before bringing him home.

That was the message from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Parks which this week urged anyone thinking of getting a new puppy for Christmas to wait awhile.

Although the furry creatures are cute and appealing, they also demand a lot of time, care and attention -- things few people have to spare over the festive season.

After Christmas people tend to be more relaxed and are able to properly consider all the consequences before selecting a dog, they said.

Before getting a puppy, potential dog owners should weigh up factors including which breed would best suit their family's lifestyle, how much exercise the dog requires, how it behaves around children and its adult size.

New dog owners should also brush up on the dog laws. These include: Dogs should be bought only from licensed breeders, pet stores, SPCA, the Government Dog Control Programme or from anyone who already holds a licence for the dog; All dogs from puppy to adult must be licensed annually; They must have access to shelter from the weather; Dogs must not stray off their property or disturb others by continuous barking.