We already own a beautiful golden retriever who is now ten years old. We also have lots of other family pets- rabbits, hamster and fish.

My three children ( 9,8,5) are animal mad and take their roles as pet owners very responsibly.. They never tire of looking after and fussing our dog. We live in the country with glorious walks on our doorstep.

We would like to buy them a puppy for christmas- we have consulted with our vet who thinks our present dog will be absoltuely fine about it.

We would like either a golden retriever, a flat coated retriever, an english setter ( I have had setters before) a labrador or a labrador retriever mix.

We would ideally like to buy the puppy for them for christmas- but its not essential. Getting the right puppy is clearly more important.

The puppy would be guarranteed a loving, attentive home . Can you help???

Thank you

e mail is a.fraser@mavericktv.co.uk
phone is 07770 904345

Alexandra Fraser

Have a look for breeders here Champdogs breeders index Please make sure that breeders have carried out ALL relevant health checks on both parents. Most good breeders will not allow a puppy to go as a Christmas present though ...so you may have to wait for a while. Christmas is not a good time to have a new pup in a house ..far too much noise and excitement etc :)

Melody :)

Hello, I have to echo Melody and I'd say try to perhaps get your puppy after Christmas time. I have a 6yr old golden retriever and we have had our Dane puppy now for two weeks, and I can tell you, I don't think I could cope with introducing a puppy around Christmas which is always hectic anyway, you should leave it until you can devote all your time and focus into making your existing dog feel comfortable with the situation, and of course you have the puppy to consider, and as lovely and cute as they are, they are bloody hard work :D I really don't feel that Christmas is the best time to do this and as Melody says a lot of responsible breeders won't give puppies out to be given as Christmas presents - just my opinion.
You've came to the right place anyway for lots of good advice, although you may not always hear what you want to hear, it's a very good place to start - Good luck with whatever you decide.
Sharon

I'm with everyone else on not bringing a new puppy into the home at Christmastime as it is generally far too hectic and as everyone has said most breeders are rightly not prepared to let pups go as Christmas presents.

However, I did wonder if Alexandra could think about perhaps giving the news of a new puppy to join the home in the near future as part of the children's gifts on the day, with some simple gifts appropriate to this for the children. For example, the little one could have a soft toy puppy, and maybe something like an appropriate book on care of puppies, and a grooming brush suitable for a puppy, for the older two. This would also allow Alexandra to explain why it is not good for a puppy to join a home at the busy time of Christmas, even though the puppy is, in effect, to be their Christmas gift.

That way Alexandra can do her research well in advance and perhaps identify a breeder who can provide a suitable puppy which will be ready at an appropriate interval after the hustle and bustle of the festive season is over. Or alternatively, the search can be started after Christmas and the children can be involved in the delights of going to see litters and helping to choose.

The reason I suggest this was that as a youngster of about 8 my parents decided it was time to have a new pup in the house and decided it should coincide with my birthday, with the intention that I was to be surprised on my birthday with a mystery trip which was actually to pick up "my" puppy. However, the timings of nature didn't play ball with this cunning plan, so instead I got a few simple presents associated with the pup on the day, with the explanation we were to have a new puppy. (The breeder was also kind enough to indulge more trips to see my puppy in between then and the time it was ready to go than she probably really wanted to put up with!) Sorry to be long winded, but to me this was as good as getting him on the day - just the news that there was a new puppy coming was enough, and it might be something that Alexandra might thnk of doing :D

Lesley

Hi Lesley,
I think that's a brill idea :) Why didn't I think of that ;)
Sharon
X

Thanks Sharon, but make the most of it, it's probably the only one I'll have all year :D

Lesley

From what I can gather a lot of breeders won't let puppies go out for christmas, the thinking being if you can't wait you don't get it! I'm sure if you found a litter that will be ready in the new year and presented thekids with lots of books, new lead, and maybe even a photo of their new family member they'd be over the moon :)

I quite agree. I am waiting for a litter to be born (my own bitch) and I will not let a pup go for Christmas, even though this litter will not be ready until the New Year.

There is too much going on in a household with children in it at that time of year that the pup will be forgotten. A pup is not a new toy, but a living thing. Wait until after the holiday time and enjoy the time with the family before getting a pup.

I think it a great idea to give pup related gifts to the kids, letting them know that they will be getting one.

I agree with LindyLou, my girls had to wait ages for our pup to arrive, as I was still working full time, and didn't want to bring him home until I had finished my job. Instead, we wrapped up things like the first lead, dog blankets, toys, etc for the eldest's birthday :)

A few years ago I had a litter ready to go the week before Xmas.I only let the people who were childless take their pups.For the people who had bought pups but had little children I took a video of the litter together ,with their mum,and individual footage of their chosen pup.I then suggested they wrap this up to be opened and viewed on Xmas morning

I think that was one of the greatest ideas I have heard. Just wanted to let ya know.