This book: The Art of Raising A Puppy by The Monks of New Skete, talks about the important of the human/canine bond at a young age and emphasizes the need of puppies to receive alot of individual care & behavior traing as you mentioned. Different perspective than you many find on this forum. I highly recommend it and the other Monks of New Skete dog books :)

No they start them between 6-7 weeks of age and receive vacinations up to a year old when they receive their first 3 yr. Rabies.

Well that does not jive with what the mother club for Yorkshire Terriers set out. And just when are you doing BATS on the puppies? The new recommendations are 16wks old. I certainly hope that health check includes Bats.

And many veterinarians are not toy breed experienced and up to date on the latest recommendations for every breed. I know I had to educate my vet on my breed, and she had no clue about them. General experience is no substitute for breed specific experience.

If one is administering vaccinations at 6 or 7 weeks of age you are putting the pup in peril, by supressing mother's immunities.

The proper age to begin vaccinations is approximately 9 weeks of age and continue with a 2nd 3 weeks after and follow up with the final at 16 weeks of age.

Study Dr. Dodd's vaccination protocol it is what is being taught and Vet Colleges throughout the country.

You're absolutely correct Gail. Initial BATS can not be performed until 16 weeks of age and again at 6 months of age.

The only thing a toy pup needs for the first 8 weeks of it's life is it's mother for warmth and nutrition. From 8 to 12 weeks of age is when mother does most of it's teaching.

However, socialization begins from the time a pup is whelped by the breeder, by handling daily, performing temperment tests, etc.

Any reputable breeder knows that although weaning begins at approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age it isn't begun in earnest until 8 weeks of age. As a matter of fact I let my dam's call the shots....and some aren't completely off mom until 10 weeks of age.....

If a breeder is allowing a pup to go home at 8 weeks of age they are not insuring that an easy transition is being made for the pup or the new family.

No shots, pup not really eating 100% on it's own.....it's very well known that when transitioning a pup to a new enviornment that a pup may not eat for 24 hours.....hence hyperglycemia (moving to an new environment can cause this situation too). Oh! the possibility of coccidia may occur also. Yes, a organism that lays dormant in a dam but, can be passed to the pup....stress will bring it to the surface.

By the time my pups go home at 16 weeks of age....they are piddle pad trained, well socialized, have their full compliment of vaccinations (minus their Rabis) Bile Acids and a thorough exam by vet....not just listening to the heart and checking it's ears.

Any breeder placing a pup at 8 weeks of age is not doing their job, or taking on the huge responsibility of breeding and is just in it for the money.

I keep my pups until atleast 12 weeks before they can go, but they do not stay with their mom. When the mom says its time to get away from them , I let her. Those tiny teeth hurt when trying to down her to nurse. Also I have had to separate some puppies at about 9 weeks. The can start picking on one in the litter and they can get pretty vicious if you have 4 gang up on one. They will pick on him so much that he then becomes introverted and shy. Hides behind things to get away from them and then that becomes a habit and it is what he learns from them, he becomes shy and learns to hide to be safe. Not a good habit to learn. Maybe that is the reason some people place them earlier.
It all comes down to the breeder knowing what they are doing and do what is best for the puppies.

I've never had a situation as you described. My mom's are with the pups during play times, therefore issuing the proper disciplinary actions and teaching them what is proper play and what is acceptable.

Mine are not confined so mom does as she pleases. I would hate for someone to confine me in a pen and make me breast feed a baby even after it had teeth. :D

And "No" ....I am not trying to convince you or anyone else of anything. I was not aware that that had been established, I thought that this was an "open" discussion and that those are your views and opinions. Not necessarily mine.


Maybe I did not answer the question right? Although, not fact based by an expert.. it is my opinion!

I do not think that just because a pup goes to its new home before 12 weeks of age makes that pup any less capable of thriving or becoming a happy, healthy well socialized member of the family. I think that there is no better place for a puppy to get the socialization skills, human contact and the training that it so desperately needs than in a loving environment in their own home. At whatever age that be.  Whether it be at the age of 12 weeks or as early as 8 weeks of age ?

