Selling at 8 weeks?

[EmmaPeel]

I can't wait for our new pup, but I am a little bothered, as the breeder says her pups will be available at the end of December, making them only 8 weeks old...shouldn't they be 10-12 weeks old...may have to say that we can't get up there until mid- to late-January! Not fair to the pups to be removed from their mommy that soon! : (

[FlDebra]

Please tell her you would prefer they stay with mom until 12 weeks for the best socialization with mom & siblings. State laws often give one generic age for any breed of puppies saying it is okay to sell them at 8 weeks but toy breeds are so much more delicate and can thrive much better if they are given a better start -- insist on the 12 weeks but let her know why. You may teach your breeder something. She might change her policy, if not, at least you planted a seed.

Are you otherwise sure about this breeder?

[EmmaPeel]

Otherwise, she seems OK? I admit that I am new to this, but I haven't heard or read anything bad about her business anywhere. Will keep you all posted... : /

[kjcmsw]

My pups will be 12 weeks this week and I thought when they were 10 weeks they were so sturdy and healthy that'd they be fine to go to a new owner - not that I planned to sell them then --- just thought they seemed so "ready" and they might have did well to go then but --- I have to admit I am amazed at how much they've matured socially, etc and playing with 'mama dog' has really added to them overall this last week and half. So I will agree 12 weeks is better. Mine now sit, play fetch, potty pad trained, etc, so amazing how they've developed recently. I think the 11/12 week mark is a real milestone time for them.
I couldn't imagine getting one at 8 weeks, I'd agree to try to get them to stay with the owner until 12 weeks..."but", makes me think if they want to sell them so soon, would the pups really be better off with someone who doesn't "seem" to have their best interests at heart (though I don't know their situation personally, maybe they need to sell them now).
Kendra

[Nancy1999]

I would not buy from a breeder who sold pups this early, it's a dead give away that she has not studied the breed, this is one of the first rules. Breeders who haven't studied also don't know anything about studying lines, and don't do genetic testing. You increase you chances of getting a healthy pup, if you find a breeder who is breeding to improve the breed, not just to make a buck. If I were you, I'd keep looking.

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I would not buy from a breeder who sold pups this early, it's a dead give away that she has not studied the breed, this is one of the first rules. Breeders who haven't studied also don't know anything about studying lines, and don't do genetic testing. You increase you chances of getting a healthy pup, if you find a breeder who is breeding to improve the breed, not just to make a buck. If I were you, I'd keep looking.

Yes Ma'am, totally agree. I would wait longer yet if the breeder wanted to run additional testing on them like some here do.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I would not buy from a breeder who sold pups this early, it's a dead give away that she has not studied the breed, this is one of the first rules. Breeders who haven't studied also don't know anything about studying lines, and don't do genetic testing. You increase you chances of getting a healthy pup, if you find a breeder who is breeding to improve the breed, not just to make a buck. If I were you, I'd keep looking.

Great post! Selling Yorkie puppies at just eight weeks old is a huge red flag that she is just in it for the $$$$.

And speaking of money, you could be facing some huge vet bills with a puppy from a breeder like this.

[capt_noonie]

I agree with the others. OP, why do you want to buy from *this* breeder? What is it about her that makes you want to give her your hard earned money? If it's bc her pups is adorable, well, who can't say that about all pups? All puppies are incredibly precious! If you've already put down a deposit, I'd say just cut your loss and look elsewhere. Just bc there is no bad reviews on this breeder does not make her a good one.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I would not buy from a breeder who sold pups this early, it's a dead give away that she has not studied the breed, this is one of the first rules. Breeders who haven't studied also don't know anything about studying lines, and don't do genetic testing. You increase you chances of getting a healthy pup, if you find a breeder who is breeding to improve the breed, not just to make a buck. If I were you, I'd keep looking.

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Great post! Selling Yorkie puppies at just eight weeks old is a huge red flag that she is just in it for the $$$$.

