When I was growing up in Germany one could not get a puppy that was younger than 9 weeks from the breeder. The reason being that they are not enough socialized before that age. Here is a link to an article with some thoughts At what age should puppy go home

For once I agree with Salti. You said it on your first post, Hapy. Then when asked to elaborate on what you said, you referred anyone reading to their vets. If you cannot offer an explanation for what you wrote, then maybe you should not have made that statement.

I read Happy's first post to mean make sure the pup isn't altered *that young*, not that the pup shouldn't be altered at all.

Anyway, all my dogs were spayed before first heat (all adopted - alteration is standard practice at the Humane Society), and all lived long lives.

Um...Happy....it is in your first post, posted yesterday at 7:51 am:

"The one week difference you mention could make a huge difference in how things go after you bring pup home. Keep in mind that puppies are almost like different creatures than grown dogs because they must learn everything. In many ways you will have an infant in your home for a while.

Aside from that please be sure puppy is not spayed or altered lest you run a serious risk of dealing with health issues........."

Still, I took it differently than the other poster - I took it to mean don't have them spayed at 7-8 weeks, not to not alter. I guess it's all in the interpretation.

I'm kinda lost with all of the arguments. Which week? 6 or 7 or 8 or later?

I think you two are sucking the joy out of getting a new puppy for the OP...

Ann, I would wait until it’s 8 weeks. The reason is because at 6-7 weeks the puppy is still learning social skills from it’s mother and siblings.

The minimum age to pick up a new puppy should be 8 weeks. I think some states have already made this a minimum age for kennels.

The puppy learns very valuable social skills from the mom and other puppies before that. I have a Doberman (otherwise known as a Dobershark when they are puppies). The mom really helps temper the amount of and strength of biting. In the reputable Doberman breeding world, a breeder that lets you have a puppy earlier is considered a bad breeder and should be avoided.

As far as neutering, some dog breeds really benefit from delayed spaying/neutering. For example, Dobermans who are neutered too young (less than 2 years) have higher risks of tendon tears from earlier neutering as the dogs grow taller than expected, thus putting stress on the tendons.

However, delayed neutering really only applies to COMPLETELY responsible owners. It was not a problem for me to wait until 2 as my dog was always with me and not EVER put in situations where an accidental pregnancy cold happen.

But since most of the population can't/won't commit to that degree of care, it is better to neuter early for reducing accidental pregnancy.

Anne, at least 8 weeks. A reputable breeder will let not let a pup go before.

Yes, I did an edit. Thank you catching my errror.

As a breeder, and a professional trainer for too many years to name I’ll throw out my 2 cents. First, 8 weeks is the law in the USA. However, that really applies to pet stores and commercial operations as there is no way they can enforce that with people like me, for example.

It also depends on the breed. There are some breeds where the breeders prefer to wait until 9 or 10 weeks for maturity reasons. The breeds we have both are fine at 8 weeks, but if the breeder wants to keep a bit longer I’d defer to them, assuming they are breeders of the caliber I’m used to dealing with.

As a professional trainer, I’ll say that some of the most common behavioral issues we deal with can be associated with pups that left mom too early. The pups learn much of their lifelong social skills between 5-8 weeks by being with mom and their littermates.

Saltidawg, I stand corrected, thank you.

Most of the puppies I sell get shipped so I’m used to airline regulations. As most of them don’t want to keep up with individual states info they follow the standard of eight weeks and many of their sites state some variation of a regulation.

You and have nothing in common to discuss.

No responsible breeder would sell puppies that required shipping.

Not one.

Saltidawg, I am sorry you feel that way. I have a breed that was on the verge of extinction. I have flown over to Europe multiple times and brought pups back with me on the plane. Lovingly tucked into the seat beside me. How do you think most of the purebreeds got here to the USA to begin with? As there are only a handful that are native to the USA they have to get here somehow. I have buyers fly and drive to my home from states away in order to pick up their pups. A fabulous breed that was about to go by the wayside while people spend three times as much for a designer hybrid with no history , no health tests, no working or conformation tests. I consult with the president of the breed club in the native country on a regular basis to determine best breeding pairs, how to promote the best practices with regards to achieving genetic diversity. I participate in activities that my breed was bred for in order to make sure that my dogs are mentally and physically stimulated and are still up to performing the tasks they are intended for.

I am also a breeder who will always take back any dog from my breeding. And am involved with breed rescue when needed.

Personally I’m pretty thrilled that you and I have nothing to discuss. Unless your breed is a native to your country, you are relying on someone before you to have somehow gotten your breed into your hands. Or did they teleport? The ends justify the means?

Run away from a breeder who suggests anything under 8 weeks is acceptable. It means he or she doesn’t understand how puppies develop, which means he or she probably has other serious issues in their breeding program..

The only time it might be OK to go home at 7 weeks is if the puppy is a singleton, and the new owner owns puppy-friendly dogs and can set up play dates with puppies. But— hopefully the breeder would have found a local litter for the puppy to have good experiences with other puppies all along.

My preference would be 12 weeks. In some parts of Canada 12 weeks is the minimum age if a dog is adopted through a breeder. We live in Ontario - it is not the law here, but I believe in the 12 weeks provided the dog is properly socialized during that time.

Our dog was not - although he was 13 weeks old when we adopted him.

Had we known of our dog at 8 weeks we would have taken him then - things would have been a lot easier. He is also a "funny" breed! He is now 14 years old.