Thinking of Getting a Puppy for Christmas? Here's What You Need to Know

"A dog is for life, not just for Christmas." The saying has been around for decades, and it's still the best advice anyone can give about Christmas puppies. A puppy can be a wonderful addition to the family, but only if the decision is made for the right reasons, at the right time, with everyone on board.

If you're thinking about a puppy this Christmas, here's what to consider before you commit, how to buy safely in Australia, and how to keep a new puppy safe through the summer holidays.

Never give a puppy as a surprise

A puppy isn't a present — it's a new family member who could be with you for 12 to 15 years or more. Surprising someone with a dog takes away their chance to decide whether they have the time, space, money and energy for one. However exciting the idea sounds, always talk to the person first, and let them be part of choosing their dog.

Before anyone says yes, ask the big questions honestly:

• Time — puppies need several short toilet trips a day and night, training, play and, once vaccinated, daily walks. Who will do this once the summer holidays are over and everyone is back at work and school?
• Money — food, vet bills, vaccinations, parasite prevention, council registration, insurance and boarding add up to a significant cost over a dog's lifetime.
• Home — is there enough space and shade for the breed you have in mind, and is your landlord happy with a dog?
• Holiday plans — if you're going away over summer, who will look after a brand-new puppy? Boarding kennels book out early and usually need a fully vaccinated dog.
• The right breed — every breed has its own exercise needs, size, coat and temperament, and some cope with Australian heat far better than others. Many dogs are given up simply because they were the wrong match for their owner's lifestyle, so research breeds carefully before falling for a face.

Why waiting until the new year is often better

Christmas is noisy, busy and unpredictable — not ideal for a young puppy that needs calm, routine and plenty of sleep. Doors are left open, visitors come and go, there are barbecues and parties, and New Year's Eve fireworks frighten many dogs. Many responsible breeders and rescue organisations won't let puppies go to new homes over the festive period for exactly this reason.

If you've decided as a family that the time is right, consider bringing your puppy home once the holidays have settled down. You can still make it part of Christmas: wrap up a lead, a collar and an engraved ID tag with a photo of the breed or a note saying when your puppy is coming home. It builds the excitement without throwing a puppy into the chaos of Christmas Day.

Buy safely: avoid puppy farms and scams

Demand for puppies peaks before Christmas, and so do puppy farms and online scams. The rules differ from state to state, but these steps will protect you, and the puppy, wherever you live:

• Check the identification numbers — in many states, puppy ads must show identification numbers you can check on the state register. In NSW that's the puppy's microchip number and the breeder identification number (BIN). In Victoria it's the microchip number and a source number from the Pet Exchange Register. In South Australia, breeders must show their DACO registration number. Be wary of any ad without them.
• Know where pet shop puppies come from — in Victoria and Western Australia, pet shops can only sell dogs sourced from shelters, pounds or approved rescue organisations.
• See the puppy with its mother — visit in person, ideally more than once, at the place where the puppy was bred. Walk away if the seller wants to meet somewhere else or send the puppy to you.
• Wait until at least eight weeks — puppies need that time with their mother and littermates, and responsible breeders won't let them go any earlier.
• Ask for the paperwork — the puppy should already be microchipped, and you should get vaccination and health records, any health test results for the parents, and details for transferring the microchip into your name.
• Never pay a deposit for a puppy you haven't seen — scammers often use stolen photos and genuine breeders' numbers, then ask for money upfront.
• Consider a rescue dog — shelters and rescue groups match dogs to homes carefully. Our guide on what to consider when adopting a dog is a good place to start.

Getting ready for your new puppy

Make sure everything is in place before your puppy arrives: a bed or crate in a cool, quiet corner, food and water bowls, the same food the breeder or rescue was using, chew toys, puppy pads, and a vet appointment booked for the first few days. Introduce your puppy to family members slowly, keep training sessions short and fun, and reward good behaviour with treats and praise.

Our complete new puppy checklist covers everything you'll need, from first-night essentials to microchipping, council registration and puppy-proofing your home.

Don't forget identification. A microchip can only be read with a scanner, while a personalised dog ID tag with your phone number means anyone who finds your puppy can call you straight away. In some states, such as NSW, a collar and tag is also a legal requirement whenever your dog is off your property.

Keeping a puppy safe over the summer holidays

If your puppy is already at home over Christmas and New Year, watch out for these common hazards:

• The heat — make sure there's always shade and fresh water, walk in the cool of early morning or evening, and test the footpath with the back of your hand: if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for paws. Never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
• Festive food and barbecues — chocolate, Christmas pudding, fruit cake, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, fatty scraps, cooked bones, corn cobs and skewers are all dangerous for dogs. Ask guests not to share their plates, and keep the bin closed.
• Decorations — tinsel, baubles, ribbon and fairy-light cables are all tempting to chew. Keep them out of reach, and consider a puppy gate around the tree.
• Fireworks — more dogs go missing around New Year's Eve than at almost any other time, as frightened dogs bolt. Keep your puppy inside, close the curtains, put on some background noise, and make sure their collar and ID tag are on.
• Open gates and doors — with visitors coming and going, it's easy for a puppy to slip out. Make sure their microchip details are up to date, and check the pool fence is secure.
• Snakes and ticks — keep the yard tidy, and if you're on the east coast, check your puppy's coat for paralysis ticks every day, especially after trips to the bush or beach.

A puppy is for life

A well-chosen puppy, brought home at the right time to a family that's ready, will give you years of love and loyalty. Take your time, do your research, and your new best friend will still be with you long after the decorations have come down.