The short answer: the best dog breed gift looks like the person's own dog. Flo's Candle House hand-sculpts soy candles in 13 dog breeds, from £9.50 to £14.50. You choose the breed, match the coat colour (or send us a photo), pick a scent or unscented, and we post it with free tracked UK delivery.
Updated 3 November 2026 by Flo, founder of Flo's Candle House, Caldicot, Wales.
Key facts
- We make 13 dog breed candles, from £9.50 (the 5.2cm mini French bulldog) to £14.50 (the labrador and schnauzer).
- Most dog candles come in six shades; the dachshund, basset hound, Shiba Inu, Westie, schnauzer, chow chow and Shih Tzu have their own breed palettes. You can send a photo before ordering for free colour help.
- Every candle is hand-poured to order in 100% natural soy wax with a cotton wick. It's dispatched in 3–5 working days with free tracked Royal Mail UK delivery, or within 3 working days with Express (£6.99).
- The Christmas 2026 last order date is Thursday 10 December, or Monday 14 December with Express.
- Our shop is rated 4.8 out of 5 by verified buyers across 34 reviews.
- About 41% of UK households own a dog, according to UK Pet Food (2026), whose annual survey estimates 15.5 million pet dogs.
- The Labrador was the UK's most-registered pedigree breed in 2025, with 29,919 registrations, according to Royal Kennel Club figures reported by The Scotsman (2026).
- 54% of pets get their own Christmas present, according to a Pets at Home survey reported by Retail Times (2025).
In this guide
- How do I choose a gift that looks like their dog?
- Can I get a candle that looks like my dog's breed?
- What if their dog is a cross or a breed you don't make?
- How do I match the candle to my dog's coat colour?
- What are good dog lover gifts under £10 and £15?
- What do you buy a dog lover who has everything?
- Which occasions suit a dog breed gift?
- Should a dog candle be scented or unscented?
- Can I see the dog candles in person?
- How do I order a dog breed candle as a gift?
- Ordering and delivery
Want the quick version? The key facts at the top give a shorter overview of the range.
How do I choose a gift that looks like their dog?
Start with the breed, then the coat colour, then the moment. A dog breed gift works when the owner sees their own dog in it. A chocolate Lab owner won't see their dog in a yellow Lab, so colour matters as much as shape. Then match the scent and message to the occasion.
Use these four questions to choose:
- Which breed is it? Find it in our breed table, or check the crossbreed table if the dog is a mix.
- What colour is the coat? Pick the shade that covers most of the dog, or the face. If you're unsure, send us a photo before you order.
- Will they light it or keep it? Choose a scent if they'll burn it, or unscented for a keepsake.
- What's the occasion? Christmas, a birthday, a new puppy, a gotcha day, a thank-you or a loss each suit a slightly different choice. See occasions.
What counts as a personalised dog gift?
A personalised dog gift is made for one particular dog, not dogs in general. A name on a mug counts, but so does a sculpted candle in that dog's breed and coat colour, sent with your own message about them. With our candles, the personal touch comes from three choices you make: breed, colour and gift message.
That combination shows you know what the dog actually looks like. If you want something beyond those choices, message us before ordering and we'll tell you honestly what we can do.
Will they burn it or keep it?
Either works. Every dog candle has a proper cotton wick and CLP safety labelling, so it can be lit. Customers often tell us the candles are "too cute to use" or "too sweet to light", and many keep them on a shelf instead.
A sculpted candle changes shape as it burns. If the person will want to keep the dog, suggest they display it unlit.
Can I get a candle that looks like my dog's breed?
Yes, if the dog is one of the 13 breeds Flo's Candle House hand-sculpts in soy wax, or close to one. Each candle costs £9.50 to £14.50, is poured to order in Wales and comes in coat-matched colours. You can send a photo first to check which breed and shade will look most like the dog.
