[107barney]

Taylor your view of "reality" isn't the reality some of us experience. For me, I'll obtain pups before 12 weeks. My dogs could acclimate to any situation because they have been very well socialized since 8 weeks old. And the DVMs that Crystal refer to have a position statement saying the very opposite of your contention of what articles that you've read supposedly say. And reputable breeders make a judgment call about when the pups can go home. There's no sense for a weaned dog at 3 lbs to say with it's mother when it can come home go its new family of other dogs and people and start puppy class immediately. You keep repeating things like they are gospel, and not all of us follow the word of whatever it is breed club you're referring to. Just like bully sticks break teeth but you had to experience that go believe it, there really are breeders out there who indeed are very good and would hand off a pup to an experienced buyer under the right circumstances for the right amount of cash in hand.

As for the general views on this thread, heartworm meds must be given monthly and yes you should test annually regardless. It's simply not true to say the occurrences are rare in Toronto - the very climate would tell me that it's probably a lot like the northeast and that means there are Mosquitos. It only takes one. And I remember when Gemy's dog underwent treatment and our hearts all broke with her. Regarding vaccines, in my view it is over vaccinating to give lepto when the vaccine doesn't cover emerging serovars and has great potential downsides. I do not believe in administering Benadryl prior to vaccine in dogs that have not had a prior reaction.