Purchase Age of Pup
 

Hello,
I have just joined this forum, and have never been in a "web ring" before. I have lots to write about, but my main concern regarding yorkie's right now is the right age to acquire one at. I purchased Angus, (male, PB, 4 lb.) when he was around 11 weeks. There is a little girl we are getting and she will be 8-9 weeks when we get her. Is this ok? I don't know if she would be too young still to leave mom. I heard that they should be 3 months before going to a new home. I also heard that 8 weeks was when they can leave. I haven't been able to find into on the web regarding this. :confused:

First of all - Welcome!! You will be able to find lots of answers here :)

I think typically Yorkies should stay with the breeder until they are about 12 weeks. I know that other larger breeds are ok to go at 8 weeks, but our tiny babies should usually stay around 12. Good luck & post pictures!

Most breeders will start letting babies leave home between 8-12 weeks of age. 12 weeks of age is the preferred age by most breeders. This is also the safest age for first time parents to have a new baby in their home. There is a lot less that can go wrong with the baby being older and you will feel more confidence in your parenting skils.

Most breeders will not let a pup go before 12 weeks...however, don't take anything under 8 weeks.

I am not sure how to make the distinction- maybe you can help- most ads that you see in the paper are 5-8 weeks of age and many on the internet.
A reputable breeder will be 12 weeks of age. How does that sound txshopper73. Was not sure how to make the differeance when talking about breeders.

Welcome to YorkieTalk .

I will never let a puppy leave my house before he or she is 12 weeks old .

my breeder lets hers go at eight weeks PROVIDED they have had no hypoglycemia, are eating anmd drinking well, and are in good health and ready to go. Her siblings all stay together until they leave but the pups are away from the mom as soon as they are eating on their own except play time. AND she is not a bad breeder. She is very caring and extremely experienced. i have known her to hold one back until four or five months old because she thought she needed to watch it longer. My bundle of joy was eight weeks old . he did not suffer any separation problems at all.

Whenever it doubt i look to the YTCA recommendation. This is covered under their code of conduct.

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.
http://www.ytca.org/ethics.html

I got Dollar at 3 months and I think that is about right...he was so tiny and even at 5 months he is only 2.3 lbs. But I have heard of them going home at 8 weeks....maybe they were bigger. I dont know!

Welcome to YT!!!!
I was told 12 weeks, but there are some Breeders who let them go at 8.
I know our Breeder whould never let her's go before 12 weeks.
Can't wait to hear more about your new furbaby!
Again
WELCOME!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D

First, welcome. AND, the age to leave the mom and siblings is not based solely on the puppy's physical size and growth. Between 8 and 12 weeks. puppies learn their most valuable life lessons. They learn structure, their rank in the heirarchy, how to be disciplined in interacting with others-either animals or humans- when they cross the line of acceptable behavior. They are pack animals and by nature, the pack must have structure. A puppy learns that by staying with the family for the longer period of time..

Thank You!!!
 

Thank you for the information! I will be seeing her on Thursday a.m. I'll have to talk with the breeder a bit more I think. She told me that the little girl was eating well, was very playful, and feels confident at their home. The breeder and her sister own an antique and collectables shop in Fort Langley, BC. She has two yorkies that she brings to the shop every day. I do have a good feeling about the breeder, and my intuition is usually pretty accurate. I will put up some photo's of Angus tomorrow. I couldn't imagine life without him!

I'm not a breeder but have had one litter and I agree with this wholeheartedly...I think there is a big difference in an 8 and 12 week puppy, JMO, from my own experience. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your little girl :)

Welcome to YT and congratulations on your new Yorkie baby!

I am not a breeder and don't understand the "rule of thumb", however, we had to pry Toto from our breeder's fingers at 16 weeks!! :) I understand the importance of waiting now, but at the time thought I would just die if we couldn't bring her home that day! She was only 1 1/2 lb. and after we got her home we were absolutely terrified! She was 2 yrs. in July and has proven to be extremely healthy and well-adjusted ... well ... maybe a tad spoiled! :rolleyes:

Looking forward to hearing all about your little ones and seeing pics!! Hope you find the forum helpful! ;)

Size, health, and hypoglycemia,
 

For me personally puppies go between 8 and 12 weeks of age... The main concern is hypoglycemia... We make SURE! that when the puppy leaves it will be able to handle the stress of moving... If we are not certain then we wait... It's sad at time to wait I know but I would not want a call teling us the puppy died from low blood sugar... I would be blaming myself...

This hapened to me once.... We sold a dog at 11 weeks old (very very small) and it had a hypoglycemic reaction and the lady brought the puppy to the vet (not thinking about low blood sugar even after we told her about 200 times) at the vet they immediately said (LIVER SHUNT!)... They put her on a strict no eating diet and she got many different things... After giving all the crap for liver shunt they found she had low blood sugar (fromt he blood tests) They tried to give the sugar but it was too late... All of poking around and transfusions killed the puppy... To make sure it was not liver shunt we paid for an autopsy and it showed that liver shunt was not there...I WAS MAD! and now I make sure that the puppy will be ok... 8 to 12 weeks of age is for standard sized puppies... It can get longer is they are Teacup (runts)

Marc-o