For someone who loves German Shepherds
German Shepherds of Australia, Volume One
Over 200 German Shepherds, each beside a story from their own family. Give it, and watch them go looking for the dog that looks like theirs.
See the book, $150A gift guide
Unique gifts for dog lovers
For the person whose dog is family, and who already owns the mug, the socks and the tea towel. These gifts are about real dogs: big books they will keep on the coffee table, a portrait of their own dog, and a few books by others that we would happily give.
Choose by who it is for:
- German Shepherd people
- Every-dog people
- A portrait of their dog
- Rescue families
- Old-dog people
- Art lovers
- Children
Buying for Christmas? Please order soon: the last day for delivery anywhere in Australia is about Monday 7 December. Christmas order dates
Our own books, and who each one suits
We make these four. Each is a big square hardcover of real Australian dogs, photographed by Living Image Photography, with a few lines from each dog's family beside every portrait. They are $150 each, and every one helps an animal rescue.
For a family who talks about their dog like one of the kids
Shoot the Dog, Volume Two
Over 250 dogs of every breed and cross, from Bambi, delivered by Santa, to Joey, a rescue Kelpie cross.
See the book, $150
For someone whose dog is part of the family
Shoot the Dog, Volume Three
Over 250 more dogs, in their families' own words. It lives on the coffee table and gets picked up by every visitor who has ever loved a dog.
See the book, $150
For the person whose camera roll is mostly their dog
Shoot the Dog, Volume Four
Over 250 dogs and the people who love them: the book they would make themselves if they could.
See the book, $150The small things that make it a good gift
- Signed, with a dedication, at no charge
- After you order, send us a message with your order number and who the book is for. It will be signed, with a dedication if you like.
- Sent straight to them
- Give their name and address as the delivery address at checkout. These are big books, about the size of a vinyl record sleeve, so they will not fit through a letterbox slot. If it is a surprise, send it somewhere someone can take it in.
- A gift that helps a rescue
- German Shepherds of Australia has raised over $22,000 for German Shepherd Rescue Victoria. Across the books, more than $100,000 has gone to Australian animal shelters. How the books help rescues
- Simple postage
- $20 per order anywhere in Australia, and every extra book travels free. Overseas, $20 per book. Every order leaves within 2 business days.
A portrait of their own dog
For a dog lover in Melbourne or elsewhere in Victoria, the most personal gift of all is a portrait of their own dog, by the photographer behind these books. Living Image Photography makes two gift vouchers for it.
My Dog and Me, $195. For someone and the dog who follows them everywhere.
Pet, $195. For the animal of the house, on their own and at their best.
Each includes a portrait session at home, in a favourite park or on the beach, a reveal to see every portrait together, and a $100 credit towards the artwork they choose. The voucher is designed with their name and emailed within 24 hours, and it lasts three years.
See the portrait vouchersBooks by others we would happily give
From our shelf of other people's dog books, grouped by the person you are buying for. Each opens at Booktopia, which posts within Australia and to New Zealand, with Waterstones beside it for buyers further afield.
For a family who adopted their dog
Take Me Home!
Andrew Grant
Portraits of 325 rescue dogs, made to help shelter dogs find homes; it will speak to anyone who has adopted.
Rescue Dogs
Sally Muir
Loose, warm paintings of rescue dogs, each with its own personality; a good fit for anyone who has taken in a rescue.
Clyde the Greyhound
Beck Feiner and Robin Feiner
Lucy adores her adopted greyhound and gives him everything, so why is Clyde still not happy? A gentle story about what a rescue dog really needs.
For someone with an old dog
Old Faithful: Dogs of a Certain Age
Pete Thorne
Portraits of senior dogs with grey muzzles and a short story for each; a tender gift for anyone with an older dog.
Old Dogs
Sally Muir
Paintings of grey-muzzled dogs with a short story for each; a tender gift for anyone with an older dog.
Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs
Gene Weingarten
Black-and-white portraits of old dogs with a journalist's affectionate stories; a gentle read for anyone devoted to a senior dog.
For someone who loves art as much as dogs
A History of Portraits in 21 Dogs
Nia Gould
Twenty-one famous portraits recreated with dogs, each with a note on the original artwork; a witty gift for art lovers.
Dogs in Art
Susie Green
How artists from ancient Rome to today have painted and carved dogs; for readers who love art and dogs in equal measure.
Museum of Dogs: A Romp through Art History for Dog People
Jessica Poundstone
A pocket-sized tour of dogs through art history, from ancient figurines to modern art; a sweet, low-cost add-on gift.
For a dog lover who could use a laugh
Shake
Carli Davidson
Dogs mid-shake with fur and drool flying; a laugh for anyone who has been sprayed by a wet dog.
Maddie on Things
Theron Humphrey
A coonhound balancing on tractors, trolleys and signs with total calm; a laugh-out-loud gift for anyone with a patient, willing dog.
Do You Look Like Your Dog? The Book
Gerrard Gethings
Fifty portraits matching dogs with their people; it starts conversations and suits anyone who has been told they look like their dog.
For the children in a dog family
Hairy Maclary's Bone
Lynley Dodd
Hairy Maclary and his gang of rhyming dogs squabble over a bone; more of the New Zealand read-aloud that children already know by heart.
Where's Spot?
Eric Hill
Lift the flaps to find Spot hiding; the first dog book for many babies and toddlers.
Dogs Don't Do Ballet
Anna Kemp, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
A dog who dreams of dancing in a tutu; for children with big dreams.
More reading lists: books for dog lovers and books about rescue dogs.
We earn a small commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Questions people ask
What is a unique gift for a dog lover?
Something about their dog's world, not just printed with a dog: a big book of real dogs and their families' stories that stays on the coffee table, or a portrait of their own dog. Our four books are $150 each, and every one helps an animal rescue.
Can the book be signed for them?
Yes, at no charge. After you order, send us a message with your order number and who the book is for, and it will be signed, with a dedication if you like.
Can I send it straight to them?
Yes. At checkout, give their name and address as the delivery address. One small thing worth knowing: these are big books, about the size of a vinyl record sleeve, so they will not fit through a letterbox slot. If it is a surprise, send it somewhere someone can take it in.
How much is postage?
Within Australia, $20 per order, and every extra book in the same order travels free. Overseas, $20 per book. Every order leaves within 2 business days.
When should I order for Christmas?
As soon as you can, so it arrives safely and on time. The approximate last days are Monday 7 December for delivery anywhere in Australia, and Monday 16 November for New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Singapore and Hong Kong.