I don't think anyone is saying that the puppy isn't capable. Just that there are a lot of things taught by the mother dog and littermates that people have a hard time replicating. An owner that is educated and willing to put in the work absolutely CAN have a well socialized dog. But far too often I have seen both on this site and other dogs sites there are issues that could have been avoided if the pup had been properly socialized to start with. A puppy nibbling on your hand is cute. But it quickly becomes a problem as the pup ages and dogs get put down because they are "biters". Let's face it. Most buyers aren't very educated before they bring the dog home. They only start doing their research when there is a problem. It's far easier to prevent a problem than to try and correct it later.

OK sure...

So, let me get this straight...Are you trying to say that just because I am a breeder who places her puppies at 8 weeks makes my advise and opinion less worthy or creditable than a breeder who does not?

Are you a breeder?

[QUOTE=Breezeaway;3468896]Also I have had to separate some puppies at about 9 weeks. The can start picking on one in the litter and they can get pretty vicious if you have 4 gang up on one. They will pick on him so much that he then becomes introverted and shy. Hides behind things to get away from them and then that becomes a habit and it is what he learns from them, he becomes shy and learns to hide to be safe. Not a good habit to learn. Maybe that is the reason some people place them earlier. [QUOTE]

That is EXACTLY how I got my own first yorkie!!! I've not heard anyone else describe the same situation on here. She was from a litter of 4 females. The other 3 pups and the mom all picked on her. She was so skittish & timid. I went to look at the pups to see if there was one I wanted to put a deposit on and ended up leaving with her that same day because of that exact situation. She flourished once I took her home and reveled in the attention of my kids. The breeder called once a week to check on us to make sure we were doing okay. Then at Christmas, when we took her back to see her mom & the sister they had kept, the breeder couldn't believe she was the same pup.:)

From the YTCA website:

What is the best age to buy a yorkie puppy?
by Gloria Robinson

While it is not correct to answer a question with a question, it is necessary to know what your plans are for this puppy. Do you want to have a good show prospect, or do you want a pet that fits into your family’s lifestyle?

If you are seeking a family pet a reputable Yorkshire Terrier Breeder will not release a puppy to a new home before it is twelve (12) weeks old. This ensures the puppy is old enough to have had some of its shots, has been checked by a veterinarian, and a health certificate issued. The puppy’s ears should be erect, and you can generally tell what size the puppy will be at maturity when it is twelve weeks old by doubling the weight. Although not a definite rule it is generally thought that if a twelve week old Yorkie puppy is three pounds it will likely be six pounds at maturity. Also, by twelve weeks the puppy should be outgoing and well socialized so it will easily accept the transition of leaving its mother and siblings.

On the other hand, if you are interested in a show potential puppy the time frame should be much different. You need to start your search well in advance of actually selecting a puppy. Nothing beats doing research, going to local dog shows, reading as much as you can about the breed, and talking to as many show breeders as possible. There is no way to guarantee a definite yorkie show dog before it is nine or ten months old, and its actually uncertain until you get that first winning ribbon many months later. Yorkies go through a tremendous transition from puppy to adulthood in coat condition, stature, personality, and demeanor. But one of the most important goals is gaining the confidence of the breeder because no show breeder is going to release a good show puppy to a novice who cannot fulfill the puppy’s potential. By the time a show potential puppy is nine or ten months old, the personality will be outgoing, the terrier spirit portrayed, and it will be leash trained. The coat will have the correct silky texture, and the color will be coming in clearly. You will be able to tell by the gait if the puppy has good structure, and by then the puppy teeth will be replacing with permanent mature denture so you can tell if the bite is correct. In other words, you can see the real potential in front of you. From then on, its up to you to continue ring training and not let the breeder down.

Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (Awards)

WOW!! If I out live my girls and need another in my life, I'll come see you if you have any puppies available!!
I do wish she would listen to what your saying.

Apparently, I struck a nerve. I guess I would just like to ask what your motivation is for breeding? Are you attempting to improve the breed? I won't apologize for believing that this is critical when making the decision to breed. This is MY opinion.

