age to get a puppy?

[Gecko]

What is the best age to get a puppy? I always heard you should get them at 6 weeks or even 8 weeks. But my bf says its better to get them when they are younger than 3-4 weeks. Is that good for the puppy??

[jmb9101]

The puppy should stay with its mom until it is at least 8 weeks. The only reason a pup should be away from its mom is if the mother is rejecting the puppies, or if the mom has died...no puppy should be away from their mom at 3-4 weeks. They need to stay with mom and siblings until 8 weeks. There are some cases where they cant, but its best for your pup if they can.

[Chrisanne]

3-4 weeks is wayyyy to young. Like Melissa said, 8 weeks is best.

The reasoning is it gives them a chance to get fully weaned plus in the 6-8 week age range they learn their "life skills" from mom and the siblings.

Puppies that stay with mom and litter mates until they are at least 8 weeks of age generally have better temperments and are just all around more healthy (mind and body).

I have never met a responsible breeder that would let a puppy go at 3-4 weeks old. If they were willing to do so, I would question their ethics. In some states it is even illegal to sell a puppy earlier than 8 weeks.