When are puppies ready?

katie1234

Hi everyone,

Im getting a puppy at the start of July and have found several of interest. would prefer something along the 12 week mark but by then it seems theyre all gone! Today however i found another set of puppies ready to go in July but on enquiring found they will only be 6 weeks old then. Surely this is too young to go? Ive decided against them due to the age but I really dont know what age is right. i mean what kind of implications are there of taking on a puppy thats so young?

thanks in advance!

fireflycatcher

6 weeks is the minimum. I mean I think 8-10 weeks preferably.

faded_flowers

Six weeks is the legal minimum. Unless the puppies are being neglected in some way I would never take one earlier than 7 weeks, and by preference wait until 8-10 weeks. They learn SO much between weeks 6-8, a lot of socialisation and to have a 'soft mouth' I believe.

cyberbob

Where are you getting them from? Is it from a reputable breeder or a rescue? A puppy should be at least 8 weeks before they leave their mother. I would worry about any breeder wishing to let one go earlier

http://www.dogsblog.com/

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/p/puppyfarming/default.aspx

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/index.html

There also plenty of rescues that have lovely dogs that need homes both breed specific and general

foreign_correspondent

unless there are very good reasons, 8 weeks. 6 weeks is the bare minimum. Any earlier is cruel and unhealthy. Of course, the earlier the better for some breeders - it saves them money and hassle. These are exactly the sort of breeders you want to avoid!

More info here:
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/b/buyingadog/default.aspx

oops posted at the ame time as cyberbob!

youngsters on dogsblog: http://www.dogsblog.com/category/age/0-1-years/

bramble1

if the puppy is fully weaned it can leave it's mum at 6 weeks, 8 weeks is usually preferable but a puppy can leave at 6.

chris_n_tj

8 to 9 weeks is a good time, most pups learn their social skills from mum during this time, so in my veiw 6 weeks is way too early. But as they say each to their own.
Chris n TJ

arlybarly

A pup cant have its first injection until 8 weeks of age so no way should leave its mother before then anyway when they are going to a new home.

gettingready

What you could probably do is pay a deposit and ask the owner of the mum to keep your pup with its mum for a bit longer?

That would be great for the pup, the ownder would have a deposit so would nto have to worry about you not picking up the pup later and you would have yoru pup...

Just a thought...

Mupette

I didn't get mine until he was 12 weeks, and he had no jabs, supposed to been wormed, but even though things were delayed, he had more time with his mum

arlybarly

I wouldnt buy a puppy without it having its first inoculations as obviously the breeder doesnt want to spend any money on the puppy and that does not make for a good start.