What age puppy?

[legalbeagle]

Thank you all for your responses (didn't think it was going to be so controverisal!). In the end, I didn't have the puppy. She was a long drive away and I felt I pretty much had to decide immediately whether I wanted her as the lady had someone else coming to look at the remaining pups.  I'm not very good at being impulsive - It took me 6 months to accept my husband's proposal of marriage - honestly!

Anyway, I am in with a chance for a really, really special little girl and I hardly dare think about it as the breeder hasn't yet made up his mind whether or not to keep both of the two orange roan bitches he has. They aren't yet quite 6 weeks old. I hope to find out by the end of next week so I'll let you know what happens. Fingers crossed.

[lolajays]

We got Maudie at 6 1/2 months! She had spent most of her life outside kennelled with lab pups! The toilet training was hard work and fingers crossed weve had no accidents for a while but I am very aware of it and make sure that I put her outside for a wee! She couldnt have been more social tho that really wasnt an issue but I guess it all depends on the puppies temperament!
You definately shouldnt rush into buying this pup just because it is available! Make sure it is right for you, spend time with it etc! ( This is just  a personal recommendation as we are new to doggie ownership too and we have been so lucky with Maudie)
Whatever you decide good luck and when you get your orange roan bitch I will be desperately jelous!

[lolajays]

Jane, if you were homing a pup that had for one reason or another been with you for 12 weeks or so; would you have any concerns about allowing iit to go to a home that would include regular bus or train journeys? 

No, not really. We rehomed Stevie to Colin at 6 months to a totally different environment to what she was used to (big bustling city as opposed to quiet country village) but allowing her some time for adjustment, I think Colin would agree she's taken pretty much every thing in her stride. If puppies have been born with happy, confident temperaments and have been given plenty of general socialisation by the breeder, I don't think they have to experience every possible thing by a certain age to be able to accept these things in later life. I realise that may not be the text book view but that's just been my experience

Sorry but I just had to point out STEVIE IS BEAUTIFUL and Colin is an amazing doggie daddy, just by watching his videos you can tell how much love and attention Jimmy, misty and Stevie get they are all beautiful! Anyway you may continue!

[Michele]

Books can be taken far too literally by some. Its the same with the gumph some of the early years advisory teachers wrote we had to read, we were forever saying, well thats fine in THEORY, but its not the case in our experience!! EXPERIENCE is defo they key!

Totally agree Lisa, I remember the baby books I bought, I picked out what I felt was right and ignored the rest.

I'm sorry I took the OP's post off on a tangent.

I think it is important to remember that pups with the breeder that little bit longer will have experienced less, especially if they are kennelled 

If Rachel's post had said 'may' instead of 'will', I might not have disagreed with her, but as I know she chooses her words carefully, that was why I disagreed.

To Legalbeagle,
I hope you find the puppy you're looking for, and fingers crossed about the one your last post mentioned

[kb]

I was wondering Rachel - Gwen Bailie also advises that the ideal time for pups to leave their littermates is 6 weeks - I know that is a view which is not held on here or by the kennel club - if I am right.

[JaspersMum]

We walked away from a 12 week old puppy because it didn't feel right.  Unlike the situations outlined here by breeders, she had only been out of kennel to go to vets due to a problems she'd had and as she had these "problems" she hadn't been registered with the rest of the litter.  She'd not been in the house although the breeder was planning on taking her in next day so her only experience was the other dogs in the outdoor kennels.  She was nervous and backed off from the breeder when she entered the kennel.  She shook when we held her.   I should point out we don't have a particularly quiet house to bring her home to.

She was probably better bred than the pup we ended up with and occasionally I do wonder whether we should have taken her, on the other hand our pup who is now nearly 6 months was outgoing and in the house, a farm kitchen with all the coming and going.  Of course he might have been put there 30mins before we got there but his attitude to us and breeder was so different.  We'd travelled a long way and as 8 weeks, was ready to go so we came home with him.

Obviously we could have done the same with the 12 week old who'd even had first jabs so I can only hope that my gut reaction was right.  That said Louie is never going to make a show dog - it depends what you are looking for.  The little bitch might of been the delicate little madam my daughter kind of wanted (instead the manic 1/4 worker who loves to bound (and cuddle)).

Hope you are lucky soon - I think you'll know when it is the one for you and this one wasn't meant to be.