"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"

I think dogs are like people.. they will each have their own personalities no matter what.

I'm in the process of trying to decide when to bring my little Abby home.

I think you'll find, you can get one at 6 weeks or you can get one at 12 weeks..the thing is, I think the younger they are, the easier they are to housebreak..if I ever get another one(and I'm finding having 4 inside right now is way too many), it will be as close to 6 weeks as possible..

I would want to get it at 12 weeks for the reasons listed already (socialization, hypoglycemia...). Since the YTCA says 12 weeks and I want any breeder that I buy from to follow their directions, I would not get get one too much younger than that.

By the way, Ellie came home at about 8 weeks but that is before I knew better.

I wish you could see the socialization of this one I have..she's terrible, and yes, she was older when I got her..she's constantly biting my little 2 1/2 year old biewer, she doesn't mind, always begs, does everything the opposite of the one I got younger..and shes making me want to rehome her more and more everyday, as she can't get the housebreaking down like the others did..Did you have trouble housebreaking Ellie??

Ellie is 6 years old and still goes inside quite often.
She has separation anxiety but that is probably my fault.
She growls if you try to take food away.
She has snapped before (probably not her fault).

I would never get one before 12 weeks. I couldn't wait and got Cali at 10.5 weeks and looking back, I definitely regret it. However, I could have NEVER gotten her at 6 weeks! She was so tiny and fragile. I think its so sad there are still breeders out there that let them go so early! :(

LOL you're right, it's not her fault....the obedience trainer said that anything a dog does wrong, it's not the dogs fault, it's the trainers...I can put my hand down in any of my dogs food and they don't dare even try and nip at me or anyone else..out of the 6 dogs, I have gotten all of them at 6 weeks except 2 of them, the one at 11 weeks and my biewer at 5 1/2 mos..but, none of mine have separation anxiety..

My groomer has been breeding pekingese for years, they all go at 6 weeks, and she has a lot of repeat buyers that lover her pups....I think it's great there are still breeders that let them go early...

If the breeder is a reputable and good breeder, the pups will not learn fears as someone mentioned, and they will develop good habits while at the breeders...

Obviously, if it's a breeder who doesn't put in the time, at 12 weeks, you might get a dog who has developed bad habits and fears, but that's why you should buy from reputable breeders that *care* about their dogs and want them to be socialized and start the potty training process before they go to their new homes.

Also, what about bile acid testing?? 6 and 7 weeks is so early...I believe Dr. Center (the vet who invented the bile acid test and has been heavily researching liver shunts/mvd) recommends that they be at least 9 weeks, but prefers that they be 16 weeks...

So many health issues can come up when they're so little....They are not even supposed to have their first shots at this point!! Parvo kills.... :(

Kash at 9 weeks
 

hi everyone!

i brought Kash home at 9 weeks, and he's doing awesome (he's 10 weeks old now). he loves other people, and he likes other animals, too (my two cats included, although they don't like him much). he already had 2 shots when i got him, and his third shot will be administered this Saturday. the only thing i think could have been better if i'd waited until he was 12 weeks is the bite inhibition thing because he does bite everything... but that's it. he doesn't have socialization problems, and he eats fine, has TONS of energy.

thanks!
mae

I guess we have different definitions of a "great" breeder. Personally, I would prefer mine to stick to YTCA guidelines and the numerous amounts of research that's already been done on this subject... :rolleyes:

We got Tucker at 9 weeks (almost 10). He was PERFECT and he is very social, never has any attitude problems, etc. We still keep in contact with his breeder, and Tucker's brother (that they kept) is also a very good dog.

I wouldn't get a dog any younger than 9 weeks. I think anything below that is just too young...that's JMO, but I think 9 weeks is fine. I think that after 12-13 weeks with a breeder and their parents, they've been there too long. By that point, they're attached.

I SO agree with what you said...obviously there is a difference of what people consider a reputable breeder :rolleyes: A reputable breeder follows the YTCA's ethical guidelines. Reputable breeders do not let puppies leave before 12 weeks of age

Well, then, if I were a breeder, I wouldn't be considered reputable, as I would let them go when the vets here say they're ready..I've had them young and old, and I've had a lot better luck out of the young(under 8 weeks), and nothing but problems out of this one I have now..

There are a lot of differences of opinion about what the perfect age to bring a pup home. I am new at the breeding business, we have had three litters, here is what I have learned both as a puppy buyer and puppy raiser-upper....

As a puppy buyer: Chattie and Chizzie both came to me very young - Chattie was 6 weeks and Chizzie was 7 weeks. Under very careful care they flourished and have developed into two very nice well adjusted dogs. Their one big fault is that these two girls hate each other, but I can't blame that one getting them at a young age.

A a puppy raiser: What I have discovered in my limited experience is that from between weaning (mom decides when, not me) and anywhere between 12 and 20 weeks the pups learn appropriate pack behavior and socalization. The pups learn where it is apporpriate to potty - cause they follow in Mom's footsteps. They learn about eating dry kibble (I have yet to sell a picky eater). They learn how to respect their canine family.

All of these lessons are learned gently and for the most part without my direct intervention. If you don't "study" them you would never know what was happening. Somewhere between 12 and 20 weeks when I generally let pups go to forever homes, they are almost completely potty pad trained, they have learned how to listen and to learn. They watch for signals that their behavior is appropriate..... again these things are so subtle that most eyes would never see.

I agree with you. Staying at the breeder for too long could cause them to develop too big of an attachment to that environment. I don't think my Kashi even thinks about his old life anymore...

:goodpost:

I couldn't agree more. Any breeder who blatantly violates the breed club's code of conduct is not a reputable breeder.

