What age can a puppy leave it's Mum?

[sarah8484]

Just that really. Im having a beautiful puppy soon, he is 4 weeks old and I asked when he's ready and been told in 2 weeks? (If eating independently) Im thinking 6 weeks is too young? Have googled it but I'm getting different answers from 6, 8, 9 and even 12 weeks?

6 weeks is definitely too young. 8 minimum,but 10 better I think

10 weeks is ideal I think. The breeder I got my boy from would have let him go at 8 if all was well but I think 10 is better

I think the very earliest is 8 weeks old.
Who are you getting him from. If someone wanted to hand me a pup at 6 weeks old. I'd be very weary,

If the breeder lets the puppy go before 8 weeks it means they are dodgy as hell and trying to avoid micro chipping the dog!
So when you get to the vet, you're going to have a LOT of awkward questions and procecution could follow.
So, refuse to take the puppy before 8 weeks and the breeder or whoever has to micro chip and then you have to change the details to yourself.
If they refuse, then walk away. Could be a very ill puppy as you don't know what else they are hiding.

Minimum of 8 weeks

We got one pup at 8 weeks and one at 11 - there was a huge difference in behaviour. It may not be related, but I really believe the one we got at 11 weeks had been taught not to nip by his extra time with mum and siblings.

Puppies should not leave their mum before 8 weeks and smaller breeds usually stay with mum for longer up to 12 weeks.
For licensed breeders this is the law in the uk.
So random people selling puppies with lower standards than that are not going to be a good place to buy a puppy from, sorry.

This is NOT a reputable breeder.

I would go elsewhere.

6 weeks is way too young.

Ours was nearly 9 weeks, it was an accidental breeding from a local family and it was only because the Mum had had 9 pups that they let them go before 10 weeks (think they were pulling their hair out with 10 dogs in the house!).

I wouldn't have wanted her any earlier, 6 weeks is way too soon.

8 weeks is LAW in England & Scotland, under the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare Act) 1999

Guide dogs take their puppies at 7 weeks but for pet homes the law is 8 weeks. I agree that the breeder you are involved with does not sound ethical or above board at all. I would be reporting them to the RSPCA.

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/8277/law.pdf

It may not be related, but I really believe the one we got at 11 weeks had been taught not to nip by his extra time with mum and siblings.

It is absolutely related so you're right.

Puppies (like babies) go through learning phases and weeks 6-12 (approx) are when they learn best about how to interact with other dogs. They do that by interacting with each other and mum, and by watching how mum interacts with the world and other dogs etc.

If you take a puppy at 6 weeks it will not have had the expsoure to this learning. Without it there is a real risk of it becoming an adult dog with behavioural struggles such as never really being able to connect with another dog (leading to nervousness and reactivity) or general anxiety in how they cope in the big wide world.

In all honesty, so long as a breeder is following a thorough socialisation programme with the puppies then leaving them with their litter until 10 weeks plus may be best. This is especially true of very small dogs, such as chis, who go through these stages slightly slower so need the extra time.

A breeder letting a puppy go at 6 weeks just wants them out of the house and to get their £. They are not doing what is best for the dogs and so there will have been little consideration towards health and temperament when deciding to breed. I wouldn't take a puppy at 6 weeks under any circumstances and would back out of this arrnagement sharpish. The risk is too high it will lead to years of heartbreak with a sick, badly bred or overly anxious dog.

Many Puppies and kittens are taken from their mums at 6 weeks because the mums get nippy and often growl at them. It's mistakenly seen as mum getting fed up of them or losing patience. It's not. It the time of vital teaching of behaviour and manners.
Kittens and pups taken away before mum has had the chance to teach these invaluable lessons can act aggressive and don't know when to stop nipping. I have a cat who's mum died leaving her alone at 2 weeks old. She never learned proper cat behaviour and was unaware of how she was suppose to act. Lily lily she's just loopy and fun but we did have to teach her not to be so rough and violent.

Tell the breeder you're not interested in taking a pup early because you need it to be trained by mama dog. Get it at 8 or better yet, 10 weeks.

Thank you everyone for replies and information. The pup is from a friend of a friend and as far as im aware it was an accidental pregnancy. The pup price includes first injections, flee and worm treatment and micro chip. Maybe they are just unaware of what age a pup can go. Definitely won't be taking him before 10 weeks as he is a small breed dog. Thank you all again.

If the breeder lets the puppy go before 8 weeks it means they are dodgy as hell

In a nutshell. Personally I would run like the bloody wind OP. They haven't even bothered to learn the basics have they? Idiots.

We made the mistake of taking on our first puppy at 6 weeks old. He was so little he was still 'kneading' his blanket and suckling in his sleep. He was also very sick with the biggest lice infestation the vet had ever seen. The woman who owned his mum hadn't meant to be cruel, she was just very, very stupid.

If it was an "accidental" pregnancy, has the mother dog been neutered now to prevent it happening again?

What breed puppy is it ?

Its a Shiz tzu. Im not sure if dog has been neutered. Will mention when i next see them, maybe their reply will confirm if it was a 'accident' or not.

Most vets vaccinate at 8 weeks, and you have the microchip done at the same time.

I'd refuse it until then.

8 weeks, when they're weaned.

Typo *Shih Tzu

The sad thing is that if the breeders are that clueless, the pup isn't necessarily any better off being left with them for a few extra weeks

Why are you paying someone for being utterly neglectful and risking their dog’s life?

If you actually wanted a dog why didn’t you go for a rescue or at the very least a proper breeder? Your basically lining the pockets of someone for doing naff all and they'll do it again now because it’s profitable. And you’ve no idea of the health of the dog you’re buying. You’re being really irresponsible.

It's illegal to sell a puppy until it's eight weeks of age. The only exception to this is guide dogs.

We got ours at 12 weeks which lots consider too old but it was perfect for us. He was already pretty much toilet trained, knew not to nip/bite, and already did things like sit for his meals. It also meant he came to us fully vaccinated so we could take him straight out for walks too, so we didn't have to deal with a hyper puppy who couldn't go out properly.

I would recommend 10 weeks as an absolute minimum. The law says 8 but personally I feel it's too young.

8 weeks minimum but smaller breeds benefit from 12 weeks

10 weeks and he wasn't the worst puppy. He was toilet trained (near enough), had practiced on the lead round the garden, knew a few very basic bits and pieces like sitting.

I was torn between 10 and 12 weeks though especially as he was living in a big noisy household so lots of socialisation by accident and but the breeder following a strict plan too. I think either age would have worked with him. Having to keep him off walks for 2 weeks was a pain for sure. He went out of the house with me a lot in those 2 weeks but there were days I'd have loved him to burn some energy off.

I'd have felt less confident if the breeder wasn't as experienced as she is because I'd have worried about a 10 or 12 week puppy missing out on socialisation.

If the person is telling you 6 weeks I'd have to question if they are puppy farmers. Have you seen the pup with mum and in proper family, homely surroundings or is there anything that rings alarm bells? 6 weeks is way too early, 9 weeks is the earliest I'd take a pup from its mother.