The "12 Week Rule" applies to all toy breed puppies. Here is an excellent explanation from a well known Maltese breeder:

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

I agree with you chach & WV Yorkies-

It's normal other breeds to be brought home at that age - it's just the way things are - With very small breeds - people may not know better and lots of breeders DO sell them at this age (saves them from extra expenses) so I can't fault a buyer who doesn't know better - I really can't.

I didn't know either until I got my 1st Chanel - and like someone said - it's only AFTER you bring one home that maybe you find out that's just too young.

when we got Cheri (my 2nd yorkie after 4 months of looking) We found a very nice family who only bred the mom one time and she did offer her puppies at almost 7 weeks.

We went to see the puppies and did try to talk to them about waiting a few weeks before letting them go and offered a deposit.....I even got to speak to her vet (who lived down the street)....he was in on everything from conception to birth and said they were fully weaned and ready.

We were in their lovely home for 3 hours playing with the 4 puppies they had. They actually had a nice set up - big play room and very happy little puppies.....Cheri seemed to choose ME as her new mom and I fell in love......

We debated and debated ....then decided if we didn't bring her home - someone else would ....Chanel was already 2-1/2 years old so at least we had experience with the breed. I know - my bad !!

Not everyone researches when buying a puppy and probably never will.
The internet helps but in reality - lots of people still think 6 weeks is ok and lots of breeders still go by that age to let their puppies go. Good breeders don't but in reality - the good breeders out there can be hard to find.

I agree, if the breeder won't hold them longer than look elsewhere, you will be far better off in the long run, even if you have to pay a little more.

I feel if a breeder WONT hold them longer, it's an easy indication that they are just going after the money not the health of the puppy. They would rather make some money faster then wait and keep the pups til they are mature enough.

Yes. Puppies get to be a lot of work once they get to 6 weeks old. Mom quits cleaning up sfter them so lot of poop to clean up. But if the breeder cares about the pups she will not let them go.

OK, so the breeder won't hold the pup, says you have to take it at 6 weeks or 8 weeks or whatever.

You say to turn around and walk away. OK, so you do. What happens to your deposit? Forfeit. What happens to the pup? Sold anyway.

Nothing has changed.

But if you take the pup, you have a chance at saving it. Of giving it the opportunity to grow strong and healthy.

Or you can walk away.

It's a matter of options and what you feel you can handle. In this world, not everything is ideal. Sometimes you have to "make do".

You forgot to mention that if you take the puppy, you've just put money in the pocket of a backyard breeder and given her no reason to stop selling her puppies too young.

You've also most likely just bought yourself a whole lot of vet bills for the rest of this puppy's life and quite possibly heartbreak.

Why would you put a deposit down without asking when there are going to let the pups go?

:thumbup::thumbup: The only way to stop the cycle is to STOP purchasing! Ladymom is right, you have just bought yourself a WHOLE lot of troubles. Most of these idiots, know that that little puppy is stealing your heart, cute, and what you want. So you make the purchase, you then just let that idiot breed another dog to put money in thier pockets. Everytime a puppy is sold from one of these morans, another is in the makings! It has to stop! By educating, we all hope someday it will.

You don't put a deposit on a puppy without researching the breeder, and asking the breeder at what age they let the puppies go.

You can justify it to yourself be telling yourself you're saving it, but in reality you are just supporting the miserable lives of those poor unfortunate mothers

Putting money into the hands of puppy millers ensures that they will breed again, so although you have saved one, you have brought misery onto so many more.

Exactly. Why would anyone give someone their hard earned money first, then ask questions later? Absolutely ludicrous.

I'm sorry but I had too laugh at your comment..........too funny! Getting a puppy at 12 weeks is better,than getting them earlier than that,just my opinion!

We got Bandit at 9 weeks and Nala at 13 weeks....huge difference!! It was our fault for getting Bandit that early, he was our first dog and we didn't do enough research and actually got him from a BYB. Nala's much healthier and has no behavior problems that Bandit has (minus a long potty-training period, but Bandit had that too!!)

Why do "breeders" let them go that early? Is it to save money on shots?

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I agree with everything said. Just a unethical breeder would let their puppies go before at least 12 weeks and depending on the puppy an ethical breeder will even keep them longer than that to give them the best chance at a happy, healthy live and then I just have to add to this and I know it is a little off topic but these breeders should be stopped as well. My heart breaks when I read about so many of these TINY puppies suffering a life of pain, (If they survive) but people insist that they want a SMALL puppy and a 2-3kg Yorkie is TOO BIG!!!! :mad::mad::mad: