Is An 8 Week Puppy Too Young?

[Woogie Man]

This is a little off-topic to the OP's question, but since so much has been made of the YTCA and AKC rules of conduct, I would like to point out that the YTCA is promoting its Partnership with Purina, of which the YTCA receives half the proceeds. My guess is that not many here feed their Yorkies Purina; it's just not a premium dog food which a Yorkie needs. Also, I was on the AKC website the other night and they had an ad for Whole Meal, whose ingredients are junk but it is jacked up with vitamins so they can advertise it as healthy. In my opinion, promoting these products is not conducive to the 'betterment of the breed'. Kind of makes you wonder what drives the YTCA and AKC these days. Have they fallen victim to the power of the almighty dollar?

[Gracie2006]

I got Gracie at 8 weeks. She did fine. She bonded more quickly than Holly who I got at 12 weeks. Gracie was easier to potty train as well. Holly, however, did not have the issues with biting that Gracie had. Personally, if I had it to do over again I think I would go for 10 weeks. Can you give the breeder an excuse like you will be having house guests or will be out of town and cannot take the pup for a couple of weeks?

[Bizzymammabee]

I got Lulu at almost eight weeks. I took off ten days from work to settle her in. Never had any problems with her healthwise and she was well socialized which I continued. She took to her potty training well. Zoey I got her at almost 5 months and I have been struggling some with her potty training.

I know it's not good and I was fortunate. I think you can evaluate each situation on a case by case basis. JMO so don't bring the heat . Just simply stating my thoughts on it. I can see the need for there to be a minimum age that breeders should allow the pup to leave the litter.

[ckuz13]

Okay, I did get the breeder off the AKC breeders list for my area. I assumed a backyard breeder would most likely be in my local classified ads. She offers all the things a breeder should Health guarantee, meet and greet with the parents, the sire and dams registration numbers are on the website etc. She also said the mom is 6lbs and dad is 2.5 lbs and sent pics one silky one cotton coat. She only had three and females seem hard to find here for a reasonable price. I have worked with hypoglycemic pups and this was a concern. That is why I figured a Legitamate breeder would think 8 weeks is too young. She sounds knowledgeable, I did not get that red flag feeling.. I will ask her next week. I don't want to insult her intelligence, or think I am being a miss know it all since good yorkies are hard to find in my area..at least the ones that look like yorkies are supposed to..

[Ladymom]

This is a great comparison between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder:

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Fair/1901/chart.html

[ckuz13]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

This is a great comparison between a backyard breeder and a reputable breeder:

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Fair/1901/chart.html

that was great...I appreciate all the info.. I will have to ask more questions..

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by ckuz13

Okay, I did get the breeder off the AKC breeders list for my area. I assumed a backyard breeder would most likely be in my local classified ads. She offers all the things a breeder should Health guarantee, meet and greet with the parents, the sire and dams registration numbers are on the website etc. She also said the mom is 6lbs and dad is 2.5 lbs and sent pics one silky one cotton coat. She only had three and females seem hard to find here for a reasonable price. I have worked with hypoglycemic pups and this was a concern. That is why I figured a Legitamate breeder would think 8 weeks is too young. She sounds knowledgeable, I did not get that red flag feeling.. I will ask her next week. I don't want to insult her intelligence, or think I am being a miss know it all since good yorkies are hard to find in my area..at least the ones that look like yorkies are supposed to..

I'm a little confused when you say, "I did get the breeder off the AKC breeders list for my area." What list is this? Are you referring to the YTCA list? AKC refers people the Yorkshire Club of America (YTCA) which would be this list. http://ytca.org/breeder4.html#AZ . They are the ones that set the standard for the Yorkshire Terrier not the AKC.

Just because you are able to register you puppies with the AKC, does not guarantee anything except you are probably getting a purebred, but nothing else. You can buy a puppy from a petstore, or puppymill that AKC, this means very little. Unless they are affiliated YTCA they don’t' have to do any health screening. This is what is important. Breeders who don't do any health screening are backyard breeders. You got to wonder why they don't screen their dogs, is it because the dog can't pass the tests? I know you are very anxious to get your dog, but as I said before take your time, be careful, don't reward byb who have caused so much pain and suffering to the dogs and to the families who have purchased them.

