 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
What age should a puppy be before collecting from a breeder? We've been told 8 weeks but elsewhere I've read up to 12 weeks. We've been looking at a pup from a hobby breeder but they've now advised they want the pups collected at 7 weeks due to their own commitments. On one hand - it makes me concerned that they are putting their own priorities above those of the pups, but on the other hand having met them I don't read anything into that particularly, their approach so far appears very diligent. Any pitfalls to adopting a dog earlier than this nominal 8 weeks that we should be aware of?
If they're weened it's normally Ok but 8 weeks seems early, if they have such busy live they shouldn't be letting their dog have pups.
8 weeks was the norm when I was looking years ago. Perhaps the owners are exhausted if it's a large litter?
8 weeks for us and most people. Any longer than that and you're missing out on valuable socialising time.
I have always tried to adopt at 8-9 weeks and think earlier can be a little problematic.
We got our 2 present dogs at 9 weeks and 16 weeks and both have worked out fine. I wouldn't have preferred the 16 week age, but we had an older dog die and wanted to get a puppy to be company to the other. The breeder we got her from just happened to have a single female left who was 16 weeks. The dog was very well socialized as the breeder and family spend an inordinate amount of time with their pups and the pup was with their 3 breeding females and their 2 "housedogs", so well adjusted with other dogs.
Longer the pup stays with the bitch is better ... 12 weeks is about the optimum....
8 weeks is pretty standard. Thats how old this guy was when we picked him up.
[img] 
[/img]
Actually I may messed up and the others are right 8 weeks isn't that unusual. 😳
Been awhile since I had a pup the last one was 12 weeks but that's because she was the last of the litter and managed persuade the breeder to part with her, it was my Dad's cousin.
It's exciting! I've just agreed to take a Lab pup, but she's only 4 weeks at the mo. Been told she'll be ready at the end of April so that's about 8 weeks
8 weeks seems to be the norm. They want picked up actually closer to 7 than 8 (is between the two) because they have another litter due (another mum obviously) and you can no more control the actual date the pups are born than you can control when the other mum is in season. I don't think its anything 'sinister' tbh. And someone elsewhere has suggested that 6-8 weeks may be optimum for socialisation; too early and pup isn't properly weaned but too late and they may have more issues settling.
7 - 8 is what I have always understood, all ours have been around that point.
8 weeks is normal, 7 weeks acceptable in unusual circumstances, anything earlier totally unacceptable and much later means pup misses being properly socialised and bonded with new owner. I'd still be suspicious of a breeder trying to offload at 7 weeks even of you think it isn't sinister. It sounds like they're more interested in profit than wellbeing...
Wanting the pups collected early due to other commitments doesn't really give the impression that they have the dog's best interests at heart.
Wanting the pups collected early due to the arrival of another litter suggests a profit driven breeder (puppy farm).
Definitely not a hobby breeder.
theotherjonv - Member
8 weeks seems to be the norm. They want picked up actually closer to 7 than 8 (is between the two) because they have another litter due (another mum obviously) and you can no more control the actual date the pups are born than you can control when the other mum is in season. I don't think its anything 'sinister' tbh. And someone elsewhere has suggested that 6-8 weeks may be optimum for socialisation; too early and pup isn't properly weaned but too late and they may have more issues settling.
POSTED 4 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
WTF is a "hobby breeder"? It seems like they're churning them out for punters eager for "this year's" dog... 🙄
My parents have been 'hobby' breeders for the last 40 odd years and again 8 weeks was the norm. They've never had two litters on the go at once though....
Typical stw. If you haven't been to visit, I don't think you can judge its a puppy farm. Its a smallish semi with the pups being weaned in the kitchen, they have a second dog who's expecting. And if you don't know what a hobby breeder is in this context your opinion is automatically discounted.
We got our Lurcher pup at 11 weeks with no problems 7 weeks should be fine and later is fine too. They are dogs not robots, hard and fast rules do not apply.
8 weeks is about the norm, 7 weeks shouldn't be a problem as long as it's been weend.
Took my last one at 6 1/2 weeks and it hasn't been an issue.
He's gorgeous what breed is he?
[img] [/img]
He's just SOOOOOOO FLUFFY!!!!!!