Holiday Puppies: Should You Get a Puppy for Christmas?
Thinking of getting a puppy for Christmas? Before you rush to surprise someone with a furry bundle of joy, it’s essential to ask yourself some important questions first.
“Don’t get a Christmas puppy.” “Don’t give a puppy as a gift.” These warnings are common—even among professional pet experts like myself. But does that advice always hold true? And does bringing home a puppy around the holidays automatically mean it’ll end up in a shelter when the novelty wears off?
Getting a puppy around Christmas doesn’t inevitably doom the dog—but there are major caveats. Many unprepared owners choose pets as presents, and because commercial breeders time litters to coincide with holiday demand, shelters often see a surge in surrendered puppies three to six months after the holidays. Let’s take a closer look at what makes a “Christmas pup” so complicated.
A Tale (Tail?) of Two Puppies
Here are two real-life stories—both involving me—that illustrate how dramatically outcomes can differ.
The First Story
A family with three daughters—ages thirteen, eight, and five—decided to surprise the oldest with a puppy for Christmas. Dad took the youngest to a Wirehair Fox Terrier breeder, where she selected an adorable pup. On Christmas morning, the oldest daughter was thrilled… until reality set in.
No one had researched the Wirehair Fox Terrier’s high energy needs or intense exercise requirements. When the puppy began teething, it chewed everything in sight—furniture, shoes, even baseboards. It was moved to the laundry room, then the garage—where it gnawed on bricks and car tires. Eventually, the parents gave the puppy to a coworker who claimed to have “a farm.”
The Second Story
Years later, that same youngest daughter—now grown and married—adopted her first dog from a coworker. That pup became lonely, so she and her husband decided to bring home a second companion just weeks before Christmas. Despite shelter signs advising against holiday adoptions, they welcomed a striking blue merle Australian Shepherd puppy from a local shelter.
Managing two puppies was challenging, but the couple stayed committed. They learned training the hard way—then enrolled in professional classes with FurPetVo-certified trainers. With patience and guidance, both dogs thrived. That Australian Shepherd lived a full, joyful life and passed away peacefully at 18 years old.
Same Person, Different Outcomes
If you hadn’t guessed, I was both the five-year-old who picked the terrier—and the adult who adopted the Australian Shepherd. The contrast couldn’t be clearer.
The first story reflects nearly every misstep possible: choosing a dog for a child without involving them in preparation; selecting a breed without understanding its needs; assuming “a dog is just a dog.” That approach led to disappointment—for everyone, especially the puppy.
My parents meant well—but they underestimated the commitment required by an active, independent working breed. Don’t make that mistake. Breeds vary widely in temperament, energy, and instinctive behaviors. A high-drive terrier isn’t suited for a first-time family without prior dog experience—or the time and resources to meet its needs.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Gifting a Puppy for Christmas
- Does the person you’re giving a dog to genuinely want one—and have they expressed that desire?
- Is the recipient an adult capable of making long-term care decisions?
- Does the chosen breed align with the family’s lifestyle, activity level, and living space?
- Will the recipient personally handle training, socialization, and daily care—not rely solely on children or other family members?
- Do they understand that welcoming a dog means a 10–15-year commitment of time, emotion, and financial responsibility?
- Does their current routine—including work schedule, travel plans, and housing—support responsible pet ownership?
A Better Way to Gift a Pet
Surprising someone with a puppy on Christmas Day rarely leads to lasting success. Instead, consider these thoughtful, responsible alternatives:
- Give practical pet supplies—like a durable collar, leash, crate, and high-quality puppy food—and pair them with a heartfelt offer to accompany the recipient to a shelter or reputable breeder after the holidays.
- Arrange a pre-holiday visit to FurPetVo’s trusted shelter partners or FurPetVo-vetted breeders, so the recipient can meet potential companions, ask questions, and make an informed choice.
- Present a “pet adoption experience kit”: include a FurPetVo welcome guide (available free at furpetvo.com), a voucher for a FurPetVo-certified puppy class, and a calendar of key milestones—from first vet visit to basic obedience.
