Puppy just before Christmas

[Flippetydip]

A relative of ours is getting a puppy on 22nd December. I am thinking:

a. a reputable breeder would not be selling puppies that close to Christmas
b. that is going to be a really unsettled environment to bring a puppy into
c. they are CRAZY wanting to bring a puppy into the family over an already stressful period

Am I being really judgemental? The answer is probably yes, and I haven't said anything negative apart from words to effect of "you're a lot braver than I am!" and gone home very smugly with my house trained, calm, quiet, adult, summer-obtained-when-I-could-get-outside-all-the-time, rescue.

[BiteyShark]

I think it depends. You can't predict when a bitch is going to be on heat so some puppies are going to be born and ready to go to their new homes at Christmas.

There is just DH and I at home and we do not go anywhere over Christmas and we don't have family so actually that time is much better for a puppy to be settled in than other times.

So whilst it won't be advisable for some families if it's noisy and lots of people around you can't just do a blanket statement that it's wrong.

[Snowwontbelong]

I got a puppy on Christmas Eve 5 years ago. Off work for a fortnight, dc off, no guests due, worked perfectly.
We had gotten a puppy a month previously and they bonded immediately!!
Best Christmas ever tbh!!

[CMOTDibbler]

Unless it is an adult only household having no guests and not going away over christmas, then no one reputable will let them have a puppy on the 22nd. And unless they are having a very quiet time, they are mad not to delay until the 27th.

[sonnybo]

I got a puppy Christmas Eve for my dd for Christmas in 2015, we didn’t do anything that week, just sat there having cuddles with him, he was able to get settled with us and it was perfect. We got him from a family friend and they knew he wasn’t going to be unloved after the ‘novelty’ worn off, so was happy with us to have him. If it’s there first dog then i do think it will be very tough for them, but if this puppy is 8 weeks when they get it, all they do is sleep, wake up for half hour and sleep again, so it won’t necessarily add to the overall stress.

[PlateOfBiscuits]

We’re getting a puppy very soon and the fact it’s Christmas soon is actually very helpful as DP (as a teacher) will have 2 weeks off to help settle him.

I think it depends on the breeder and the family. I trust our breeder and they trust us. If the family are due to have a very chaotic/stressful Christmas season then I can see where you’re coming from. DP and I are looking forward to a very puppy focussed time!

[Hoppinggreen]

We got ours that day after Boxing Day
We had time off, no visitors planned and weren’t going away until Easter
Also he was nominally DD’s Birthday present, which is just before xmas

[Flippetydip]

In that case I take it ALL back and wish them the best of luck!

I think I'm just inherently lazy and however much my kids beg for a puppy (which DD does constantly) we are not getting one although I do occasionally look wistfully at lurcher pups.

[DeadCertain]

Again depends on circumstances for me; I have had two dogs just before Christmas - perfect time for us as we were both off work, do not have children and have a very quiet Christmas. A more chaotic family Christmas would on the other hand be a different matter.