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A Puppy For Christmas? Not Quite ...
From Krista Mifflin, former About.com Guide I'm going to preface this with a confession. I've received three puppies as gifts ... one for Christmas, and two were birthday presents, not all in the same year.
If you are now sitting there wondering where I get off discouraging this practice when I've been the happy recipient of such gifts, three times over, ... please let me assure you, it's all in the delivery and planning. Since I picked out my three dogs (and every dog that has ever come into my home), it should be quite obvious that I was a fully active participant for these particular gift selections. The decision to become responsible for three lives was my own, the selection of breeds (or non-breeds, as the case may be) was something I spent months considering beforehand. The "gift" part was the purchase price, and the timing of their arrival (a little off in two cases).
I didn't get to unwrap a cute, be-ribboned box under the Christmas tree with suspicious air holes poked through the lid. And there was no joyous surprise from opening a pretty package containing a puppy half dead from lack of oxygen, or soggy with urine, from being shut in a box for far too long. Now wouldn't that put a damper on things? I'll bet the pup would have felt damper too.
Do it the Right Way
If you are dead set on getting that special someone a puppy for Christmas, be absolutely sure that someone wants the responsibilities and commitment involved and can handle the expenses of having a dog. Anything less than that is both unfair and a grave disservice to both the puppy and the person.
It's Okay to Surprise Somebody When ...
You are the parent, and until then, you were the reason your children didn't have a dog yet. However, if you are the parent, and the puppy is for a child, I hope you're prepared for taking over the responsibilities yourself. Children very rarely handle things like cleaning up, training, and feeding until they are much older. These things will most likely end up being your job, along with all bills.
It's just a very bad idea to actually surprise somebody with something that will need their constant attention, cash and training for the next ten to fifteen years or more. It would be like me showing up on your doorstep with a pretty parcel : "Look at what I bought you! A baby! Isn't he cute? You'll make a terrific mother, and I've got to go now ... bye!"
Plan With Your Person
This is always the best way. Your gift recipient gets all the joy of choosing their own companion, and you get to share their joy (and pay for it). Not everyone's idea of the perfect dog is the same, and nobody can pick friends better than the person who keeps the friends (I'm not sure that came out quite right, but you get the idea). A dog is a lifestyle decision, and best left to the person living that life.
Have to Wrap SOMETHING?
If you're battling that urge to have at least something wrapped up that they can open, then wrap up with these ideas:
collar and leash gift set
fancy food and water dishes
a gift certificate for one cute puppy (breed left to the receiver's discretion, your idea of the perfect breed may be your friend's last choice.)
a cute stuffed toy puppy, with a note around his neck: "I'm not a real dog, but there's one waiting for you!"
If that special someone is yourself, by all means, continue on ... just know that planning and thinking it over thoroughly is very important, and that wrapping the pup up to place under the tree is a bad idea.
The Right Dog For You
From the American Kennel Club
Deciding what kind of dog to get is as important as deciding whether to get a dog in the first place. The AKC recognizes over 160 different breeds of dog, and each of these breeds has its own unique temperament, appearance, activity level and set of needs. You should do some serious and careful research to determine which breed of dog is right for you and your family. Here are some things to consider:
Temperament
You're going to be living with this dog for a long time, so you need to make sure he has a personality you can live with. Do you want a dog that is active, or subdued? A dog that is easily trained, or strong-willed? A dog that is friendly to everyone he meets, or one that is loyal to family but aloof toward strangers? A dog that needs a lot of attention from family members, and lots of activity to prevent him from becoming bored and destructive, or a dog that is content to be left alone for periods of time during the day?
Size
All little puppies are adorable, of course, but they grow quickly-and some of them grow a lot. Find out how large-in height and weight-that cute puppy will become before you bring him home. Remember that larger dogs require more food and space-is your yard or living room big enough to meet his needs? And keep in mind that some little dogs still need lots of room to run around and burn off energy.
Coat/Grooming Needs
All dogs need to be groomed regularly to stay healthy and clean; most dogs will shed. But some dogs shed profusely all year round; some shed in clumps for a few weeks; some dogs shed only a little bit. Long-coated dogs are beautiful to look at, but require a lot of effort to stay that way. Short-coated dogs are easier to care for, but may still shed, and may require protection in cold or wet weather. Dogs with fancy trims may need professional grooming. Decide how much dog hair you're willing to put up with, and how much time and energy you can afford, when you're deciding which breed is right for you.
Male or Female
In general, there is no significant difference in temperament between male and female dogs. If you are getting a dog for a pet, you will want to have your dog spayed or neutered, which will eliminate most minor differences anyway. If you plan to show or breed your dog, you must be vigilant about preventing unwanted breeding's by keeping your intact male safely confined to your house or yard, and by keeping your intact female away from other dogs when she comes into heat twice yearly.
Puppy or Adult
The advantage of getting a puppy-aside from its irresistible cuteness-is that you can raise it by yourself from the beginning, and participate in its training and socialization every step of the way. The disadvantage is that training a puppy requires a great deal of time and patience. Busy families should keep in mind that puppies cannot be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. They need plenty of trips outside, frequent meals, and lots of interaction with people. Adult dogs-whether purchased directly from a breeder or adopted from a rescue group-can be ideal for people who want a dog with fewer needs. Mature dogs tend to be calmer; some are already house-trained and know some basic obedience.
Health
Some breeds may be prone to hereditary diseases or conditions. Many breeds can be screened for certain conditions, such as hip or eye problems; this certification should be available to you when you go to look at a puppy. Being educated about the health considerations of your chosen breed can help you to avoid or alleviate future problems.
Pet Health Insurance
Being a responsible owner means considering your dog's lifelong health care needs, whether for preventive care or for unexpected accidents, injuries and illnesses that could happen at any time, however well you look after your dog. It is sensible to consider planning for these.
As a special registration benefit, the AKC has arranged a Complimentary 60-Day Trial AKC Pet Healthcare Plan* for newly registered puppies. Details about this special complimentary benefit will be sent to you shortly after registration.
You may also consider visiting an All-Breed Dog Show. This will give you an opportunity to view firsthand virtually every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. In addition to seeing a variety of dogs, you will have a chance to talk with dedicated breeders, people concerned with the welfare and advancement of their chosen breed. You can learn a lot from these knowledgeable and dedicated folks, who can also lead you to breeders of the particular breed in the area.
CLICK HERE FOR THE QUIZ FOR FINDING THE RIGHT DOG
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