[Tray Mer]

Prospective first time poodle purchaser. I think I have found an amazing breeder. She does all appropriate health testing, puppy culture, they are lovingly raised indoors... But, she lets them go to be families at 9 weeks. I have read 10 weeks is better. Is that true? How much does it matter? She has excellent reviews.
Thank you!

 

[fjm]

I would say that for a standard, or even a mini, probably OK. A toy, except to a very knowledgeable home preferably with other dogs, less so. 8, or even 6, weeks used to be the norm, but research and experience over the decades has shown how much pups benefit from continued play and experience with their mother and siblings. At the same time those very early months are the best time for the pup to learn not to fear all the sights and sounds of the big wide world, and not many breeders have the resources to socialise a large litter of big puppies as thoroughly as a dedicated owner working with just one puppy can. With tiny toy puppies the health risks are greater - they are at risk from hypoglycaemia and hyper/hypothermia, and the extra weeks can be essential. In these bizarre times many compromises have to be made, and if the breeder you have found ticks all the other boxes sending the pups to their new homes at 9 weeks would not be a deal breaker for me.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

Peggy was a day shy of 9 weeks when we brought her home. I think it's fine (or at least fine-ish), assuming you're talking about a mini or spoo and you're comfortable tackling that early socialization. It's a critical time in their development.

I'm so happy you've found a breeder you feel good about.

 

[Mufar42]

I find, personally 8-9 weeks works for me. It depends on the size and weight and breed of the dog. My best trained dogs are of that age when I've gotten them. Our current pup, a shih tzu was 8 weeks. He is currently 12 weeks. Already he is pad trained, sleeps thru the night in his playpen, can on command sit, down and speak. Working on drop it. Of course he has a long way to go until he is proofed. He is also learning to walk on a harness but he was so small that will take awhile until he is fitted properly in his harness . My standard was 9 weeks when I got him and he also learned fairly quick. The fact that you have a good breeder says it all.

 

[Dechi]

For a toy a good breeder would let them go at around 10-12 weeks, as they can have health issues like hypoglycemia because of their small size.

I think 9 weeks is fine for a standard or even a regular size miniature.

 

[lily cd re]

For a puppy that will be a larger dog as an adult and who may be part of a large litter (Lily 1 of 8, Javelin 1 of 9) I think 8 or 9 weeks is just fine, probably best all around since it will be getting very hard for a breeder to attend to all of the diverse needs of those puppies who will now have personality (temperament) differences. For toy breeds where litters are small and the physical size of the pups means they may still have physiological risks for things like hypoglycemia 12 weeks is better.

 

[Tray Mer]

Thank you all for your responses! We are not looking at a toy poodle, so I am reassured, and am excited to move ahead. 😁

 

[Johanna]

Years ago there was a study done on German shepherd puppies that were being raised for guide dogs. The study indicated that 8 weeks was the ideal time for puppies to go to the person who would be raising them.