Is 8 Weeks too Young?

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Reinell

You have encouraged me to ask about the breeder's intended vaccination schedule - thanks for that. I will do that. I don't want my puppy to be ill in any way, shape or form.

I agree - it may not be right to get a puppy at 8 weeks but I do think it is quite common.

I think you just said it best. Just because it's common doesn't make it right. And, it's definitely not a good thing for the puppies.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

I did that Google Search - and I will read what I found out. Just wanted to comment that you may be right about the breeder wanting money more quickly - but I did negotiate the price down 200 dollars (the initial price was very high) so I think that speaks that she isn't all about the money. She does own the mom and dad and both live in her home. She is not a "Registered" breeder so she likely don't follow the standards.

Wow! two hundred dollars...........

You're right she probably doesn't follow the standard.....

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Wow! two hundred dollars...........

You're right she probably doesn't follow the standard.....

No no ... sorry for the misunderstanding. The puppy will cost us 900 dollars - she was asking 1100 for a non-registered puppy which was too much as far as I'm concerned. I had another breeder in mind who was asking around 800 for CKC registered puppies.

200 dollars would not even cover vet fees as far as I'm concerned.

[BellaBlue82]

I am adopting a Yorkie next month, and my breeder will not let my puppy go until she is at least 15 weeks. This is a good thing, as others on here have also posted, because the puppy needs to get the best possible care and nurturing from their mothers. Everyone wants to have a teeny weeny puppy, but you have to do what's in their best interest, if you really love and care for them. I wouldn't even buy from this breeder that you are trying to deal with. There are plenty of reputable breeders out there that put the puppy's care above all else, shop around.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

No no ... sorry for the misunderstanding. The puppy will cost us 900 dollars - she was asking 1100 for a non-registered puppy which was too much as far as I'm concerned. I had another breeder in mind who was asking around 800 for CKC registered puppies.

200 dollars would not even cover vet fees as far as I'm concerned.

Is the breeder you're dealing with live close by, where you can see the pup first hand?

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Is the breeder you're dealing with live close by, where you can see the pup first hand?

Yes, they are about a 45 minute drive away. We were planning on stopping there this weekend and are waiting to make arrangements. She'll be 5 weeks old on Sunday - I was trying to do some research to see if 5 weeks is too young for outside contact or not (as we don't want to risk her health).

These are the same breeders we got our current Yorkie Rocky from so we have met them twice previously and been in contact via e-mail since.

[citygirl]

I got Lola at 7weeks, the girl I got her from didn't want her anymore so I took her. Lola is almost a year old and knock on wood healthy. Just make sure you keep Nutracal on hand or something similar to it just incase. I free feed so she always had food. Good luck with your new baby.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Yes, they are about a 45 minute drive away. We were planning on stopping there this weekend and are waiting to make arrangements. She'll be 5 weeks old on Sunday - I was trying to do some research to see if 5 weeks is too young for outside contact or not (as we don't want to risk her health).

These are the same breeders we got our current Yorkie Rocky from so we have met them twice previously and been in contact via e-mail since.

Well that's a good thing, I highly recommend that you meet with the breeder and are able to see your pup before making a decision. I would never ship a pup and most reputable breeders don't. First of all I want to know the people my pups are going home with.

My opinion is that 5 weeks is a bit young for outside contact. 8 weeks of age would be better, at least the first shot will be given at that time.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

If a breeder is giving a puppy it's first shot at 6 weeks she is doing more harm than good and suppressing mother's immunities, there for setting up the pup to contract a case of parvo.

The fact that you got your dog at 8 weeks and your parents got your childhood dog at 8 weeks (don't know how many years ago that was), didn't make it right. And it's all about what is best for the puppy, not the breeder, not the new puppy owner.

At six weeks puppies still have antibodies from nursing that block the effectiveness of vaccinations. They shouldn't get their first vaccinations until 9 or 10 weeks. The last round must be around 18-20 weeks for full immunity.

In one study of a cross section of different puppies the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks of age, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks, and by 18 weeks of age, 95% of the puppies could be immunized.

Mary is right. Breeders who give vaccinations at six weeks are setting puppies up for parvo.

Parvovirus: Serious Diarrhea in Puppies & Dogs

[yorkie_mama22]

Originally Posted by Reinell

I did that Google Search - and I will read what I found out. Just wanted to comment that you may be right about the breeder wanting money more quickly - but I did negotiate the price down 200 dollars (the initial price was very high) so I think that speaks that she isn't all about the money. She does own the mom and dad and both live in her home. She is not a "Registered" breeder so she likely don't follow the standards.

People who are not reputable breeders and ask a high price for unregistered will always price them higher for people to negotiate. I am sure it's all about the money otherwise why would she have unregistered dogs, letting them go so early, giving shots too early and doing everything else wrong?

I wouldn't buy a pup under 12 weeks, I would prefer older even if possible. It's just too dangerous even IF you had good luck before it doesn't mean you will this time. This person sounds like a BYB and doesn't take the well being of her babies into mind. That's just my opinion.

900 sounds like a big rip off. You can't even guarantee your getting a purebred yorkie. Theres so many yorkies that are way lower priced from shelters then to spend 900. Like you said you can get a registered one for 800.

[Sharly4]

I've been breeding for 13 years and my mentors for 20 plus we've all been giving first shots at 6 weeks. It's what my vet recomended since I first started and my puppies sometimes have 3 shots before they leave. I also put them outside at about 6-8 weeks old so they can start potty training. I've never had one instance of Parvo in all my years of breeding. I keep everyone up to date and on schedule! Neither have any of my mentors have had Parvo. I know you've all been doing research and if it works for you guys it works. This has worked for me all these years and I don't plan on changing.

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Sharly4

I've been breeding for 13 years and my mentors for 20 plus we've all been giving first shots at 6 weeks. It's what my vet recomended since I first started and my puppies sometimes have 3 shots before they leave. I also put them outside at about 6-8 weeks old so they can start potty training. I've never had one instance of Parvo in all my years of breeding. I keep everyone up to date and on schedule! Neither have any of my mentors have had Parvo. I know you've all been doing research and if it works for you guys it works. This has worked for me all these years and I don't plan on changing.

About what age would you let your Yorkies go to their new homes?

[Sharly4]

They all have gone home at 12 weeks and later. This last litter went home as late as 18 weeks.

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by yorkie_mama22

People who are not reputable breeders and ask a high price for unregistered will always price them higher for people to negotiate. I am sure it's all about the money otherwise why would she have unregistered dogs, letting them go so early, giving shots too early and doing everything else wrong?

I wouldn't buy a pup under 12 weeks, I would prefer older even if possible. It's just too dangerous even IF you had good luck before it doesn't mean you will this time. This person sounds like a BYB and doesn't take the well being of her babies into mind. That's just my opinion.

900 sounds like a big rip off. You can't even guarantee your getting a purebred yorkie. Theres so many yorkies that are way lower priced from shelters then to spend 900. Like you said you can get a registered one for 800.

I find your post mildly insulting. Just because I am not getting a registered Yorkie does not mean I am not getting a pure Yorkie. Just like getting. Registered Yorkie does not guarantee you will get a Yorkie with no health problems. Just because the pups are not registered the breeder is not automatically a backyard breeder. Her belief about not docking tails and removing dewclaws as she believes it is a cruel practice aligns with my DH's and my belief. Most breeders in NA dock tails to meet the NA standard which we do not agree with. This breeder also provides a two year health guarantee.

[Reinell]

Originally Posted by Sharly4

They all have gone home at 12 weeks and later. This last litter went home as late as 18 weeks.

Good to know - thanks!