should i buy a dog for christmas?

Question

my wife has always wanted a dog, its me that said no. but we now have 2 boys (aged 2 and 5) and i think the time may be right.
so is it wrong to buy her a dog as a present or should i wait till after christmas

i dont need to check with my wife, she would be over to moon, ive said no for years

Answer 1

If you've seriously thought about getting a dog it shouldn't matter what time of year it is. However I do think that the whole family should be involved with the choice of dog - adult or puppy, pedigree or crossbreed, type of dog. Be careful where you get your dog from, most good homing centres will not home at Christmas, and will also require all family members to meet the dog before it goes home to you, as well as a house check. Beware of any homing centres (or breeders!) who offer to home a dog to you the first time you see it.

On another note, surely Christmas is just about the worst time of year to introduce a new dog to the home, from both the dog's and your point of view. There will be lots of upheaval, perhaps many different people visiting the house, quite a lot of stress, as well as expensive presents and electrical items within chewing reach of a curious dog! Better to wait until Christmas is out of the way, then find a good breeder or homing centre and take your time choosing the perfect dog.

Answer 2

If you decide to get a dog whether it is a puppy or adult, my advice is to wait until after Christmas.

A dog naturally feels a fair amount of stress when it arrives in a new home. A puppy will be missing its mother and siblings and will be feeling very vulnerable.

Similarly, an older dog from a kennel or rescue society can feel very anxious for the first couple of weeks in its new home.

Christmas, with all the hassle and the coming and going of people, the excitement of the children and so on is a really unsuitable time to introduce a new dog.

Many reputable rescue societies do not re-home over the Christmas period for this reason.

Far better to wait until the New Year when things have settled down and you are all back in your routine. Buy your wife something nice for Christmas then choose your dog together.

Answer 3

Wait. With all the excitement of Christmas for your children it is no time to introduce a nervous new pet into the house. Let things settle down and then start looking if you are adamant and know what work will be entailed looking after the dog. At 2 years your young son may still be a little small for a pup as puppies nip and you will have a crying child an upset mother and frightened dog.

Answer 4

Rescue places will not let any dogs go this close to Christmas, plus they always like to meet the whole family, so if it's a rescue dog you are going for then you will need to wait until after Christmas, also I'm sorry to say this but a lot of rescue places won't let dogs go to families with children under 5 years of age! If you are going to a breeder, a reputable one won't let a puppy go to it's new home just before Christmas either and again especially as you have very young children, you know what kids are like at Christmas, how excited they get, think how confusing and upsetting this would be to a new dog, it really is best to wait until mid January.

Answer 5

hi, it would make a lovely present for your wife, but do you no the breed she wants and sex? Christmas is a very stressful time, and a puppy in strange surroundings with new people would be very hard for the puppy. If, you brought a pup from a breeder, not many will sell them before xmas, but you can leave a deposit and collect puppy afterwards. But there are breeders who will let buy a pup because all they are interested in is money! I personally would not let any of my pup's go, unless they were born in october and a deposit was given when they were very young. I think you would need to ask your wife if she still wanted a dog, as you have a 2 year old! Then maybe in january you go buy her a late xmas present. It would be better for your wife to chose her dog as it is her's, some people want certain colours, coats etc. Good luck, and i wish you all a merry christmas.

Answer 6

Buying animals for people for Xmas have always had a bad taste in the mouth purely owing to the fact that after Xmas when all and sundry are over their hangovers and reality takes over the poor animals suffer. In your case though seeing your wife has been eager for so long to get a dog and the fact that you now have two children I would say a BIG yes. IF you can afford it - I do not know where you stay - hopefully a house, a flat is NOT a place for a dog - then get TWO dogs. Dogs also feel loneliness. Buy pups or yoiungish dogs so that they can grow up with the children. Sit down with your children and explain that the dogs were bought for your wife and them to LOVE and look after.

Answer 7

If you honestly want to do the extra work that a dog requires every day without exception then certainly buy a dog. A dog is a fine pet but needs love, food, attention and exercise every single day of the year even if you are ill or hung over or it is raining. Holidays are more difficult too. And the dog needs looking after while you are at work.
If you are certain you want a dog buy one. Enjoy it and be happy. Buy one after Christmas as it may save your wife having to help you look after it while she cooks Christmas dinner. If you do the cooking on Christmas buy the dog before Christmas so your wife and kids can enjoy their present while you cook.

Whatever you choose I hope you, your wife and sons have a fantastic Christmas. And remember Doctor Who at 7pm BBC1 on Christmas Day!

Answer 8

No, don't buy a dog. As others have indicated, there are too many great dogs dying every day for lack of homes.
No, don't bring a new dog (or puppy or any animal) into your home at Christmas. Geting used to a new dog is hard, geting used to a new home is hard for the dog, and doing it during the frenzy of the holidays is impossible.
If YOU are committed to caring for a dog (logistically, financially and emotionally) then give her a certificate for adoption or a check made out to you're local shelter or rescue.
You would not be able to do this as a surprise gift - every successful dog adoption requires that EVERY family member be involved and supportive.

But do consider adding a dog to your family; the rewards are worth everything you have to do.

Good luck, and Happy Holidays!

Answer 9

Hi there. I would say no if you were saying should I buy a dog for my kids as an xmas present.
But your talking about buying one for your wife, this is a slightly different story.
A dog in a family environment has to be loved and looked after by the whole family, not just your wife.
So if you know that your all capable of looking after a dog, walking the dog and cleaning up after it then I would say go for it.
A dog can just complete a family sometimes and I hope if you do decide to get one, that it completes yours.
best of luck xx

Answer 10

Wait till christmas is well and truly over. With all the christmas excitement it would be unfair and confusing for the dog to come into this sort of environment. When everything had died down make sure you all want a dog and the responsibilities that go with it first. They don't stay as cute little puppies for long!