| Breed | Price | Size | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador | £14.50 | 9.2cm tall, sitting puppy | Ivory, Biscuit/Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Sage, Blush |
| Schnauzer | £14.50 | 10cm tall | Ivory, Biscuit, Chocolate, Charcoal, Grey |
| Shiba Inu | £13.50 | 9.8cm tall | Red, Sesame, Tan, Cream, White, Black |
| Chow chow | £14.50 | 6.8cm tall, 10cm long, lying down | Biscuit, Chocolate, Charcoal |
| Shih Tzu | £11.50 | 5.5cm tall, 6.5cm long, a mini | Ivory, Biscuit/Sand, Chocolate, Charcoal, Warm Grey |
| Cocker spaniel | £10.50 | 6.5cm tall | Our six standard shades |
| Cockapoo | £10.50 | 6.5cm tall | Our six standard shades |
| Doodle & teddy dog | £10.50 | 6.2cm tall | Our six standard shades |
| English bulldog | £10.50 | 7.4cm tall | Six standard shades plus Grey |
| Westie | £10.50 | 7cm tall | Ivory/White, Cream |
| Basset hound | £10.50 | 7cm tall | Tan, Liver, Sandy, Black, Red |
| Dachshund | £10.50 | 5.8cm tall, 8.7cm long | Chocolate, Tan, Cream, Red, Black, Blue/Grey |
| French bulldog | £9.50 | 5.2cm tall, a mini | Our six standard shades |
Our six standard shades are Ivory/Cream, Warm Biscuit/Sand, Chocolate Brown, Charcoal/Near Black, Sage Green and Blush Pink. You'll find every breed in our dog breed candles collection, and more breeds are on the way.
What is the most popular dog breed in the UK?
The Labrador Retriever is the UK's most popular pedigree breed, judged by Kennel Club registrations. It topped the 2025 list with 29,919 registrations, ahead of the Cocker Spaniel on 21,618, according to Royal Kennel Club figures reported by The Scotsman (2026).
French Bulldog registrations fell from 54,074 in 2021 to 7,750 in 2025, according to Royal Kennel Club figures reported by Yappily (2026). Registrations only count new pedigree puppies, so they say little about the frenchies already living in UK homes. Crossbreeds such as cockapoos and cavapoos aren't on these lists at all, because the Kennel Club doesn't register them.
What are good gifts for Labrador owners?
A good Labrador gift shows their own Lab, so match yellow, chocolate or black rather than buying something generic. Our labrador candle is a sitting puppy, 9.2cm tall, at £14.50. Choose Warm Biscuit for a yellow Lab, Chocolate Brown for a chocolate Lab and Charcoal for a black Lab.
It has an open mouth, soft folds and hopeful eyes, and it's one of our larger pieces, which suits the breed. For fox red and other coat matches, gift ideas by occasion and Christmas order dates, see our Labrador gifts guide.
What are the best cockapoo gifts?
The best cockapoo gifts capture that scruffy, curly puppy look in the dog's real coat colour. Our cockapoo candle is 6.5cm tall at £10.50, and its colours cover the usual apricot, chocolate, black and cream coats. Apricot and red cockapoos suit Warm Biscuit; cream ones suit Ivory.
What do you buy a cavapoo or doodle owner?
Buy something with the fluffy teddy-bear look their dog has. Doodle crosses vary so much that we made one design for the whole look: the doodle and teddy dog candle, 6.2cm tall at £10.50. It suits cavapoos, labradoodles, goldendoodles, maltipoos and similar fluffy crosses.
Not sure whether it's this one or the cockapoo? Send us a photo and we'll tell you honestly.
What should I buy a cocker spaniel lover?
Buy something that shows their own cocker's coat colour and those long, soft spaniel ears. Our cocker spaniel candle is 6.5cm tall at £10.50. Choose Warm Biscuit for golden and red cockers, Chocolate Brown for liver cockers and Charcoal for black cockers.
Roans and parti-colours are trickier: choose the shade the coat reads as from across the room (light roans usually suit Ivory / Cream, dark blue roans Charcoal / Near Black), or send us a photo.
Where can I buy French bulldog gifts in the UK?
You can order a hand-sculpted French bulldog candle online from Flo's Candle House, poured to order in Wales and sent with free tracked UK delivery. It's a 5.2cm mini at £9.50, with big bat ears and a squashed little face, and the most affordable breed we make.
Fawn frenchies suit Warm Biscuit, cream frenchies suit Ivory, and brindle or black frenchies suit Charcoal.
What are good English bulldog gifts?
