Bringing home puppy . . . 8 or 12 wks?
 

We're trying to really do our homework before getting our puppy, which we hope to bring home mid-month to the end of May. I thought everything I had read recently was saying it's best to bring the puppy home at 12 weeks. One of the breeders I spoke to said she does not release her dogs until they are at least 12 weeks (possibly longer if it's an exceptionally small puppy). I think I also read that in the 10-12 week range is when the dogs learn not to bite by interacting with their littler mates.

Just when I thought it HAD to be 12 weeks, my fiance spoke at length with a Vet yesterday who said you don't have to wait until 12 weeks and that 8 weeks is fine. Now I'm not sure what to think. One of the places we're looking at to get the dog from releases their puppies at 8 weeks. It's a shop in a house where they sell 3 breeds of dogs (Yorkies, then 2 designer breeds, I think shorkies and something else-I'm not interested in those) and work with 2 or 3 breeders. It's called Petite Pets on Long Island, I'm not sure if anyone is familiar but they seem to be reputable.

Can anyone give me some insight on getting a puppy before 12 weeks? Are the feeding demands more closely spaced? I work 3 days a week so there will be some days when the puppy will be alone, which I know at some young ages is not ok. Obviously we'll talk more with the breeder about this and the exact needs of the puppy, but I'm trying to get a rough idea of how brining the puppy home works. Sorry this is so long!

I just want to clarify, I'm not 100% sure that Petite Pets releases their puppies at 8 weeks. For some reason I *think* this is what they said, but I could be wrong. I'm going to call them today to clarify.

Without a doubt you want to wait until 12 weeks for a Yorkie. It is so much easier on you for training purposes along with the puppy being able to eat on his own better. These little ones can go down very fast and it would appear you are going to leave him/her alone for over 8 hours.

Also no pet shop is reputable because the breeders who sold the pups are not reputable..they don't care about where their puppies go so it is highly doubtful if they care about their health in their breeding practices.

8 weeks might be fine health wise. But not a good idea for the socilization aspect.

You will be much happier if you wasit until 10 weeks at the very least.

Vets asre not breeders. They know very little about raising puppies.

I agree, and just becsuse they tell you they work with only 3 breeders, you don't know that for sure, and you have no idea pwhere the puppies came from, how they were raised, or anything about the parents.

I would look elsewhere. And find as small breeder. If you buy from brokers, you are supporting some puppy mill.

Thanks so much everyone! I knew I would get some good insight here. I was really surprised when the vet said 8 weeks was ok and I'll definitely stick with 12 as I had intended.

I think you made a great decision to wait the 12 weeks. I am sure you will find that it is worth it. The socialization is very important.:D

:thumbup:

The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America states that breeders should not sell their puppies before 12 weeks old. Any breeder who violates the breed club rules is not a reputable breeder.

Please, please don't buy a puppy from a pet store! No matter what they tell you, they get their puppies from puppy mills.

Buying A Puppy : The Humane Society of the United States

:thumbup: Great advice!