Please Advise: Still no Puppy. Breeder's Reasons
 

It's been awhile since I've visited here. We are still waiting for our puppy. The vet/breeder was to release the puppies (3 in the litter) at 8 weeks, but when I called to see if I could pick up our puppy, I was told that the other two in the litter were having low blood sugar problems. The little girl actually passed out. The puppies' parents are small...each about 4 lbs. The vet said our puppy (who weighs 18 oz) is the only one who has not had problems. I have lost count of how many times I have been told to call to check on whether or not they will release our puppy, and then when I call, I'm told they are going to hang on to them all a little longer. Even though ours is supposedly OK, they want to keep him "just in case." I was supposed to pick him up last Wednesday. When I called before going to get him, they said wait until Tuesday. When I called Tuesday, they said wait until end of this week. When I called yesterday, they said sometime next week (maybe Mon.). I'm about to give up. The puppies will be 10 weeks Sunday. I don't think we are ever going to get him. I know the breeder's wife is attached to them, and I can't help but wonder if they are stalling us, hoping to frustrate us and send us looking elsewhere. Maybe I'm just being too pessimistic. Of course, I don't want to get the puppy before he's ready. Is it normal for Yorkies to have low-blood sugar? The breeder's wife said they are not eating enough during the day to get them through the night and wake up weak and wobbly.

What do you think?

Usually people get their yorkies at 12 weeks, not 8. Even at 12 weeks you have to watch for hypoglycemia....

It will be better in the long run if you wait a couple more weeks....don't you think?

good luck.

deb

I think it crazy that this breeders was going to let them go at 8 weeks She is doing the right thing I would personally wait till they were 12 weeks old and hopefully healthy and eating on there own. Hypoglycemia is common in small dogs but it is NOT NORMALl .It is a bad thing. So don't feel bad, feel blessed that the breeder does care.

I am no expert, but from what I have learned on here, 8 weeks is rather early to separate a pup from his mommy ... I thought 12-16 weeks was more advantageous ....
and yes, babies can have low blood sugar, (hypoglycemia) and it needs guarded attention for a while ....

hope when you get the pup, he is healthy .....

She sounds like a very caring breeder. I would be patient and wait

I would not give up, it is common for breeders to keep toy dogs longer because of hypoglycemia.Most wait till 12 weeks of age.

My breeder lets hers go to their new home at 12 weeks. She advises to have a tube of nutra-cal handy just in case because small dogs can have spells of low sugar if they skip a meal,or are stressed in any way too.

If it goes beyond the 12 week, flat out ask then what is going on. I would not be rude about it but let them know that you want to know if they attend to keep the puppy so that you could search for a new one. I hope that they are just waiting to release them at 12 weeks, Good luck!

i agree with everyone here. it's too early to be letting them go from the mom so soon.

you should tell the breeder you'll come to pick it up in two weeks from now. that will stop the back-and-forth and it will guarantee that your pup will be ok when it comes home with you.

keep your hopes low so that you aren't expecting so much. then when the day comes, you'll be really happy!

my exact feelings. i would give it 12 weeks. some people do not release the babies until 16 weeks.

As everyone has already said 8 weeks is way too young, especially for a small baby. If she is now only 18 oz. and is 10 weeks then I personally would allow the breeder to hang on to her until atleast 12 - 14 weeks of age. I really would want her to hit 2 lbs. before I picked her up. Hyperglycemia is dangerous and these little ones are prone to it up until age one. The tinies are especially prone to it. I think by you pushing the breeder may feel pushed and end up letting you get your girl earlier then she's ready and certainly earlier then the breeder is ready to let her go. Perhaps you can go visit with your pup? This may make you feel better about the situation. Please, don't push to get her. She's really not ready and I'm glad the breeder realizes this. Elaine

Maybe she really is concerned for their welfare. I'd just ask her nicely if she still wants to sell you the dog. See what she says.

Be patient -- Yorkie pups really shouldn't go home until after 12 weeks. I brought mine home at 12 weeks and 1 1/2 pounds and he STILL came down with hypoglycemia twice (the first time just 2 days after I brought him home). Yorkie pups are fragile -- I think your breeder is doing what's best. I understand how anxious you are to get your little one home -- but better be safe than sorry. Good luck!

I have to agree with everyone else here....waiting is in the pups best interest....if no one is home through the day it is especially dangerous, the pup could have an hypo. reaction....the breeder held on to mine a couple extra weeks because of his size and he was 1 1/2lbs, I was very disappointed but it was for the best. ......are you close enough to visit?......he'll be home soon ;) ...

I got my puppy at 8 weeks only because I was home all the time, I would never be gone for more than an hour...so the breeder released him and gave me a tube of nutrical in case of hypoglycemia. I sometimes wish I wasn't so excited and waited until 10-12 weeks because he was SOOO fragile still at less than 1 and a half lbs, and they still are kind of wobbly/clumsy walkers at that age. I spent every waking moment worrying that something was going to happen to him. I feared he was going to get stepped on, he would knock over a lamp, closed in a door, chew on electric cords, eat a plastic bag, get dropped by a young child. The anxiety is sooooooo not worth it. I would suggest you wait, having a good sturdy puppy come home would be best for everyone. Thought you should hear it from someone who got a puppy so young. Hope this eases your stress.

puppy
 

Find another vet/breeder...! There is no way I would buy a "wobbly" puppy...you do not know heartache until you get a sickly puppy.

Well to me... I'd be concerned. If those pups are having problems, thats not a good sign at all... and they seem uncertain as to what the problem is or how to take care of it, which is why they keep telling you different days to pick up your pup.... Somethings not right there - and I personally wouldnt want a pup thats already having issues or thats coming from a litter with issues...