Christmas Puppy Inquiries
At this time of year, we start getting inquiries about puppies to be given as Christmas gifts. We, and many other reputable breeders, choose not to place puppies in new homes at that time of year. There are many reasons for this and so I've decided to include, here, information I recently sent such an inquiry. I hope this will help potential new families, as well as other breeders, in making informed decisions regarding the best interests of their puppies.
While it is a nice notion, a puppy for Christmas, it's a stressful time for a pup to be brought into a new home. There is quite a bit of activity and potential hazards for a puppy to get used to and be kept safe from at that time of year.
This link explains things quite well. http://www.petrescue.com/library/no-pups.htm
Most reputable breeders will hold puppies until after the holidays, so as to avoid undue stress, problems and dangers for the puppies. Often time, those people who do place pups in new homes as gifts or during holidays, do not have the best interests of the puppies in mind.
Pups should never leave their dam and siblings before the age of eight weeks and should have a minimum of two courses of wormings (preferably four) and two rounds of vaccinations.
It is recommended to present the person with a collar, bowls, dog toys, etc. for Christmas and then involve the individual in the selection process. After all, a puppy is a living being and there are many, unfortunately, given as gifts, who later end up in shelters. Which brings me to another important point. Reputable breeders place their pups with a written contract/health guarantee which includes a clause stating that if the owner can't keep or doesn't want the pup at any time in its life, the breeder must be contacted to either take the dog back or help find a suitable new home.
Anyone who has any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]