Just a quick question because with my present litter I have decided to be much more "rigid" about when I let people in to see the pups. They aren't born yet and people are already pestering me!!!

How old are your puppies when you allow people to start visiting?

Thanks.

3 weeks minimum

4 weeks.  Not much point in them coming sooner I feel.  Although they are cute you can't tell much about them and they are jolly hard work so can do without having to tidy the rest of the house as well :-)

3 weeks. My breed needs more socialising than most and the need to start seeing strangers then. However nobody gets to pick as early as that as it would be pointless!

4 weeks for me. Like to leave mum unpestered for the first 4 weeks and let them enjoy their babies. Don't see any point till 4 weeks anyway, their little characters are coming at this age. No one can pick until I have decided what I am keeping myself.

If people have to travel any distance then I suggest pups won't be interesting to view until around 4 weeks when they are awake running around and their characters can be easily seen.

If they are close by or passing they are welcome to visit from birth, or preferably before.

4-5 weeks

First visit 4 weeks, after that whenever they like. :-)

Puppy buyers I would say 4 or 5 weeks, I have a toy breed so they are just so small before that. My friends came round from a few days old to view though, but I made sure they cleaned hands and took shoes off before coming in the room!

Well I certainly feel happier now. I had told everyone 4 to 5 weeks old but started to feel a bit mean about it. I shall stick to my guns. It is my bitch and pups and I don't want them all visiting until they have reached a safe age. Some of them have already met the bitch and other dogs already. They are just in a hurry to see the pups but they can wait.

4 weeks here too as i dont think there is anything to choose from before then.

Also mum needs some peace and quiet for a few weeks too

4 weeks here too!! 

4 weeks here to  and then whenever they like as long as they phone first!

well my people dont come to choose.....just to look so 3 to 4 weeks seems fine in my circumstances :)

> If people have to travel any distance then I suggest pups won't be interesting to view until around 4 weeks when they are awake running around and their characters can be easily seen.
>
> If they are close by or passing they are welcome to visit from birth, or preferably before.

Same here.  Friends and family can come from birth but puppy buyers I treat totally differently - not before 4 weeks.  Obviously hand washing and shoe removal is compulsory.

4 wks for me too
I also send group  picks from birth so at least they can see the changes.

Three weeks for a pupy cuddle.........much later to choose.

Diane

I don't allow choosing until pups are picked up, or 7 weeks whichever is sooner.

I would not allow anyone that the bitch is not comfortable with to come in the room before the pups are at least 4 weeks.  At that age the bitch leaves the room from time to time, so people would be able to see the pups without the mother in the room to possibly get over-protective.
Everything has to be played by ear, all depends on the bitch, with puppies you can not get her over stressed.
With the dobe I had I was handling him at only a few days old, (my sister's breeding), but she had another bitch that she was not comforable letting anyone in the room until the pups were almost weaned.  Two different mothers and there reaction to being a mom was different,  One was a people dog, and guided friends in to see them, and the other was a protective mom, that would try to hide the pups from everyone. 

Boxers - 5 Weeks

why not email them pics and perhaps use a web cam at points? i know others on the forum have done this and it might keep the hordes at bay :)

Usually around 4 weeks, although I did invite a family with particularly nice children around before their litter had opened their eyes because I thought it was an experience that they might not have again.  I have very patient and tolerant bitches, had already met the children once and all 3 of them did exactly what they were told to do.  It was a wonderful experience for all of us and they have a photo od the day which they still treasure. :)
Potential owners don't choose their puppies here either.

Ditto Westcoast :) 

I had very good friends who were having one of the pups visit with their young daughter and her best chum the day after the pups were born :)  I could see my bitch was happy to let them visit her babies as she knew the people well and the look of awe in the eyes of the children is one I'll never forget.  They came quite regularly after that and had many photos and later play opportunities.

Other friends with slightly older children came when the pups were a little more active at around 3 + weeks.  By then it was also a good socialising opportunity for the pups - strictly supervised of course :)  I have a breed where early and ongoing socialisation is a must so by 4 weeks onwards would want regular visitors and also regular outings (weather permitting) for the pups at 6 weeks.

None of my puppy buyers actually picked their own puppy - I was more able to match the pup which best suited their life style, character of the pup etc better than them having lived with and carefully observed the litter for 8 weeks.  The pups destined for the ring were not for public view anyway at the stage of selecting pet homes, although all were met and played with initially by all visitors before removing pups not available when steering the potential owners towards their most suitable puppy :)

HTH, Teri

You could post videos on u tube for them to get a puppy fix before 4 weeks :-)
Angela