Red (Setter), White (Shepherd), and Blue (Terrier): A Dogs' Guide to 4th of July!

Across the country, pool toys are being inflated, beer coolers are being relieved of their dusty coats, and grills are preparing to take center stage as plans to celebrate Fourth of July take shape.

Like everyone else, we cannot wait to share some cold beers and hotdogs with family and friends, and in our case, that most definitely includes the four-legged kind! Their love and companionship has kept us smiling and sane during a very tough year and the least we can do is throw them a good, er, pawty.

So what makes the perfect Independence Day for dogs? Read on for our top tips, care of the King Duke's Pup Panel. 

First up, what’s an occasion without a natty outfit? We are huge fans of this stylish, star-spangled Liberty bandana by the Foggy Dog. Lightweight and cool, any pup rocking this piece is sure to be the belle - or beau - of the BBQ! Woof! Speaking of cool, there’s nothing more fun than a splash in the pool, and if your dog is the kind who can’t resist a dip, you’ll need the right kit. Floating toys are tons of fun, so how about the Zippy Paws Floaterz Shark? With special webbing that makes it tough and durable, and two squeakers that keep going even when wet, this was a huge hit with our doggy test panel who gave it the full paws-up! 

For those planning a trip to the lake or the beach, be sure to pack a Kurgo Surf and Turf life vest. This stylish life jacket is bright and durable, and doubles as a three-season shell, so it will keep your dog safe long past Independence Day. Another winner with our test panel, Lucy declared the Chili Red shade "the fashion find of 2021”. You heard it here first. 

If summer treats are your dog’s thing - and they are certainly popular with ours - allow us to recommend the Freeze and Float Carnival Treat Toys. Perfect in the heat of summer, you can either toss these treat-themed toys in the pool and watch them float, or freeze them for an icy crunch! They are also a great choice for teething puppies, with a hidden squeaker in every toy for stimulation and fun. As Finley put it, ‘summertime, and the chewin’ is easy”. 

No 4th of July festivities are complete without plenty of yummy food - and chew toys can only take you so far - so while the humans feast on burgers and hotdogs, how about creating a barkers’ buffet? Once again, we were overwhelmed by the response from our test panel, at least one of whom is now on a diet, and are delighted to recommend the following on their behalf:

Channel chicken wings with these Bocce's Bakery Buffalo Wings treats. Okay, so they are biscuits rather than actual buffalo wings, but who cares when they are made with roasted chicken and fresh cheese. Yum! Baked right here in the USA, they are perfect for the Fourth. 

Next up, the canine answer to brats, Farm Fresh Beef Treats. These delicious morsels are soft, pepperoni-style chews, packed full of natural beefy flavor and goodness. The panel suggested getting “more than you think you need”, to “avoid disappointment”. We know better than to argue!

Of course no spread is complete without DESSERT, and since we humans love to celebrate with our favorite ice cream, we were thrilled when we found our dogs can too! No, we couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true: Puppy Scoops Ice Cream Mix is made just for dogs, and comes in SIX FLAVORS. As you know, we are nothing if not dedicated to your happiness, so we whipped some up - super easy - for the panel to slurp their way through, and can report that they are delicious … 

From Finley: “three scoops of Maple Bacon and three of Vanilla, please, with a side of Goat Milk Blueberry”, while Lucy was last seen high-tailing it with a tub of Peanut Butter. Be sure to grab these, and why not throw in a tub each of Carob and Pumpkin while you’re there? You know they want you to. 

Last but not least, since many Fourth celebrations end with fireworks, and since many pets find these anything but fun, we asked the panel for their help compiling a calming kit. Finley suggested these Medterra Pet CBD Calming Chews, which she said made her feel “very chill”, and which come in bacon and salmon flavors. Lucy suggested the Fluff and Tough Olympia Octopus toy, which she told us can be tugged and chewed to distract from noise, and is soft and huggable too. In fact, she’s taking hers to her basket with her to snuggle with: “testing is tiring”. So is partying, Lucy, so is partying, but we can’t wait! 

However you plan to spend Fourth of July, and whoever is in your pack, from all of us at King Dukes, we wish you a joyful, happy, and healthy Independence Day weekend! 🇺🇸🌭🐶