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Date 14.06.03 16:54 UTC
I wondered if someone can tell me what is the best age to get a puppy. Would 7 weeks be too young?
By Admin (Administrator)
Date 14.06.03 17:11 UTC
This very much depends on the breed and individual breeders. Some let puppies go at 6 weeks, others hold onto them until 12 weeks. Personally, I prefer my puppies to be 7 to 8 weeks maximum. Others will differ, so be guided by your breeder but always ask them if you are unhappy about anything.
By Divadell
Date 14.06.03 22:45 UTC
Hiya
7 weeks would be illegal, and in my opinion too young. By law you must not sell your puppies until they are at least 8 weeks old. I keep my pups between 10 to 12 weeks, depending on how the litter is progressing.
HTH
Vicki
By Jackie H
Date 15.06.03 06:12 UTC
Sure it's legal in the UK I like to have my pups at 6 to7 weeks if the breeder will lets me, and most will if they know you. I am sure if a law had been past since my last pup I would have noticed.
Someone let me know please.
Jackie
By Divadell
Date 15.06.03 08:26 UTC
Hiya
I think it became the law as of 1st January 2000. I do have an article on it, but the basic run down of the breeding and sales of dogs act is:
bans more than six litters per bitch
bans bitches giving birth less than 12 months after their previous litter
bans the mating of bitches under 1 year old
bans the selling of puppies under 8 weeks old
There are other bits, and I have got an article on it if anyone is interested, drop me an email divadellscotties@aol.com and I'll email it to you.
HTH
Vicki
By Admin (Administrator)
Date 15.06.03 08:45 UTC
Breeding and sale of dogs (welfare) act 1999
Sale of dogs. 8. - (1) The keeper of a
licensed breeding establishment is guilty of an offence if-
(a) he sells a dog otherwise than at a licensed breeding establishment, a licensed pet shop or a licensed Scottish rearing establishment,
(b) he sells a dog otherwise than to the keeper of a licensed pet shop or a licensed Scottish rearing establishment knowing or believing that the person who buys it intends that it should be sold (by him or any other person),
(c) he sells a dog which is less than eight weeks old otherwise than to the keeper of a licensed pet shop or a licensed Scottish rearing establishment,
(d) he sells to the keeper of a licensed pet shop or a licensed Scottish rearing establishment a dog which was not born at a licensed breeding establishment, or
(e) he sells to the keeper of a licensed pet shop or a licensed Scottish rearing establishment a dog which, when delivered, is not wearing a collar with an identifying tag or badge.
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/19990011.htm#7
So does it only apply to licenced breeders, then?
PS - Admin, you need to tweak your link!
By Admin (Administrator)
Date 15.06.03 08:53 UTC
tweaked :P
Click on the Definition of establishments link.
7. Before section 5 of the 1973 Act insert-
"Breeding establishments for dogs.
4A. - (1) References in this Act to the keeping of a breeding establishment for dogs shall be construed in accordance with this section.
(2) A person keeps a breeding establishment for dogs at any premises if he carries on at those premises a business of breeding dogs for sale (whether by him or any other person).
(3) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, where-
(a) a person keeps a bitch at any premises at any time during any period of twelve months; and
(b) the bitch gives birth to a litter of puppies at any time during that period, he shall be treated as carrying on a business of breeding dogs for sale at the premises throughout the period if a total of four or more other litters is born during the period to bitches falling within subsection (4) of this section.
I may be particularly dim today (bed at 1am, up at 5.30am
), but I can't see any reference to minimum age to sell a pup if you have less than 5 litters per year - like the vast majority of breeders.
By Admin (Administrator)
Date 15.06.03 09:06 UTC
Exactly ;-)
The Dog Owner's Veterinary Handbook says:
"Do not buy the puppy until he is at least 6 weeks of age. The ideal age is from 6 -10 weeks, depending on his size, his health and your circumstances".
Veterinary Notes for Dog Owners says that the optimum age for acquiring a pup is certainly before 12 weeks and usually about 8 weeks. The 'best' age is dependent on many factors, "however, if in doubt the best advice is to take the puppy earlier rather than later"
Nowhere (yet) can I find a legal minimum age...
Last I heard (when I worked at the RSPCA HQ) the minimum legal age to home a pup was 6 weeks - I haven't heard of a change in the law since then.
I like to home mine (a medium sized breed) between 7 and 8 weeks.
:)
i got mine between 7 and 8 weks and i let my puppies go at the same time,i have not had any trouble with any of the dogs,at this age.
By Holly A
Date 15.06.03 16:50 UTC
I have a book that says pups should go to new homes at 7 or 9 weeks. Not at 8 because they go through a week long 'fear' period. Just what I read though!
Holly
I think the 'fear period' is betweenabout 10 and 16 weeks - any experience, whether good or bad, will be deeply imprinted on a puppy.So it's vital that he is exposed to as many good experiences as possible. Any new situation he comes across
after this time will not easily be accepted.
That's why pups should be carried out and about to see traffic, crowds, trains, cows, horses, schoolchildren etc etc etc before they are allowed out walking on the pavement.
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