I'm very suspicious of someone selling FOUR WEEK OLD purebred Lab puppies. What should I say to her?

Question

She seems like an OK breeder because her dogs have got eye certificates and hip certificates but she is selling the Lab puppies at FOUR WEEKS OLD.
She had a litter of 7 puppies and now only has 1 cream female and a chocolate female on hold for someone, all the other puppies have been SOLD!

I feel as though I should say something to her but I don't know what to say. Why would she sell purebred, "healthy" Labrador puppies at FOUR WEEKS OLD if there is nothing wrong with them?
What do you think?
I was considering buying one but at FOUR WEEKS, I can't bear to take such small, young puppies away from their mum.

I'm suspicious because I got young Tonkinese kittens from my mums friend who breeds them. I got them for free but it turns out the first kitten had conjunctivitis and the second girl has a flu which I've now paid over $500 vet bills, worming, flea treatment, medication, micro-chipping for both kittens.

What should I do about these young puppies?

I know she only has two puppies still with the mother because she told me on the phone and asked me if I wanted to come and see the one available cream female puppy last Thursday. I didn't go because at that age, I know the puppy can get sick if I touch/handle it.

bushido: I'm not just going to let her sell these tiny little 4 week old puppies because it's definetly not in the best interest of the puppies.

She told me over the phone that she sells them so young because at 8 weeks old they have "lost their puppy look" and they are harder to sell! I know that I would rather an 8 week old than a 4 week old only because I know how wrong it is to take it so young.

It can't be about the money, she sells them for $400 (AUD) each which is less than half the price other Labrador breeders sell for (as in VCA registered breeders).

Answer 1

Straight up tell her that these puppies are entirely too young to be leaving Mom yet not only for nursing but for socialization and stability! I wouldn't even buy from that breeder if she thinks it's okay to rip the puppies from their mother so young. She needs education and doesn't need to be breeding it sounds like.

Answer 2

That sounds a little weird. You're right, 4 weeks is a little young. Most can leave their mom at around 6 weeks at the earliest. I wouldn't buy a puppy from her. I mean it's just common sense to let them be with their mom longer than that. And if she can't even do that right, it makes you wonder what else she isn't doing right. The parents might have papers and might genetically be healthy, but that doesn't mean she necessarily knows what she is doing when it comes to raising puppies.

Answer 3

Do you think this breeder is aware that puppies should be a minimum of eight weeks before they're sold? It could be a case of simple ignorance. If not, let your local SPCA or Human Society know. They'll keep an eye on any future litters.

Answer 4

There is a difference between "sold" and "sent home". Is it possible that the puppies have been selected and paid for by others, but they won't leave the mother and go home with their new owners until they're 8-12 weeks old?

That being said, there's more information on what age is considered legal here:

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspuppysalelaws.htm

Answer 5

Tell her that they are too young to be sold. Puppies should be sold around 8-10 weeks of age. If she doesn't listen call the police or a humane shelter.

Answer 6

In Australia it is against the law to sell a puppy under 8 weeks! You can be fined if reported to the RSPCA! Poor Puppies. Report the puppies! It is way to early!

Answer 7

FOUR WEEKS!!!! this is way too young to sell the puppies!!! they still need their mother and giving them away could endanger their lives!!! the way i see it she is all about the profit and not about the love of the animals. no breeder in their right mind would sell puppies so young!! you need to say something!! and if she still ignores you call the humane society nearest you with questions on what is right and wrong and have them try to tell her if she wont listen.

Answer 8

Call her an tell her you are reporting her. Puppies can't leave their mother at 4 weeks. Make all the phone calls you can...the police, local humane society, animal control (your best bet), etc. She is obbviously a backyard breeder, contributing to pet overpopulation.

Answer 9

I had gotten a pup when it was 4 weeks old and it almost died one time when we first got him but did fine when we started giving him luke-warm milk..
And also I got a kitten at around 2 weeks old because his mom rejected him from nursing..so we had to use a very small animal bottle to feed him and he lived to be around 4 years old but then he got killed one day when he ran across the road after escaping out of the house..

I agree with ESPERANZA on this one...

good luck if you get it!!

Answer 10

DO NOTHING.....
First of all none of your business........
Second...... I got my dogs at the age of 3 1/2 - 4 weeks....but I took care of them.
I got a dog, years ago, just newborn (its mother was killed by car) and I grew it up feeding milk with a dropper.
If you are interested about an animal, just do it, but don't try to find problems where there are not any.

I bet that the person who gives it away or the person who gets it, will take care of the puppy.
You cannot monopolise the love for the animals.
There are other people as well who THEY DO.