Hi All
Can I ask a question, I have seen so many posts on this forum to say that they have a puppy that is for example 5 weeks, 7 weeks old etc. What is the exact age that a puppy should be removed from it's mother and given to a human????

It seems so young to be removed, we didn't have out BC puppies until they were 12 weeks?????

Thanks

Jo

the advised age is said to be between 7 and 8 weeks, although some breeds -toys etc tend to be homed a bit later, to make sure theyve got a good start,

It varies from breed to breed (and puppy to puppy in some litters) 6-8 weeks is about right, but toy breeds seem to mature slower in these early days.  IMHO it's important to get the pup settled in its new home before 12 weeks as this is when the 'first fear impact period' starts and the pup needs somebody it can trust around to see it safely through this.

My pups dont leave me until they are aleast 9 weeks old and most have been 11/12 weeks and by this time they know alot of things and have heard a lot and seen alot of people they mix with my adult dogs and other animals they live in my house as part of the family so when new owners take them i have been told by all the new owners pups just take it all in there stride,  its hard work but worth it.

Perhaps if you have read posts regarding pups of 5wks they are still with their breeder?

I read a book once that says that the best time for a pup to go to a new home is in the 7th week or in the 9th week as the 8th and 10th week are when a pup is most insecure and that a traumatic time in those weeks are less likely to cause permanent damage to a dogs mental health than in the 8th and 10th.  Although most pups i see advertised will be released in the 8th week.

I will find the name of the book for you if you need, that way it is not here say but facts from a book

regards

Graham

My SPanish Water Dogs go at 7 weeks, any later and the breed become too att. to their breeders.  My Pomeranian's though wdn't. go before their 11th or 12th week.  As others say it depends on the breed but in my opinion no breed should go at 5 weeks.

That's a very small window Graham - does the book say what would happen if it was missed for any reason?  It certainly doesn't tie in with most of the stages most breeders know about.

I feel that providing a pup is over 7.5 weeks old then it does not really matter what age they go.  I did a rough outline of Dobe puppy development a while ago and I think it was Brainless that did one for her breed (although I know mine can vary with the seasons).

Provided pups are provided with lots of stimulation and socialisation appropriate to their age, and not just left in a room or kennel alone I don't feel there is a "critical" age at which they should be homed

About 8 weeks, I feel at this age they should've been totally independant of mum for 2-3 weeks and should have settled into a good feeding pattern.   In my breed I feel that this is when they really do need to be with their new owners and I'm fed up with all the mess by then too!  ;)

Not before 7 weeks really, 8 weeks is when we let our last litter go but uor next litter will be 12 weeks!

Rox

Thanks everyone, thats put my mind at rest now

hi i got my american bulldog puppy at 6 weeks he is 7 weeks today i feel there was not a problem with this as he settled in straight away he loves my kids and cats. this kind of breed needs to be socialised from a very early age. i would say it depends on what breed your buying and how soon the breeder will let the puppies go. as long as they are eating and in good health i dont see how it really matters but i would say no younger than 6 weeks but the earlier the better if you have children especially if you are looking to buy a big powerful breed.