For dog lovers, the dog is family, so a Christmas tree that celebrates them just makes sense. Paw prints, bones, photo ornaments and dog shaped decorations turn a regular tree into the most talked about one on the street.
You can go all in with a full dog themed tree, or keep it simple with a paw print keepsake and a photo ornament on your main tree. This list has both, with real trees and ornaments to copy.
The first three ideas are builds: a complete doggy tree, a paw print ornament made from your own dog, and a felt ornament that looks like your breed. The rest are styling ideas from real homes.
One important safety note: hang breakable, edible or small ornaments high, keep tinsel and chocolate out of reach, and never leave a dog alone with a lit tree. The ideas below keep the low branches dog safe.
Quick Picks
- Most loved: Idea 2, the paw print ornament keepsake made with your own dog.
- Full theme: Idea 1, a whole tree of paw prints, bones and dog ornaments.
- Sweetest gift: Idea 10, personalized gold bone ornaments with each dog name.
1. A Whole Tree Just for the Dog
The full doggy tree is the whole theme in one place: paw prints, bones and dog shapes cover every branch, with red and white ornaments filling the gaps. A small tree works best because the theme reads clearly and you need fewer ornaments to cover it. This is the tree that gets a Boston terrier seal of approval.
⏱ 1 to 2 hours💲 Medium🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- A small to medium tree, real or artificial
- A set of wooden dog bone and paw print ornaments
- Red and white ball ornaments to fill gaps
- A dog photo ornament or two of your own dog
- A washable tree skirt and a bone shaped stocking
How to Make It
- Set up the tree and hang warm white lights first.
- Hang the biggest dog ornaments evenly around the tree, top to bottom.
- Fill in with paw print and bone ornaments, turning some sideways so the shapes vary.
- Add red and white ball ornaments in the gaps so the tree still looks full and festive.
- Finish with your dog photo ornament at eye level and the bone stocking under the tree.
Tip: Keep the bottom row of branches free of anything breakable or edible. Decorate the low branches with soft felt or wooden pieces only, and put the special ornaments higher up.
2. Make a Paw Print Ornament Keepsake
A paw print ornament is the keepsake every dog owner wants on the tree. This ceramic style version is made by pressing a real paw into clay, so every ornament is one of a kind. Make one per dog, write the name and year on the back, and it becomes the ornament you look for first every December.
⏱ 1 hour plus drying💲 Low🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Air dry clay or a ceramic paw print ornament kit
- A rolling pin and a round cookie cutter
- Acrylic paint in your tree colors
- Ribbon or twine for hanging
- Your dog, plus treats for the model
How to Make It
- Roll the clay to about 5mm thick on baking paper.
- Press your dog paw gently and evenly into the clay, then lift it straight up.
- Cut a circle around the print with the cookie cutter and poke a hole at the top with a straw.
- Let it dry fully, at least 24 to 48 hours for air dry clay, turning it once.
- Paint the print in a contrasting color, add the name and year on the back, and thread the ribbon through the hole.
Tip: Do paw prints after a walk, when your dog is calm and the paws are clean. Work on the floor so nobody has to be lifted or held still for long.
3. Sew a Felt Ornament That Looks Like Your Dog
A felt dog ornament can match your actual dog, breed, color and all. This felt poodle, complete with its curly coat, shows how much character a few felt shapes can carry. Trace a simple silhouette of your dog breed, sew two layers together with a little stuffing, and add a ribbon collar.
⏱ 1 hour each💲 Low🛠 Medium
Materials Needed
- Felt sheets in your dog breed colors
- A simple dog silhouette template, printed
- Embroidery thread and a needle
- A small amount of stuffing
- Ribbon for the hanger and a tiny collar
How to Make It
- Print or draw a simple side silhouette of your dog breed and cut it out.
- Pin the template to folded felt and cut two matching shapes.
- Sew or glue the edges together, leaving a small gap, and add a light amount of stuffing.
- Close the gap, then add simple details: an eye, a collar and any markings in your dog colors.
- Attach a ribbon loop at the top and hang it where everyone can see it.
Tip: Photograph your dog from the side against a plain wall. Tracing your own photo gives a silhouette that actually looks like your dog.
Printable Bundle
Christmas Printable Bundle
Christmas planner, 24 advent activity cards, 36 gift tags, handmade labels, Santa letter and family games.
4. White Santa Paws Tree With Bone Ornaments
A white tree makes the doggy theme look fresh and bright. Bone ornaments and red accents pop against the white branches, and a Santa Paws touch at the top sets the joke for the whole tree. This style suits a kitchen or hallway tree that guests see up close.
You’ll need: A white tree, bone shaped ornaments, red accents and a Santa Paws sign or topper.