I would consider myself a dog fancier. Yes, I own a Yorkie, I study, I am involved with rescue. I enjoy attending AKC dog shows. I think you - and others that choose to ignore the basic guidelines of being a reputable breeder - should tread more carefully than us lay people. Advice is completely different than opinion.

I'm not trying to start controversy. And I have no interest in getting into a pissing match with anybody. I'm just answering your question. Again, agree to disagree.

i worked as a vet tech and the average age a puppy is let go to new homes is from 7 wks on up.... you have nothing to worry about.....hope you make the right decision....

you want the honest truth...YES!

if you do the reasearch you will see that 12 weeks is preferred by almost all REPUTABLE yorkie breeders and also the YTCA so therefore you are NOT a credible source to be listening to because you are going against the suggestions of the parent club.

Again, there is a difference between physical readiness and developmental readiness.

To the OP:
I'm glad your breeder has agreed to keep her a bit longer. You will be rewarded with a dog who is more ready to make the transition to a new home. Kudos to you for doing your research. Good luck with your new baby.

People need to understand that vets are not breeders and most are actually quite clueless about the ins and outs of dog breeding other than how to perform the x-ray check ups and a c-section if needed. granted there are many things we have to trust our vets with, but breeding is better left up to those that have been doing it all their lives.

also vets are not behavioralists so they do not understand complex dog emotions and mental and social needs of the dog. even trainers and behavioral experts are not always going to know breed specific needs like the breeder with the most experience in directly working with that breed does.

trust a reputable breeder NOT the vet, the techs, or the trainers. reputable breeders are usually involved in or linked to the dog's parent club and know the ins and outs of that breeder better than any general practicing trainer or vet.

Yeah THAT ^- there used to be a vet tech who worked at our old vet who was constantly asking my mom if she would breed one of her poodles to this girls male poodle- one of my moms poodles is going blind from PRA (a genetic condition), the other had LP surgery at a year old. That's when I learned that most people who work in vets offices know nothing about breeding. By the way both of my mom's poodles were altered at 6 months old- guess this tech kept overlooking that very important aspect :p

And there are some states that have laws that make that illegal.

7 weeks that would be without any vaccinations....geez! don't know if I'd want a pup no vaccination let alone with only 1 vaccination....needing the 2nd before the pup has enough antibodies to fight off a life threatening disease.

Mary I don't know if you remember this but this crazy person sitting here was stupid enough at the time to not only buy a pup at about 7 1/2 weeks old but begged the idiot breeder not to give any shots at all so that all shots would be done by my vet and with my knowledge and approval...crazy of me, but at the same time that's how little i began to trust that idiot breeder...didn't want him giving anything to my pup because i don't trust him at all giving vaccines...

also he was originally letting her go at 5 weeks if he thought she was eating on her own ok. thank GOD she wasn't yet!!! He was also stupid enough to take the mommy away from the pups and return mom to the kennel with the other bitches and leave puppies alone to fend for themselves...that i think is the turning point when i went from trusting him...to saving her. i hate that i put money in his pocket but i'm so glad i got her out of there and away from him

dunno why i brought this up. just that i made a foolish run of decisions and how much nicer it would have been to have a pup at 16 weeks with all shots done and starting on pee pads already...OH! and one that doesn't BITE me for the rest of her life...she's better but still not perfect darn her!

Very happy to hear that your breeder is willing to let him stay with her and his mom a little longer...every day helps.

Sorry to hear that some comments hurt your feelings, but it is nice to know that you understand how passionate people on this forum are. Most who responded to you to wait etc...were doing so for the well-being of the pup...they have your yorkie's best interest at heart.

You are fortunate to have heard from some of the most knowledgeable people on this forum and I am glad that you have followed their advice. I think we all understand how easy it is to fall in love with these guys and impossible it would be to just walk away.

Whenever you bring your pup home, you will be much more prepared.

Enjoy your new little one when he arrives...I cannot wait to see his 1st home pictures!!

