I have found a good breeder who is highly reccommened. What is bothering me a little tho is they let there pups go at 7 weeks. Everywhere i read it says no earlier than 8 weeks... I emailed and asked about this and they said 7 is best time to go. I was happy with that as they been breeding a long time and as i said highly reccommed. Still i cant shake the un easy feeling about this. Any advise would be great. Last thing i want is to offend the breeder!!! This will be my 1st pup and will be getting later in the year. Am wrong to question this???
Thanks

In my breed Spanish Water Dogs 7 weeks is the best time, but in the other breed Pomeranian's that my parents have 12 weeks is the best.  One is a medium sized breed the other is a toy breed.  So really it depends upon the breed etc.

The breeder i got my new pup from normally lets them go at 7 weeks but this litter there was 9 and they really took it out of mum so was weaned earlier than normal, they were all doing well and very independant so she let them go at 6 weeks, iv had her 3 weeks now and she has settled in better than 2 of my older ones who i got at 8 weeks.

I think it depends. I let my first pup (Goldens) go at 7 1/2 weeks, a couple went at 9 weeks, and kept one until 12 weeks as the new owners had had a holiday booked for some time, so we agreed to keep puppy for longer.

Guide dogs go at 6 weeks, and Gwen Bailey (author of 'The Perfect Puppy', worth getting) says 7 weeks is the optimum time, as they can reach a fear stage at 8 weeks.

Out of all the puppies, and all are getting on well with no out of the ordinary problems, I woudl say ou of the ones I have seen since they have gone, the one that left us at 12 weeks is doing the best in terms of socialisation and confidence. I think that is partly due to the extra time spent with Mum and partly due to the fact that we are far more used to/knowledgable about socialising puppies than the new owners. However, in future, I will not plan on keeping any of my pups until 12 weeks it was a lot of hard work for someone elses puppy, although I loved every second, and I became very attached.

If eveyrthign else seems right about his breeder and it doesn't seem like they just want to offload the pusp, then I wouldnt' let it worry you.

Don't worry - the Kennel Club website says "The ideal age to buy is between seven and eight weeks old."

Thank you ....
I feel a bit bad for questioning it as it could seem a bit dis respectful! Just want to start off right for me and my puppy! Thanks

[I feel a bit bad for questioning it as it could seem a bit dis respectful! /i]

:-) Not at all, I wish more people were like you asking questions before they get the pup, it can be embarrassing for people to ask a breeder and some will still buy even with an alarm bell ringing in their head.  None of us are born knowing anything until we learn it. :-)

As long as this is not a toy breed which usually stay with the breeder for approx 12 weeks, 7-8 weeks is fine.

Thank u that makes me feel better. The puppy will be a doberman!

Your not going for a laid back breed for your 1st pup then. :-D

Glad that you have gone to a recommended breeder very important, looking forward to hearing all about him or her when you get the pup, and I'm sure the breeder will be there to help you raise your pup into a fine dog, but anything your worried of asking we're all here to help. :-)

Just wondering, the Dobe has to have health checks before breeding, maybe someone here who knows what they are can let the OP know, to ensure the parents of this puppy have been checked, and that the OP can request the copies of any relevant health checks?

To the OP....best wishes with your future puppy :)

I would think the minimum checks would be hip scoring, eye tested and DNA tested for Von Willebrands disease (a blood clotting disorder).  I don't know if the clubs are recommending thyroid testing as under active thyroid is not uncommon in the breed.  A Friend of mine had two totally unrelated bitches with this problem.

Yes, Brainless is quite right, eyes and vWD definitely, hips recommended and thyroid if possible. I've also had 2 unrelated bitches with underactive thyroid, it is very common in the breed. If you want to PM me Dave and let me know who the breeder/affix is, I may be able to find out about his/her breeding.

Just another thought, check if the breeder has had heart tests/what sort of age his/her dogs/lines live to. Quite a lot of Dobes die suddenly and far too young from DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy).