I would like to know what age is best to buy a pup. I phoned up somebody who has pups, but the thing is they are 12 weeks old. I thought that they are a bit old. Do you think there will be any problems buying a dog at this age? If I decide to buy a pup it will be 13 weeks old what do you think? The breeder said that there has not been a lot of interest as it is coming up to Xmas. Do I smell a rat?

YEs, 13 weeks in my opinion is a bit too old. Some breeders say 6 weeks is best, but i think 7/8 is ideal. Pups go through a big change when they are young, and you need to socialise your pup early on. Toilet training can also become a problem if the breeder has not already started this.

Best to get a pup who you have seen and visited a few weeks before hand, and seen the mother too. Take time and dont rush ahead. What breed are you looking for?

Very much depends on what breed - toy breeds seem to need a little longer, most of the others would be fine at 6-8 weeks, and def before 12 weeks - at 12 weeks the are entering a stage in life when things start to get scarey, and things like being removed from your Mum and family at this stage can lead to a very nervous pup :(

I have to say, I had my pup at 12 weeks and there just hasn't been a problem, I was a little worried about the age but the breeder had spent a lot of time socialising my pup, toilet training was well under way and he was a confident dog right from the start. It very much depends on the pup and the work the breeder has put in. Mine gave me a piece of the bedding that the pups had been sleeping on and some of their food. As I work from home I was also able to give the pup plenty of attention and company, I have to say that he has been the easiest dog I've ever trained.

Regards
Dill

No, there is no problem about buying a pup at this age. It may be that the breeder has been very selective about the new owners and has not found enough that they feel are suitable for their pups.

Pups are "baby pups" for a very few short weeks and many people do prefer to get one at 10 - 14 weeks old rather than 7 - 8 weeks.

If the breeder is giving the pups as much socialisation and introduction to different experiences as possible there is no difference than a new owner doing this - the pups can't safely go out "on the ground" before this age anyway.

Christine

This is exactly what scenario that I had, I had many unsuitable homes
come forward for a pup I had left, I just wasn't prepared to let my pup
go unless I was entirely happy with the home.

She had all the socialisiation possible, that I could give her.
I had her innoculated as well as I did not want to delay her
socialisation with the outside world.
The right home came along when she was 12 weeks old and she has
a super family to share her life with. With also having her innoculated
it also meant she could go outside with her new family one week after
she had gone to their home.

Kirstine

I got my boy at 12 weeks, and he was very well behaved, the breeder had worked with him alot. 12 weeks is not too old, but you should go see the litter and mum quiet a few times first. good luck

Got my pup aged 11 weeks and she is perfect :) - she had the best personality but apparently her tail carriage makes her unsuitable as a show hound!! I think she's gorgeous :D Anyway, the bit extra time she spent at home meant that she socialised for longer with remaining siblings and other 'in-house' dogs she also lived on the A38 so was quite bombproof! She's a really good girl.
Sarah

Very much depends on the breed & the size &, more than anything on the breeder!! If it is a little known breed, quite possible there have been no enquiries at this time of year. Go & see for yourself.

I got mine at 12 weeks old and she's fabulous. Her breeder had held onto her and her sister as she couldn't decide which to run on for showing. Also, as pup was flying to me from interstate the breeder wanted her to be fully vaccinated first, which made sense. She was well socialised and almost fully housetrained outdoors which was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better pup.

I have pups that are for sale - they are 12 weeks old at the moment they are very social almost house trained.  I only get the odd accident over night now.  All the pups and mum and dad live indoors with us.  I know they are getting older but i am terrified of someone wanting one as a christmas present.  I could have sold two of them already but they are worth more to me than money and I would hate for them to be in a rescue shelter by easter.  I had my dog at 14 weeks old and the bitch at 7 weeks old I found that my dog was a lot more adjusted and happier than my bitch

My girl was 12 weeks when we brought her home but we had been going for 2 weeks previously.
My breeder was very selective, we phoned up and obviously asked how much but she wouldn't tell us till we went and saw and spoke to them to see if it was the right breed for us, and out of 5 pups she had them all lol.

Sarah