CODE OF CONDUCT

8) All puppies leaving the breeders possession will be a minimum of twelve (12) weeks
of age to facilitate adequate socialization as well as appropriate emotional and
temperament development through interaction with siblings, dam and other dogs.


http://www.ytca.org/ethics.html

I'm glad YTCA has done all this studying..I bet if they came to my house, they would never be able to decide by the way they act which one I got at 6 weeks and which one at 11, infact, I'd bet $1000 that they would totally get the 2 of them mixed up..

I could never tell anyone that it is okay to get a toy breed at 6-8 weeks of age. Yes, they might survive and be just fine, but what if they don't? How would you feel if you told someone it was fine and then their dog died from hypoglycemia which could have been prevented if the pup stayed a few weeks longer? I know I would feel horrible about it. What if the puppy ends up having liver shunt which could have been checked for at 12-16 weeks of age? Now the family has had the puppy for 4-8 weeks and is in love with it and are heartbroken because their puppy has a major defect..and it all could have been prevented if the puppy was older and had been BAT before leaving the breeder.

There is just no reason for a puppy to leave that early except out of pure selfishness. A breeder would only let a puppy go that young because they either don't know any better or are being lazy and don't want to take care of puppies any longer. And anyone that will only bring a puppy home that young is being selfish and not looking out for the best interest of the puppy. It is proven it is better for the puppies to stay with their breeder, mother, and littermates longer.

The YTCA members have been showing and breeding for years and years...they know more about the yorkshire terrier breed than most YT members combined. I'm pretty sure they have their rules for good reasons...mostly FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DOGS!

We Brought Harvey Home At 8 Weeks, And He Was Naturally Fearful At First, I Think That Would Have Been The Case Even At 12 Weeks, Leaving His Mum And All He Knew.

He Soon Settled Down And Has Been A Joy To Us, With No Socialisation Issues, He Loves Meeting All Other Dogs, And People Too, As Long As They Dont Try To Pick Him Up - He Doesnt Like Being Picked Up By Strangers Or People He Doesnt Know. But He Thinks Everyone In This World Is Only Here To Meet And Greet Harvey!!!!!!!!:)

We made *two* bad decisions regarding our introduction to Sadie Girl..

We brought her home at 8-weeks old from a pet store (gasps all around, lol).

I know there's both good and bad in regards to bringing your puppy home early, and I know the feelings regarding getting your baby from a pet store.

That said, we have been INCREDIBLY INCREDIBLY lucky with Sadie. Knowing now what I know, I probably would never again get a puppy from a pet store, but in Sadie's case, I am SO glad I did. I can't imagine not having THIS SPECIFIC Yorkie, lol. We have had no problems with her whatsoever; we chose to pee-pee pad train her and take her outside on random intervals. She's almost 1.5 years and completely pee-pee pad trained and also will go outside (if we take her). She's very healthy, eats like a horse (LOL), gets along with every human she meets, and LOVES other animals to death. It's funny, knowing the statistics w/ pet store puppies, because it's almost like Sadie is the EXACT opposite. We were so, so lucky.

Found out after we got her and did our research (a little backward, I know) that she came from one of the biggest puppy mills in America. I feel horrible about that, but at the same time, she was born there regardless, and I can't imagine not having her, you know? We're just lucky she turned out so good. No emotional issues at all (unless you don't play with her when she wants...:P)

Instead of from da hood, Sadie's tough cuz she's from da mill..... bad joke, I know....but she's a toughie!! :)

Here is a great website that has very good information on puppy socialization:
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ear...alization.html

Puppy socialization begins with the breeder. Just because a breeder keeps a puppy until it is 12 weeks old does not mean that puppy was properly socialized, that is why it is important to ask questions about how the puppies are raised. Also, a puppy might have been keep until 12 weeks and the new owner might take that puppy home, stick it in a crate, neglect it and not continue with proper socialization.
Over vaccination can also be contributed to many of the behavioral problems:
http://www.deide.net/misc.html

I don't think that it's impossible to get a pup at an earlier age and have success with the outcome. I do however think you are taking a much bigger risk that is easily avoidable. If you do have a positive experience, chalk it up to luck and knowing how to handle the situation, but don't assume that the result would be the same every single time. Like pointed out, the YTCA and many experienced, respected breeders didn't get bored one day and come to the consensus that 12 weeks should be the standard age of release--it's a belief that derived from years of experience and research. (Not to mention that release at 6 wks is illegal in many states.) To think that one or even a handful of success stories with getting a pup earlier should overshadow and disprove that is ridiculous. I would hope that anyone advising those learning about this breed would base their advice on more than just one personal experience...or even several for that matter.

Here's a table that shows the puppy age sales law by state:

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/o...ysaletable.htm

What if a pup was sold at 6-8 weeks and the owner goes to work for 8 hours a day. Kibble is left out but pup doesn't want to eat. Owner comes home to a dead pup from hypoglycemia. There is less chance of this happening at 12 weeks, so it is better for the pup.

And if a breeder can't do something as simple as hold a pup til 12 weeks (10 or 11 might be okay but not optimal), then we can just about bet that they aren't bile acid testing parents, checking for LP...

Did you ever think it could just be her personality and not the fact that you got her at 12 weeks. Or maybe its something you are doing and not realizing it.

There are always exceptions to every rule. But, you are not in the majority..

I was at the vets office the other day and there was an 8 week old pup there having hypoglycemia problems :(

No, I've had dogs all my life(51 years)...she is totally different than the ones I've gotten younger..as I said, everyone has a preference, mine is to get them young, but, again, I am home 24/7 too

:thumbup: :thumbup: