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Christmas Old English Sheepdogs
For
some strange reason people associate Christmas with the acquisition of an
Old English Sheepdog pet. Maybe it is the old country Yule feeling depicted
in paintings or stories. Whatever the reason, people want Old English
puppies at this season like no other. There isn’t a mad scramble for Boxers
for Fourth of July or Cockers for Thanksgiving so this is a unique
situation.
And it
is VERY disturbing.
Christmas is the very worst time to get ANY puppy. There is so much
confusion, too many people in the home, etc. With the best will in the
world, the puppy is neglected and confused. I tell people when they take
their decorations down they can think of acquiring a pet. These babies need
all the concentration you can give them.
The
reason we in rescue see so many animals come into rescue in the spring is
that people probably went to pet stores for their Christmas puppy. They
probably used a charge card and have even forgotten what the pet cost. They
have not kept up the grooming or training and now both situations seem
insurmountable. Most breeders keep checking on the pets they sell to make
sure that there are no situations that need correction as they grow. So when
there is no follow up like from a pet store sale, and the pets develop
problems, the owners tend to “dump” the pet at a shelter. Usually the story
that the parents tell the children is that it went to a “farm.”
Well
happily many of these animals do get placed, but many have acquired habits
that need much work from not only the new owners but also from professionals
such as trainers and behaviorists.
These
bad habits are seen as faults of the BREED when they are really the result
of improper training and information on the part of the owners.
So I
beg of you please research not only the breed but plan your time so that you
can devote the time the pet deserves to become a perfectly socialized member
of your family.
The House of Rex
Geraldine House
4882 Diehl Road
Metamora MI 48455
USA
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