How to Create a Dog Barkcuterie Board
Updated: Jan 15
Almost every weekend, my husband and I wind down with a delicious cheese board and a glass of wine. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing more relaxing. Of course our dogs are always right by our sides and getting nibbles of dog-approved cheeses. It's an amazing family moment where time almost stops. Our pups know exactly what is about to happen every time a cheese board is prepared, and they LOVE IT.
So, it got me to thinking - I should create a cheese board that is made specifically for my dogs! So, I immediately went to Pinterest for ideas, and quickly came across this darling trend of BARKcuterie boards and charTREATeries.
I just had to join in, and create my own version of a barkcuterie board.
My Grocery List for an Easy Dog Barkcuterie Board
You can definitely get very fancy when it comes to a charcuterie board. However, I do not always have time to make fancy homemade dog treats. So, I decided I would keep the items on the board simple, but follow a fun theme. Being that it is almost Valentines Day, I thought why not a sweet Valentines Board for my puppies?
Here is my list of ingredients:
Wiggles & Wags Bake Shop Brunch Munchies Toast & Waffle Treats
Wiggles & Wags Bake Shop Sprinkle Surprise Soft Baked Cake Bites
Wiggle & Wags Bake Shop Cookies in Shapes of Sprinkle Cupcakes and Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Simply Nourish Chicken & Cranberry Jerky
Simply Nourish Peanut Butter Soft Chews
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh Blueberries
Cheddar Cheese Squares
Non-Fat, Plain Yogurt
Of course, the fun thing about barkcuterie boards is that you can add anything you like that is good for dogs, and that your pups LOVE! Other food ideas include carrots, eggs, peanut butter, ham, popcorn, bananas, sweet potatoes, and apples.
When I was shopping and deciding what to add to my board, I considered two things: (1) what do my dogs love to eat; and (2) what are some fun textures and colors that would really pop for a Valentines board.
How to Assemble a Barkcuterie Board
Whether I am assembling a charcuterie or cheese board for humans, or a barkcuterie board, my strategy is always the same. I divide the board into sections, and lay down the main pieces of food first. In this case, I treated the waffle treats, the sprinkle cakes, and the peanut butter bone chews as my main choices for the board, and divided them with cubes of cheddar cheese. I then placed a bowl of plain yogurt (my dachshund's favorite) in the middle of the board, and added the jerky strips in our awesome dachshund cracker tray (you should totally be jealous of this amazing find).
Once the foundation was laid, I began decorating! Since my theme was Valentines Day, I chose strawberries, blueberries, and dog treats decorated as pink sprinkled cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries (don't worry - no real chocolate was placed on this board). I mixed these beautiful, colorful pieces of fruit throughout the board filling in any gaps until it had the look that I wanted.
Pin Me!
Alternative to a Dog Birthday Cake
I absolutely love making birthday cakes for my dogs! Two of my favorite recipes are: (1) repurposing a dog mix to make a dog birthday cake; and (2) making a dog birthday cake from scratch. But, if you are short on time, and want to make an amazing statement piece for your dog's birthday that photographs well, a barkcuterie board is the way to go!
Let me know in the comments below if you think your dogs would love a barkcuterie board. I know my pups certainly had a blast with their Valentines day board!
Looking for tips and tricks to taking better photos of your pets? Check out our dog photography articles to learn new skills and get ides for your next photo session.
**Please feed your pets responsibly. A barkcuterie board contains special treats and should be treated as such.