Question About The Age At Which A Puppy Should Leave The Litter

[wuffles]

We took Ava home at just over 12 weeks and she was perfect. We had no issues with fear periods or socialisation.

Our new pup came home at just over 8 weeks and he's been much more work. May just be the difference in temperament though.

Edit: Just wanted to add there is nothing wrong with pup's temperament, he's just more work :laugh:

Edited November 12, 2013 by wuffles

[Rebanne]

of the several puppies I have bought home over the years ranging in age from 4 weeks to 12 weeks the 2 that came home at 8 weeks were the worst two. The 2nd of those two was PTS at 20 months. No amount of socialisation was ever going to fix her. It was all in the genes. Temperament is everything as far as I am concerned, if it ain't there it ain't there and no amount of parading the puppy all over town is going to fix it. Might give the pup some coping mechanisms to deal with life but the base line temperament is still there.

I basically agree with lovemesideways but as my requirements for my dogs are different to hers, age is not a factor in my decisions.

[Steve]

of the several puppies I have bought home over the years ranging in age from 4 weeks to 12 weeks the 2 that came home at 8 weeks were the worst two. The 2nd of those two was PTS at 20 months. No amount of socialisation was ever going to fix her. It was all in the genes. Temperament is everything as far as I am concerned, if it ain't there it ain't there and no amount of parading the puppy all over town is going to fix it. Might give the pup some coping mechanisms to deal with life but the base line temperament is still there.

I basically agree with lovemesideways but as my requirements for my dogs are different to hers, age is not a factor in my decisions.

I agree with this.

[Guest donatella]

I got both my girls at 12 weeks (toy breed), 1 is a total bitch with a few issues and the other is the most loving sweet dog you could imagine, would go to anyone and cuddle anyone is great with kids and strangers. They both have the same upbringing, same diet same surroundings but I think pup 2 is from much better genes.

[oakway]

I have homed pups at !2 weeks +. There have never been any problems. In fact, new owners were thrilled that the pups were almost housetrained, did not cry all night, and learned very quickly.

I do think it depends on how they are treated by the breeder prior to being sold. I have also bought pups at 3 - 4 months - no problems.

I think pups with good nerve make the transition more easily too.

:thumbsup:

[koalathebear]

I still don't think it's necessary to get a puppy at 7-8 weeks or else. Puppies aren't a blank canvass. They come with certain predispositions. For me it's what you do with them after you get them and during the time you have them that matters. I've heard many people tell me that they have a hand shy dog that has never been beaten in its life etc :p

[Alison03]

We picked up our Shihtzu cross up at about 14/15 weeks, but she was kept with the breeders family all that time, also her mother, a litter mate and a male and female Staffy ( who the breeders OH referred to as the "real" dogs in the house) there were three little kids too, one a toddler.

Bonny is great with kids, respectful and gentle too, doesn't jump on them. She's afraid of nothing, couldn't care less about thunder and lightening, when my friends dogs are going crazy in a storm, she's asleep, she'll put her head up at a loud clap of thunder, so she's not deaf, can hear the faint click of the garden gate or next doors cat jumping off the fence.

She's not dog aggressive in the slightest, she's very calm around all types of dogs but respectful and careful at the same time. She's great at the kennels, very easy going they tell me.

Being kept in a family situation as a tiny puppy worked well for her. : )

[alpha bet]

A very complex question ?

As some here have mentioned the so called "fear periods" don't always appear (personally feel the future research/studies will drop these generalised periods) .... after all there are so many factors that must be taken into account when considering the individual pup...

1. DNA of the parents - helps setting the temperament of the pup

2. The diet and lifestyle of the bitch during pregnancy and the temperament and experience of the bitch

3. The comfort level of the bitch during whelping and first few weeks - this is an individual thing, some bitches prefer to be in the home and actually do prefer to have other dogs around them.

4. Diet and social program given to the pups from the 3 week plus - including the interaction with other dogs

5. Experience and commitment of the breeder

6. Experience and confidence new owner

7. Follow up program between breeder and owner

We have a long standing breeding program which has incorporated a complex social program for the pups - Was lucky enough to have a great mentor back in the 80's who provided access to many different breeders and learnt a great deal listened/watching to experienced breeders for their advice however have also prepared to adapt and develop to the dogs needs.

We don't let a pup go before 8 weeks of age (prefer 9 weeks) and ideally prefer to have them placed with their new families by 11 weeks this allows the family to begin the bonding process which the pup is still seeking the maternal figure... sometimes if family are away or for other circumstances they are with me after 9 weeks we ensure pups have individual activities and even sleeping away from the other dogs to help them build their independence from the dog family and to the human.

[indigirl]

My iggy pups go to their new homes at 10-12 weeks age. It's unwise to vacc n iggy pup before 8 weeks of age and it takes 2 weeks for vacc to take effect. Hence they not leave until at east 10 weeks.

Bigger breeds I'm happy to get at 8 weeks.

[alpha bet]

Indigirl, The information about vaccinations have changed a great deal - Any vaccination given to the pups will only take if the Maternal Antibodies are low enough - thus a vaccination at 8 weeks may have no effect, hence why we need to repeat at 12 weeks and then just in case - again at 16 weeks.

[sandgrubber]

Indigirl, The information about vaccinations have changed a great deal - Any vaccination given to the pups will only take if the Maternal Antibodies are low enough - thus a vaccination at 8 weeks may have no effect, hence why we need to repeat at 12 weeks and then just in case - again at 16 weeks.

some numbers for fraction of pups with low enough antibodies for vaccines to take, using newer, live virus vaccines.

6 wks 37%

8-9 wks 79%

12 wks 95%

These results were found in Rottis, a breed that seems to be relatively bad for seroconversion.

see http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/Current%20Knowledge%20of%20Immunology%20101.htm