Just in time for your Holiday shopping, we present urbanhound's indispensable annual Gift Guide.

While stuffing a stocking for your dog might strike some folks as absurd, we opine that the most deserving gift recipients are those who give so freely all year long, expecting nothing in return. Besides, our list includes just as many items for the human as for the hound, and we guarantee the dog lover in your life will adore at least one.

In fact, we have so many great gift suggestions, we've pared down our events calendar to a few choice entries, just for this month, to accommodate them all. Enjoy the Guide, and be sure to visit us online to keep up with local events this holiday season.

Happy gifting, and best holiday wishes to you and your hounds,

Laura Cavaluzzo,
Editor, urbanhound San Francisco

» Prefer shopping in-person rather than online? Don't miss urbanhound's Best Hound Shops, a list of our absolute favorite spots to shop in town.

» Taking off with your hound for the holidays? Read our indispensable Air Travel Guide before you go.

»  You may know about the evils of poinsettias and chocolate Santas, but what about macadamia nuts and Christmas tree water? Our in-house vet, Dr. Betsy Brevitz gives the complete rundown on holiday health hazards for dogs.

House & Garden
Give them a dog house they'll want to be banished to. Sustainable Pet Design builds customized Greenrrrroof Animal Homes, complete with a living garden on the roof ($650 - $1575). While homes roofscaped with outdoor plants can't be shipped outside of California, Urbanhounders in other regions can order the indoor homes planted with succulents or the unplanted versions, waterproofed and shipped with drainage material, filter fabric and soil.

Snuggle Pups
Hound lovers short on time, space or a pet-tolerant landlord can satisfy their dog-owning jones with a pillow from Pillow Pillow Pillow instead ($74 - $86). Each couch-friendly canine is inspired by the dog of a PPP customer, so their personalities are as varied and quirky as the real thing.

Catwalk Style for the Dog Walk
Street style for the four-legged fashionista comes in the form of this custom-made skull-and-crossbones dog sweater ($45), hand-knit by nicanmardee, a highly rated member of the Etsy community. Be sure to order well before the holidays. Canines with classic taste may prefer the fisherman's cables and intarsia snowflakes from Bright Light ($10-$24).

Blanket Statement
Knit from earth-friendly recycled cotton, the dog blankets by in2green are soft, machine-washable and so stylish, youíll want to wrap up in them yourself. Our favorite shows a noble hound silhouetted against blue and tan stripes ($125). At 50" x 60" it's big enough to share with a Rottweiler.

Twelve Months of Dog Days
In Nepal, the common Beware of Dog sign has been raised to a folk art, with handpainted dog portraits that range from imposing to endearing. Commission your own sign, based on a photo of your dog ($250), or enjoy the portraits showcased in the 2009 Danger Dog Calendar ($19.99). Either way, you'll be helping to employ artists in Nepal.

Portrait of a Dog
Etsy is a fabulous source for portraits that go beyond paint and canvas. Sian Keegan makes somehow eerily accurate Stuffed Dog Portraits ($110). NB's Closet can create a Silouette Portrait ($25) of your hound. And thirtydash9 will render your dog's image in a fused glass pendant ($18). Use urbanhound's guide to our favorite pet portrait artists to find a great portraitist near you.

Rock & Roll Over
We already treat our dogs like the rock stars they are, now outfit them accordingly. The Punky Pup has concert T-shirts ($27.95) for acts from Blondie, to The Clash, to The Ramones. Or, if you're missing the place that launched them all, there are two versions commemorating the gone-but-not forgotten CBGBs ($20.95).

Simple Pleasures
Like kids love cardboard boxes, dogs love the simplest toys. Take the plastic water bottle. Dogs like to chew them for the crinkly sound they make. But they're not exactly chew-toy material, often breaking into little swallowable pieces. Luckily, the people at Fat Cat have invented the Water Bottle Cruncher (scroll down). Slip the bottle inside the toy (snake or caterpillar) and let your dog have at it. Simple fun, as dog intended.

The Well-Dressed Hound
In our opinion, wagwear's reflective all-weather raincoat ($98 - $125) could be the chicest article of canine clothing that exists. The best color combos, hands-down, are the olive green (with the yellow reflector stripe) and the navy (with orange stripe). Accessorize with a bright and distinctive collar made with vintage fabrics by LuckyFiona ($14.99). Some are even holiday-themed. To go with that collar you'll want a pet tag that is also bright and distinctive. Try a lightweight plastic (no jingle!) tag from Pure Panache ($8).

Through the Lens
One of Elliot Erwitt's best-known photographs features a chihuahua in a sweater panting beside the elegant ankles of its mistress. For an entire book of Erwitt's often-quirky and always-beautiful photographs of dogs, we recommend the new and suitably named "Elliot Erwitt's Dogs" ($75 for a signed, hardcover edition.) Includes 176 photos and an essay by Peter Mayle.

Tag You're It
From Tokens & Icons come these handsome leather cuffs, decked with vintage dog licenses from across the U.S. Available in black or brown, with adjustable fit, each one is unique.

Crate Expectations
Is it a dog crate or a modern sculpture? It's both. The eiCrate, designed in Brooklyn, New York, is the best looking dog crate we've ever seen. For dogs up to 40 pounds. Available in white, black, silver, or gold ($320 - $420), or in a deluxe 22.5k gold-leafed version ($11,000).

Cheap & Cheerful
If you're looking for a great gift under $20 (and who isn't?), Nurdbunny makes a well-designed pouch that clips to your leash for stashing plastic bags. It's got an easy-access pouch for the bags, plus a secure zippered pocket for keys, wallet, and cell phone ($15). (Bonus: the Buddha pattern will remind you to remain at peace while your dog takes 20 minutes to find that perfect spot.) Kikkerland's bone-shaped paperclips make a terrific stocking stuffer ($6). Over at the Museum of Jurassic Technology we found this oddly wonderful collection of match boxes commemorating the Dogs of the Soviet Space Program (12 boxes for $15). And from New York's always great Fishs Eddy come mugs, plates and bowls ringed with a parade of pooches ($9.95 - $10.95).

Santa's Got a Brand New Wag
Make your holiday greetings more ho-ho-ho and less ho-hum with a card from Kery Lyn. They feature charming water colors of many breeds on high-quality paper. If you hurry, you can choose your favorite breed and personalize the message inside and out ($19.99 for ten cards with envelopes).

AC&C Safety Net Program: Comedy Club Benefit and Fundraiser
Thursday, November 20th, 9 PM
Stand Up NY, 236 W. 78th St., Manhattan
Animal Care and Control's Safety Net program helps people under financial strain keep their pets, and it's more essential now than ever. This benefit evening features comedians and raffles, cost is $15 plus a two drink minimum. To reserve tickets, call Stand Up NY at 212-595-0850.

Thanksgiving Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, November 23, 3 PM
Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Ave. at 80th St., Manhattan
A service in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi will feature music, readings, prayers, and a homily. Pets (on a leash or in a carrier, please), stuffed animals, and photos of pets will be blessed. The service is open to all. For more information, call 212-535-5530.

The Pet-Rox Rock 'N Rudolph Holiday Show
Wednesday, December 3, doors open at 9 PM
Don't Tell Moma, 343 W. 46th St., Manhattan
This group is headed up by a vet/rhythm guitarist, and is made up of musicians who are all involved with animals in some way. The performance will benefit the Washington Heights Cat Colony. Cost is $15 (plus two drink minimum). Reservations are suggested, call 212-757-0788.

Winter Wonderland Cocktail Party
Tuesday, December 9th, 7 PM
Animal Haven, 251 Centre St., Manhattan
One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event will go to benefit Animal Haven. Tickets, $45, available here.

Bark! The Herald Angels Sing
Sunday, December 14th, 8 AM to 10 AM
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
FIDO's annual Christmas carol & Chanukah sing-along (also known as the Annual Holiday Noise-fest) takes place in the park's Long Meadow, near the pond in front of the Tennis House. Chestnuts will be roasting on an open fire, holiday hot refreshments will be served, and song sheets will be provided. Everything is free. Dogs are welcome, of course—but, as per park rules, they must be on leash after 9 AM.