A good English bulldog gift gets that broad, solid, characterful shape right. Our English bulldog candle stands 7.4cm tall at £10.50. As well as the six standard shades, it comes in Grey, which suits some paler brindle and lilac coats.
What are good dachshund gifts for sausage dog lovers?
A good sausage dog gift gets both the long, low body and the real coat colour right. Our dachshund candle is 5.8cm tall and 8.7cm long at £10.50. It has its own palette of six dachshund colours: Chocolate, Tan, Cream, Red, Black and Blue/Grey.
It's longer than it is tall, as any sausage dog should be. For long-haired or wire-haired dachshunds, send us a photo and we'll say how close it looks.
What do you buy a schnauzer owner?
Buy something with the beard and eyebrows that make a schnauzer a schnauzer. Our schnauzer candle is our tallest dog at 10cm, priced £14.50. Choose Grey for salt-and-pepper coats, Charcoal for black schnauzers and Ivory for white ones; Biscuit and Chocolate are there too.
What are good Westie gifts?
A good Westie gift is white, scruffy and unmistakably a West Highland terrier. Our Westie candle is 7cm tall at £10.50 and comes in two shades. Ivory/White is closest to a freshly groomed Westie, and Cream suits a warmer tinge.
What are good basset hound and bloodhound gifts?
Choose something with the long ears and droopy, soulful face of a hound. Our basset hound candle is 7cm tall at £10.50 and suits bloodhounds just as well. It comes in Tan, Liver, Sandy, Black and Red, so you can match most hound coats.
What are good Shiba Inu gifts?
Choose something with the curled tail and fox-like face Shiba owners love. Our Shiba Inu candle is 9.8cm tall at £13.50, in six Shiba colours: Red, Sesame, Tan, Cream, White and Black. If their Shiba sits between two shades, send us a photo.
What are good chow chow gifts?
Choose something with the thick mane and lion-like look of a chow. Our chow chow candle is sculpted lying down, 6.8cm tall and 10cm long, at £14.50. Its tail curls over its back, as a chow's should.
Warm Biscuit suits red, fawn and cinnamon chows, Chocolate Brown suits mahogany chows, and Charcoal suits black and blue chows.
For the photo colour match, scent choice, memorial ideas and Christmas order dates for chow owners, see our chow chow gifts guide.
What if their dog is a cross or a breed you don't make?
Choose the closest shape and coat colour, or send us a photo and we'll tell you honestly which candle will look most like them, or whether none will. Many popular crosses already have a close match. A cavachon or cavapoo usually suits the doodle and teddy dog candle, and a sprocker often suits the cocker spaniel.
| If their dog is a… | Look at | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cavapoo, cavachon | Doodle & teddy dog | £10.50 |
| Labradoodle, goldendoodle, maltipoo | Doodle & teddy dog | £10.50 |
| Other small fluffy cross | Cockapoo or doodle | £10.50 |
| Sprocker | Cocker spaniel | £10.50 |
| Bloodhound | Basset hound | £10.50 |
| Sausage dog or miniature dachshund | Dachshund | £10.50 |
| Something else | Send us a photo | Free advice |
Do you make a golden retriever, collie or Staffie candle?
Not yet: our 13 breeds are listed in the table above, and more are on the way. If their dog is a breed we don't make, send us a photo. We'll tell you honestly whether one of our designs is close enough, or whether a different gift would suit them better.
If a close match isn't possible, a pack of soy wax melts in their favourite scent is a simple alternative.
How do I match the candle to my dog's coat colour?
Pick the shade that covers most of the dog, or the colour of the face, since that's what people notice first. If the coat sits between two shades, go for the warmer one. If you're unsure, send us a photo before ordering and we'll suggest the closest shade for free.
Which candle colour suits which coat?
Most of our dog candles come in six shades: four matched to real coats and two decorative. Warm Biscuit suits yellow, golden and fawn dogs. Chocolate Brown suits liver and chocolate, Charcoal suits black and brindle, and Ivory suits white and cream.
| Shade | Suits coats that are | Example dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Biscuit / Sand | Yellow, golden, apricot, fawn, red, fox red | Yellow Lab, golden cocker, fawn frenchie |
| Chocolate Brown | Chocolate, liver, very deep red | Chocolate Lab, liver cocker |
| Charcoal / Near Black | Black, dark grey, blue, brindle, dark blue roan | Black Lab, brindle frenchie |
| Ivory / Cream | White, cream, very pale, light roan | Cream cockapoo, white schnauzer |
| Sage Green | Not a coat match | A home with soft, natural decor |
| Blush Pink | Not a coat match | A pretty shelf or a nursery-style room |
The dachshund, basset hound, Shiba Inu, Westie, schnauzer, chow chow and Shih Tzu have breed-specific palettes, listed in the breed table above and on each product page.
