Dog Memorial Gifts: Personalised Ways to Remember a Dog
Quick answer: A personalised dog memorial print, shaped like their breed or a paw and filled with the dog’s name, nicknames, favourite walks and the years you shared, is one of the gentlest ways to remember a dog. The Personalised Dog Paw Word Art and more than 130 breed prints start at £9.99 as an instant digital download, with framed A4 prints from £22.99 and framed A3 prints from £30.99.
Updated October 2026
When a friend or family member loses a dog, it is hard to know what to give. Flowers fade, and a card can feel too small. A memorial gift that holds the dog’s own story, in the words the family actually used, gives them something to keep. This guide is part of our wider guide to gifts for dog lovers, and focuses on personalised dog memorial gifts: which designs to choose, what words to put on them and how to get the tone right.
In this guide
- What is a good memorial gift for someone who has lost a dog?
- Should you choose a paw or a breed print?
- Memorial gift ideas by breed
- When to give a dog memorial gift
- Comparison table of dog memorial prints
- What words to put on a dog memorial print
- How it works
- FAQs
What is a good memorial gift for someone who has lost a dog?
The best dog memorial gifts are about that one dog, not about loss in general. A word art print does this simply. The outline does the recognising, whether that is a paw or the dog’s breed, and the words do the remembering. Because a digital download is instant, it also works when you want to send something quickly, perhaps tucked into a sympathy card or emailed with a short note.
Should you choose a paw print or a breed print?
Both work beautifully as a memorial. The choice usually comes down to how well you know the dog and how the owner thinks about it.
The Personalised Dog Paw Word Art: for any dog
The paw suits crossbreeds, rescues and families who simply think of the dog as “our dog”. It is also a good pick for a group gift from neighbours or colleagues, because it holds lots of names and short messages.
Who it suits: anyone, especially owners of mixed breeds and rescues. Words to put on it: the dog’s name, the years they shared, the day they came home, nicknames, favourite walks and a few gentle phrases such as “forever in our hearts” or “run free”.
A breed print: for owners who love the breed
Many owners feel a deep connection to their breed, and some have had the same breed for decades. A breed silhouette says you remembered exactly what their dog looked like. Our dog breed prints cover more than 130 breeds, so most dogs can be matched.
Which breed prints work well as dog memorial gifts?
Here are some of the breeds people most often ask about, with ideas for what to include on each.
- Personalised Labrador Retriever Word Art Print: a full-body Labrador outline for a whole-life tribute. Include the dog’s colour, the beach or lake they swam in, “always hungry” and the names of everyone they followed around the kitchen. For a more portrait-like feel, the Personalised Labrador Head Print is a gentle alternative.
- Personalised English Cocker Spaniel Word Art Print: for cocker owners. Words like “ears in the water bowl”, the woods they walked and the ball they never gave back bring the dog straight back to mind.
- Personalised Border Collie Word Art Print: for collie owners, farmers and agility handlers. Include commands, the fields or fells they worked, and any rosettes or classes.
- German Shepherd print: for owners of a loyal, watchful companion. “Our protector”, “always on guard” and the training classes they attended all fit.
- Jack Russell Terrier print: for owners of a small dog with an enormous character. Leave room for the humour: “squirrel patrol”, “boss of the house”, “never lost a tug of war”.
- Personalised Miniature Dachshund Word Art Print: for sausage dog owners. “Noodle”, the jumper collection and “burrowed under every blanket” all belong here.
- Personalised Greyhound Word Art Print: especially meaningful for retired racing greyhound adopters. Include the racing name alongside the home name, the adoption date and the rescue that brought them together.
When should you give a dog memorial gift?
There is no wrong time, but a few moments come up often:
- Soon after the loss. A digital download is instant, so you can send something within days. Many people prefer to give a sympathy card first and the print a little later, once the family has had some time.
- Christmas. The first Christmas without a dog can be especially hard. A memorial print under the tree, with the year included, acknowledges that gently. Framed prints ship within 3–5 working days in the UK and 7–15 days internationally, so order early in December.
- Birthdays and Mother’s or Father’s Day. For someone who thought of themselves as their dog’s parent, a print on these days shows you remember what the dog meant to them.
Which dog memorial print should you choose?
| Product | Best for | Example words to include | From price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised Dog Paw Word Art | Any dog, crossbreeds, rescues, group gifts | Name, years together, “forever in our hearts”, favourite walk | £9.99 |
| Personalised Labrador Retriever Word Art Print | Labrador families | Colour, favourite beach, “always hungry”, family names | £9.99 |
| Personalised English Cocker Spaniel Word Art Print | Cocker spaniel owners | Woodland walks, “ears in the water bowl”, nicknames | £9.99 |
| Personalised Border Collie Word Art Print | Collie owners, farmers, agility handlers | Commands, fields and fells, rosettes | £9.99 |
| Jack Russell Terrier print | Terrier owners who want some humour | “Squirrel patrol”, “boss of the house”, favourite toy | £9.99 |
| Personalised Miniature Dachshund Word Art Print | Sausage dog owners | “Noodle”, jumpers, blanket burrowing | £9.99 |
| Personalised Greyhound Word Art Print | Greyhound adopters | Racing name, adoption date, rescue, “couch potato” | £9.99 |
What words should you put on a dog memorial print?
