A Puppy for Christmas—Is it Naughty or Nice?
Introduction
The holiday season is a time for giving and receiving gifts, and for many people, this includes the gift of a new puppy. However, as a responsible dog breeder, it's important to consider the pros and cons of selling puppies as Christmas gifts.
On one hand, puppies can bring joy and companionship to families during the holiday season.
On the other hand, puppies require a significant amount of time, attention, and training, which may not be feasible for some gift recipients.
In this article, we'll discuss the positive and negative aspects of selling puppies as Christmas gifts, and provide some alternatives for those interested in giving the gift of a new furry friend.
The Controversy
There are several controversies surrounding the sale of puppies as Christmas presents.
One concern is the potential for impulse buying, as people may not fully consider the long-term responsibilities and commitments of pet ownership when they receive a puppy as a gift. This can lead to puppies being returned to shelters or abandoned after the holiday season when the novelty wears off and the reality of caring for a pet sets in.
Another issue is the potential for puppies to be purchased from irresponsible or inhumane breeding facilities, such as puppy mills. These facilities often prioritize profit over the well-being of the animals, and puppies sold from these facilities may be more prone to health and behavior issues due to poor genetics and inadequate socialization and care.
It is important for potential pet owners to carefully consider their decision to bring a new pet into their home and to carefully research the source of any puppies they may be considering.
It is a breeder’s responsibility to educate new pet parents on the pros and cons of bringing a puppy home around the holidays.
Ask the Breeders
We asked the breeders in our Facebook Group for their opinions on selling puppies as Christmas gifts.
It is clear that dog breeders are concerned about the welfare of their puppies, and the holidays can be a busy time.
“I believe that if a family is in agreement and the timing works for them, a Christmas puppy can be a great thing for them. Impulse puppy purchases are a thing, regardless of the time of year. It’s our job as breeders to thoroughly educate the families on realistic expectations, and vet those families to (as much as possible) make sure they are financially and emotionally able to follow through with properly caring for their puppy.” - Shannon Knox of Knox Family Goldens & Doodles in Kentucky
Dog breeders are passionate about educating their pet parents on proper care for their new puppies. This level of attention to detail from breeders does not change around the holiday season.
“I provide the same education to a family getting a puppy at Christmas time as I do for a family going on spring & summer vacations. There are many busy seasons in life. Families need preparation no matter what time of the year they bring a new family member home. If a puppy is going home around Christmas time, I offer 1 week of free boarding (if the family has a trip planned already). I offer the same if a family has a trip planned any time (around their puppy pick date). Any time of the year can be a great time to bring a new puppy home with proper planning & preparation! It is our job & responsibility as breeders to manage expectations & properly educate new families.” - Liza F. Moon of Rebecca Creek Retrievers in Texas
Many breeders that have been active for many years have very clear policies surrounding holiday puppy sales and high expectations for their new pet parents.
“If a majority of the owners have small children, are going to have a lot of small children over for Christmas, or are going to travel, I will delay take-home day until the madness and busyness of the season is over. We also spend a great deal of time speaking with our buyers on the importance of crate training/with or without an indoor temporary kennel. However, even that is not a sure fire protection. I had a new puppy over the summer and my grandchildren were visiting. She was safe in her indoor kennel or so I thought - I walked in and found that the young ones had put some inappropriate toys in her kennel.” - Lori McLeod Wilke of Aisling Labradors in Florida
Overall, many breeders agree that the holiday season shouldn’t be the main factor when considering a puppy purchase.
“It definitely depends but one factor is when [the puppy] is reserved. Most of my litters are reserved just after birth so this current litter was reserved a month and a half or two before Christmas (October to early November) by families [that had been on] a wait list for several months. I even had a family on there from 2021, specifically asking for Christmas ‘22. I take into account potential travel and make sure the situation is ideal. I have five puppies going home this morning and six more between now and Christmas Eve morning. Many of the families have signed up for a virtual puppy Boot Camp through a trainer I partner with for the critical first four weeks.” - Pam Berry of 4LoveOfGoldens in California
“Definitely make sure this is a plan combined with proper research. Both pups we sold for Christmas went to people who already owned the same breed or another large high-energy dog breed. At no time of the year will I do 3rd party [sales] meaning a gift for someone outside the household of the person purchasing them.” - Heather Scholz of Scholz Shepherds in Florida
Pros of selling puppies as Christmas gifts
One of the main pros of selling puppies as Christmas gifts is that they can bring joy and companionship to families during the holiday season.
