When is the best age to buy a puppy?

Question

I'm planning to either buy a Brittany or Golden Retriever. Does anyone know about when is the best age to buy a puppy? I want to buy it young so it will get use to being around children and small animals and easier to train. Thanks.

Answer 1

Actually, you CAN bring home a puppy at young as 7 weeks, but most responsible breeders generally prefer 8-12 weeks. You'll need to consider your experience with puppies (younger puppies are more work, require additional socialization, are much harder to teach housebreaking, etc) as well as your situation (if you have small children who are likely to shriek and chase the puppy, I'd suggest waiting until 11 or 12 weeks because the puppy should have already gone through their first fear period by then).

Keep in mind that puppies can be difficult around small children as they have not learned not to nip and their teeth are VERY sharp. And just for the record, Goldens are generally easy to train regardless of their age. :)

Whatever you do, be sure to crate train and be SURE you're getting your pup from a reputable breeder (or a rescue!)!

Answer 2

Even an old dog can learn. Be sure your children are also trained on how to treat a dog....especially a puppy. Older dogs are generally better with children and are usually house trained. Consider them.

With an infant you are starting with the formative years and you should not consider getting it before 8-10 weeks old. Mom and the siblings will do a lot of your training. Check with some puppy books so you can understand their personality. You can tell at that young age if the dog is dominate or submissive and will make the correct pet for you.

Start their training immediately, by handling all over, feet, ears, teeth, tail, mouth, tummy, etc. It lets them know it OK to be touched and stimulates their brain to learn faster. They can learn, sit, down, stay, come, leash almost immediately when young. And the more they learn the more they can learn.

For training info see: http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Answer 3

A good age to purchase a puppy is 8-9 weeks or older. The best age is usually around 12-14 weeks.

Great choices in puppies btw. Both very smart breeds - but can be very hyper.

Good Luck

Answer 4

8 weeks is minimum, a good breeder often keeps them 10-12 weeks. Even after they are done nursing, the mother and siblings help teach the puppy manners and good behavior, which is crucial to puppy development. If the breeder wants to sell at 8 weeks, see if she'll allow you to buy the dog and then have her keep it with the mom for a few more weeks.

Answer 5

The best age would be 8 weeks, but you can find many dogs, both older and younger at a local shelter that are great with kids and small animals. I would recomend that you search for a shelter dog before a breeder.

Answer 6

Minimum 8 weeks. 10 to 12 weeks is better because the puppy learns so much from its mother and litter mates. It will be a better adjusted dog, and easier to train.

Also please buy from a responsible breeder. Find a breed club near you and contact their breeder referral coordinator. See the links below

Answer 7

8 weeks

Answer 8

8 - 12 weeks

Answer 9

8 weeks usually.

Do not get a puppy earlier than that.

Answer 10

The legal age to sell a puppy is 8 weeks of age, however, 10 weeks seems more appropriate. This allows the puppies even more time to mature!