Thinking about a puppy for the holidays? Plan for the years after the bow
A puppy under the tree is one of the happiest pictures there is, and for a lot of families it is exactly how their best friend arrived. It goes well when the gift was planned long before the holidays came around. A dog who comes home this December (or any celebratory event for that matter) will most likely still be part of the family well over a decade from now, through moves, new jobs, new babies and every holiday after this one.
So before you shop, take a few minutes with the questions below. If the answers come easily, wonderful. If they do not, that is useful too, and the right puppy will still be there in the new year.
Is the whole household ready?
The person who gives a puppy is rarely the only one who looks after it. Before you buy, it helps to know the answers to these together.
Answer these together
- Who walks, feeds and trains the puppy every day? Name a person, not "everyone".
- Is there time? A young puppy needs company, short frequent toilet trips and a few minutes of training several times a day for months.
- Does the budget cover more than the purchase? Food, a vet, vaccinations, training, grooming and boarding when you travel. All continue for the dog's whole life.
- Does the home allow it? Check the lease, hoa or building rules before the puppy arrives, not after.
- Is anyone allergic, and has every adult in the house said yes?
If one of these is still open, that is a reason to wait a little, not a reason to give up on the idea.
Make it a plan, not a surprise
A surprise, or a plan
A surprise puppy
A lovely moment for about a day. Then a young dog arrives in the busiest, loudest week of the year, chosen by one person for a whole household.
A planned puppy
A lovely moment for years. The family chooses together, and the puppy comes home to a calm house that is ready for it.
If you want something to open on the day, give these instead: a collar and leash, a breed book, a framed photo of the breed you have chosen or a card that says the puppy is coming. Then pick the puppy together and bring them home when the house is quiet. The holidays bring visitors, late nights, unfamiliar food on the floor and a lot of noise, and a calm week in January is a far easier first week for a young dog.
If you are giving a puppy to someone outside your own home, talk to them first. Full stop. A dog is a gift the other person has to consent to. This whole article goes for any animal that is bought during holidays.
Choosing the right puppy for who it is for
The best breed is the one that fits the life it is joining. A few things decide most of it:
- Size when grown. A small puppy can become a large dog. Look at the adult size, not the puppy in front of you.
- Energy. Some breeds need hours of activity a day and get into trouble without it. Others are happy with a couple of walks and a sofa.
- Grooming. Some coats need regular professional grooming, and some shed heavily. Both take time and money.
- Temperament with children. For a family with young children, look for a breed known for patience, and plan for an adult to supervise every interaction while the puppy is small. Puppies have sharp teeth and small children have quick hands, and both are learning, please always remember that.
- Who it is really for. An older relative may be happier with a calm, small, easy-going dog, or with a grown adult dog rather than a puppy at all. Might be best to give them a senior dog who needs love as well.
Our breed pages cover size, energy, grooming and temperament for each breed, and are worth reading side by side before you choose. Breeds families often start with include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle, Bichon Frise, Boxer and Pug. Each one suits some homes far better than others, and the quick facts will tell you which.
Buy from a seller you can talk to
The holidays are also a busy season for scammers selling puppies that do not exist. A few habits protect you, in this order.
Before any money changes hands
- Meet the puppy, in person or on a live video call, before you pay anything. Insist on paying in person, when you receive your puppy.
- Ask to see the parents, ask about vaccinations, vet checks and what the puppy eats.
- Be extremely wary of a seller who rushes you or asks for money before you have seen the puppy.
- Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or a payment app's friends and family option. None of those can be returned.
- Keep your messages on PetListings, so there is a record of what was agreed upon. Be wary of a seller who rushes you off the site or asks to only contact by a sketchy email. Phone contact and video calls are usually the safest options.
Our buyer and seller safety guide goes through all of this in more detail.
A puppy is a promise for every holiday after this one. Planned well, it is the best one you will ever make. Happy holidays and good luck choosing your furever family friend.
Read before you choose
- Dog breed quick facts: size, energy, grooming and temperament for every breed we list.
- All quick facts: cats, birds, small animals and more, if a dog is not the right fit.
- The PetListings knowledge base: guides for buyers and new owners.
- Buyer and seller safety: how to buy safely and what to ask.