[BakersDozen]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

This is a little off-topic to the OP's question, but since so much has been made of the YTCA and AKC rules of conduct, I would like to point out that the YTCA is promoting its Partnership with Purina, of which the YTCA receives half the proceeds. My guess is that not many here feed their Yorkies Purina; it's just not a premium dog food which a Yorkie needs. Also, I was on the AKC website the other night and they had an ad for Whole Meal, whose ingredients are junk but it is jacked up with vitamins so they can advertise it as healthy. In my opinion, promoting these products is not conducive to the 'betterment of the breed'. Kind of makes you wonder what drives the YTCA and AKC these days. Have they fallen victim to the power of the almighty dollar?

This is very interesting. I have read no reviews or reports that indicate Purina is anything but junk food and fillers, although I am open to the idea I might have missed something. If we apply the same logic to the YTCA as has been applied to breeders not following the 12 week rule, then we must ask: If they are promoting junk food, what else are they promoting that is not right???

[PrincessDiana]

Originally Posted by BakersDozen

This is very interesting. I have read no reviews or reports that indicate Purina is anything but junk food and fillers, although I am open to the idea I might have missed something. If we apply the same logic to the YTCA as has been applied to breeders not following the 12 week rule, then we must ask: If they are promoting junk food, what else are they promoting that is not right???

While the quality of food is important, I don't think it is of utmost concern. Many dogs are fed absolute junk and many of them lead long, happy, healthy lives. Not many dogs, however, are released prematurely and don't develop problems.

Plus, breeding regulations deal with ethics --- people who feed their dog junk food are still feeding them. JMO.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

While the quality of food is important, I don't think it is of utmost concern. Many dogs are fed absolute junk and many of them lead long, happy, healthy lives. Not many dogs, however, are released prematurely and don't develop problems.

Plus, breeding regulations deal with ethics --- people who feed their dog junk food are still feeding them. JMO.

To a point what dogs are fed is about opinion and what the individual owner feels is best. I'm not concerned with Purina funding the YTCA...large dog food companies have promoted breed clubs, dogs shows, and even vet schools for years and years. They just have the funds to do it

[chinovince]

myself, I have got a male york aged at 8 weeks 5 years ago and he is well all the time because I see him once for awhile from my neighbour whom I gave the family who has just lost theirs. Lastyear, I have also got a female york aged at weeks and she is very well in another neighbour who desired to keep the baby from me so I let her have the baby girl at the age of 10 weeks. They are both very happy together. Recently, I have my baby girl Lela at the age of 7 weeks, she is so active and energetic every day and I have joys to watch her to play around.
In France, we have also this argument about the age of the baby dog to leave the mother, mainly, they express as soon as the baby dog can eat individually, it is ok to leave the mum. The only advantage is that the baby dog can adapt the new family easily and learn all from the family. Personally, I love to look after the baby dog as soon as I can because I can offer the baby dog all my love and care day and night. I feel so happy to see her to grow up every day too, it is the joy, I can only share with you this feeling of mine.
Right or wrong, as far as it doesn't hurt, nothing is extremely definitely stands for the reason. If one feels no time to look after the baby dog at the beginning (there are so much attention to be needed at the young age of baby dog, it is not really fun sometimes) due to one's work, leaving the baby dog to the mum might be better for the baby dog, I am saying this from the point of the baby.

[BakersDozen]

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

While the quality of food is important, I don't think it is of utmost concern. Many dogs are fed absolute junk and many of them lead long, happy, healthy lives. Not many dogs, however, are released prematurely and don't develop problems.

Plus, breeding regulations deal with ethics --- people who feed their dog junk food are still feeding them. JMO.

I agree, with the exception of the comment that not many dogs released prematurely (I'm assuming you mean 12 weeks) don't develop problems. Although I do not dispute the wisdom of holding them until 12 weeks, I'm not sure that I would state definitively that most released prior develop problems. Until we have a report that has studied thousands (and I mean several thousand) puppies into adulthood, we really don't have definitive knowledge about the numbers. Ancedotal evidence suggests that many do not have problems. (Of course, this is not reliable either) Much seems to depend upon the individual situation and puppy.