Best for: White and pastel trees with a playful theme
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Christmas Party Games Pack
9 fun games for family, friends and office parties: trivia, charades, gift swap and more.
5. Photo Ornaments and Figurines at the Base
This tree tells the family story: photo ornaments of the dogs hang in the branches and dog figurines gather at the base like they are waiting for presents. It is a lovely use for a staircase tree, and it grows every year as you add one photo ornament per Christmas.
You’ll need: Small printed dog photos, mini frames or clear ornaments, and dog figurines for the base.
Best for: Staircase corners and dog mad households
6. Paw Disc and Portrait Disc Ornament Pair
Two simple disc ornaments say it all: one stamped with a red paw print and one carrying the dog portrait. Paired discs like this look neat and modern, and they are an easy project with flat wooden or ceramic discs from a craft store.
You’ll need: Flat disc ornaments, a paw print stamp or stencil, paint, and a small printed portrait.
Best for: One special ornament per dog in the family
7. Wooden Paw Prints All Over With Red Lights
When one dog ornament is not enough, cover the whole tree in wooden paw prints. The natural wood shapes against red lights give a warm rustic feel, and wooden ornaments are the practical choice for a house with big dogs and wagging tails at tree height.
You’ll need: Lots of wooden paw print ornaments, red lights and a sturdy tree skirt.
Best for: Rustic homes and multi dog families
8. One Giant Paw Ornament as the Star
A single oversized paw ornament does the work of a whole theme. Hung front and center on a simple tree, it tells everyone exactly whose house this is. Oversized ornaments also fill space fast, which helps on a large tree with a small ornament collection.
You’ll need: One oversized paw print ornament and a strong branch near the front of the tree.
Best for: Making one strong statement on a plainer tree
9. Dog Angel Topper
Every dog is an angel at Christmas, so a dog angel topper is the perfect finish for this theme. It sits where a star or angel would normally go and gets the biggest smile in the room. Secure it well, because topper figures are top heavy.
You’ll need: A dog angel topper figure, plus floral wire or tape to secure it.
Best for: Finishing a dog tree with a smile
10. Personalized Gold Bone Ornaments
Gold bone ornaments personalized with each dog name look smart and giftable. Make one per dog, hang them in a row on the tree, and make a few extra as presents for the dog walker, the sitter and every dog loving friend on your list.
You’ll need: Plain gold bone ornaments and a fine paint pen or name decals.
Best for: Gifts for dog sitters, walkers and dog loving friends
11. Outdoor Paw Print Tree
The doggy theme works outside too. This outdoor tree is covered in paw print ornaments, which makes it perfect for a porch, a grooming salon window or a vet office. Use outdoor rated lights and ornaments that can handle weather, and bring keepsake pieces back indoors.
You’ll need: Weather safe paw ornaments, outdoor lights and a secure outdoor tree or large branch arrangement.
Best for: Porches, gardens and dog friendly businesses
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep a dog themed tree safe for my dog?
Hang anything breakable, edible or small enough to swallow on the top two thirds of the tree only. Keep chocolate, tinsel, hooks and glass off the lower branches, and never leave a dog alone with a lit tree. A small barrier or a tree in a raised stand helps with curious puppies.
Can I make an ornament from my own dog paw print?
Press your dog paw gently into rolled air dry clay or salt dough, cut a circle around the print, add a hanging hole and let it dry fully before painting. Go slowly, reward your dog and stop if they are not enjoying it. One print per ornament is plenty.
How do I put my dog photo on the tree safely?
Print small photos, slip them into clear fillable ornaments or mini frames, and seal the backs well. A laminating pouch keeps photos safe from noses and paws. Put photo ornaments a little higher if your dog likes to investigate the tree.
Can a dog themed tree be a small second tree?
Yes, that is the beauty of this theme. A dog tree can be your second small tree in a hallway or kitchen while the main tree stays classic. Many of these ideas started as small trees, and the theme actually reads better on a smaller tree.
What ornaments last longest around dogs?
Wooden and felt ornaments survive best. They are light, they do not shatter and dogs are less tempted by them than by shiny glass. Ceramic paw prints are lovely keepsakes but hang those high or display them on a shelf instead.
How do I decorate under a dog themed tree?
Choose a washable tree skirt, because paws and tails find everything. Add a bone shaped stocking for treats, dog figurines at the base and a paw print tree topper or angel. Keep treats sealed until Christmas so the tree does not become a snack hunt.
Final Thoughts on Christmas Trees With Doggy Theme
A dog themed tree is pure joy to decorate, because every ornament has a story and most of them have ears. Start with paw and bone shapes, add a photo or a paw print of your own dog, and keep safety in mind on the low branches. Your dog may not understand the theme, but everyone who visits will.
