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gracielove · 07-20-2012, 11:17 AM

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.

07-20-2012, 11:17 AM	#14
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	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. Last edited by gracielove; 07-20-2012 at 11:18 AM.