All this is breaking my heart. I feel so sad for the little pups who have to live such a crisis at an early age when they should be safe with their mums and siblings.:tinyheart:tinyheart

I think something that might help is if the AKC would start making it where they cannot be registered until 12 weeks. When my sister-in-law got hers the lady let her take her home at 7 weeks but wouldn't sign the papers till 8 weeks because AKC would not register them before then. Yes I talked to AKC but didn't have proof so nothing came of it, but that being said if they would go to 12 instead of 8 weeks it might stop a lot of this.

I had to edit my post. I realize I got Titus when he was 9 weeks not 10.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I wish all breeders were as clear with how things should be done as you. It makes so much sense the way you explain things!
I was one of those ignorant people that brought my puppy home at almost 8 weeks old. I bought the books and thought I had studied up on the breed, but now know how little I knew, and I am still learning daily from YT. My only defense is I didn't purchase Huey from a breeder, he was a gift from a friend who bred her dog once. :eek:

It's true that there is no official place to learn these things. The real professional breeder that knows genetics and have studied animals behavior have a treasure trove of information but you don't just stumble upon them like you do all the BYB's and internet ads.

It has been over 20 years since I stopped show/breeding Himalayn cats and we also never sold a kitten before it was 12 weeks old. As Yorkiemom1 said it is physically stressful and emotionally stressful on the baby. Truly someone who is breeding to get exceptional quality out of their stock are going to want to watch those babies to see if there is a potential show pup/kitten there as well. You cannot usually determine that for sure at 6 or 8 weeks of age.

Animal behaviorists have said that the pups/kittens are not socially or mentally mature enough to leave the nest before 12 weeks. At 12 weeks the babies stop needing their litter mates so much and are ready to strike out and investigate the big world out there without so much stress. They hardly ever look back at that age. Any breeder that really cares about the babies they are breeding want the babies to have the very best and easiest start in their new life as possible. This goes way beyond just being able to survive because they can eat on their own.

Different breeds, different things. 6.5 too young for any breed, but 8 weeks is not a problem for larger breeds.
Puppy raisers for guide dogs, which are the MOST highly trained and socialized type of dog IMO, often get their puppies at 8 weeks. If there was a problem with their graduation rate, I am sure they would up the age.