What are the negatives of bringing a puppy home at 8 weeks?

[hha]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

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

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

No min. age here..

[davis]

I brought Gleason home at 8 weeks and everything went great. I know some breeders say 12-16 weeks and everyone may not be as fortunate as I was but I just didn't have any negatives.

[celstu1]

I had NO idea 8 weeks was too early to bring a puppy home, I thought it was the norm. I got my boys home at 9 weeks but it would have been 8 weeks if I was not moving the same week I bought them, so the breeder held them for me for 1 week until I settled in. They were happy, healthy and well taken care by 8 weeks. Had their first round of vacs .... I did not think it was too young to bring them home. I never EVER saw signs of hypoglycemia or anything. They slept alot until they were about 4 months old... sleeping at least 20 hours a day! That was about it. The breeder told me if they are sleeping, let them sleep, do not wake them up, they are babies and needs lots of sleep. Other than that... sometimes I wonder if we(I) worry a BIT too much. I try to not be the overprotective mommy that worries bout every little thing I read bc Id be mental all the time! lol

[Ladymom]

The issue is not so much whether or not you can get away with bringing a puppy home before twelve weeks, but what it says about the breeder who goes against the YTCA's Code of Conduct and lets them go too early.

Whether the breeder is just ignorant of the breed club's rules or doesn't care, it doesn't say much about the breeder.

[SgtPeppersMommy]

Our breeder prides herself on her socialization techniques, so I didn't feel so bad for getting Sarge when he was 8-9 weeks. I think I would do it differently next time tho because at 8 weeks he was SOOO SMALL (only a hair over a lb) I was a nervous wreck every second. He was a little too ballsy for his small stature. lol.

[txshopper73]

I got Gracie at 8 weeks...Dallas, too...but with Dallas, I had puppies at that time and the breeder and I are great friends.

A friend lets hers go at 6 weeks...IMO, that is way too young...of course!

Socialization is very important between 8-12 weeks of age.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

The issue is not so much whether or not you can get away with bringing a puppy home before twelve weeks, but what it says about the breeder who goes against the YTCA's Code of Conduct and lets them go too early.

Whether the breeder is just ignorant of the breed club's rules or doesn't care, it doesn't say much about the breeder.

[Chrissy0277]

http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/puppygrowth.php

[MIZBROWN]

By far not an expert... But I brought Meka home at 9 wks and she was very healthy and social.... I'd read a while ago that each state has a different regulation on what age a pup should be....

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by MIZBROWN

By far not an expert... But I brought Meka home at 9 wks and she was very healthy and social.... I'd read a while ago that each state has a different regulation on what age a pup should be....

I think it's important to remember the state law is just there to provide a MINIMUM age that a pup should leave...to stop the sale of unweaned puppies. Just because there is a minimum age mandated by a state doesn't mean a puppy should leave the breeder at that age.

[KathyinCali]

My breeder won't let his go until 12 weeks minimum and many times 14 weeks (or more if necessary) depending on how well he feels the pup has been socialized, eating habits, etc. I guess every breeder is different but he is adamant to not let his go too early.

[buddybramble]

We got Buddy at a day under 7 weeks, he's an absolute angel so we've been lucky. The breeder we got him from, was happy for them to leave at 7 weeks ( we didnt know any different) but she never lets her pups go to someone who works 8 plus hours a day. I can't see the point in worrying that a pup must spend 12 weeks plus with the breeder then go to a home where the poor things left most of the day. So i basically think if a pups going to a good home with plenty of time, love and care available to it, thats the most important thing.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I think it's important to remember the state law is just there to provide a MINIMUM age that a pup should leave...to stop the sale of unweaned puppies. Just because there is a minimum age mandated by a state doesn't mean a puppy should leave the breeder at that age.

And unfortunately, the majority of the states (like Alabama!) have not adopted any of the regulations or taken any steps to help look out for the best interest of dogs. But just because our individual states haven't stepped up, that shouldn't serve as an excuse for others.