Puppy

I think a dog (or a cat) is a wonderful idea for a gift, if the person is not allergic to them. And also something else to consider is if the person you plan to get the animal for even likes animals or is able to take care of them.

I love dogs dearly. but surprising someone with a puppy would not be fair to the person or puppy. they only way it could work is letting the person know you want to get them a puppy, get their okay and then take them with you so they can select the breed. {or a mixed breed} that would be a good match. not everyone wants to start from a puppy and have to house train them. surprising someone with a puppy, dog, cat, Kitten could end with sad results.

Not only the person might not want it but I'd probably end up with a pit bull/st. bernard mix.

fail.

I love dogs I really do but I think a puppy would make a lousy gift. First off, I want to personally pick the breed of a dog that I might potentially own for the next fifteen years or so. Secondly, it might come at a time in a person's life where they just might not have the time or patience to house break and train a pup. On the other hand it might make an excellent gift for the kid of someone you just can't stand.

I want one!!!!!! but just for xmas

I was a recipient of a pet that I didn't have the time nor the desire to take care of and was very upset with how thoughtless and INCONSIDERATE the pet giver was!!! I didn't even get a chance to think about it or pick from the litter. One day, she just gave me the pet and said "SURPRISED!" What an inconsiderate b****. Needless to say my relationship between me and that pet giver ended in a month. As for what happened to the pet... don't ask. Don't give pets as gifts, PERIOD.

If you still insist on giving pets, please visit the following site to educate yourself. It's also a bit humorous, and it sure educated me:
http://petgiving.com

Very bad choice. I did once give one of my puppies as a gift to a good friend, but she was a great dog owner and was already interested in my dogs and breeding. Worked out for both of us. I have pissed people off because I wouldn't sell a dog as a gift. I recommend giving info on dog ownership and dog breeds instead.

I'd be pretty careful about giving someone a pet.Even if they love animals,they might not be ready to take care of one.Plus,they might want to pick their own pet out.

Depends. Generally, a bad idea. Many people who don't already have a pet typically have a good reason, whether it be lack of knowledge of how to take care of one, they don't really care to take care of something else, they don't have the resources to take care of one, whatever. This gift is best reserved for CLOSE family only. Personally, I'd be pretty psyched if my husband got me a puppy ( . . . AFTER we move into a house, that is!)

Thanks...You gave me a puppy, and now I will have to pay for veterinary visits, dog food, a kennel when I leave town, carpet cleaning after it craps on the rug. Pets are so expensive, that a gift of a puppy or kitten would be like giving somebody a credit card bill to pay as a gift.

Generally a bad or dangerous idea. Too many kids get animals as gifts and have no idea how to care for them, or no ability once the animal gets bigger. In many such cases, the animal winds up either abandoned, destroyed, ill treated, or living in poor conditions.

Giving a puppy or any young animal as a gift is not always the best idea. Young children everywhere seem to be given a puppy or a kitty for Christmas and as soon as the animal grows up or gets to be too much work the animal is soon abandoned. I have volunteered in animal shelters before and have noted the rise after the Christmas holidays of so many of these gifts being dumped off. A pet is a big responsibility and should not be taken lightly. If you give one to someone make sure they really want to take this job on, better yet give them a gift certificate to a pound or animal shelter to pick out an orphaned pup for themselves.

Cute .. but some people are not into pets .. hence its not quite unique