Tips for tricky coats
- Two-tone or patched dogs: choose the colour that covers most of the dog, or the colour of the face.
- Between two shades: go for the warmer one. Wax looks slightly paler in daylight than in photos.
- Puppies: choose the adult coat colour if the coat is still changing.
- Not sure at all: send us a photo before you order. It's free, and it saves you guessing.
How do I send a photo for a colour match?
Message us through our contact page with a clear photo of the dog and the breed you're considering. We'll reply with the candle and shade we think will look most like them, or tell you honestly if none will. Then order online as normal and choose that colour.
Daylight photos work best, ideally showing the face and most of the body.
How do I find out their dog's colour without spoiling the surprise?
Look for a recent photo of the dog on the owner's social media, or quietly ask a mutual friend or family member. Then send us the photo before you order and we'll match the coat for you, so they never need to know.
What are good dog lover gifts under £10 and £15?
Under £10, the French bulldog candle (£9.50) and a pack of soy wax melts (£4.95) both fit. Under £15, you can choose any of our 13 dog breed candles, which run from £9.50 to £14.50. Every price includes free tracked UK delivery.
| Budget | What you can get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Under £5 | A pack of five 7g soy wax melts in one of eight scents | £4.95 |
| Under £10 | Mini French bulldog candle | £9.50 |
| £10–£12 | Cocker spaniel, cockapoo, doodle, English bulldog, Westie, basset hound or dachshund candle | £10.50 |
| £10–£12 | Shih Tzu candle | £11.50 |
| £12–£15 | Chow chow candle | £14.50 |
| £12–£15 | Any 3 packs of wax melts | £12 |
| £12–£15 | Shiba Inu, labrador or schnauzer candle | £13.50–£14.50 |
| Around £15 | A £10.50 breed candle plus a pack of wax melts | £15.45 |
Browse more in our gifts under £10, or see the stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts under £10 sections of our Christmas candle guide.
What do you buy a dog lover who has everything?
Buy something about their own dog rather than dogs in general, because that's the one thing they can't have bought already. A keepsake in their dog's breed and real coat colour stands out from the paw-print mugs, signs and socks most dog lovers already own. It can sit on a shelf for years, lit or not.
| Who it's for | What to choose | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dog mum | Her dog's breed in its real coat colour | Ivory or Sage suit a neutral home |
| Dog dad | A larger breed: labrador, schnauzer or Shiba Inu | Unscented or Sandalwood if unsure |
| New puppy owner | The breed in its adult coat colour | Keep it unlit on a high shelf |
| Walker, sitter or groomer | One candle of each dog they look after | Every breed is under £15 |
| Dog and cat household | A dog candle plus our cat candle | Cat candle £11.50, six colours |
| Secret Santa or stocking | The £9.50 mini French bulldog | Within a typical £5–£10 budget |
What is a good gift for a dog mum?
A good dog mum gift is about her dog, in its real breed and coat colour; in a neutral home, Ivory or Sage reads more like decor. Mothering Sunday 2027 falls on Sunday 7 March, according to Office Holidays (2026), so allow 3–5 working days for us to make and dispatch it. Add a pack of wax melts in her favourite scent; our wax melts guide explains how to use them.
For ideas by occasion, budgets and gift messages written from the dog, see our dog mum gifts guide.
What do you buy a man who loves his dog?
Choose his own dog's breed in its real coat, with an unscented or woody scent. The larger sculpts suit many dog dads: the labrador (9.2cm), Shiba Inu (9.8cm) and schnauzer (10cm). Sandalwood is our woodiest scent; unscented is the safe choice if you don't know his taste.
A breed candle works just as well for Father's Day, a birthday or Christmas.
What is a thoughtful gift for a new puppy owner?
