Buying a Dog for Christmas?
Articles Dog Gifts Pet Health PuppyPublished October 3, 2010 at 10:04 pm No CommentsChristmas is the Worst Time to Buy a Puppy
By: Bonnie Sweebe
Thinking about buying a puppy as a Christmas gift? If so, please think again. Christmas is the worst time to buy a puppy. Here’s why.
Retail Pet Stores:
Retail stores rely on Christmas profits to boost their year-end sales figures. They stock store shelves with merchandise. For a pet store retailer, that merchandise may include puppies.
Retail pet stores that sell dogs stock cages full of overpriced puppies with eyes that plead, “Buy me!” During the holiday season, human emotions run high and impulse purchases are frequent. Retailers know that.
So please, resist buying a puppy for Christmas if only for this reason: Reputable breeders do not sell puppies for Christmas. Why? It’s not fair to the puppy.
There is far too much commotion during the holidays for a puppy to get the solid guidance it needs. Like babies, puppies need attention and routine in order to adjust. In addition, the first weeks of a puppy’s life are very impressionable.
Puppies have fear periods during these early developmental stages. A fear developed in puppyhood may stay with the dog for the remainder of its life.
Christmas excitement may be too much for the young puppy. In early puppyhood, is important to create a calm environment, use positive training and calm voices. Gentle handling of the puppy and lavishing the puppy with love in this environment builds the puppy’s confidence and provides it a sense of security. That takes time and patience…two things that the holidays lack.
If reputable breeders do not sell puppies for Christmas, logic dictates that retail pet stores buy holiday puppies elsewhere.
Reputable Breeders:
Want to know how to spot a reputable breeder?
- Reputable breeders are proud of their breeding program. They participate in obedience and/or breed conformation at dog shows and strive to produce the best specimens in both physique and temperament. Their reputations depend on it.
- Reputable breeders produce quality litters using their best breeding stock.
- Reputable breeders avoid Christmas litters. They are busy with the holidays, too! Puppies require attention.
- Reputable breeders take time to socialize the litter of puppies.
- Reputable breeders take puppies to the veterinarian for examination, initial vaccinations and deworming.
- Reputable breeders register their litter with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Puppy buyers receive AKC papers in order to register the new puppy under its new name.
- Unless a buyer is planning to show a puppy in breed conformation, reputable breeders sell their puppies to pet homes under a limited registration with the understanding that the puppy will be spayed/neutered and not produce a litter. Note: According to AKC rules, a litter produced by a dog with a limited registration is ineligible for AKC registration.
- Reputable breeders present their litter’s sire or dam (or sometimes both) for viewing. In contrast, a pet store does not present their puppy’s parents for viewing. The puppy buyer does not know the puppy’s parents’ health, temperament or living conditions.
While it is true that some breeds are susceptible to certain hereditary medical conditions, you can increase your chances of buying a healthy socialized puppy by buying a puppy from a reputable breeder.
COMMUNICATION: A reputable breeder stays in contact with a puppy buyer. A reputable breeder is concerned about their breeding program. They desire to know any health issue that should arise.
Should a puppy develop a serious medical condition, contact the breeder. It is not uncommon for a reputable breeder to offer to take back a puppy with a serious medical condition in exchange for a puppy from a future litter or for a refund. Doing your homework and finding a reputable breeder is a win/win situation.
The American Kennel Club website is a great resource to help you narrow your search and find the breed of dog that is right for you and your family. Click ‘Find a Puppy”. There you will find information on buying a puppy, breed selection, where to find that puppy and a checklist of questions to ask the breeder or rescue group.
Dog Shelter and Dog Rescue Organizations:
If you are thinking of adopting a healthy puppy from an animal shelter or rescue organization, you are doing a wonderful thing! You are giving good dogs a second chance. But for the sake of the dog and your sanity, please wait until after the holidays. Why? In order for a rescued puppy or adult dogs to adjust, it needs time and patience, two things missing during holiday season.
- Puppies need time to adjust. Remember, puppy has just left its mother and siblings.
- Adopted older dogs need time to adjust to their new home and family.
- Puppies and older dogs need time and patience to learn household rules.
- Puppies (and some older dogs) need to adjust to their crate.
- Puppies are not housebroken. Puppies need a consistent housebreaking program.
- New puppies cry at night; older adopted dogs may whine, bark or howl. The new dog family should expect their sleep to be interrupted either by barking, crying or potty breaks.
- Holiday schedules are not regular. Children come home from college. Friends and relatives visit. There are events to attend and many get-togethers that won’t include a puppy. Puppy will soil its crate if left alone for lengthy periods of time, thus derailing any housebreaking efforts made.
- Having to adjust holiday schedules to accommodate the puppy may cause unintended yet negative feelings towards the young pup.
The marvelous vision of a furry puppy popping out of a wrapped and ribboned box sounds dreamy. But in reality, purchasing a puppy is a very serious decision requiring proper planning and a promise to care for the pup for the rest of its life. The decision is far too serious a commitment to ever be impulsive.
Instead, why not give the “Promise of a Puppy” this Christmas. It can be just as exciting and fun! But to do that you must plan now.
- Start researching breeds.
- Call your local rescue group and fill out an application to begin the adoption process.
- If you’re interested in adopting from a local dog shelter, plan your visit after the holidays.
- If you plan to buy a purebred puppy, call local breed clubs now and ask for puppy referral. They will give you a list of reputable breeders in your area that are expecting puppies or planning a litter in the near future. Have your questions ready.
- It takes 56-66 days (8 or 9 weeks) from the date of conception for puppies to be born. Then the puppies stay with their mother for an additional 8 weeks. That means if you found a reputable breeder today, it may be 4 months or more until you are able to bring your puppy home.
The “Promise of a Puppy” this holiday season may be the best gift of all. Happy Holidays!
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Bonnie Sweebe is a dog lover, dog owner, dog advocate, and rescue and service dog volunteer. She is also the owner of WelcomePup.com, an online dog gift delivery company. For puppy promise gift ideas, visit WelcomePup.com. Great for adult dogs, too!
