Am I looking for a pup at a bad time (Christmas)

kflanaga · #1 12-06-2002, 11:43 AM

I'm trying to find a pup, but it seems that as soon as I find out about a litter, most or all of the pups are gone. Is Christmas a bad time to get a pup? I'm not trying to get a "Christmas puppy", it's just coincidence. Will I have more luck in January or February?

JulieM · #2 12-06-2002, 12:28 PM

Jean's advice is stellar

Also, many breeders who do have puppies around Christmas time hold on to them until after the holidays - it's really a bad time to bring a puppy home, and responsible breeders won't put a pup in that situation.

Boxer_21 · #3 12-06-2002, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kflanaga
I'm trying to find a pup, but it seems that as soon as I find out about a litter, most or all of the pups are gone. Is Christmas a bad time to get a pup? I'm not trying to get a "Christmas puppy", it's just coincidence. Will I have more luck in January or February?

Christmas is a very busy time for "puppy sales". A lot of kids ask their parents for a puppy for Christmas, and some parents end up getting one. Sometimes it works out great, but then other times the parents who got the puppy, find out that it's a LOT of work raising a pup. Then they end up ditching the pup at a shelter or rescue. It's a sad cycle, but unfortunately it does happen. For that reason, I would be very cautious when searching for a puppy this time of the year. Most reputable breeders will not have pups available for Christmas.

Just make sure that you find a good reputable breeder and that do all of the health testing. http://www.boxerworld.com/breeders will give you a listing of breeders that do the health testing.

Also, another note. If your search still ends up with nothing, why not check into rescue?? You might not be able to get an 8 week old pup, but you could surely find a young one that needs a home.

Good luck in your search!!

cashisking · #4 12-06-2002, 12:43 PM

Quote:

[i]\
Also, another note. If your search still ends up with nothing, why not check into rescue?? You might not be able to get an 8 week old pup, but you could surely find a young one that needs a home.

Good luck in your search!!

[/B]

And unfortunately after the christmas charm wears off, you can probably find alot of youngsters

Aimee · #5 12-06-2002, 12:48 PM

Well said Jean

Des11 · #6 12-06-2002, 12:57 PM

My breeder did not breed litters that would be born around the holidays.

She suggested that I wait for a Spring litter so that the potty training will be less of a sacrifice and the pup will not catch colds out there while the pup is trying to understand what it is I wanted from him. i.e. go to the bathroom.

I brought Chance home the first week in May and by the time school was back in session; September, he was fully potty trained and now that it is COLD here in NJ, he knows what to do and I do not have to stand by his side out there freezing with him.

I would always recommend a spring/summer purchase so that housetraining is not such a burden and it would not cause the new owner to feel like maybe the pup was not a good idea. When it is the complete opposite, it was timing not the pup.

Sube Ru's mom · #7 12-06-2002, 01:10 PM

Jean's advice is right on

There is so much research that needs to be done before getting a pup then just buying a puppy, you need to make sure that the activity level of the dog matches yours, whether or not you plan to have an inside or outside dog (even though studies are starting to show ALL dogs want to be with their pack) not all dogs can be outside 24/7 boxers being one of the breeds, do you have the time right now to put into training the dog? can you stay home with the dog for the 1st 2 weeks so it can be accustomed to its new life, whats your work schedule? do you have the time for the potty training?
everyone wants a puppy but have you considered a rescue? granted the average age is 1.5 years. but most of the time, their personality is developed, they are starting to grow out of the teenage stage, and they appreciate getting a better life.
Puppies are cute but eventually they grow up, they can not be soft and adorable all their life

If you have done all the researching and still want a puppy you will find that responsible breeders will not give puppies out till febish because so many people want a christmas puppy. these are the breeders you want, theses are the ones that care about their dogs.

Mandy gave you a link to the reputable breeders, good luck in your search and keep us posted.

Boxer_21 · #8 12-06-2002, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashisking
And unfortunately after the christmas charm wears off, you can probably find alot of youngsters

That is exactly what I was trying to get at. It's so sad that people buy puppies and get rid of them like there's nothing wrong with it. I mean if you think your child is going to light up with joy seeing a brand new puppy, how do you think they'll react when you say "I'm sorry honey, we can't keep it"?? It's so sad. I wish there was some kind of permit or license required to be a pet owner... and of course to breed!!