Giving a Puppy for Christmas? You'd Better Think Twice!

You’ve all seen the adorable pictures of puppies on holiday cards; curled up on a festive throw or blanket underneath the tree. Or maybe heard someone say “But they are sooo cute…. Wouldn’t it be fun to…., Let’s give….  ”  Adorable, yes, cute, definitely, but not a smart holiday gift.

First of all, it’s not a good idea to give a pet as a gift. It is always better for someone to select their own four-legged companion, based on their own likes and wants. And giving a puppy or even a grown dog as a gift during the holidays may be the worst time! Take a tip from our November Article of The Month: holidays are a hectic time, not a good time for owner and new puppy to bond.

Puppies need a smooth transition and consistency in their routine. Pretty hard to manage that with all the hustle and bustle around the holidays – trips to the mall, shopping, decorating, parties, and visitors.

The sad truth is, that many dogs obtained as gifts wind up at animal shelters. According to one of the nation’s leading animal welfare societies, the Dumb Friends League in Denver, Colorado, of the 11,447 dogs whom owners relinquished or abandoned, or Good Samaritans took to the League in a one year period, 2491 or 22 percent had been gifts.

The holidays are just not ideal for introducing a new pet into your family.  New puppies require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn’t permit. A puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead the American Kennel Club suggests giving a festively wrapped can of dog food or a leash as a symbol of a new family member to come.  Or you may want to give one of the many holiday cards All Labs features to announce the up-coming arrival.

So even if the puppies look angelic in the cards, don’t even think of giving that angel as a gift these holidays.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!