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Nelson (my dog) on the left, a dog I was babysitting overnight and driving to it's foster home in the middle, and my friend Tara's dog. All rescues.

How much is that doggy in the window…what you need to know about buying pups during the holidays…

If you were thinking you might want to buy a pup for someone for a Christmas gift, my first advice is don’t.  It’s too presumptuous to purchase a living thing as a gift.  If they don’t want it where does it end up?  Maybe at the shelter…oh no!

Better scratch that idea and give them some dog toys or a bed for when they choose their own pup someday.

So supposing you want to get a new pup for yourself.  And you wonder where to look and where the pups come from.

Purebred puppies come from responsible breeders (also known as hobby breeders) and come with papers.  They are bred for sound health and temperament.  Here are some guidelines from the Canadian Kennel Club about how to choose a good breeder.

It’s also good to visit a local kennel club show.  You might get to meet the parent dogs of your future furkids…very cool.

And approximately 25% of the dogs in shelters are single breed dogs (purebred but no papers basically), so check there too.  You might not find a puppy, but puppies are a lot of work anyway so consider a dog that’s a little older.  Keep an open mind and choose a dog for its temperament, not looks.  And there’s nothing wrong with a good old fashioned mutt.  That’s what I own and he’s good enough for me.

Rescues and shelter in the Maritimes

Honestly any other source than a reputable breeder or a shelter/rescue is probably bad news in disguise.

There is much confusion to consumers because pet stores always say they do not purchase their pups from puppy mills.  Well maybe they do maybe they don’t, but good breeders would never have to sell their pups in pet stores as the demand for purebred puppies is high and they have pre-screened homes available.  Why would they put a middle man in there to take profit?  It makes no sense.  And good breeders want to know their puppies are going to great homes.  They would not trust a retail business that is required by law to sell to anyone with money to buy, with their pups lives.

Here are some definitions that might help you understand the grey area that seems to exist between pet store breeders and puppy mills.  Also to help understand the kind of people who might be advertising pups on kijiji.

The trouble is, while puppy mills are illegal, backyard breeders and puppy brokers are not.  But that doesn’t mean they aren’t just as bad.

Backyard breeder

Puppy brokers

Hobby breeders

Puppy mill

And pets that come from shelters or rescues are actually cheaper than free because their adoption fee (usually somewhere around $150) will include a spay or neuter surgery, and needles.  This would cost you around $400 privately, in addition to the cost of the pup.

Well now that you know the buyer beware ins and outs of getting a new pooch, we can move on to the next order of business.

Thought I’d let you know what you can do with your old towels this year when you get a bunch of new ones for Christmas.

Old towels are fabulous things to donate to shelters.  Hand towels in particular are really good for kittens and puppies because they can just be thrown out when they are soiled.

You probably already know this but my favorite shelter is the Bide Awhile.  Of course I believe supporting one rescue helps all rescue.  So go find your own favorite…they all work really hard to clean up other people’s mistakes.

Other things you can donate to shelters that you might not think of are office supplies, cleaning supplies, bleach, toilet paper, laundry soap, etc.  Maybe not very glamorous but well appreciated and will save them from having to spend money to buy these little things that nobody thinks of.

Anyway, please share your love in a responsible way this Christmas by not contributing to the pet overpopulation crisis.  I’m sure the humans in your life will appreciate your time and good cheer, and maybe you could even walk their dog for them at a busy time.  Time is a wonderful gift in my opinion.  Something none of us ever have enough of.  Never underestimate your gift of time to the special people in your life…the best things in life are free.

And don’t forget to put something special in your favorite pooch’s stocking!