It's not when you get a dog that should count. As a breeder, I can't time my breedeing to produce a dog when people want them. I can only breed when my females are ready and hope the breeding takes. Far too often a planned breeding doesn't take and we have to regroup and try again at the female's next heat cycle. A reputable breeder will rarely have a puppy available for the holidays or when you want it. Nature doesn't work that way. If one does offer you a dog for the holidays, I would say that they are most likely breeding too many dogs for the wrong purpose.
I would also caution you about buying a dog at the holidays. It's not usually a good time to introduce a new pet to a household. Far too often during this time people are not in a routine. Pets, especially those new the the house, need a routine. People usually have decorations for the holidays that are a super temtation for puppies to chew on or, worst, eat. I will not sell a dog to anyone during the holidays and very few reputable breeders will either. In fact, I don't know of any rescue groups that will either. Our local animal shelters have a period of time during the holidays when they won't release animals to new homes either.
You are adding a new member to your family, not a new appliance. Find the one that is right for you and enjoy him or her when that dog is available, not according to your schedule.
The Basset Hound of America site -
http://basset-bhca.org/ - does list three breeders in Alberta. I personally don't know them or anything about them. By being members of the BHCA they should abide to the club's code of ethics, but I can't speak for them or their practices. It might be a place to start. Here are the listings from the BHCA site:
Ardrossan
Wilson, Bonnie
Phone: 780-968-1464
Fax: 780-968-1495
Email:
[email protected]
Greenhalgh, Joanna
Phone: 780-968-1464
Fax: 780-968-1495
Email:
[email protected]
Onoway
Clendenning, Tim/Lisa
Phone: 780-967-5131
Fax:
Email:
[email protected]
There may be some on the forum who know more about one or more of these breeders. You could also check with the Basset Hound Club of Canada for breeders. Their site is
http://www.bassethoundclubofcanada.ca/ if you are interested.