Let me paint you a picture. It’s Christmas morning. Snow is falling gently outside, the fire is crackling, and you’re snuggled up in your pyjamas with a mug of mulled wine in hand, waiting to dive into a pile of presents. Everything is peaceful and perfect… until you remember that your toy poodle, Titchy, is due to have her puppies today. Oh yes, Titch is about to become a mother—due on Christmas Day.
In the office this last week, we’ve witnessed many-a mild-panic over our estimated ‘Christmas time’ due dates, But hey, when life gives you puppies, there’s never a perfect time to whelp, right?
So here’s a candid rundown of the pros and cons of a Christmas Day litter… because let’s be honest, as us breeders know it’s not always as cute as it sounds.
The Pros
- Christmas Puppies = Instant Cuteness Overload
There’s nothing like the sight of tiny puppies wiggling around, especially on a day that’s as magical as Christmas Day. You’re going to have so much cuteness under one roof, it might just make your festive heart burst. I mean, who needs the King’s speech when you’ve got a bunch of puppies making their grand entrance into the world? They’re the gift that keeps on giving. - No One Will Be Surprised by Your 'Dog Maternity Leave'
Let’s be real—when you tell people you’re taking a few days off to look after your dog, they might raise an eyebrow. But if you mention your girl is in labour, or due on Christmas Day, well, suddenly you’re a hero! It’s a Christmas miracle really! Expect a lot of sympathy and offers of help (whether or not they actually know what to do with newborn puppies). Heyyyy here’s a thought? Someone might even take over, and offer to cook the massive roast, so you can actually sit with your girl all day long? BIG BONUS - Family Bonding, Dog Edition
What better way to bring the family together than to have everyone gathered round in a state of excited anticipation? (think Jesus, donkeys, kings, shepherds… you know the drill) Everyone’s going to be hanging around the living room, waiting for those little bundles of joy to arrive. It’ll give a very niche Christmas bonding experience. - Everyone Will Remember This Christmas Forever
This year, when you’re sending out your Christmas cards, you’ll have a whole new story to tell. “Oh, remember that year I gave birth to puppies while you were all eating mince pies and watching Love Actually?!” Instant legend status in the family. - Fewer Post-Christmas Hangovers
With all the puppy duties to take care of, there’s no time for a boozy Boxing Day binge. So while everyone else is regretting the last round of Baileys, you’ll be fresh-faced, alert, and puppy-obsessed (this is assuming you change your pj’s regularly to hide the puppy poo and other canine bodily fluid stains.. You know what I mean!)… Bonus points for that amazing whole “new puppy smell” you’ll have going for you.
The Cons
- The Chaos of Christmas Day Labour
Forget Christmas dinner prep, forget watching the King’s Speech with a sherry in hand—your main and ONLY job now is keeping little moma calm while she navigates the whole “pushing out puppies” situation. Puppies don’t exactly follow a schedule, and you may find yourself in the middle of a rather un-festive emergency. There’s no “pause” button on a dog’s labour pains, and you can bet your mince pies that she won’t be bothered by the festive spirit at all. - No Peace and Quiet for You
Normally, Christmas Day is a time of quiet reflection, family time, and a slight food coma. But, much like a human birth, your girl's delivery will probably be anything but quiet. The sound of a dog in labour is not the gentle soundtrack you were imagining while sipping your Christmas morning tea. It’s more like a dramatic orchestral performance punctuated by a series of slightly panicked barks and whines. - The Unlikely Appearance of a Christmas Vet
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever called a vet on Christmas Day, but let me tell you—it’s not a situation that screams “festive cheer.” Let me set the scene, you call the emergency vet clinic while you’re halfway through peeling potatoes, and suddenly you’re on the phone explaining that your dog’s having puppies and you’re still in your Christmas pjs. Forget about turkey this year, it’s could be all about puppy drama for you. Prevent the panic and make sure you’re aware of your vets opening hours in advance. There’s nothing worse than a p***ed off vet taking an out-of-hours call mid turkey mouthfuls! - You Can Kiss Your Christmas Day Plans Goodbye
Who needs a relaxing Christmas dinner when you’ve potentially got your dog giving birth in your living room? (OK, who am I kidding? I’m sure a good Christmas dinner will still happen, but it will probably involve a lot more reheating than originally planned.) Plus, if you’ve got guests coming over, they might be less-than-thrilled at the idea of gathering around your dog’s whelping box instead of the Christmas tree. - Potential Sleep Deprivation
If you thought you’d be catching up on your sleep during the Christmas holidays, think again. Puppy births are not known for their punctuality, and neither is the recovery period. You’ll likely find yourself awake at all hours, making sure mum & puppies are fed, cleaned, and not trying to escape their box in search of adventure. I’m looking at you, (Merry Christmas!) because sleep will not be on your agenda. - Increased Stress Around Puppy Naming
Now, I’ll admit it, puppy naming is a big deal. And on Christmas Day, no one really wants to sit down with the family and try to come up with festive-themed names for a bunch of wriggling pups. Are they “Holly,” “Jingle,” and “Snowflake” or “Sprout,” “Brussels,” and “Tinsel”? If this wasn’t stressful enough, there’s the eternal debate about whether “Rudolph” works as a name for a girl pup. (Spoiler: It doesn’t.)
Is It Worth It?
As with anything in life, you’ve got to take the good with the bad. And frankly if you’re wondering ‘will it be worth it??’ - it’s too late. Your girl will have been mated about a month ago, and it’s time to roll with the punches
Because, YES, having a litter of puppies on Christmas Day is a little like mixing chocolate and sprouts: it sounds a bit odd at first, but the more you think about it, the more you realise it might just be the Christmas miracle you never knew you needed. Sure, it’s going to be chaotic, sleep-deprived, and a little stressful, but it’s also going to be incredibly memorable (and incredibly cute).
So, while I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle puppies and presents, poop and potatoes, I’ll leave you with this: If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating Christmas with the potential of a new batch of furry friends, at least you’ll have the best possible excuse to wear pyjamas all day and ignore the turkey.
And yes, Titchy’s litter is definitely going to be the highlight of our Christmas… whether we’re ready or not.
Jo xxx
