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Originally Posted by puppy_Love08  I met a breeder who lets her puppies go at 6 weeks (and she's been breeding for over 20 years and has never had a problem doing so), and most breeders around here let theirs go at 8 weeks. I asked one of the reputable breeders why she let hers go at 8 weeks while many others say the puppies shouldn't go to homes until 12 weeks. She told me it's because these breeders are only doing what they've been told, but it's not accurate. Most reputable breeders will gauge how their puppies are doing. If they are not eating well yet and seem too small to leave, they will keep them until they are ready. Socialization is from 8 weeks to 14, so if breeders don't let them go until they are 12 weeks, they have only 2 weeks left of that important socialization period with their new family. |
I would like to say, yes, size and appetite does matter, but it is not the only thing that matters. It is an important part of a Yorkie puppies socialization process to be socialized by his/her fur-mother & sibblings between 8-12 weeks of age. The puppy should be sound, vaccinated, well socialized and more before it is ready to go to his/her new home...
We do not keep our puppies only because thats what we were told but because that is what is usually best for them. I would also like to add that by keeping them those extra 4 weeks, the breeder does have to feed the pups longer, clean after them, maybe begin potty training and give them an additonal set of shots. That all takes time and costs money, we don't do things in vein.
Also, nobody is saying the lady you spoke to has not been breeding for 20 years but I agree with aka_yorkie_mama 100%...
Maybe that breeder wants to spare the added expense and time
JMHO