Puppy age for new home - Page 1

I know that 8 weeks is considered the norm.  However, I would like to ask Breeders if they consider an earlier or later age more desirable and why?

Look forward to your comments,

and thank you, Vixen

I'm not a breeder but I've heard an answer to this question from the breeder of my terriers.  She said she would like to see pups stay near mom until 12 weeks, the imprint and corrections tend to stick when they are with the adults.  Of course, this was a terrier breeder, perhaps it's different with GSD pups?

I read that 7 weeks is a good time. 12 weeks may be good because shots are done. I would like to get them at 7 weeks though. I also think it is illegal to sell pups under 8weeks in florida, don't know about the other states.

Hi Sparrow,  Thank you for your comment.  Actually I have heard this too.  Plus I have also heard people who say earlier than 8 weeks is best.  Which is why I would be interested to hear from Breeders as to their experience of the best age for puppies leaving the litter.

Thank you Sparrow for high-lighting that 12 week reason.

Regards, Vixen.

Hello Watsonggsd,  Interesting that you have heard that 7 weeks might be best. - Again, will look forward to hopefully hearing why some think that earlier might be better.

Regards, Vixen.

Here in PA it is illegal to transfer to a new home any puppy under the age of 8 weeks. Other states/municipalities may have similar laws.

IMO it might be best at 7 weeks because "they" say some pups can begin a fear period at 8 weeks. But it is also best to wait to give shots until later if you follow Jean Dodds protocol. I don't think much later as all pups would need to be seperated or they will begin to bond with each other.

I don't know about other breeds or show lines, but I like to take Gsd's at 7 to 8 wks.  I don't like them running in the pack for too long while they are in very important socialization stages.  I like to get my own pup as soon as possible because I want to be 100 % sure of the imprinting and socialization it recieves.  I want the dog to bond to me at this crucial period, not his littermates.  The most important periods in a pups life for socialization is between 7-12 and 12-16 weeks.  I don't like trusting a person to properly socialize my dog when they have a whole litter on their hands.  I like the individual attention for every pup at an early age.  Besides, tracking has to start sometime doesn't it?

Forgot to add that at 7 wks the puppies really start to kill eachother.  This is a good time to seperate.

Don, I thought there may be a difference in this as far as breed specificity. Terriers not only have smaller litters, they also mature at a different rate I believe.  I was only repeating what I got from a breeder but was trying to be careful since it's another breed altogether and I was thinking that may be the case.  My breeder told me as long as the dam has what it takes to be a good mom, she likes to see HER pups stay to 12 weeks, that the corrections they get are invaluable.  Thank you for the reasoning behind the age, it makes sense.