A keepsake of the puppy they'll treasure once those first chaotic, sleepless months are over. Choose their breed, and pick the adult coat colour if the puppy's coat is still changing. Suggest keeping it unlit on a high shelf, since puppies chew almost anything.
A puppy keepsake works best given in the first few weeks, while everything is new. Browse our new puppy gifts for more ideas.
What is a good thank-you gift for a dog walker, sitter or groomer?
Give them a candle of the dog they look after. They know that dog almost as well as you do, so it's a thank-you they're unlikely to get from anyone else. Every breed costs under £15, and you can use the free gift message box to say why you're grateful.
The same works for a vet nurse, trainer or doggy daycare. If they look after several of your dogs, choose one candle per dog.
What if they have more than one dog, or a cat too?
Choose one candle per pet, each in its own breed and colour, so the whole family sits together on the shelf. Mixing breeds is fine. For cats, our cat candle is 8cm tall at £11.50, in six colours. See all our animals in the animal candle collection.
Can I order several of one breed for a club, rescue or breeder?
Yes. Message us with the breed, colours, quantity and date you need them by, for raffle prizes, volunteer thank-yous or puppy packs. Shops and groomers who want to stock the candles can request our trade catalogue.
Which occasions suit a dog breed gift?
Almost any occasion that involves the dog: Christmas, birthdays, a new puppy, a rescue dog's gotcha day, Mother's Day, a thank-you or the loss of a dog. The breed stays the same; what changes is the scent, the gift message and sometimes the colour.
| Occasion | What to choose | Scent tip |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | Their dog's breed and coat colour; order by Thursday 10 December, or Monday 14 December with Express | Snow Angel, our Christmas scent |
| Owner's or dog's birthday | The breed, or a second breed for a growing family | Their favourite, or Vanilla |
| New puppy | The breed in its adult coat colour | Unscented, kept on a high shelf |
| Gotcha day | The closest breed, matched from a photo | Any of our eight scents |
| Mother's Day (dog mum) | Her dog in its real coat, plus wax melts | Rose or Lavender |
| Thank-you | The dog they look after | Fresh Linen or Vanilla |
| Loss of a dog | The dog's remembered coat colour | Unscented |
| Secret Santa | The £9.50 French bulldog or a pack of wax melts | Snow Angel at Christmas |
Is a dog breed candle a good birthday present?
Yes, whether it's the owner's birthday or the dog's. Choose their breed and coat colour, and a scent they'll enjoy, or unscented if they'll keep it. Some people add a new colour or a second breed each year as the family grows.
Browse our birthday gifts, or see candle gifts for special occasions for other milestones.
Are dog breed candles good Christmas presents?
Yes, especially for people whose dog is part of the family, because a candle of the dog gives the owner something lovely too. Pets are firmly included at Christmas: 54% get their own present, according to a Pets at Home survey reported by Retail Times (2025).
For Secret Santa, 48% of office workers budget £5 to £10 per gift, according to a survey by instantprint (2024). The £9.50 French bulldog candle fits that budget, and Snow Angel is our Christmas scent.
Order by Thursday 10 December for Christmas, or Monday 14 December with Express; the order dates section of our Christmas candle guide has the details. For more ideas, see Christmas gifts for dog lovers in the same guide and our Christmas gifts.
What is a gotcha day?
A gotcha day is the anniversary of the day a rescue or adopted pet came home. The phrase dates back at least to a 1985 children's book, and a 2005 book declared 15 September "International Gotcha Day", according to Dictionary.com (accessed 2026).
Many rescue owners celebrate it like a birthday, especially when the dog's real birthday isn't known. A candle in the dog's breed and colour marks the first one well. Rescue dogs are often mixes, so use the crossbreed table above or send us a photo.
What gift should I get someone whose dog has died?
Choose something gentle and personal that helps them remember their dog exactly as it was, without asking anything of them. A candle in the dog's breed and remembered coat colour makes a quiet keepsake, especially with a few kind words in the gift message. Unscented suits one that will be kept unlit.
That grief is real. About 1 in 13 people bereaved of a pet (7.5%) met the criteria for prolonged grief disorder, according to a nationally representative UK study in PLoS ONE (2026). For someone struggling, Blue Cross offers free, confidential Pet Loss Support by phone, webchat and email.
