There is obviously a minimum age for removing a puppy from its mother and its first environment, though these are not necessarily one and the same. As a rule, pups are entirely dependent on their mother's milk for the first two to three weeks, and partially for another similar period. If mother and pups are healthy, a breeder would consider allowing the pups to leave their first home at the age of six weeks, but the vast majority of breeders prefer eight weeks as the ideal time for the litter to be dispersed .Some pups are deliberately retained for longer than this, usually because a breeder of show stock needs more time to determine the true potential of individual pups.
The most important factor influencing the decision about dispersal time is the so-called socialization period. Animal behaviorists consider that the period between six weeks and three months is the ideal time for a puppy to learn to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Leaving home and entering a totally new environment is as bewildering to a young canine as going to school or play¬ group is to a child. It has been established that puppies raised in relative isolation, with their mother as the center of their lives, and only the breeder representing the human race, are much better able to accept new human contact if it occurs in that vital six- to thirteen-week period. Beyond that, puppies may revert almost to the wild if they are denied the socialization period at the effective time.
Acquiring a puppy at the age of about eight weeks means that it will have the best opportunity to adapt to the peculiarities of its new environment, which include humans and other animals in the household, as well as the house rules which will determine its future life. It also means that the new owner will be responsible for much of the rearing process, the character building and the house training, all demanding certain skills and special responsibilities. In addition, the owner commits himself to ensure that the puppy develops normally and remains healthy by dealing with such vital matters as worming, and protective vaccinations.
On the other hand a dog can be acquired at a later age, as an older puppy or as an adult. Some breeders 'run on' youngsters until their show, breeding, or training potential can be assessed. A potential purchaser of such a dog should satisfy him or herself as to the true reasons why older pups are eventually offered for sale. It is entirely possible that what is a defect as far as the breeder is concerned may not be a drawback to the pet owner, but the factor should be considered dispassionately before a decision is made.
Acquiring an adult dog often turns out to be a success, but again the reasons for its availability should be thoroughly explored. One disadvantage may be that the adult dog usually has its character firmly formed, and bad habits will be more difficult to eradicate than to avoid. On the other hand, many people deliberately obtain adult dogs, taking advantage of the fact that the puppy problems have been dealt with by somebody else.
The most important factor influencing the decision about dispersal time is the so-called socialization period. Animal behaviorists consider that the period between six weeks and three months is the ideal time for a puppy to learn to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Leaving home and entering a totally new environment is as bewildering to a young canine as going to school or play¬ group is to a child. It has been established that puppies raised in relative isolation, with their mother as the center of their lives, and only the breeder representing the human race, are much better able to accept new human contact if it occurs in that vital six- to thirteen-week period. Beyond that, puppies may revert almost to the wild if they are denied the socialization period at the effective time.
Acquiring a puppy at the age of about eight weeks means that it will have the best opportunity to adapt to the peculiarities of its new environment, which include humans and other animals in the household, as well as the house rules which will determine its future life. It also means that the new owner will be responsible for much of the rearing process, the character building and the house training, all demanding certain skills and special responsibilities. In addition, the owner commits himself to ensure that the puppy develops normally and remains healthy by dealing with such vital matters as worming, and protective vaccinations.
On the other hand a dog can be acquired at a later age, as an older puppy or as an adult. Some breeders 'run on' youngsters until their show, breeding, or training potential can be assessed. A potential purchaser of such a dog should satisfy him or herself as to the true reasons why older pups are eventually offered for sale. It is entirely possible that what is a defect as far as the breeder is concerned may not be a drawback to the pet owner, but the factor should be considered dispassionately before a decision is made.
Acquiring an adult dog often turns out to be a success, but again the reasons for its availability should be thoroughly explored. One disadvantage may be that the adult dog usually has its character firmly formed, and bad habits will be more difficult to eradicate than to avoid. On the other hand, many people deliberately obtain adult dogs, taking advantage of the fact that the puppy problems have been dealt with by somebody else.
