Christmas Present Puppies -Siberian Husky

Puppies as Presents

What you should know

The inevitable calls & emails begin each holiday season, each inquiring as to the availability of Siberian Husky puppies for Christmas.

If you find a breeder who is actually advertising Siberian Husky puppies for Christmas, you should realize that you are dealing with a backyard breeder or puppy miller. They know nothing of canine development or behavior nor do they care. The holidays are spent rushing around going to parties, shopping, visiting family, decorating, having guests over, cooking, celebrating, cleaning, there are barely enough hours in a day to get everything done. This is hardly the time or place for a puppy in their critical developmental stages. Overwhelmed, the fears acquired in this time can have a permanent effect on the dog’s behavior. It is not just the reputable show breeders who advise against Christmas puppies, all groups concerned with the welfare of dogs agree that the typical holiday happenings are of no benefit to the dog.

There are many problems that can be encountered during celebrations. Whether the abundance of holiday foods were thoughtlessly fed to the puppy, or the pup stole them from the trash or table, their consumption is cause for intestinal upset. Certainly nothing you want to deal with at this time. Puppies explore the world by mouthing objects. Ingesting or chewing on Christmas decorations, lights, extension cords, tinsel or poinsettias can cause illness, injury, choking, lacerations & even death. What if the puppy that is acquired is unhealthy? What if the illness is life threatening. Can the family cope with it emotionally at this time? Are financial resources available for vet care during the holidays. Any problem requiring a vet visit or hospitalization will likely cost more when the emergency clinic is necessary.

A puppy should not be an impulse purchase on your part, it should be well-researched and thought out. Selecting a pet is not a choice you should make for another person who is going to be providing the dog’s primary care. If you are choosing a dog for a minor, remember the dog is ultimately your responsibility. The time, money and commitment to a newly acquired pet must last the lifetime of that animal.

Puppies require a great deal of attention and supervision. Feedings occur three to four times daily. Puppies require going out to potty every time they eat, drink, play or wake up from a nap, they rarely sleep through the night. Someone must get up to take them out. No matter the hour, no matter the weather. Please realize it requires real work to socialize, raise, and train a puppy- it's going to be part of the family for 10 to 16 years.

Unfortunately, the excitement of a Christmas puppy ends & the reality of caring for it is seen. The children become bored and the busy parents are overwhelmed by the responsibility. The puppy is tolerated for only a short while. Once they become a nuisance to the family or neighbors, off they go. January is a very busy time for shelters. Many report up to half of the puppies adopted, on a whim, during the holiday season being returned to the facilities. Rather than becoming a lifetime companions they are simply a sad statistic.

Our suggestions

Reputable breeders who happen to have a litter ready during the holidays will hold them till such time as it is beneficial for them to go to their new homes. For those persons who ultimately desire to give a puppy as a present, we advise the gift of anticipation. One that outlasts all the festivities.

We suggest you buy the puppy's crate or a dog bed & fill it the items the new addition will require. Place a stuffed Husky toy, a picture of your puppy or the pup’s pedigree inside. Let them know that their puppy is waiting for them. If the puppy is unwelcome, the items purchased can be returned to the store or donated to a local Siberian Rescue organization . A quick call advises the breeder of the change in plan. However, if the puppy is much appreciated and anxiously awaited then it can be picked up or shipped when your normal home schedule has resumed.

For all the reasons noted the holidays are generally a bad time to think about bringing a pet home.

Rare exceptions to the rules have been made, as not everyone spends holidays in the same way.

Occasionally, we have seen that the time can offer a beneficial beginning to the pups arrival.

Only If:

It’s not a holiday you celebrate.

It’s time at home, spent as a quiet and relaxed break.

It’s an occasion that enables you to focus your attention on the needs of a young puppy.

It’s providing you the extended time necessary to begin house training.

It’s a time not spent entertaining large groups of people in your home.

It’s not a time when the home is filled with accessible decorations & other hazards to your pup.