"Christmas puppies" - Page 1

Well, it's nearly that of year again so I feel the need to open my big mouth on this topic. Puppies born over the next few weeks are going to be toted as "Christmas puppies".

Buyers, don't. Really, please, just don't. A puppy is a living creature that deserves respect, especially during the transition into a new home. It is not a time to tie a big stupid bow on it and stick in a box for a passel of squealing children, to be hauled around and then forgotten by February just like the rest of their presents.

Breeders, think. I know it seems like an easy sale but you know these are impulse buyers. You know these people are not thinking about housebreaking a new puppy in January after the kids go back to school. Think about the stress you are potentially putting your puppy through. Think about the actual commitment level of your potential buyers.

I know some buyers can bring home a late December puppy and do great if they have common sense. I know breeders cannot control their female going into season in August. But you all know there is a difference between bad timing and the purposeful marketing of puppies as holiday presents.

Some families get it. They've done their homework, they've been looking for a pup for a while, and and if the timing just happens to work out to make their family's (quiet!) holiday special, great, if not, that's ok, too. Every breeder with puppies being born in the next month should carefully screen buyers to know what kind of "shopper" they're dealing with.

Just my personal plea. A puppy should not go the way of a broken RC car or a dried up Christmas tree.

Bump! :-)

(Anyone else have to enter a topic before submitting?)

Same here, just this one... Oh well at least it's a good topic for newcomers or visitors to read :-)

Well said.....  I cringe when I see the adds for Christmas puppies when they have ribbons and bows tied around their necks........


.....and yes, I needed to enter a topic line here also.....

Me too!  But what the heck!  It's a good topic to chime in on.  So many puppies being pushed as xmas gifts will end up at the shelters in a couple of months.  Come on buyers!  Use your heads. 

My clients have to meet the same criteria no matter what time of year it is.........however, I am glad I do not have litters due this season  as that is just more phone calls and emails from those that buy " A puppy for Christmas"  that I would have to take and deal with. I think there are countless very reputable breeders out there that do not breed for the sake of a  "Holiday sale" as well if there are puppies available from breeders during the Holiday it does not make that breeder having that litter to only sell to the" Christmas puppy buyers." Many breeders plan a year or more in advance and the Christmas Holiday and a bitches heat cycle date are not coordinated to deliberately fall in place with each other.  Many of my clients plan on their puppies long before they are even bred as I think applies to many other breeders as well. Not every breeder is an irresponsible one and breeding for the Season.  It goes both ways. If there are idiot buyers out looking for just a Christmas puppy, I think just as many breeders are going to shut their doors and know better than to sell to these types as they are an easy read. A good breeder will not sell to people who are looking for this and take more responsibility beyond that for the puppies they care about and produce.  At the same time I have had clients who have responsibly taken home a puppy on or near the Holidays.... they had the same commitment I expected and required as they would have buying in August or March. Responsibility does not pick a time of year. Because that puppy was ready during their Holiday made that puppy a memorable part of their year even more. Some people cancel all vacations and holiday plans because a puppy is coming home, or they have it stay a little longer with the breeder if their home is going to be too chaotic. Responsible people do exist as well as responsible breeders.. So please don't label a puppy or someone getting a puppy because he or she is ready to go home during the holidays as one that automatically goes in the hands of someone that has no thoughts beyond a big red bow.  Because that is not always the case or the reason......  I also like to add Christmas comes once a year but people who have no business buying a dog or a puppy are out there year round.  So you should be careful at all times not just during the holidays.

Pretty sure I stated there were exceptions, Julie, no labels, just a cautionary. And I think everyone understands the responsible, ethical breeders who plan out litters carefully are not placing ads that make holiday timing a major selling point.

This post was actually brought on by a call I took from a mom who was thinking about getting a puppy for her boys for Christmas. After talking to her for a while, the warning bells calmed as I realized she was really very reasonable and just wanted a quality dog anyway, just thought maybe some kind of surprise would be fun, even if it was only a picture of a newborn pup too young to bring home, or getting to meet the mom of their future puppy. I am totally flexible with reasonable people, and she understood my feelings as well.

But it did serve to remind me of the all the not-so-responsible people out there. Our local classifieds are starting to run *Puppies ready for Xmas!* ads already. You know, really great impulse buys like springer spaniels, "blue nose" pits, labradoodles and, of course, GSDs.

You are right on many points, yes, a breeder must be careful all year long.