup for their waterfowl hunting dog.
The big sell of the MoMarsh Neoprene Hunting Dog Vest is that it is tested and guaranteed to fit all sporting dogs. The design provides a secure fit for dogs weighing 35-100+ pounds with adjustable hooks and loops to ensure a perfect fit for the duration of your dog’s life. The outside panels are interchangeable and can be swapped out to fit the type of hunting and needs for visibility or camouflage. The materials are incredibly durable, and the vest is designed with a rubberized chest panel for added protection for the pup. Another functional feature we love is the stow-aways handle and leash anchor. This is one vest that you can trust they can use season after season.
Made of Carhartt's famous duck canvas, this dog bed not only looks good, it’s also well-cushioned and has a removable pad that makes it ideal for travel. Even more importantly for owners, it’s easy to clean. It's as good for keeping around the house as it is for tossing in the truck bed for a post-hunt lounging session.
Treats of any kind are a perfect gift for the hunter that already has everything they need for their four-legged companion. The dogs will love them, and higher-value treats like Stewart’s freeze-dried treats are excellent for training sessions. While they have a variety of flavors, a fan favorite among my dogs is the freeze-dried beef liver. It is made with pure beef liver, so you can trust that the dogs are only eating simple, fresh ingredients with no dangerous preservatives or additives. Choose from the different sizes to fit the number of hunting dogs they have.
If you’re shopping for training tools for the hunting dog owner in your life and they have a waterfowl dog of any kind, get them some training bumpers. This floating foam dummy from Kong is easy to throw and can be used on water or on land to teach a soft-mouth carry. It comes in large and extra large sizes, both in a hi-vis orange color.
Personalized gifts are the best gifts. Both your giftee and their pup will love this custom collar from Over Under. The up-and-coming brand is famous for its durable high-end hunting gear and this waterproof collar is no different. Available in multiple sizes and a bevy of colors from teal to alpine green to duck camo, it can be customized with their dog’s name and phone number in case they ever get separated.
Gunner might be best known for its kennels, but the brand's dog bowls are equally great. I have one for our German shepherd and she loves it (as do I!). It's lightweight yet heavy-duty, with non-slip rubber feet and a spill-proof lid that makes it ideal for taking food or water on the go. The bowls are also American-made in Nashville and can be personalized with your dog's name.
Help them mix up their training tools with a Dokken Dead Fowl Trainer. These trainers are durable and long-lasting as long as they are used as a retrieval tool, not a chew or tug toy. Available in a few different sizes and colors, these pair well with waterfowl scents to further help young dogs be exposed to the smells of working in the field. They are as easy to throw as other bumpers mentioned in the gift guide, but they provide the dog with a different experience they’re sure to love.
OnX Hunt gives the user all the benefits of a handheld GPS device (and then some) on their smartphone. Keeping things all in one place and often on a more user-friendly device can allow for a better experience overall. Some benefits of an OnX Hunt subscription include clear public and private land boundaries, offline maps, and the capability to mark waypoints, tracks, and area shapes. There is a one-week free trial that allows you to see if a membership is suitable or not. Then, choose between a premium and elite membership. OnX Hunt Premium ($34.99/year) gives you access to all features within one state. OnX Hunt Elite ($99.99/year) provides nationwide coverage, all standard features, and expert resources.
A training whistle is a tool that most hunting dog owners will already have, but if you are shopping for a new hunting dog owner or know they need a new one, then whistles are a cheap yet thoughtful gift option. The SportDog Whistle is easy to blow and has a convenient key ring connector. The hand-crafted whistle design provides long-range sound control even in windy or wet conditions. Unlike standard whistles, this whistle also moves the sound away from the handler’s ears.
Help them keep their hunting companion safe traveling to and from hunting locations with a Ruff Land Kennel. The Gen II dog kennel utilizes a Flex Technology material helping all sides absorb energy if there were to be a crash. Available in several sizes, you can buy a crate that fits your dog. The SureVent walls allow airflow through the kennel, and the raised floor channels keep any dirt, mud, debris, or water away from your dog during transport. This kennel is designed for vehicle transport, making it a safe and comfortable crate option. If they have multiple dogs, the crates are designed to be stackable.
Allow their dog to travel in comfort with the Mud River Crate Cushion. The cushion is made from 1200D nylon, durable, water-resistant, and quick-drying material. Designed with dogs in mind, the cushion has whip stitching to ensure that it stays intact even with dogs that aggressively nest after a long day in the field. While it may not be necessary for short trips, having a crate cushion is ideal for longer treks or older dogs that need more comfort as you drive.
A first aid kit for dogs is one thing, but some injuries can require the handler to carry a dog out of the field. Since most hunting dogs are 35+ pounds, depending on how far away the car is, it can be difficult to carry large breed dogs very far or efficiently. The Fido Airlift Pro is a sling that fits medium-extra large breed dogs, making it easier to carry them long distances or over rugged terrain. These are available in M, L, and XL sizes, are compact and are made from durable materials.
Hopefully, they already carry a first aid kit, so why not get one with all the right things for them and their dog? The Dog Adventure Medical Kit contains all the classic items that we are used to seeing in a backcountry first aid kit, along with an emergency cold pack, a 10 CC irrigation syringe to clean wounds, and a splintering pack to make it easy to remove spikes, splinters, and thorns from a dog’s paws or body. It comes in a convenient carry cast that is compact and relatively lightweight. There is room inside the kit to add any other essentials you may need while hunting.
Help them teach their dog a new skill by getting them the DogBone Shed Training System. This is an affordable yet thoughtful gift for anyone that has a dog and wants to integrate more scent work into their training. With this system, they will be set up for success since it includes a training manual, antler dummy, and antler scent. The full training system makes it easy to train their dog to be a shed dog with an easy 3 step training process. Product made in the USA.
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