We may still be in lockdown, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to have fun. I think we’ve all been making the most of outdoor exercise and walking our dogs, but in Winter we find ourselves indoors more than usual. Wet weather and shorter daylight hours mean we have to find other ways to keep ourselves entertained. One of our favourite things to do in the run up to Christmas is watch Christmas movies! Who doesn’t love a heart-warming festive film to get them in the spirit of the season? We have a lot of favourites such as Santa Claus: The Movie, Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the list goes on! But what about Christmas films to watch with your dog? Believe it or not, quite a few famous canines have graced the screen in festive movies making them ideal options to watch with your dog.
Our favourite Christmas Movies starring Dogs
Here we take a look at some of the top festive films to watch with your dog that feature canine stars. They are the perfect films to watch, curled up on the sofa after a walk; with a mug of hot chocolate and your dog on your lap - or if your dog is the size of Beethoven, then perhaps by your side!
Here are our picks:
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
As we mentioned previously, this is an office favourite and it just so happens to star Kelley the dog as Max! Max is the Grinch’s Christmas-loving, loyal pup. This film has a bit of everything; humour, a great story and a heart-warming message. Definitely a film to watch whilst snuggled up with your dog on the sofa!
Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure
If you’re looking for a film where the dog is the main star of the show, then Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure is the one for you. This is one of a series of films about Beethoven the St Bernard, that began in the early nineties. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen the previous films - although they’ll also make great films to watch with your dog - as this film is just as enjoyable as a stand-alone movie. In this one, Beethoven finds himself on an adventure to rescue an elf and find Santa’s missing sledge. It all rests on Beethoven to save Christmas!
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
There are so many wonderful characters in The Nightmare Before Christmas; Jack Skellington, Sally, the Mayor of Halloween Town and of course Zero the ghost-dog. Zero is Jack’s ghostly canine sidekick with a pumpkin for a nose - strangely similar, yet not, to Rudolph’s! This is such a fun film that we find ourselves watching at any time of year, but is especially relevant in the run up to Christmas. We love it!
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown and his dog snoopy are classic animated characters who have been loved for generations. Why not grab a hot chocolate and settle down with your dog to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, in which Snoopy and the gang discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Lady and the Tramp
Whilst this isn’t strictly speaking a Christmas movie, it does begin and end on Christmas - and it’s a classic dog movie! A romantic tale of two dogs from very different backgrounds, it follows Lady and Tramp on a series of adventures. Definitely one to watch on a Winter’s afternoon with your pup!
The Snowman and the Snowdog
The Snowman, an animated short film based on Raymond Briggs’ picture book of the same name, became an instant classic back when it was released in 1982. 30 years later The Snowman and the Snowdog was released to mark the anniversary of the original and a new classic was born. A heart-warming tale about a boy and his dog. One to watch with all the family on Christmas Day, including your canine companions.
Make it a proper movie night with popcorn and treats for dogs
We may not be able to go to the cinema at the moment, but there’s no reason we can’t have popcorn and snacks at home on the sofa! When you’re settling down to a film with your dog, why not give them some of our popcorn, or maybe an iced woofin, and enjoy the film in style. We have an array of tasty snacks for dogs by The Barking Bakery to choose from that will make movie night extra fun!
Why not give them a glass of their very own wine with a bottle of Pawsecco? The Woof & Brew Posh Pooch 'Wine for Dogs comes in two flavours; Barker Bay Rosé and Tailwagger Creek White. It's suitable for both dogs and cats so if you have a cat in the house, they can come and join in the fun too!
What about Chocolates? No film night is complete without a box of chocolates is it? Whilst we dogs can't share our own, they can enjoy some of our specially sourced carob chocolates. Bon Bon Pooch make an array or carob treats, truffles and lollipops. Now your dog can share in the snacks whilst you both snuggle down to the film...
Dress your dog up like Max from How The grinch Stole Christmas with his very own set of reindeer antlers. We have sparkly antlers or metallic white antlers that will bring Max to life in your loving room!
Dress your dog like Beethoven with their very own Santa outfit for dogs. They'll look super cute in this mini fancy dress outfit. You can shop this and many more fancy dress ideas in our Grotto.
Treat your pup to their very own Snowdog that they can cuddle up to when they watch the film with you. We have a number of Snowdog themed toys for dogs including a plush snuggle and a squeaky toy - maybe one to give after the film has finished!
We hope our list of Christmas films helps to get you in the Christmas Spirit and we hope your canine family members enjoy them just as much as you!