Looks like a lot of us got our puppies before they were 12 wks old. I got Hercules at 8 wks and he was only 1 lb 4 oz. I didn't know about the 12 wk recommendation either. I've only had him for 4 weeks but he has gained almost a lb and he is happy and healthy. The breeder I got him from bred yorkies and German Shepards, and came recommended from a family member who bought a GS puppy from her 4-5 years ago. I'm convinced that she wasn't the most experianced breeder when it came to yorkie's but she definately loved her animals, including the puppies and took excellent care of them. To me, that matters more than how long she has been breeding yorkies.

I'm glad has worked out for you so far.

Length of time breeding does not add validity to anyone's expertise. You can have some of the worst breeders that have been breeding for 20-30 years and some of the best breeders only breeding for 2. It's all in the knowledge/education they have gathered prior to breeding.

Loving an animal is an emotion, along with that love is responsibility to insure the welfare of those animals and the ones you bring into the world is first and foremost.

Your heart came into play with this one. It's hard not to give into that.....
I get from people so many times that they want a younger pup than 16 weeks so they can bond with them, never understanding that a pup 16 weeks can handle situations a lot better and bond very well.

Remember there is no perfect dog. My Delilah her is a pain in the arse...a difiant teenager....How'd you like to have her stacked on the table waiting for the judge to examine her and the whole time she's growling under her breath. Or try to to stack her on the floor and pushing my hand away with her nose as if to tell me don't touch me, I can do it.....

HI! just like what the other posters have said, don't be afraid to post. i ask silly stupid qu estions all the time! & as i ahve been there, there are no stupid questions, only stupid immature answers
that being said sorry if some of us came across mean on your other post. its often hard to tell the tone of voice on the internet so sometimes things come outo harsher than we really mean. i remember i was one of the person who commented on your post and at least with me i didnt mean it in any negative form or meant dont get the puppy, etc. i too have read 12 weeks is the standard so i was stating what i knew.

also as many members have mentioned, they have adopted their pups before the 12 week mark. That being said, i got Coco at 15 weeks and she was a handful so I can't imagine what kind of work will be needed for 8 weeks old pup.

It seems like you genuinly do care about this dog and its well being (hence u've taken our advices to heart) & the fact you checked the health of the parents & the puppy & the living situation, I think you will give the new baby puppy lots of love and care.

I would say go for the puppy but please do not leave this forum! this is the greatest resources for your puppy because yorkies are different from other breeds!
<3 <3

Mardelin and I have "butted heads" or disagreed on several occasion about some differences in opinions (I make no secret of not liking Yorkie Talk treated as Yorkie Terrier Club of America Talk...I don't agree with the stated opinions of many people at times and they don't agree with me but that's fine...it's life. So there's no "funny business" in my making these statements. This is the reality and truth as I see it, I've been here a little while now too.

Mardelin has her opinions of Parti breeding etc. Having said that...I have never seen Mardelin being judgmental of people other than when animal welfare was concerned-even then she's offered advice- and despite our differences of opinions on somethings it would be ludicrous for anyone not to recognize her expertise on Yorkies and concern her advice to critical, and to be taken into serious consideration. I have literally researched so much lately because I want to understand what people are talking about on here and what is best adn Mardelin more than knows what she's talking about but I'd hope she'd write a book on it at some point because her advice is quite invaluable. ( I'd hope she'd go easy on the Parti part LOL)

Mardelin,
I'm more than sure you and I will disagree again, probably many more times, but I had to say I'm personally irritated that you offer up such great advice (in Yorkie care, grooming, training, -yes breeding too- etc) as an expert and people are not only unappreciative but insulting of it.

(free advice from an expert geez that's common right-?-No it's not at all, it's something everyone should listen to and appreciate the opportunity to get IMO)

Even if you have a difference of opinion with someone I'd hope everyone could overcome that to take sound, expert advice when it is such and drop the bias or differences long enough to listen...

First, I am not a breeder and never could be.

The fact that you are a breeder will make your comments and advice be viewed with a more critical eye.
People come here looking for advice on past, present, and future puppies.
There are reputable and not so reputable breeders on this site. People on YT are passionate about the breed and want to help educate.
So the fact that you breed outside of the standard, sell and release at ages that are against what is recommended, register with questionable registries are all "red flags" that people will point out.