Hi,

We are looking for a bullmastiff puppy and unless I misheard, one breeder has said he has puppies ready this Thursday as they will be 7 weeks old. Is this too young? I thought it was more like 12 weeks.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

I've had puppies as young as 6 weeks old but I much prefer them at 8 weeks as I feel they are a little more prepared at that age.
Bec

Our puppies go between 7 & 8 weeks but only if they are fit well and eating like pigs! but there are some differences between breeds is there a mastiff club who you could ring for advice?

I wouldn't consider homing a pup younger than 10 weeks, the first 10-12 weeks are vital to the dogs socialisation etc. To take that away can create an problem dog.

Taylor

Hi
The Bullmastiff Association has a code of ethics
part of whitch says no puppy should be sold before 8 wks of age

Dave

Hi,
When I got my BC pup, the breeder was letting the pups go from 6 weeks old. We didn't collect out pup till she was 7 1/2 weeks and I think we did the right thing as the pups socialised with each other and did all the things pups could do and now she is a lovely, friendly little girl.
Charlotte

A lot will depend on breed. some pups are more forward in development. 7 - 8 weeks in my breed they seem more than ready. With my first litter I insisted on waiting until they were over 8 weeks, before leting them go, but the girl who does Obedience with hers found that the one she had from me at just over 7 weeks gave her a head start. They are a confident and independant breed, so the early bonding and individual disipline are probably a p;us point for anyojne wanting to work one.

Of course I socialise and teach pups th8ings appropriate for their age if they stay longer, as I have had pups up to 16 weks for various reasons and all have been fine in their new homes.

In my recent litter I let the first pup go at 7 weeks 3 days, as they had a holiday arranged from this Weekend when pup will be 11 weeks. I thought it better that pup have 3 1/2 weeks with new home before coming back for a week, rather than having the pup at 12 weeks. It will already have a bond with it's family, and have gotten inmto their routines, as opposed to mine.

Some toy breeds may be tiny and babyish, and won't generally be honed until 10 or 12 weeks.

Hi Brainless,
I got my mini smooth haired dachshund quite early, she was 1 day from 6 weeks old. The mum of the litter had 5 pups, quite large I think for a dog so small. She told me the earlier they went the better, so I followed her advice and so far have really regretted it. One of the pups in the litter went 4 days before my Ella, and the rest were due to go in the next week. Ella is now nearly 9 weeks old and still terrified of everything, I've had in my lifetime only 7 dogs, got each of them at various ages and Ella is by far the worst. Brainless where did you learn the info about them going when they're 10 - 12 weeks old? I've never heard of that before and my breeder certainly didn't inform me of it, instead she seemed quite glad to see rid of the pups.
Charlotte

Hi,

We always let our pups go between 7 and 8 weeks and always advise people to get pups at this age because the fear imprint period starts at 8 weeks and lasts until 16 weeks.

If your pup isn't socialised between this period, there is a chance of some problems later on with nerves or fear or nervous aggressione (some breeds more than others).

Having a pup later on is fine, as long as the breeder is prepared to put in the extra time and effort of socialising your pup for you. This involves carrying them out to meet dogs (not on the floor), cars, buses, tractors, children, people, livestock etc etc and taking them in the car, teaching them to wear a collar and lead etc.

manda
X

I will let well grown forward puppies go from 7 weeks, (usually the males) as long as there are no small children and the new owners have had dogs/puppies before. I have never had reports of any problems and always stay in touch with new owners. I find that they house train more quickly. The few times I have bought puppies, I actually WANT to have them at 7 weeks as I find they settle in more quickly and have had a whole week with me before they have their first jabs. I agree that Toy breeds are a different matter. It sad the daschound owner has had such problems but I feel that they have nothing to do with going at 7 weeks. After all, guide dogs for ther blind have their pups at 6 weeks I believe and those must be the best socialised, most quietly confident dogs there are.

Because of unexpected circumstances I ended up picking up my puppy at 6 weeks instead of the intended 8 weeks and she has always been fine.

I should imagine it helps that she was a labrador but I started taking her everywhere straight away and I cant think of anything that she's scared off!!!!

She is also fine with other dogs, she knows whether she can get away with being dominant or if she needs to be submissive straight away.

I havent seen any evidence that she would have faired better had we picked her up 2 weeks later

i picked my pup up at six weeks and she has been the best one yet, scared of nothing and eating and sleeping really well.she is far more settled than my other two who i picked up at 7 and 9 weeks , and had more probs with howling in the night of the first week.every dog book i've read has a different popinion on what age they should leave home but as long as they're weaned etc there shouldnt be a problem.my pup is a lab bitch too.what colour is yours rachel?mines chocolate.

yeah mine too

shes six months old now and a real handful but she's my baby girl and I wouldnt change her for anything

I got Willis at 6 weeks - and he has been really benefited from having such early socialisation. He doesn't have a nervous bone in his body - and I think it was better to get him out while he was still so manageable! I wouldn't recommend it for everyone though - its horses for courses.

R - how's the house sale going?

Its not!!!!! Not a soul. Had to reduce the price at the beginning of the week because we have got planning permission for the extension on our new house but cant start it until we release the money from our old house!!!!

Aaaagh!!!

I know the feeling so well... I had to reduce mine and it grates the hell out of me. We complete tomorrow and I am never buying another house again. Ever.

rachael what's your puppy called?mine's called amber, we'll have to swap notes even though my little one is only 7 weeks old!!!

Mines called Darcy!!!!!!!!

I can barely remember her being so young. I look at pictures and cant believe she was ever that small!!!!!!!!!!!!

Definitely up for swapping notes though. She's my first puppy and I always think she's the only puppy in the world doing certain things but come on here and everyones in the same boat. It's such a relief!!

My puppies go around 8 weeks. Yes this is in their main socialization period thats why they are better off in their new homes, learning about washing machines and visitors and what no means.

My pups leave around 8 weeks, maybe a couple of days either side, my last litter went at 7 weeks because mum had problems and had to be kept away, but they left here happy, healthy and haven't encountered any problems at all.