How old should puppies be before they go to a new home ?

Question

my mom is getting an airedale puppy at 6 weeks old. I've been told this is too soon and it should be at least 8 weeks. I've also been told that bigger dogs, like airedales, can be adopted at 6 weeks. What is true?

also, what happens if the puppy is adopted too early?

The lady we are buying from says that the puppies are eating mostly wet canned food but some dry food and they are drinking water, so that wont be a problem.

Answer 1

Well, they should be weaned. (That is, no longer nursing.) I don't know if there are any additional criteria.

Answer 2

Should be a minimum of 8 weeks to insure the pup is strong after having weened from the mother.  You want your pooch to grow up healthy and for their organs to be fairly mature and well fed from the mother's milk.  

Sure, the lady wants the money!  (She should not be so anxious...be sure about your breeder.  You can always put down a deposit to give the dog more time.

And another thing, check into the food you raise your doggie on!

Answer 3

8 weeks for a medium + breed, up to 12 for smaller. Puppies need to be with their mothers to learn proper social skills with other dogs. Taking a puppy from its mother too soon can lead to big issues with you and other  animals down the road.

Answer 4

6 weeks is way too young. I have a standard poodle and we got her at 8 weeks, and even that's pushing it!. If they are taken away too early from their mom, they don't learn enough things that most dogs would learn from their mom. My dog Toodles, now is afraid of so many things. If we'd gotten her a bit later, this could have probably been avoided. Also, if you get the at 6 weeks, you need to do so much. They pee all over the house, you need to train them, and even though they're cute, it's not worth it. Just wait and get the dog a bit later.

We got our other dog maisie at 4 months, and I think that's a perfect age. most of her training is already done, and she's over the "p**p-around-the-house-stage'".

Answer 5

Don't like to seem them go any earlier then 8 weeks.

They learn to many valuable lessons about pack mentality during this time frame from others in the litter as well as the *****.

Answer 6

6 weeks is too young. 8 weeks is the minimum any puppy should leave home. It doesn't matter what breed it is.

First of all, puppies shouldn't even be weaned until 7 weeks. The puppy needs its mother's milk for another week. More importantly, from birth to 8 weeks, puppies learn from their mother and siblings how to interact properly with other dogs. For instance, a puppy will bite on its mother too hard, the mother will growl and give the puppy a correction, and the puppy learns not to bite so hard next time.

Answer 7

8-10 weeks

big dogs cannot be adopted at 6 weeks! they can be adopted at 8 weeks and it is easier for other dogs to be adopted at 10 weeks

ADD:

aw...how cute! thumb downs for being right!

Answer 8

they need that extra two weeks to be with mom and learn manners. Puppies that stay with mom 8 weeks or longer are 50% more well behaved then puppies that get taken away earlier.

Answer 9

puppies are supposed to be at least 6 to 8 weeks-mounths before leaving thier mother because the puppie's immune systum need the nutrition in the mother's mikl just like human babies. but they have formula for human babies. good luck with the puppy!!!

Answer 10

8 weeks minimum....not before it has to stay with its mother

Answer 11

As a breeder of Standard Poodles I for one never home a puppy before 12 weeks, Prefer to keep them till 16 weeks. Never,never get a puppy that is less then 10 weeks old

Answer 12

Eight weeks is the minimum age pups should leave the litter. The age isnt based on whether or not they are weaned but is about the socialization and bite inhibition lessons they are still receiving from their dam and siblings. Placing puppies younger than eight weeks can result in social adjustment and temperament issues later in life.

Here is a chart that cites the states that legally require pups be eight weeks of age before selling:

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovusp...

Answer 13

8 weeks, no earlier.

Don't buy from anyone offering puppies earlier....this is a red flag to me that this person is an irresponsible breeder.

Answer 14

8 weeks no matter the type of dog, as they must be properly weaned

Answer 15

Many states actually list 7 or 8 weeks as the earliest time you may sell puppies away from their mother (varies by state), but your state may list 6 weeks.  During the early weeks, the dogs are protected by their mother's immune system, so after weening they need to be vaccinated (no more mother's milk to protect them) as their own immune system's develop to protect them.  Getting a dog so young, I would make extra sure to be on top of the vaccines, since they are at a higher risk for disease and illness.

Also, puppies are socialized when they are with their mother and siblings, which is why many breeders will not let the puppies leave their family until they are at least 12 weeks old.  A 6 week old puppy that is sent away that young may have separation anxiety and develop quirks and insecurities that do last into adulthood.  

And, of course, a breeder that is telling you that 6 weeks is okay for going home should be a major red flag.  It's uncommon, and can be bad for their health and their socialization, so if the breeder is ignoring it then what else are they ignoring? One major sign of being irresponsible is probably a good indication that they are being irresponsible elsewhere as well.

Answer 16

8 weeks is what I insist upon.