If you're thinking of sympathy flowers instead, avoid lilies in a home with cats. "All parts of the lily are toxic to cats", according to International Cat Care (accessed 2026). Daffodils, tulips and foxgloves are among the plants poisonous to dogs, according to Battersea (accessed 2026).
Our pet memorial guide covers remembering a pet in depth, including dog memorial gifts and what to write in a pet sympathy card. You may also find our pet memorial gifts collection helpful.
Should a dog candle be scented or unscented?
Choose unscented for a keepsake, a memorial or someone sensitive to fragrance, or if you don't know their taste. If they'll light it, pick one of our eight scents to suit them: Vanilla for soft and warm, Fresh Linen for clean, Sandalwood for woody, Snow Angel for Christmas.
| Scent | What it's like | A good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Unscented | No fragrance | Keepsakes, memorials, fragrance-sensitive homes |
| Vanilla | Soft and warm | When you don't know their taste |
| Fresh Linen | Clean and light | Someone who likes a fresh home |
| Lavender | Calming | A bedroom shelf |
| Sandalwood | Woody and grown-up | Someone who likes woody scents |
| Rose | Floral and romantic | A flower lover |
| Coconut & Lime | Bright and summery | Summer birthdays |
| Apple & Cinnamon | Cosy and autumnal | Autumn gifts |
| Snow Angel | Our Christmas scent | Christmas presents |
You choose the scent on the product page when you order. For which scent suits which room, see the scent section of our wax melts guide; the same thinking applies to candles.
Are candles safe to burn around dogs?
They can be, if you treat the flame with care, because with a dog in the house the bigger risk is often fire rather than the fragrance. "A wagging tail knocking over a lit candle" can start a serious fire, according to PDSA (2026). Keep it out of reach and never leave it burning.
With fragrance, it's sensible to be cautious: ventilate the room and let the dog leave if they want to. If the dog has a health condition, check with your vet first. The pets section of our soy candle guide goes into more detail.
If they do light it, the essentials are:
- Trim the wick to 5mm before each burn.
- Stand it on a heatproof surface, such as a plate, to catch any run-off.
- Let the top melt fully on the first burn.
- Never leave it unattended, and put it out before you leave the room.
- Keep it away from children and pets, including shelves a dog can reach.
Our soy candle guide has the full safety and burning advice. Our sculptural candles guide covers shaped candles, including how to look after one kept for display.
What should I do if my dog eats a candle?
Call your vet straight away. If a dog eats a candle, "immediately call your primary care vet or an emergency veterinary facility", according to a US vet quoted by Rover UK (2024). The same article notes that wax can cause stomach upsets and even a blockage.
That's why a candle kept for display is best on a high shelf, well out of reach of a curious dog.
Can I see the dog candles in person?
Yes. From Saturday 14 November to Sunday 13 December 2026, you'll find us at Christmas markets and craft fairs in and around Gloucestershire, Bristol and the Forest of Dean. At the stall you can smell every scent, take a candle home the same day and bring your dog. We take card, contactless and cash.
Three independent shops in Gloucestershire also stock a selection; call ahead to check what they have. Our guide to handmade candles near you lists every date and shop, or see our events and stockists pages.
How do I order a dog breed candle as a gift?
Choose the breed in our dog breed candles collection, pick the coat colour and scent on the product page, then add your gift message in the cart. Enter the recipient's address at checkout, and we make the candle to order and post it straight to them.
- Choose the breed from the breed table, or the closest match for a cross.
- Choose the colour. Not sure? Send us a photo first.
- Choose a scent or unscented.
- Write your message in the free gift message box in the cart.
- Send it direct by entering the recipient's UK address at checkout.
Ordering and delivery
Every candle is made to order and dispatched in 3–5 working days, with free tracked Royal Mail UK delivery and no minimum spend. In a hurry? Express (£6.99) is made first and dispatched within 3 working days by Royal Mail Tracked 24. We deliver to UK addresses only. You can send it straight to the recipient with a note in the free gift message box, and for Christmas, order by Thursday 10 December, or Monday 14 December with Express. Returns and other details are on our delivery and returns page.
Ready to choose? All thirteen breeds are in our dog breed candles collection.