I wasn't making the orginial statement to disagree with the 12 weeks.....I happen to agree this is generally best....just pointing out that in "debates" such as this we often don't apply the same logic and "rules" to everything. What's that old saying, 'what's good for the goose is good for the gander'.....

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

While the quality of food is important, I don't think it is of utmost concern. Many dogs are fed absolute junk and many of them lead long, happy, healthy lives. Not many dogs, however, are released prematurely and don't develop problems.

Plus, breeding regulations deal with ethics --- people who feed their dog junk food are still feeding them. JMO.

So, if I'm reading this right, one would be labeled an irresponsible breeder if they release a puppy before 12 weeks but would not if they feed their dogs junk? I just don't don't follow this logic. Chronic kidney disease is the #1 cause of death in dogs (all breeds) and poor quality food is the main contributor to this. Ever hear the expression "you are what you eat"? For the very organizations we look to for guidance in the welfare of our dogs to promote junk food reeks of hypocrisy. They dilute their authority and tarnish the trust placed in them by these actions. JMO

[ckuz13]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm a little confused when you say, "I did get the breeder off the AKC breeders list for my area." What list is this? Are you referring to the YTCA list? AKC refers people the Yorkshire Club of America (YTCA) which would be this list. http://ytca.org/breeder4.html#AZ . They are the ones that set the standard for the Yorkshire Terrier not the AKC.

Just because you are able to register you puppies with the AKC, does not guarantee anything except you are probably getting a purebred, but nothing else. You can buy a puppy from a petstore, or puppymill that AKC, this means very little. Unless they are affiliated YTCA they don’t' have to do any health screening. This is what is important. Breeders who don't do any health screening are backyard breeders. You got to wonder why they don't screen their dogs, is it because the dog can't pass the tests? I know you are very anxious to get your dog, but as I said before take your time, be careful, don't reward byb who have caused so much pain and suffering to the dogs and to the families who have purchased them.

I have tried getting one from the YTCA last year..but the breeder could not find one in my price range..if she did it had some sort of genetic issue like hernia or overbite, one was missing her leg!!! These pups were still in the $1300 dollar range..Are all hobby breeders backyard breeders..Can some of them produce quality pups.. I bought a pug from a hobby breeder 14 years ago and he was so healthy and beutiful. Was this just luck? Some breeders make it sometimes impossible to meet all of their reguierments such as not selling to a home with children. I have two boys, age 14 and 5. They were raised around animals are so gentle and responsible and yet even with my animal experience they will not trust letting one of their pups go to our home. I have worked in an animal hospital, I know what unsupervised children can do. But with that note.. I have also seen some of the same accidents happen from senior citizens or retirees with no children. So sometimes it leaves someone like me, a woman with a family, to have to purchase from a hobby breeder and hope all goes well. Is this wrong? Ps.. I don't support puppy mills, petstores, or greedy byb.. That is why I asked the original question. I do notice red flags when I see them and I see them A lot..

[MIZBROWN]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

This is a little off-topic to the OP's question, but since so much has been made of the YTCA and AKC rules of conduct, I would like to point out that the YTCA is promoting its Partnership with Purina, of which the YTCA receives half the proceeds. My guess is that not many here feed their Yorkies Purina; it's just not a premium dog food which a Yorkie needs. Also, I was on the AKC website the other night and they had an ad for Whole Meal, whose ingredients are junk but it is jacked up with vitamins so they can advertise it as healthy. In my opinion, promoting these products is not conducive to the 'betterment of the breed'. Kind of makes you wonder what drives the YTCA and AKC these days. Have they fallen victim to the power of the almighty dollar?

Great post

There are so many that sware by AKC, as if its sacred and thats the final say (which is fine)... but if they promote such products and arent even monitoring their own websites to ensure that the breeders they list are abiding to the rules....how reputable is that? And even more so... I think that just because an individual abides by their state law, rather than the all mighty AKC law... doesnt necessarily make them a back yard breeder

I will comment... that its nice to see everyone be able to express their opinions in a polite & informative manner... Lets keep it up