Need Some Advice
Should I be concerned about the small litter, and the age of the mother, does this present any problems. Is 9-pounds about the right weight for a 6-week old puppy. Is 7-week to early to take a puppy away from it's mother. Any information anyone can give me on these issues is greatly appreciated. Thank You |
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| I would have to say that 9 is quite old to be having a litter of puppies.
This is concerning! A small litter probably has to due with the age of the mother. I haven't heard of a dog that old giving birth - but I'm not an expert - this is just my own opinion. 7 weeks is on the young side - but it's not unheard of and I can't verify the weight issue. Kristen |
| Typical puppy at 8 weeks will be 12 - 15 pounds. But weight may be effected by the puppies diet (have they been fed by mother exclusively or has the breeder used supplements). |
| I'm new to the OES world, but we just reserved a 7 week old male puppy and he's 15 pounds already. |
| The weight isn't a defining thing, since it can vary so greatly from dog to dog, OES are not a breed that all grow up to be the same weight, in many cases not even close, full grown they range from 50 lbs to 120 lbs, so it's no surprise that their baby wieght varies too.
I would however be concerned about someone allowing a 9 year old dog to have puppies, and the small litter may be due to the dogs age, or it can be caused by severe inbreeding, thyroid, or other health problems. Does the breeder have health certifications you can see? (Proof of hips, eyes, heart, thyroid and ear testing?) I would definitely look into it more if you're feeling any concern or hesitation, since this is a huge committment, for you and the dog. Good luck, and please let us know how it goes!  Welcome to the forum |
| Hi Dan,
I also don't know enough about breeding practises to comment on the age of the mother but you can probably find some more info if you contact your closest American Kennel Association or FIDO person. I did a search on the web when looking to answer some of my questions and then called the people that know these things. There are two schools of thought regarding the age of when it's most appropriate to take a pup from his mom..the standard is between age 8 -10 wks. Even one week earlier can mean a huge difference in a young pups life. The different schools of thought are based on: what is the best age to take a pup. Those that claim 8 wks so the dog doesn't become too dog orientated and is socialized with humans at the youngest age possible. Those at 10 wks which claim those 2 wks of socialization with their siblings and mom make a huge difference in the dogs social developement with their own kind. It seems that even breeders have different policies. I'd try to get them to at least give the pup one more week with his mom and sibling. Good luck and please get back to us regarding what you have decided to do. Marianne and the boys |
| With our breeder, she had a contract that included that the sale
was conditional upon an examination by a vet of our choice. Our sheepie passed with flying colors, and it was reassuring to know he was healthy. Take your time to talk extensively with the breeder. Then, research your options for vets in your area. You can even run your concerns by a vet before commiting to the puppy. Your local dog club may know your breeder, if not ask for references. Best of luck in making your decision... |
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