Pets as a gift NEVER a good idea as nearly ALL LIVE animal gifts at one time or another end up as DEATH ROW shelter animals.
Why is it a Bad Idea to Give a Puppy or Kitten as a Christmas Present?
There are several reasons why pets that are given as holiday gifts rarely remain in their new home. Consider the following reasons why kittens and puppies make bad Christmas gifts.
* The holiday season is hectic. This makes it difficult to bond and care for a new cat, dog, rabbit or other pet. Kittens and puppies require a strict schedule, lots of attention, training, care and love. Combine the pet's needs with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the result is often a pet with behavioral issues, an overwhelmed pet owner, or both.
* It's important for a new pet owner to connect with his new pet. It may seem like a good idea to pick out an adorable puppy or kitten for a parent, child or significant other, but this should always be avoided. Picking a pet for another person is much like arranging a marriage. The new pet owner must personally select his/her new cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, ferret or other pet. When an animal lover decides to adopt a particular animal, there is always an underlying attraction - a reason why that particular person picked that specific pet. This initial attraction is vital - it's the first step in the bonding process between a human and an animal who will be sharing each other's home and lives for the next 1, 2, 5 10 or even 20 years. Selecting an animal to adopt is a very personal process that should be left to the new pet owner.
* It may not be the right time for a new pet. It's one thing to say "I'd love a dog." It's another thing to actually visit a breeder or animal shelter to adopt that new dog. Giving a dog, cat or other pet to another person can thrust the new pet owner into a bad position: the new cat, kitten, dog, puppy, ferret or other animal may be cute, and it may have a great personality and this may compel the new pet owner to keep the pet. The emotional element of pet ownership can override the sensible, logical mind that says "I don't have enough time for a puppy," "I don't have enough money to afford the vet bills," or "I travel too much to keep a cat." This can place the pet owner and the animal in a less-than-ideal situation that's unfair to both animal and human.
Alternatives to Giving a Dog, Cat or Other Pet as a Christmas Present
While it's never a good idea to give a live animal as a Christmas gift, Hanukkah present, birthday gift or Valentines Day gift, there are a few creative alternatives for someone who wants to give the gift of animal companionship to a loved one.
Give the gift of a few basic pet supplies or a small gift certificate to Petco or PetSmart. This will evoke the question of "What do I need this for? I don't have a dog/cat/hamster/ferret/iguana/etc." It's then that the gift giver can explain that his real gift is an all-expenses-paid trip to the animal shelter or breeder to select his new companion. This enables the gift recipient to select his own pet and it also gives the soon-to-be pet owner an opportunity to postpone the addition of a new pet to the household until the time is right.
Another idea? Create a homemade pet gift certificate, entitling the recipient to the kitten/puppy/ferret/etc. of his choice at the local animal shelter or humane society.
Number 1; What makes you think your boyfriend aunt want a dog?
Number 2; A poodle x cockerspaniel=99% chance of Shedding dog! Not a good choose with people with allergies.
Now don't get me wrong. I love Jake Gyllenhaal as much as the next girl, but this picture makes me want to smack him. A puggle, Jake? Really? I thought better of you.
If you are planning on investing in one of these breeds (the goldendoodle, the cockapoo, really any of the -doodles or the -poos), I guess that's your prerogative, but please just hear me out first.
What is This New Fad?
If, somehow, you have missed it, there's a new trend in celebrity dog ownership: strang, unnatural crosses of unhealthy dogs that people pay thousands of dollars to own. They call them "designer dogs."
Look at these Amazon links to the left! There are books now about these popular dog "breeds," describing their temperaments and how to raise them. Again with the wanting to smack people. These animals are not a new breed; they are mutts! Accidents!
Now, I'm all for the owning of mutts. I, myself, have never had anything else. But to breed (that is, intentionally) is to choose two champion animals with a high quality of various traits and to test the parents for congenital diseases. Puggle, labradoodle, pekepoo, or any other cutesie-named dog breeders are not doing this. They are picking cute animals and forcing them to breed beyond their capacity. They are not breeding to "improve the breed." They are breeding solely to make money, and that poses problems for the animals and for their owners.
So Why Not Get One?
Well, sure, they're cute! They're dogs, and these specific ones are designed to be cute! But they're also a fad, and if you've ever given in to one, you know that they don't last. When you get a dog, you are committing to him for life, not for however long you happen to want him around.
And even if you want to carry your dog around like our friend Jake does, the dog is not a child either. In fact, I recommend the hub entitled Is a Dog Human? for more on that. The answer is, basically, no, and if you expect this designer breed to act as a human in your family, you will only disappointed. These dogs are not special or exempt from that rule because they are "designer."
What is to be Done?
Still think you need one of these "designer hybrids"? Think you can't even deal with adopting a brand new, accidental "hybrid" from the pound? First just take this quiz and prove to yourself that you can tell the difference.
Basically, all that can be done to overcome this destructive fad is to keep a level head. If you want a Cocker Spaniel x Poodle I almost guarantee there is one at your local shelter. But if you buy a "COCKAPOO," you are encouraging puppy farms and backyard breeders to breed more trendy dogs who will not necessarily be healthy.
Pet overpopulation is enough of a problem in this country. Please don't add to the problem.