As you can see there are various reasons for having a pup stay with the mom until at least 12 weeks. Personally, as a breeder of purebred Himalayan cats, we also kept our kittens until at least the age of 12 weeks, not because they were not able to survive at a younger age, but because they were mentally and socially stronger and able to make the transition to a new home without a lot of trauma. At the age of 12 weeks pups and kittens start to break off from the litter and investigate on their own. They don't need the litter mates as much for comfort in sleeping and playing. Since they are more independent the new owner is not dealing with a needy infant as much as someone who gets a pup or kitten at a much younger age. A young puppy in particular spends the night crying for the comfort of the littler when taken away so young.
Small breed pups do mature slower many times. Their teeth don't come in as early as some larger breeds do so they may not eat as well as they should. Hypoglycemia can be a real danger to a small breed puppy. At 12 weeks they are usually solidly weaned and do not have eating issues.
As mentioned, breeders who are breeding to bring in the dollars want the puppies gone as soon as they are weaned because that is when the mom stops cleaning up after the puppies. It takes a dedicated breeder to keep a litter of puppies for the additional weeks they need to mature because it is a lot more work for the breeder, but it is so important for the pup and the new owner.
You will find that house breaking will be less of a problem with an older puppy as well. Puppies do not start to have the ability to hold back their urine until they are about 16 weeks old. Until then you have a leaking faucet. You have to teach the pup it cannot pee inside but the owner pretty much has to control the situation because the young pup cannot do much about it. Small breed pups have tiny little bladders. The more they mature the less they pee. At 12 weeks of age you have missed at least a month of seemingly constant peeing.
Every pup is an individual. As a cat breeder we evaluated each kitten according to how it was progressing. Sometimes one does not progress as fast as another. I have found that to be true of puppies as well. A good breeder should be able to tell you the personality characteristics of each pup and how it is progressing.
I realize that many countries do not go along with what many professional breeders in the US have found to be helpful. Certainly a puppy can usually survive at 8 weeks but studies have revealed valid reasons to wait. I was truly concerned for my kittens and wanted them to have the best possible start in life and did not want them leaving before they were ready. For me it was more about what was best for them and their getting a good start in their new homes.
With all that said, if you are buying from someone that wants the pups gone and is not prepared to care for the puppy as it should be for the remaining weeks then it may be better to get the puppy sooner. If the puppy will not be with the mom and litter mates and is left caged and un-socialized it is not going to be getting the benefits it needed anyway. But do not for one second believe that a puppy "bonds" better at such an early age. |