[alyx]

In the UK it is the norm to home a pup at 8 weeks...sometimes even 6 weeks. And they don't suffer from it at all. They are more than capable of eating and drinking, etc.

Those first weeks are so important for socialisation and they don't get that socialisation with a breeder, especially with all the safe carry bags you can get now so that pups can get out and about before they are fully vaccinated.

I picked my girl up a couple of days before she was 8 weeks and have had no problems. She had her first vaccination at 9 weeks and is due another next week...then she can go walkies a week later at 12 weeks. By then she'll be really used to meeting other dogs (not physically but seeing them from up in her carrier), people of all shapes and sizes, cars, boats, planes, etc. She'll be well socialised and we won't have any problems with yappiness, timidity, etc. She's already a happy, confident little dog who is enjoying seeing the world around her.

As far as I'm concerned, the only real benefit in leaving them with a breeder for longer is that you don't have to put up with their mouthing for so long. I was lucky with my pup as the breeder took the pups out in her yard (safe area) so she'd already got the hang of doing her 'thing' out there. Other than that she was in a crate with her mum, brothers and sisters...not learning much at all.

I had no problems the first night she was here. She got me up to take her in the yard twice but after that night she just slept right through and we've had very few accidents in 'that' department. She's happy, alert, fit, healthy, playful and well socialised in every aspect of our lives. We're even practising walking her on her little harness in the evenings so that she's fine when she is allowed down on the ground in a couple of weeks. She's content in her crate and a joy to own.

I have had older pups from breeders and one of them was totally unsocialised and never learnt how to play with toys. He never got on with other dogs (only our own) and was like a little old man who found it very difficult to show his character. I also find it harder to housetrain them when they're older.

As I say...it's the standard practise over here to rehome at 8 weeks and there's really no reason not to, IMO. As long as the new owner is committed to the pup there's not a problem, and if they're not committed then they shouldn't have a dog of any age.