please help - advice needed.
my partner and i have just got back from visiting a litter of 8 week old puppies who were weaned at 3 weeks old because the mother was taken ill.
the owner is very genuine and upfront about what happened - she tells me that she hand fed the pups every 3 hours on goats milk at first and then on to things like egg, rice, mince and now some kibble, chicken and gravy.
the pups are very lively and play-full they have bright eyes, clean ears and shiny coats - they are also the correct size for their age.
but i must admit i am concerned about buying a pup that has not benefitted from the goodness in its mothers milk at such an early age...
does anyone think this could be a problem for the pups long-term health?

I dont think its a problem, I believe my boy was taken off his mum at about 3/4 weeks and he is lovely and healthy :)  As long as you are happy that the breeder knows what she is doing and that the pups are healthy parents had health checks etc then there shouldnt be a problem

It's normal for pups to be weaned around 3 wks....!

>It's normal for pups to be weaned around 3 wks....!<

Thats what i thought

Poochiepet,dont worry you shouldnt have any problems.Some pups are never fed off of mum for a variety of reasons,and most of these dogs thrive just as well as their "breast fed" (that doesnt sound quite right :o ) counterparts.

It's normal to start weaning at 3 weeks. 

oh thanks so much everyone
x

Just make sure that you meet mum!!   Don't be fobbed off with "oh she's not well enough to meet you".   If you are told something like that - back out of the door - and run!!!!

Margot

I would be more concerned whether they had the benefit of their mothers rearing and discipline than the milk she provided past the first week or so.

I had a bitch once who had no milk so I had to hand rear the pups (8). I fed them every 2 hours for 10 days & then I started to wean them. They did great & once they were on solids the mother came into milk!

However, I reared them with some Waltham puppy replacement milk as it is a s close to the bitches milk as you can get.

Like someone has already said, don't be fobbed off about seeing the mother. It is important that you see her!