Is 8 Weeks too Young?

[Sharly4]

I absolutly agree that 12 weeks or older is the best age! Mom teaches baby so much. They are already weaned and eating on their own too. Check ups and shots have been done as well. I try to have mine semi potty trained to go outside before they go home. Try to talk your friend to keeping your puppy till 12 weeks you'll be glad you did!

[Chili Dawg]

We got our Zena at eight weeks from an experienced breeder. We have had no problems at all and she is a very healthy and active Yorkie. Of course we have had dogs before and know how to care for them and what to look out for.

[Reinell]

Just a question - I am getting a second dog - a new Yorkie puppy and she'll be between 8-9 weeks old (that's the intention right now anyway). I have read the comments about waiting until the puppy is 10-12 weeks old.

Is the issue purely for health reasons? As far as biting and learning goes, won't my other Yorkie (her bilogocial brother the prior litter or so) who will be 2 years in May 2010 be able to teach my new puppy things her mother would?

What is the smallest the pup should be (in pounds) upon coming home with new owners?

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Just a question - I am getting a second dog - a new Yorkie puppy and she'll be between 8-9 weeks old (that's the intention right now anyway). I have read the comments about waiting until the puppy is 10-12 weeks old.

Is the issue purely for health reasons? As far as biting and learning goes, won't my other Yorkie (her bilogocial brother the prior litter or so) who will be 2 years in May 2010 be able to teach my new puppy things her mother would?

What is the smallest the pup should be (in pounds) upon coming home with new owners?

Did you read the link I posted on the first page? It applies to all toy breeds, not just Yorkies.

Why do Maltese puppies need to be 12 weeks old before going to a new home??

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Just a question - I am getting a second dog - a new Yorkie puppy and she'll be between 8-9 weeks old (that's the intention right now anyway). I have read the comments about waiting until the puppy is 10-12 weeks old.

Is the issue purely for health reasons? As far as biting and learning goes, won't my other Yorkie (her bilogocial brother the prior litter or so) who will be 2 years in May 2010 be able to teach my new puppy things her mother would?

What is the smallest the pup should be (in pounds) upon coming home with new owners?

No training comes from the mother....the teach the pups where they stand in the pack and proper play behavior.......

Here's from the YTCA Code of Ethics and Standard
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.

9) Breeders will provide puppy buyers with written details of feeding, general care, date and types of a minimum of two (2) inoculations, as well as dates of wormings, grooming instructions, etc. and be available to offer future advice as needed.

As stated in # 9 if puppies receive their first innoculation between 8 and 9 weeks.......and leaves the breeders premises younger than 12 weeks said puppy could not receive the minimum of 2 innoculations.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Just a question - I am getting a second dog - a new Yorkie puppy and she'll be between 8-9 weeks old (that's the intention right now anyway). I have read the comments about waiting until the puppy is 10-12 weeks old.

Is the issue purely for health reasons? As far as biting and learning goes, won't my other Yorkie (her bilogocial brother the prior litter or so) who will be 2 years in May 2010 be able to teach my new puppy things her mother would?

What is the smallest the pup should be (in pounds) upon coming home with new owners?

Males are not usually as tolerate of puppies as the mom is. I do not let my male dogs around pups until the pups are at least 12 weeks old. Some males will attack a small puppy. I know of one breeder who's male actually killed a 4 month old pup. It really would be better for your puppy if the breeder can keep her until she is closer to 12 weeks.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Just a question - I am getting a second dog - a new Yorkie puppy and she'll be between 8-9 weeks old (that's the intention right now anyway). I have read the comments about waiting until the puppy is 10-12 weeks old.

Is the issue purely for health reasons? As far as biting and learning goes, won't my other Yorkie (her bilogocial brother the prior litter or so) who will be 2 years in May 2010 be able to teach my new puppy things her mother would?

What is the smallest the pup should be (in pounds) upon coming home with new owners?

I never let my puppies go to their new homes until they are over 2 pounds and are eating well on their own.....So, they may stay with me longer......

My pups will be 4 months of age on Christmas...Today I began taking them outside, 1 at a time and running with the other females

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Did you read the link I posted on the first page? It applies to all toy breeds, not just Yorkies.

Why do Maltese puppies need to be 12 weeks old before going to a new home??

I did read the link. However, if the breeder gives the puppy shots at 6 weeks then she doesn't follow the breeder in the link's processes.

I'm not saying it isn't good/better for the pup to be 12 weeks. I got my current dog at 8 weeks and my parents got my childhood dog at 8 weeks and both were "fine". That being said, they may have been "better dogs" if they had the opportunity to stay with their Mom longer.