And speaking of money, you could be facing some huge vet bills with a puppy from a breeder like this.

To you both.

[princessizzy]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I would not buy from a breeder who sold pups this early, it's a dead give away that she has not studied the breed, this is one of the first rules. Breeders who haven't studied also don't know anything about studying lines, and don't do genetic testing. You increase you chances of getting a healthy pup, if you find a breeder who is breeding to improve the breed, not just to make a buck. If I were you, I'd keep looking.

VERY TRUE!!!!! Great Post!!

[EmmaPeel]

She has offered references and vet contacts to me...should I contact them, or do you think it is a waste of time on my part?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by EmmaPeel

She has offered references and vet contacts to me...should I contact them, or do you think it is a waste of time on my part?

I might do this on a breeder that I had decided upon, but truthfully, most vets are going to tell you only good things, in fact, I don't think they are allowed to say anything bad. References are kind of worthless too; anyone can find one person to lie for them. I didn't feel the need to do this with the breeder I had chosen, she was so different from all the rest that I knew almost immediately, I wanted a dog from her. It took me over 4 months to find a great breeder, and I was open to several different breeds.

[JeanieK]

You do not want to buy from this breeder.

A breeder who sells a puppy at 8 weks is not being responsible or ethical. An irresponsible unethical person is just that an irresponsible unethical person. They do choose certain areas as a breeder to be ethical and let other areas go. They are irresponsible an unethical in all areas.

There are plenty of ethical breeders out there, you don't have to buy from one who is not.

Walk away from this one.

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by EmmaPeel

She has offered references and vet contacts to me...should I contact them, or do you think it is a waste of time on my part?

Waste of time. VEts don't know the finer points of specific breeds. You are much further ahead to go by the advice by experienced reputable breeders.
At 8 weeks they are just barely weaned. In the next month or so is when problems like coccidia, giardia and in general the breeders work begins as mom is no longer feeding or cleaning up after them.
So people in it for the $$$ want them gone at 8 weeks or even sooner because it becomes a lot more work for them.
Small breed puppies in particular need to be with their breeder until minimum 12 weeks for socialization and to take care of any problems that hsould come up.
I also do not give the first set of vacc's until 10 weeks. I won't let anything go to a new home until minimum the second set of vacc's are done. So that is getting closer to 14 weeks or more.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

My pups will be 12 weeks this week and I thought when they were 10 weeks they were so sturdy and healthy that'd they be fine to go to a new owner - not that I planned to sell them then --- just thought they seemed so "ready" and they might have did well to go then but --- I have to admit I am amazed at how much they've matured socially, etc and playing with 'mama dog' has really added to them overall this last week and half. So I will agree 12 weeks is better. Mine now sit, play fetch, potty pad trained, etc, so amazing how they've developed recently. I think the 11/12 week mark is a real milestone time for them.
I couldn't imagine getting one at 8 weeks, I'd agree to try to get them to stay with the owner until 12 weeks..."but", makes me think if they want to sell them so soon, would the pups really be better off with someone who doesn't "seem" to have their best interests at heart (though I don't know their situation personally, maybe they need to sell them now).
Kendra

Wow -- that is amazing that they are all pad trained at 12 weeks old and playing fetch and learned to sit already! I have never seen a litter like that. Ii almost seemed like mine were pad trained in their little play yard as they were good about doing their business only on the pad. I had the area covered with pads though. So, when they got out and ran around the house a little -- they found a lot of new places to pee too. (I ought to get some pointers as I am still working on my 5 month old girl. She was doing pretty well until the cold hit. Now she is reluctant to stay outside long enough to get things done. ) I had never tried to teach my puppies to sit and fetch at 12 weeks. I have to admit to laughing so much at their antics. How I loved watching them play, fight and tumble around and over each other. There I go getting all puppy wistful again. Very selfish considering I do have Annie(the 5 month old) and Ben, and Candy. But there is something so special about watching a litter of yorkie pups playing!