At what age do you people allow people to come and view and choose a puppy?

From 5 weeks - ideally 6+. I find this is when their personalities are becoming more apparent.

We haven't bred yet, but we hope to in a few year's time.

When we do, we will let people come and visit from 4 weeks onwards. 

But we probably won't let them choose, because we think that, from living with the pups for 7 wks, and talking to the owners about their requirements and what they can offer, we will be able to match up pup and owners better than a choice the owner could make.  (The exception to this would be if we agreed that someone could have pick of the litter to show.)

I encouraged prospective owners to come and see the puppies as soon as possible. One visited from day one and the rest from two weeks. They all visited at least once a week. This allowed us all to get to know one another so I could be sure they were the right people for the pups. Also it's great socialisation for the babies. Of course this might not have been possible if Mum was going to get upset but my bitch loves all people and enjoyed the fuss the visitors made of her :)  I wouldn't let anyone choose their puppies till 6 weeks though when they were starting to develop their own personalities, then I matched puppies to owners. I don't know if this is the right way or the recommended way but it worked for me. Jane

I also wanted to add that I didn't say for sure that the visitors were getting pups. To every family I said there MAY be one available and left the final decision as to whether they were getting one or not till after I had met them a few times and watched them with the dogs etc.

I like your idea chaumsong from a people meeting point of view, but would not personally recommend strangers in the house from day one, it is so easy to pass on infections to pups and mix up scents and distress the mum and pups. I would always recommend from at least 4 weeks. I have always sent photo's of pups by e-mail, talked lengthly to prospective mums and dads on the phone for sometimes up to an hour, and then at the right time invited them to our home to view and choose a pup. 

chaumsong's idea of many meetings with intersested parties is so important though, however you do it, as it is so easy to make a mistake and choose the wrong people.

ok guys thanks a lot.

I myself would not allow people to come and view my pups until they are about six weeks old, then they can come a couple more times before the pup is ready to go.

I allow people to come whenever they want, but I do warn them that the pups are pretty boring until they are on their feet. I feel they are safer when they are younger as they have some immunity from Mum. I've never had a problem in 25 yrs & while I take sensible precautions, in my breed socialisation is very important so I have more visitors when I have a litter than at any other time. ( not being very well socialised myself :D )

U afre with you, the highest woryover infection risks is when the maternal immunity is waning and before the cpups are covered by vaccinations, so I too actually encourage lots of visitors from the word go, and my bitches love all the attention. 

I too do warn people who have a long way to come that before 4 weeks they are not showing much in the way of personality traits for them to distinguish (though I find they are all different from almost birth).

I have had people come once and then to pick pup up, and I have had people visit weekly from a few days old, whichever suits them.

The last litter I had was the first where all the new owners were on email, and it was great sharing pictures giving them all almost blow by blow accounts of their progress.

About 4 weeks onwards.