I brought mine home at 6 weeks and 8 weeeks and the only temperment problem they have is barking and I dont think that would have been resolved by them staying with the mom longer because my breeders dogs were barkers

I brought Quincy home at 6 weeks, I realize now that it is kind of soon for him, but my only "problem" is that he is VERY attached to me. Now he is 8 or 9 weeks and he's fine, he runs around and plays and tries to carry my daughter's stuffed animals around LOL! He is a very funny, smart little guy. I should be getting another one in a month or two for him to have a friend :)

At first, Jobey didn't want to run around, just sleep, but now he is all over the place. For some reason he loves my son's monster trucks. I guess he is a true boy:D Come to think of it, Jobey hasn't barked one time since he's been home. Weird.

Kyle, not a thing, and I see nothing wrong with getting them even at 7 weeks..I have had much better luck with the ones I've gotten that young with everything...The one I got at 11 weeks is biting still(she's almost 7 mos now) and still hasn't gotten the poop on the pee pad down yet. If I ever get another one, it will be much younger..I've never had any issues with the one I got younger like I'm having with the one that we got a little older..

Thanks everyone!

It's nice to see both sides. :)

not sure if you are still looking for replies (lol!) but

i brought bentley home at 8 weeks and he is the sweetest, most loving puppy i have ever seen...he loves everyone and is not scared of any noise (well except for the soda can with coins to stop his yipping hehe) or anyone...anyone he meets is his new best friend and he gives lots of licks and kisses!!

in retrospect, i wish i would have waited until he was 12 weeks but his breeder knew i had another baby around his age so she thought it would be okay as far as his development went...the ONLY downside to his coming home so early was that he was quite a biter (did not learn the bite inhibition from mommy) but he soon learned it from miss buffey who would yelp (i have to admit - she IS a bit of a drama queen and a mommas girl :D ) and stop playing with him if he nipped too hard :)

i kinda like getting them earlier than 12 weeks (around 8 weeks) because i dont want any bad habits setting in or them having truma or unnecessary fears (apparently these set in around 8-12 weeks).

we got pebbles at 9 weeks and she is 10 weeks now... i dont think it would have been better if we got her at 12. she was the only one in her litter so there was no socialization or whatever to be had

I think on this subject, everyone has their own opinions..I know years ago, breeders never would have even considered keeping pups until they were 12 weeks, that I think has been in the last few years, and I still don't like the 12 week thing..so, again, as on a lot of other subjects, to each his own...I like getting mine around 6 weeks other people prefer the 12..preferences!!

I think that baby's should stay with mom until 12 weeks.. but I got my last girl at 8 weeks and she flew a 12 hour flight then a 3 hour drive.. she came into our home as if she was there since day one..I think you need to pay more attention to them,.. making sure they are eating good.. watching them lots.. making sure that since they are young they are not left alone with other bigger dogs.. in case of accidents.. as baby's think they are bigger and want to play hard with a more settled dog..
I also think size is an issue.. a tiny is much harder due to blood sugar.. making sure they are eating a bit more often.,..
I have also gotten one as young as 6 weeks.. now that would be a breeder that did not want to put money out on shots..

post pictures.....

Here's my opinion, as a breeder:
Aside from the obvious research that indicates the social development recieved by staying with the mom/pups until a minimally 12 wks of age. I realize there will eternally be people who are of the opinion that this ISN'T the case, but it is my opinion based on my experiences.
In addition, I prefer that the pups have ALL of their vaccinations before they leave my home. I don't even begin with the vaccinations for ours until around that age. If the pups are going to have adverse reactions to the vaccinations, I want to know and I want them to be with me, not the new owners when this happens.
I like to keep them longer to see what types of personalities they develop. Otherwise, how can I determine at such a good age if the home they are going to is going to be a good match. I look back and see how our previous litters have had personality changes from 8 weeks until when they left at 12-16 weeks. I think there are alot of breeders who want the pups gone earlier just so they can avoid continuing the cost of caring for the pups. I guess an important conversation to have w/ any breeder you may be considering is to get their reasoning on WHY they choose to place their pups at the age they do. Regardless of what age that is, they should have thought their decisions through and should be able to give you their IN DEPTH reasoning behind their decision.
Anyway, just a few of my thoughts on the matter.:)

I got a puppy once at 12-13 weeks. He was honestly awful. I ended up re-homing him with someone who could spend more time with him. He wouldn't potty train, wouldn't crate train, chewed on walls-furniture-carpet-people-toys-books... he chewed through baby gates, kennels. I had to bathe him almost every day because of the horrible poop smearing he'd do. He barked a lot too.

Scrappy came home in his eighth week. He is 11 weeks old today and he's 99.9 percent potty trained. He doesn't bark all the time. He does nip a little, but not excessively - and he's never left a mark on anyone.

I think it depends on a lot of factors. I'd say to go with the gut... talk to the breeder, meet the folks, meet the puppy.

thanks for this thread. We brought Bengi at 9 weeks and he has socialization problems too. He barks at new people and won't warm up to them easily. Also, he's scared of other dogs and won't play with them at the park. He may sniff a little but he won't allow them to smell his butt, no way!
He only plays with Brownie, his mini pin cousin, who he met when he was like 6 months old. Too bad I don't have any more family with dogs.
I'm going to make sure that whenever the time comes to get another puppy, we get it at 12 weeks at least.

I think the reason is they have to bond with their mom and littermates, the later on you bring them home the more time they bond, learn to socialize.

i got brownie at 8 weeks & hes nutty lol & doesnt like other dogs
i got austin @ 10 weeks & hes got an awsome temperment
But brownie was from a petstore & austin breeder so who knows

Absolutely right.. although I have gotten baby's young.. I do not let mine go at that age..
I too think the puppies need to have some if not all there shots.. if they do not have all their shots.. I make sure since I would only sell locally that also staying with my vet until shots are given.. means I also know what is going on.
Many people do not even know what parvo is and the importance of getting shots done properly...