i have brought a puppie from someone who brought two dogs from someone before they went abroad, he got them and the female was pregnant and had puppies. the mother killed three of the puppies so he has had to hand rear them.
there now 6 weeks and 2 days old, eating and drinking well on there own.
At what age can the pups leave??
many thanks

Ideally 8 weeks is the minimum age pups should leave for new homes.(There are different laws for petshops/dealers unfortunately)  Puppies go through five critical periods...and it's very important that they remain with their mother and littermates until 7-1/2 to 8 weeks of age.Some breeders will go 12 weeks.They will be Ok at 6 weeks . I have had one at 6 weeks .Depends on the interaction between mother and pups if there is any at all.

1.     During the first 3 weeks of life puppies have next to no mental capacity and their basic needs are  provided by their mother. Little or no handling by humans is required (assuming all is well with mother and puppies).  But handling at this time will go a long way in development of the pups.
2.     About the 4th week puppies become aware of other living beings and have very slight trainability. This is an extremely critical period and puppies should not be removed from their mother or littermates. Introduction to humans should be started--but carefully controlled.
3.     Weeks 5 through 7 they begin socialization within the litter and also with humans. At this point they are capable of responding to voices and to recognize people. Training by their mother is in progress and they are becoming aware of the differences between human and canine socialization.
4.     During the 8th through 12 weeks puppies are removed from littermates and mother. They require human socialization, love and security. Play with children should be well supervised.  They are capable of learning simple training such as Come-Sit-Stay-No. It is important that children or other animals not injure puppy -- either accidentally or maliciously. Introduction to people is important but should be closely supervised. Gradually expose to loud noises such as autos, washing machine, vacuum, etc.  Puppy Kindergarten classes during this time are very important.
5.     At 13-16 weeks puppy's mental capacity is fully developed and needs experience. During this time puppy needs love, attention, socialization, discipline and security. Puppy will also try to establish itself as the dominant one. Your puppy is now capable of undergoing formal obedience training -- and can adopt a good or bad (positive or negative) attitude about training so please select your trainer with great care! Praise and reward for correct behavioural response will go a long way in training your puppy!

thankyou for replying to my ad. the pups have not been near mummy, there locked in a cage for few hours then they put mummy out while the pups run around. so they have been handled by people from young... :)

It is very important that they have some canine socialisation. 

Is there any reason to think the other or father would hurt them?  the fact the bitch rejected her litter is most likely to have had a hormonal or traumatic cause, unless her temperament is unreliable.

Over the next two weeks I personally feel they need controlled interaction with the adult dogs so they can learn what being a dog is about, otherwise they may be very difficult dogs for their new owners.

My own bitch reared puppies will be interacting with other canine family members from 4 weeks on, with just the ability for the adults to get away from thrm when they wish.  These are well adjusted freindly adults, with a frumpy granny occasionally being a bit sharp tellign tehm to go away, hence supervison.  Any pups here beyond 12 weeks are fully integrated full time with the adults.

I'm in total agreement with Barbara.

All my pups have social interaction with adult dogs for some time prior to them leaving home.

Are you buying one of these puppies?  Are you questioning their leaving date because you're not sure of the advice the 'breeder' is giving you?

If you are in any way worried about the back up you will receive from this person, or the history of the parents (do you know if either were health tested, are they KC registered etc) please think carefully about what you might be taking on.  I understand the need or desire to 'rescue' but with a little research you can easily find puppies of this breed from KC Assured Breeders, from health tested and KC registered parents.

DAB has given great advice.  If you feel the need to question, you know somethings not right.  Trust your instinct!

I took a bitch at 6 weeks old.  She was my second dog and from show breeders and I'm embarassed to say, I didn't know any better and thought they did.  I would never make that mistake again.  She was the worst dog(and best!lol) that I ever owned.  Really hard work.  I socialised the pants off that dog, constant classes, walking past schools/shops, etc. And she was still a nightmare.  She hated children.  She was quite aggressive with other dogs.  She was always insecure with us.
My dog, who we didn't get till he was 13 weeks old, was the complete opposite.  He came to us and it was like and old head on young shoulders.  He took everything in his stride.  I would always pick to take the older litter everytime.  And, when I have a litter, I leave the homing process as long as possible.

Guide dog puppies go to their walkers at 6 weeks so I don't see any problem providing the new owners are acquainted with the socialisation needs and can accomodate them.