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Originally Posted by shell820810  I did not want to start a debate on this.
I genuinely wanted advice on whether this is a good route to go down.
The arguments for keeping the pups to 12 weeks as outlined with the Maltese is a physical one rather than a socialisation one, but I can see valid points, but most Yorkies over here seem to start to be weaned at 4 weeks as well, so would this not be similar time frames to the lab?
What difference would it make to the secretary of the club whether someone that has offspring from one of her pups sells them or not? She would have no financial benefit, no moral obligation etc. Surely the reason she recommend her first off is because she knows the bloodlines inside out? |
While it's physical in most aspects, it's social in this aspect as noted in the last paragraph:
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This is also the normal time when a Maltese puppy starts to learn about puppy etiquette from it's mom and any other adults around and from playing with siblings, if there is more than one puppy in the litter. They learn about appropriate doggy behavior at this point. This is very important for the future well being and mental stability of this Maltese puppy. Maltese puppies learn some valuable lessons in the weeks after weaning, including how to get along with other dogs, and that biting hurts. These are lessons, all learned in puppy play, that no dog should be without. Some of the most important lessons in life, a puppy will learn from it's mom and siblings. They NEED this time with their mom and littermates!!
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I don't know if Yorkies are bigger than the average American Yorkie, and of course if all breeders in your country sell them at this age, that wouldn't be a consideration, as you have no choice.
I'm not exactly clear on how you called her, but it sounds like you called her for a referral, and it seems to me, to avoid any notion of wrongdoing, she could have referred you to another breeder in the club. Did she do this? You have no idea if she does indeed have a financial gain in these dogs. Truthfully, I'm surprised she allowed this person to breed her dog without any type of mentoring. Something's off about the whole thing. Have the dogs been health screened? Is there anyway you could talk to another member in the club about this, even though the other member doesn't have any available pups, I think you should inquire about this practice. As you stated she has no moral obligation toward the dogs, and this makes me wary. I'm not saying I would totally rule out the dog, but I would certainly check into the matter further. I think part of you is a little leery, and that's why you presented this question, but taken a poll, on how many would buy the dog, and how many wouldn't won't help answer some of the questions you have.