Thinking of presenting your little one, a friend or a family member with the perfect gift this Christmas? Gift a pup! As cute an idea as it may be, you will need to do a lot research before popping into a breeder's kennel. Chandana Banerjee tells you what to look out for
Give it some thought
“If this pup is a gift for your child, be sure that you’re ready to take on the extra responsibility,” says Shina Biswas, who recently got a dog for her son. Even if you assign certain chores to your child, you’ll have to do the major share of the looking-after.
Make sure that the family is ready to take on the additional costs that come with owning a dog. “They will have to spend on shots, dog accessories, chew toys, and dog food. A dog also needs exercise, potty training, and a lot of attention,” quips Sandeep Banerjee who has a pet. The family receiving the gift must be able to lavish time and money on the new puppy. They will also have to spend on making arrangements for the pup when they are out on holidays.
Wait and watch
If you are unsure about suddenly popping up with a puppy at someone’s doorstep, yet you really want to gift a puppy, consider these options:
- Instead of a real living puppy, why not present a gift certificate with a toy puppy and books on brining home puppies. If the family, friend or spouse is really interested in getting a real puppy, they can get a breed of their choice after weighing the pros and cons.
- You could also tell them about ‘this gift’ that you want to buy for them and talk things through. All of you can go together to the breeder to choose a puppy!
- Be very careful about where you buy your puppy from. There are several backyard breeders who run puppy mills and practice unethical breeding for money. It’s best to buy a healthy puppy from a family with a pet that’s just had a litter or from a breeder who keeps and breeds his dogs in a healthy, clean, and safe environment. Ask for the KCI papers and to see the parents of the puppy.
What the vet says
Dr. Krishna Kanth from Claws & Paws pet clinic, Hyderabad, says, “Get the puppy only when it is eight weeks old and has had enough time with the mother.” He also emphasised that prospective owners should make sure that the puppy has been de-wormed and the mother has received her vaccinations. “You must get the puppy checked by a vet before you buy it. We not only check the puppy’s overall health but also do specific tests to rule out deafness and eyesight problems. We also carry out behaviour assessment tests to check the socialisation level of the puppy.”
Looking after a puppy is a lot like looking after a baby. When you feel that the recipients of your gift are ready to take the plunge, go ahead and present them with a furry little bundle of joy!
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