If you are thinking of welcoming a gorgeous new bundle of fluff into your home, it’s important to make sure that you are fully prepared for the task ahead.
Make no mistake – getting a puppy can be hard work, and the chances are that you will need to spend a sizeable chunk of time bonding with your new pup, setting boundaries, and training them. However, adopting a furry new family member can also be an incredibly rewarding experience and you will be left with a friend for life.
One of the first things that you should take into consideration is the best time to get a puppy. Depending on factors like your lifestyle and the age of the puppy, you may need to adjust your routine in the early days in order to suit your pup’s needs. However, there is also much more to keep in mind.

What is the Best Time of Year to Get a Puppy?

The best time of year to get a puppy depends on a lot of factors. Introducing a puppy to their new home can be a task that is exciting and stressful in equal parts – for both you and your canine companion – so it’s important to make sure you’re ready for the task ahead.
While your family’s lifestyle and unique circumstances will understandably play a pivotal role in deciding the best time to get a puppy, we’ve put together a quick guide to some of the pros and cons of adopting a puppy during each season of the year.

Spring

One of the pros of adopting a puppy in spring is the weather. Once the icy grip of winter fades for another year, the days start to get longer, the temperatures start to climb, and perfect dog-walking weather arrives! Additionally, this also means that house training should be a little easier due to the improving weather.
On the flipside, the weather could also be a downside in spring. Weather at this time of year is unpredictable at best in the UK, and you might be faced with a prolonged winter or a very wet few months – leading to pesky muddy pawprints tracked all over the house!

Summer

Many people see summer as the best time of year to get a puppy. The days are long, the weather is warm, and the school holidays mean plenty of family time at home with your new pup. Sounds, perfect, right?
However, one of the main drawbacks with adopting a puppy during summer is that this is the time of year when many people are away on holiday. Getting a new pup just before you jet off for two weeks is not the best idea – and it is likely to only cause further problems with training, bonding, and establishing a routine when you return.

Autumn

Cooler temperatures and beautiful autumnal colours make a great backdrop to dog walking, and your pup is sure to love all the exciting new smells that autumn brings!
Conversely, with the summer holidays over for another year, busier working households may struggle to find the time to dedicate to welcoming a new puppy into their home. Ideally, you should be at home with your new puppy for at least two weeks, so if busy schedules and long hours will not allow for that, an autumn pup might not be the best idea for you.

Winter

Christmas and New Year mean that a lot of people will have time at home to spend with a new puppy, but similarly, if you will be attending lots of seasonal events, be mindful that it’s advisable not to leave your pup on their own when they have only just joined your family.
Winter can be a cold, icy, and unforgiving season for a young puppy venturing into a new environment for the first time. Certain breeds and particularly young puppies may not fare well in especially cold temperatures, preventing house training and walks until things start to thaw a little.

Preparing to Get a New Puppy

Are you ready to welcome a new puppy into your life? There is plenty to consider and even more to prepare before you finally bring your little one home for the first time, so make sure that you do research thoroughly before committing to anything.
Don’t forget to ensure your pup gets microchipped as soon as they are old enough – in the UK, it’s a legal requirement for all puppies to be microchipped and registered by the time they are eight weeks old. In addition to their microchip, why not check out our selection of dog tags to find the perfect accessory for your pup’s shiny new collar? You can view our range of dog tags here.
No matter when you decide to get a puppy, if you’re fully prepared and ready to welcome him or her into your home, you’re sure to have a wonderful life together.