I am sure the breeder won't let my puppy leave if she is too tiny, and I won't take her unless she will be OK in my care. After all, it's all about the puppy's health!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

I did read the link. However, if the breeder gives the puppy shots at 6 weeks then she doesn't follow the breeder in the link's processes.

I'm not saying it isn't good/better for the pup to be 12 weeks. I got my current dog at 8 weeks and my parents got my childhood dog at 8 weeks and both were "fine". That being said, they may have been "better dogs" if they had the opportunity to stay with their Mom longer.

I am sure the breeder won't let my puppy leave if she is too tiny, and I won't take her unless she will be OK in my care. After all, it's all about the puppy's health!

If a breeder is giving a puppy it's first shot at 6 weeks she is doing more harm than good and suppressing mother's immunities, there for setting up the pup to contract a case of parvo.

The fact that you got your dog at 8 weeks and your parents got your childhood dog at 8 weeks (don't know how many years ago that was), didn't make it right. And it's all about what is best for the puppy, not the breeder, not the new puppy owner.

[Reinell]

Good information - thanks so much for all the responses. I am not sure the schedule for the shots - have not seen pictures yet or seen how big the pups are. They were born Nov 15th.

My male dog was in our care just after 8 weeks and he was eating on his own by the age of 6 or 7 weeks (hard food) and he had teeth etc.

Perhaps if this new puppy is smaller the development may be different than how Rocky was as a 8 week old.

Good to know that the mother teaches the pup - I wasn't too sure of that!

Doing some quick reseach I notcied that many "non-registered breeders" (and also a few registered) say pups ready at 8 weeks - so I think it's a pretty common thing, even with Yorkies.

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

If a breeder is giving a puppy it's first shot at 6 weeks she is doing more harm than good and suppressing mother's immunities, there for setting up the pup to contract a case of parvo.

The fact that you got your dog at 8 weeks and your parents got your childhood dog at 8 weeks (don't know how many years ago that was), didn't make it right. And it's all about what is best for the puppy, not the breeder, not the new puppy owner.

You have encouraged me to ask about the breeder's intended vaccination schedule - thanks for that. I will do that. I don't want my puppy to be ill in any way, shape or form.

I agree - it may not be right to get a puppy at 8 weeks but I do think it is quite common.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Good information - thanks so much for all the responses. I am not sure the schedule for the shots - have not seen pictures yet or seen how big the pups are. They were born Nov 15th.

My male dog was in our care just after 8 weeks and he was eating on his own by the age of 6 or 7 weeks (hard food) and he had teeth etc.

Perhaps if this new puppy is smaller the development may be different than how Rocky was as a 8 week old.

Good to know that the mother teaches the pup - I wasn't too sure of that!

Doing some quick reseach I notcied that many "non-registered breeders" (and also a few registered) say pups ready at 8 weeks - so I think it's a pretty common thing, even with Yorkies.

Some of my pups are eating on their own by 6 or 7 weeks of age.....but, it is more common that not that yorkies when taken to a new environment they go off food for a period of 24 hours.......hyperglycemia will come into play.....

It's not a common thing with reputable breeders to let puppies go at 8 weeks of age. Only non reputable breeders let their pups go at 8 weeks of age....it's all about the money.....no shots, vet checks, cleaning up poops, washing piddle pads, extra food.......That's it in a nutshell.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

You have encouraged me to ask about the breeder's intended vaccination schedule - thanks for that. I will do that. I don't want my puppy to be ill in any way, shape or form.

I agree - it may not be right to get a puppy at 8 weeks but I do think it is quite common.

Do a google search on Dr Jean Dodd's vaccination protocal.......

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

You have encouraged me to ask about the breeder's intended vaccination schedule - thanks for that. I will do that. I don't want my puppy to be ill in any way, shape or form.

I agree - it may not be right to get a puppy at 8 weeks but I do think it is quite common.

I suggest you check out the Canadian Yorkshire Terrier Club or is it the Yorkshire Terrier Club of Canada.......very reputable breeders there.......

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Do a google search on Dr Jean Dodd's vaccination protocal.......

I did that Google Search - and I will read what I found out. Just wanted to comment that you may be right about the breeder wanting money more quickly - but I did negotiate the price down 200 dollars (the initial price was very high) so I think that speaks that she isn't all about the money. She does own the mom and dad and both live in her home. She is not a "Registered" breeder so she likely don't follow the standards.