The words are what turn a print into a memorial. Aim for 40 to 80 words or short phrases, and make two or three of them stand out: usually the dog’s name, the years and a short line such as “forever loved”. Mix the tender with the everyday: “stole the sofa” and “waited by the door” sit happily beside “forever loved”. If you are buying for someone else, it is worth quietly asking a family member for a few nicknames and habits. If you need help with a line for the centre, our collection of comforting dog memorial quotes for custom prints has plenty of ideas.
Example 1: a paw memorial for a rescue dog
- Big words: Bonnie, 2014–2026, Forever Loved
- Her story: “rescued us”, “the day you came home”, the rescue centre’s name, “second chance”
- Who she was: “gentle soul”, “shadow”, “best listener”, “hated the hoover”, “slept on our feet”
- Phrases: “run free”, “always in our hearts”, “thank you for choosing us”
Example 2: a Labrador memorial from the whole family
- Big words: Murphy, Good Boy, the years
- Nicknames: Murph, Murphy-Moo, Mud Monster, Sir Waggles
- Habits: “always hungry”, “stole socks”, “swam in every puddle”, “tail cleared the coffee table”, “carried a shoe to every visitor”
- People: every family member, including grandparents and the children who grew up with him, plus the dog walker
- Phrases: “best friend”, “by our side”, “walks in heaven”
Example 3: a breed memorial for a working collie
- Big words: Fly, Border Collie, Forever Our Girl
- Work: “come by”, “away”, “that’ll do”, the farm’s name, the sheep she brought in, agility rosettes
- Character: “cleverest one in the house”, “never off duty”, “eyes on the ball”, “loyal to the end”
A few tips: use the family’s real nicknames rather than generic dog words; include the years so the print marks the dog’s whole life.
How does it work?
- Choose a print. Pick the dog paw or one of more than 130 breed designs.
- Design it with your own words. Add the dog’s name, the years, nicknames, places, habits and family names.
- Preview it free. See the finished design before you pay and adjust it until it feels right.
- Choose your format. A digital download arrives instantly. Unframed prints start at £9.99, framed A4 prints at £22.99 and framed A3 prints at £30.99. Framed prints ship within 3–5 working days in the UK and 7–15 days internationally.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for someone who has lost their dog?
Something that remembers their particular dog, rather than a generic sympathy item. A personalised word art print shaped like a paw or their dog’s breed, filled with the dog’s name, the years they shared, nicknames and favourite places, gives them a keepsake that is clearly about their dog. Digital downloads start at £9.99 and framed A3 prints at £30.99.
What should I write on a dog memorial print?
Start with the dog’s name and the years, then add nicknames, favourite walks, toys, funny habits, the names of the family and one or two gentle phrases such as “forever loved” or “run free”. Aim for 40 to 80 words or short phrases so the shape fills well, and make the dog’s name the biggest word.
Is a paw print or a breed print better for a dog memorial?
Choose a breed print if you are sure of the breed and the owner feels a strong connection to it. Choose the paw for crossbreeds, rescues, or whenever you are not certain of the breed, because it suits any dog. Both can hold the same personal words.
How quickly can I get a dog memorial gift?
A digital download is instant, so you can print it at home, take it to a local print shop or send it with a card the same day. Framed prints ship within 3–5 working days in the UK and 7–15 days internationally.
How much does a personalised dog memorial print cost?
A digital download starts at £9.99 and an unframed print also starts at £9.99. A framed A4 print starts at £22.99 and a framed A3 print at £30.99. You can preview the design free before you pay.
Is it too soon to give a memorial gift after a dog dies?
There is no set rule, but many people send a card straight away and give a memorial print a little later, once the family has had some time. If you are unsure, a digital download or a print in a sealed envelope lets the owner open it when they feel ready.
More dog gift guides
- Gifts for dog lovers: personalised ideas for every breed and owner
- 35 comforting dog memorial quotes for custom prints
- Personalised dog gifts
- Gifts for greyhound dog lovers
- All dog breed word art prints
Final thoughts
The most comforting dog memorial gifts sound like the dog. Choose a breed print if you know the breed, or the Personalised Dog Paw Word Art if you do not, and take your time over the words. For more ideas, see our full gifts for dog lovers guide.
About Word Art Prints
Word Art Prints is a UK shop that has been making personalised word art prints since 2017. There are more than 470 designs, including more than 130 dog breeds, and every print is made to order with the customer’s own words.