Need help ..Again .. Sorry

[Jaedawn]

Hi,
As you all know I am going to be getting my first Yorkie and tomorrow I have an appointment to see the breeder near me she has 3 puppies 2 girls and 1 boy. I am interested in the girls anyway when I was talking to her last night I said I was hoping she would keep the puppy until it was 12 weeks and she acted like I hit her in the face with a skillet. She took a huge gasp and said nothing for a few minutes then said WHY?
And I said well from what I have been told it is better for the puppy to stay with the mother until they are 12 weeks old. This seemed to completely shock her. She then said ohhhh I couldn’t do that she would be in the pen with nothing with her she will cry. I said well I was hoping that you would keep the puppy with its mother she said well I doubt you would want her with all of the dogs … would you? She has said that the puppies are raised at her home and that she has King Charles and Yorkies. And no I don’t know how many there are as yet but should be able to see tomorrow. Is this an issue do you think?
I am planning on visiting the place tomorrow to get a better understanding but my question to all of you what are the points that I should make to try to get her to keep the puppy until it is 12 weeks old? Since I have been reading on her most of you think that 12 weeks is much better then 8 weeks and I just would like a list or reasons to present to her to back up my point. Thanks again everyone for your help. Just to give you information that I have the mother is with her but the sire is a pedigree international show dog. Also the breeder is on the Kennel Club and is noted that she has DNA testing with her dogs (preferred breeder per Kennel Club).
Thanks everyone, being a complete novice with being a dog owner much less it being a Yorkie I do so want to do this correctly but not sure of facts to present !

[Lovetodream88]

Yorkies learn a lot from the there mom between 8 and 12 weeks. Socializing and biting are the big things they learn. Also at 8 weeks if the puppy is not with there mom then you will need to stay with them pretty much all the time until they get a bit older because at 8 weeks they have a higher chance of getting hypoglycemia and if that happens when your not there it could result in death. If the breeder doesn't not want to keep the pup until 12 weeks you might want to just look for a different breeder. She sounded like she didn't want to keep them until 12 weeks because she doesn't want to deal with them.

[Harrysmum]

It's very, very different in the UK. Most small dogs leave their mum/litter mates at 8 weeks....right or wrong - that's how it's always been, large or small breeds.

We happened to get Harry at 12 weeks - but's that's just how it was....happened EVERY other dog I've had (Boxers, Labs, Westies, miniature Schnauzers etc etc) have ALL been 8 weeks old. One of Harry's littermates (the little girl) went to her new home at 8 weeks. She is gorgeous and well-adjusted and trouble-free.

If I were you, I'd go along anyway, and explain the situation, and your doubts and worries. That you've read so much and learnt so much - bite inhibition, fear of blood sugar dropping in a Littlie etc....assess the whole situation, and the set-up, and the responses you get - and THEN make your decision.

Hard, isn't it? But I wish you luck - and hope tomorrow goes really well for you Sally + Harry x

[nicky wells]

I agree with Harry's mum in as much as over here in the UK litters leave their moms at about 8 weeks, much longer and they get too attached to their moms and siblings, also mom has had enough of them as well!!!

Good luck and enjoy your new pup

[nicky wells]

Welcome from the UK. Molly and I are new to so hopefully we can swap ideas, stories etc.

Would love see a photo too.

[Jaedawn]

<waves at Nicky>

Well I just hope I don't get kicked off for asking silly questions. Just feel like I am standing on a huge cliff and want to get into the gorgous water way way down at the bottom and just can't seem to jump cause I see so many rocks .... its taken me a year to get the courage to get a yorkie. Just feel so clueless ...

[sganow]

I think you should still go and see the puppies and their current home. That way you can decide if you feel comfortable with the situation. It sounds to me like she wants to get rid of the puppies and if she keeps her for another 4 weeks she would plan to just keep her in a kennel anyway (not wonderful for the puppy). You will have to see how you feel once you go there. We got our first yorkie (Ginger) from a pet store at 6 weeks old (didn't know any better 9 yrs ago). The pet store owner took the time to explain about hypoglycemia and told us how to properly take care of her. We had 2 other dogs at home already (large dogs). She really took to them and so was never really alone or without other dogs. She did just fine. I guess that if the puppy is healthy then in theory everything should be fine. Good luck with whatever you decide. There are plenty of good knowledgeable people on this site than can help you out with the puppy if needed.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Yorkies learn a lot from the there mom between 8 and 12 weeks. Socializing and biting are the big things they learn. Also at 8 weeks if the puppy is not with there mom then you will need to stay with them pretty much all the time until they get a bit older because at 8 weeks they have a higher chance of getting hypoglycemia and if that happens when your not there it could result in death. If the breeder doesn't not want to keep the pup until 12 weeks you might want to just look for a different breeder. She sounded like she didn't want to keep them until 12 weeks because she doesn't want to deal with them.