Many people see the holiday season as a time to come together with loved ones, and a new puppy can be a perfect addition to the family. Puppies are also known for their ability to bring cheer and brighten up people's moods, which can be especially valuable during the often stressful holiday season.
Another pro of selling puppies as Christmas gifts is that breeders may see an increase in sales during the holiday season.
Many people are looking for gifts to give to their loved ones, and a puppy can be a thoughtful and unique present. This can be a good opportunity for breeders to increase their revenue and potentially reach a larger audience.
Cons of selling puppies as Christmas gifts
While there are certainly some positive aspects to consider when it comes to selling puppies as Christmas gifts, there are also several negative aspects to keep in mind.
One of the main cons is that puppies require a significant amount of time, attention, and training.
This can be especially challenging during the holiday season when people are often busy with travel, parties, and other commitments. It's important for the recipient of the puppy to be prepared to devote the necessary time and energy to caring for and training their new furry friend.
Another con is that the recipient may not have fully considered the responsibilities and costs of owning a puppy before receiving it as a gift.
While a puppy can bring joy and companionship, it also comes with a number of expenses, such as food, veterinary care, and training. It's important for potential buyers to understand these costs and be prepared to handle them before taking on the responsibility of owning a puppy.
In some cases, the recipient of the “puppy gift” has actually been preparing for a new puppy for quite some time, and family members are on board with giving this puppy as a gift.
Breeder, Pam Berry, discusses this scenario:
“…one pup is going to a retired couple who lost their senior golden recently and they’ve been looking and looking. Their daughter and son-in-law found me and arranged it through the wife so that it would be a surprise for her husband. But in that case, they’ve been looking and it was not an impulse. I think it’s a bad situation when there is an eight or 10-week-old puppy somebody happens to see and it’s an impulse buy for them or a gift for someone else who has no clue and has not been planning on adopting. I won’t do that.”
Additionally, puppies may be more susceptible to health issues and stress during the holiday season due to changes in their environment and routine.
It's important for the recipient to be prepared to handle any potential health issues that may arise and to be mindful of the puppy's needs during this time of transition.
Alternatives to selling puppies as Christmas gifts
If you're a dog breeder who is considering selling puppies as Christmas gifts, it's important to also consider alternative options.
Here are a few alternatives to consider:
Offer gift certificates or adopt-a-puppy vouchers for interested parties to redeem at a later date. This can give the recipient the opportunity to think about whether they are ready for the responsibilities of owning a puppy, and to plan for the costs and time commitments involved.
Offer a “new puppy starter kit” for interested parties to put under the tree in place of a puppy. This will still be an exciting gift for someone to open, but the real puppy can be carefully selected and purchased at a later date. This “new puppy starter kit” could include a collar, leash, food & water bowls, toys, and even a book all about how to raise a new puppy.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a popular time for giving and receiving gifts, including puppies.
While selling puppies as Christmas gifts can bring joy and companionship to some families, it's important for breeders to consider the potential negative consequences and consider alternative options.
Breeder, Shannon Knox, elaborates on this:
“...education and vetting of families is paramount. If they’re traveling, the breeder either needs to consider passing on that sale and advise the family to wait for the next litter, offer to keep the pup and continue with training, or offer some other kind of accommodations for them.”
Some potential cons to selling puppies as Christmas gifts include the increased responsibilities and costs for the recipient and the risk of health issues and stress for the puppy.
Alternative options to consider include offering gift certificates or adopt-a-puppy vouchers and encouraging potential buyers to consider adopting a rescue dog or adult dog.
By considering both the pros and cons of selling puppies as Christmas gifts and exploring alternative options, breeders can help to ensure that new furry friends are given to responsible and prepared owners.
