what is the best age to get a puppy?

[snakesNxD]

i came across this today:

"7th week (49 - 56 days)

This is the ideal time for the puppy to transfer his loyalty to his new owner. Mentally he is able to learn whatever any adult dog can learn, his brain is neurologically complete. However, physically he will not be able to do the task of an adult dog. For example, he can t jump one and a half times his height with the dumbbell in his mouth, but he can learn the exercise if it is scaled down to his size. Socialisation and training should continue on a regular basis. Bonds formed at this time are extremely strong.

8 - 10 weeks (57 - 70 days)

This is the fear imprinting period. Any traumatic experience such as shipping, ear cropping, severe punishment, etc. may have a lasting effect on the dog. New experiences must be non-fear producing. Proper training and socialisation should continue."


so when is the appropriate age to get a pup? would 7 weeks be the ideal time? i always thought it was best for the pups to stay with mom as long as they could, as they learn important things...am i wrong? LOL

i got my rottie at 8 weeks, bully at 10, and other bully at 6 months. they seem fine to me :)

it is also illegal to sell a dog in NY under 8 weeks i think?? maybe?? although the pet store had a litter of 7 week old bullies once. (yes a litter of 7!) :( very sad.

input, comments, would be appreciated.

[Judi W]

The readiness periods are fairly well documented although some breeds and some individuals have variances of course. (you can refer to Scott and Fuller, Clarence Phaffenburger, etc.) I can already hear the "gasps" as I read quite often 8 weeks. 8 weeks has been the rule for the airlines for shipping and I believe that is simply an arbitrary age so that they are comfortable that the pup is stable physically. It has nothing to do with the readiness periods. I too subscribe to the 7 week theory as the fear impression period is not ideal for changing environments. Less than 7 weeks they still need to be with their littermates and mom. 7 weeks is also the ideal time for running the PAT test so it all falls together quite nicely.

That being said, much depends upon how the pup is being handled at the breeders. Pups that are getting individual attention and stimulation do just fine staying home for a longer period of time. Pups that stay home too long however and are neglected in their education, can become pack dogs with their littermates.

I also believe much depends upon the breed. The Rottweiler by nature is so oriented to work and human interaction, I believe they simply jump at the chance to "go do" with a person almost regardless of age. The working breeds seem to have that in them which is why they rarely suffer from choosing their dog friends over going and doing something with a person.

[moondog]

Luna came home with me at 7-1/2 weeks. She and I have a great bond and an open line of communication that far exceeds other dogs I've had. I really don't know if that has to do with the age I brought her home, my readiness for her, if it is a quality special to a Rottie (I suspect!) or all of the above.

Probably all of the above. :)

[Eyerman]

General rule of thumb is 8 weeks, I would not bring a puppy home before 6 weeks it needs the proper socialization with its mother and littermates up to 8 weeks.

[babydungeon]

i agree, no earlier than 8 weeks! i brought dungeon home at 7 weeks and he seems to have a normal temperment. had i known then what i know now i would have waited, well probably not because of the living conditions-byb. anyway, i'm buying another pup real soon that i've asked the breeder to hold on to her until she's 10 weeks old for just a little more socialization with her mom. hopefully that will help mold her into an exceptional tempermented and happy dog!:D -kevin