If you are a dog lover then you might want to consider wearing a charm or symbol that represents your favorite breed. Dog jewelry is also the perfect gift to present to a best friend, as the animal is an emblem of faithfulness, guardianship and loyalty. Throughout history, dog jewelry has also been worn as a symbol of the "hunt" since these friendly animals played important roles in such activities as rabbit and fox hunting.

The English, Scottish and the Irish often featured the dog in their many different coats-of-arms which were worn as breast plates, pins and medallions. Often these examples of dog jewelry featured hunting breeds such as leverers, Talbots, bloodhounds, greyhounds, mastiffs, spaniels, dachshunds and terriers.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans rarely portrayed dogs as characters in jewelry or art simply because they were considered to be such a lowly animal. In the Middle Ages, dogs were often killed as they were seen to be carriers of the plague so there are very few examples of dog jewelry from those periods in existence. The ancient pins and charms that do exist usually depict the dog as the guardian of the gates of hell or as a three-headed mythological beast. You can often find these mythological examples of dog jewelry at museum gift shops and sites that specialize in occult, Egyptian or reproduction jewelry.

The Chinese however have always created talismans, pins and brooches to celebrate the Year of the Dog, which arrives every twelve years on the Buddhist calendar. Small Fu Dogs that are a cross between a lion and a dog (and resemble the Shih Tzu breed) made of wood, porcelain and gemstones are worn as protective amulets to this day. You can purchase Fu Dog jewelry in the form of talismans or small carvings in your local China Town area or as reproductions from a museum gift shop.

Dogs were not really depicted as images in jewelry until the Victorian era, when the animal was seen as less of a slave and more of a domestic pet. Mostly these were colorful pins consisting of crystals and precious gems.

However not everyone is interested in wearing dog jewelry to protect their aura from attacks by the Grim Reaper. Some people collect dog charms, bracelets, pins and pendants simply because they consider the dog to be their man's best friend. On the Internet you will find dog jewelry made out every kind of material imaginable from papier-mâché to gem carvings to copper to 14-karat gold. You will find dog jewelry created from crystals, leather, sequins, porcelain, painted porcelain, enamel, glass and beads.

Vintage collectors also prize dog pins and dog charms. They are found in every style from Victorian to Art Deco to cartoon characters. Some people also like to collect dog jewelry that applies to a specific breed such as poodles, terriers or Labradors. A great gift for a dog owner would be charm bracelet dripping with dog charms of the same breed in different materials such as glass, copper, silver, gold and enamel.

Some of the most popular cartoon characters of dogs that are sold as dog jewelry are Snoopy from the Charlie Brown comic strip, Scooby Doo and Marmaduke.

Whatever your reason is for collecting dog jewelry, their popularity and common appeal is an assurance that you will be investing in a piece of jewelry that is certain to delight family members who receive it as a family heirloom.