• A dog portrait is an unusual, personalized gift.illustration with portrait of girl and dog image by Alexander Potapov from Fotolia.com
  
  An unusual dog gift is sure to stand out from the crowd of water bowls and bones and plastic toys. You can make the gift yourself or purchase one from a boutique shop. You can also personalize it by adding the dog's name to the gift or by creating a likeness of the pooch. No matter which way you decide to go, a clever gift tells the giver you cared enough to put some time and energy into giving just the right thing.
  
  

Wood Plaque

• A wood plaque makes an unusual gift for a dog lover. This type of plaque can be purchased from a specialty store or handmade. A purchased plaque is limited to a purebred dog. A handmade plaque can be personalized to the dog. The plaque can be in the shape of the breed's head or the shape of the breed's whole body. Some handmade plaques show great detail such as intricate carving for the fur, while others show a silhouette of the breed. A handmade plaque can be painted or stained according to the color of the dog and can also include a favorite bow or bandanna.
  
  

Dog Portrait

• An artist can be hired to paint a custom portrait of the dog. Alternatively, you can paint the portrait yourself, choosing the medium based on the dog-lover's preference. Art media include colored pencil, oil, watercolor, acrylic and even crayon. The portrait can be mounted in a special frame that includes a favorite quote or the dog's name.
  
  

Doggie Booties

• A dog owner living in an area with hot summers or cold winters may appreciate doggie booties. These dog shoes will prevent paws from getting burned on hot pavement or from freezing on ice. The owner of a working dog will appreciate the booties because the shoes protect the dog's paws from sharp stones or broken glass.