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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Collect puppy couple days early

63 replies

AlmostD · 11/03/2021 12:01

I know puppies shouldn’t be collected before 8 weeks old - but how much difference does a couple of days make? Would it be ok to collect at weekend if they turn 8 weeks on tue?

OP posts:
IReallyNeedMoreGin · 11/03/2021 12:18

We collected a pup a few days early as the breeder was one that lived a fair distance away and we had to be in the general area for another reason. We emailed in advance to ask obviously and they were fine with that. I think it was only 3 or 4 days early.

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 11/03/2021 12:25

Wouldn't the breeder be breaking the law to do that?

picklemewalnuts · 11/03/2021 12:25

But 8 weeks is the earliest. A couple of days early if the arrangement is for 10 weeks, sure. I'd not recommend less than 8 weeks.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 11/03/2021 12:28

Puppies change & develop every day a d even a couple of days with mum will teach them more skills & socialisation.
8 weeks is only 56 days.
Better to postpone it till the weekend after, if you need the time off.

celestebellman · 11/03/2021 12:46

Our breeder provides insurance when puppy is collected (I think 4 weeks) and this wouldn’t be possible prior to the 8 weeks - I also asked this question, we could collect the day before (in our case a Sunday) but the insurance would not start till following day.

SirSniffsAlot · 11/03/2021 12:46

Better to collect them late - i.e. the following weekend (if it is a weekend you are aiming for).

Every extra hour with their mum and litter is good for their long term development.

PeckyOwl · 11/03/2021 12:54

As well as the insurance being invalid, what about first vaccinations? Were these due to be arranged by the breeder, and would this be before you want to pick the puppy up?
8 weeks is the legal minimum for lots of reasons, lots of breeders prefer to keep longer.

Original poster
AlmostD · 11/03/2021 13:00

It’s the breeder pushing for early collection. I think the law only applies if they are licensed? (They aren’t - just a litter from their family pet) First vaccinations to have been done before they are collected. Good point re insurance!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 11/03/2021 13:01

If they don’t know that’s too early then I doubt they have done the requisite health tests on parents. Be wary.

Claudia84 · 11/03/2021 13:06

Pick them up the following weekend and get proof that the health check, chip and vaccinations have definitely taken place by contacting the vet yourself.

StealthRoast · 11/03/2021 13:08

This happened to us. Breeder was saying that our puppy was very ready to go etc and making us feel a bit guilty I suppose. Looking back we were so bloody naive as it was our first experience of getting a puppy. When we first saw the advert it said that puppies would be microchipped but not vaccinated. When we took him to the vet he wasn’t microchipped. Also found out he should have been vaccinated.

We have put so much into training him and socializing as I don’t think they did much at all. Makes me sick. They live local ( we didn’t know that at first ) or I would report them- not sure who to but I wouldn’t want any trouble. Thankfully he is in perfect health and well looked after with us but could have been a different story.

I just think they wanted them off their hands.

Original poster
AlmostD · 11/03/2021 13:08

Parents have been health checked and plan on speaking with vet to confirm puppy health once they’ve been checked over.

OP posts:
ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 11/03/2021 13:09

'Litter from a family pet' is a known scam.

Good breeders don't let their puppies/kittens go early like this.

SirSniffsAlot · 11/03/2021 13:10

It’s the breeder pushing for early collection.

This is really disappointing to read, tbh.

It suggests a distinct lack of knowledge into the development of a puppy (or a disregard for the long term impact). It would make me wonder what else this puppy had missed out on before they got to me.

Veterinari · 11/03/2021 13:17

@IReallyNeedMoreGin

We collected a pup a few days early as the breeder was one that lived a fair distance away and we had to be in the general area for another reason. We emailed in advance to ask obviously and they were fine with that. I think it was only 3 or 4 days early.
If you are in England you and your breeder broke the law
tabulahrasa · 11/03/2021 13:17

“I think the law only applies if they are licensed?”

Why would it? Then it’d be a licence condition, not a law...

It’s illegal.

Veterinari · 11/03/2021 13:19

@AlmostD

It’s the breeder pushing for early collection. I think the law only applies if they are licensed? (They aren’t - just a litter from their family pet) First vaccinations to have been done before they are collected. Good point re insurance!
The law applies to all breeders.

Why are you choosing to buy a puppy from a breeder who is ignoring the law and behavioural/welfare science and trying to separate a puppy from its mother and littermates at an age that is detrimental to its development

picklemewalnuts · 11/03/2021 14:50

So depressing. They aren't toys, or products ready for sale early.

Your 'breeder' needs a flea in their ear, to deprive a pup of his mum and litter mates so early.

If this isn't someone you know really well, then be very wary. There have been some sad sad stories on here of people who inadvertently supported puppy farming and other irresponsible breeding.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 11/03/2021 14:55

If it's the breeder pushing for it, that's a red flag for me.
They don't have the welfare of their puppies paramount in their plans. They will have known for months the minimum age for the litter to leave, they shouldn't make alternative arrangements.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 11/03/2021 15:11

@AlmostD

Parents have been health checked and plan on speaking with vet to confirm puppy health once they’ve been checked over.
Vet checked, or health tested?

Vet checked just means checking the dog isn't obviously unwell.

Health tested involves hip scores, PRA tests and any other tests relevant to the breed (eg IVDD for dachshunds). This is important for reasons of genetic health, for your puppy's future.

I'm reminded of a poster on MN some time ago who insisted their cockapoo puppy was KC registered. On closer examination, it turned out it was on the KC activity register, which is for things like competitive agility and flyball. Literally any dog can be signed up to the activity register - even my rescue mutt of unknown origin. The KC breed register is the one actually relevant to breeding and pedigree...

Sometimes breeders can use words that don't mean what people initially assume.

lurker101 · 11/03/2021 15:15

I think if the breeder has suggested it, it’s a good time to run away. If they’re willing to suggest this (even if it seems like only a few days) there’s probably other things you’re unaware of. Most reputable breeders hold onto pups longer to meet family commitments i.e. keeping a pup an extra week until guests leave so settling in is easier for pup

sunflowersandbuttercups · 11/03/2021 15:46

It's illegal whether the breeder is licensed or not.

Puppies should not be sold before eight weeks of age, even it's "just" a couple of days.

If it's "just" a couple of days, they should be happy to wait. And so should you.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 11/03/2021 15:48

@AlmostD

Parents have been health checked and plan on speaking with vet to confirm puppy health once they’ve been checked over.
Have they been health tested, not checked? Hip and elbow scores? Plus all the relevant tests for the breed?
Original poster
AlmostD · 11/03/2021 16:44

Yes re health tested. Dad has the relevant tests for the breed. Mums breed doesn’t have any recommended tests re known genetic issues.

OP posts:
lurker101 · 11/03/2021 16:48

Have you met the parents? Now that you’ve added that the parents are different breeds this is moving further into potential puppy farming for me. Tread very very carefully