I think the biggest reason people sell pups at a young age is because they are just uneducated. In the real world most people have always sold pups around 6 to 8 weeks of age. It hasn't been until recently that states have came up with laws that say pups can't be sold until they are at least 8 weeks.
The 12 weeks age recommendation by the YTCA is just that, a recommendation. I know some very reputable breeders that do occasionally let their pups go at 10 to 12 weeks. Most show breeders like to keep the pups a long time so they can evaluate them but if they see a puppy that, for example, will be over sized or have a bad bite or some other fault that is obvious right away then they might go ahead and let that pup go a little before 12 weeks.
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