I am an inexperienced Shar-Pei owner and I am currently the proud ownerof a 6 week old Blue boy.  Currently he is on ARDEN GRANGE Weening/Puppy food which he loves. Obviously I cant keep him on that forever, has anyone any suggstions as to what I should feed him on as he gets older and at what age can I change and/or introduce new food to him??  I am thinking of putting him on James wellbeloved. Should I stick to totally dry food or add fish or tinned food???  Any suggestions much appreciated. Regards.

A 6 week old pup would still be with it's mother, being fed on what it was weaned onto with top ups of it;s mother milk.

Sadly your breeder who should be the person to guide you in this is obviously not reputable.

The puppy at this age will probably need a minimum of 4, and maybe 5 or  6 meals a day of easily digested food.  I suggest as you are inexperienced that a dry complete puppy food of better quality is used. 

Something like Arden Grange Puppy, James Well beloved Puppy.  Stay away from foods with bright colours and fancy shapes.  In my view mist tinned food is best avoided as often will give upset tummies, and really smelly poos.  the pouch type foods are a little better as an appetiser added to the dry food for pickier pups. 

How did you find your breeder?  If they were commercial and require a licence (breeding five or more litters in any 12 months) then they would have been breaking the law selling a pup under 8 weeks old.

Most good breeders agree that between 7 and 8 weeks is absolutely the youngest pups should be homed,a nd in some breeds longer.

I would stick with the Arden Grange if he is doing well on it, move onto the puppy etc.  I am biased as it is the one I like best.

I woudl also stick to Arden Grange if your pup is doing well on it. It is not what I personally use, (because my dog was weaned onto somethignelse, and has been on that ever since) but I have heard good reports on it.

Thanks for everyones comments.  when do i take him off weening/puppy and put him onto ARDEN GRANGE puppy??  Also can I introduce oily fish into his diet or any recommended tined meat or not???  What about vegetables when he is older???   Regards

There should be recommendations on the packaging.  I believe 8 weeks or before you run out of the weaning food. 

Mix it gradually with the new food so that eventually he is on the new.food  I don't use the weaning food myself but have mine straight on the puppy food as I mash it and mix it with a puppy milk formula for a litter of pups.

I would just like to add please get the puppy Insured, as this is a breed that even if carefully bred has some health predispositions.

I hope this puppy has already been health checked by your vet, and worming sorted out. Do you have a record of worming to date, or has the breeder told you of any worming proceedure and what with? Insurance is an excellent idea, make sure its a policy for the 'whole of life' rather than just 12 mths by 12 mths. Do a search here on insurance, see what others say and who they advise and would give a wide berth to. You will find him difficult to insure at the moment because of his age, he really is very young to have left mum, I'm not sure how many policies start at 6 weeks.