I agree....and it is much more of an imposition because we DO keep our mommas and their babies separate from everyone else....which is why I have my current momma in my master bathroom with her babies!!! But I leave the babies with her until they go out at 12-14 weeks....she is no longer nursing at all, but she certainly helped me wean these little buggers...they will eat anything she eats, so when she started to eat the gruel, they joined right in...she taught them to lap out of a water bowl...she tauight them manners....pack etiquette....which is still a work in progress.....we are in week 10 and she is teaching them they do NOT get into HER food until she is finished or she invites them there.....she also teaches them when it is play time and when they need to calm down and stop, nap.......defines for them "playing" versus "pestering".....these are all important lessons they need to learn, and momma teaches it well....

[Yorkiemom1]

And if it is "normal practice" in UK to get babies at 8 weeks, then ANY breeder you go to will do the same thing! If you are comfortable with this lady, and you like what you see, then get your baby!

[BiewerYorkie]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

And if it is "normal practice" in UK to get babies at 8 weeks, then ANY breeder you go to will do the same thing! If you are comfortable with this lady, and you like what you see, then get your baby!

I agree. Just be prepared for any potentional "problems" in case they come up. The people here on YT can tell you just what you need to have available.

Congrats and be sure and send pics!

Louise

[Jaedawn]

If United Kingdom didn't have such stringent rules about bringing dogs over and into the country (okay granted rabbies is a HUGE issue hehe). I would have tried to get a puppy from a great breeder like yourself Yorkiemom1 cause I would absolutely love to have the puppy trained by it's mom and would pay alot extra for that cause I know it would be done correctly! But if I did get a puppy from anywhere outside the UK I think it would be a adult dog by the time I was able to get it home

I do think this breeder is a good one basically due to the fact of her being a breeder with the Kennel Club for a number of years and having the preferred stamp because she has and had DNA testing for genetic problems with her breeding dogs. The puppy was born on the 10 of June so it wouldn't be able to come home at 8 weeks until 5th of August ... I think I will try to see if I can pick her up on the 10 August I am off that day so it works better for me, that's if I feel comfortable about the situation. (thinks to self hummm yeah tomorrow see cute adorable puppies ... that breeder is so so so getting a deposit tomorrow )

[sganow]

Careful! These little theives will steal your heart!

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by BiewerYorkie

I agree. Just be prepared for any potentional "problems" in case they come up. The people here on YT can tell you just what you need to have available.

Congrats and be sure and send pics!

Louise

Exactly!!! Everyone on here is so lovely and helpful.... please - never, ever feel wrong or sorry or stupid about asking ANYTHING - there's always someone who can help with whatever you need - eventually!!!

Originally Posted by sganow

Careful! These little theives will steal your heart!

Too right!!!

Sally + Harry x

[gracielove]

Before I get into this I myself have never been a breeder of dogs. I have helped relatives that bred and showed dogs and I learned a lot. I did show and breed pure bred cats and I can tell you that informed and experienced breeders of cats also keep kittens until they are at least 12 weeks.

A puppy or kitten can often survive after they are weaned and removed from their homes but it is not in the best interest of the pup/kitten or the new owner to do so. There is a lot of physical and psychological maturing that goes on between 6 and 12 weeks. Puppies and kittens that are between 6 and 12 weeks of age are basically still in the infant stage. A new owner that obtains a young one like this is taking on the responsibility of a baby that is totally helpless and dependent. These little ones have not undergone the training and socialization that they would learn with their mom and litter mates and this will show in some traits they develop later. The fact that they are still basically infants is why your puppy is going to cry and seek out comfort for the first several weeks if it is left alone. The puppy is no where near being ready to be potty trained. They have no control and will not until they are around 16 weeks.

The puppy/kitten at 12 weeks has reached a emotional and mental place where they are wanting to venture out and explore the world without fear. They are, more independent and secure in themselves. I realize a lot of people think the 12 weeks age idea is new and applies only to Yorkies but it has been closely studied by experts and is true for all sizes of dogs. Some puppies/kittens are slower at maturing and may need to be held back a few more weeks.

The other issue here is that a person who is breeding in order to better the breed and is showing their stock cannot properly evaluate a puppy to determine just what quality these puppies are at such a young age. A serious show breeder is going to wait until at least 12 weeks of age to determine if these puppies are pet, breeder or show quality. I guess that is why I would question about the father being an international show dog. If this lady paid a stud fee for an international show champion or if she owned one she certainly would not be in such a hurry to sell these puppies. I would proceed with caution. She may very well have raised these puppies some where in her home but it sounds like she kennels the other dogs. By the sounds she has a large number of dogs.

She told you that the male is an "international show dog" so that indicates to me that perhaps she shows her dogs? If that is what she is telling you then I would ask to see the pedigrees of both parents. I just see some conflicts here but if you are in another country that may be why I feel this way. I know that if I paid a stud fee for or owned an international show champion I would not be in such a hurry to sell these puppies for the above reasons.

[fearby]

charlie 'yorkie' is now 15 weeks old i got him when he was 6 weeks old and my older dog who is now 11 years old border collie i got when she was 6 weeks old and i have never had a problem with either of them i wouldnt have had it any other way