Hello forum, I know the recommendation is that no puppy should leave its mom and siblings under the age of 8 weeks. What if the siblings were picked up by other owners at 7 weeks due to the COVID-19 situation? Should I leave my pup with his mom and dad until the 8th week? Arrangements can be made either way. Thank you for any insight. Sam
Hi Sam, and welcome to the forum. These are certainly extraordinary times. If the puppy has been separated from all its siblings, then the answer to your question depends on who can provide the most enriching environment for the next week. You or the breeder. If the puppy will be shut away and not handled much at the breeder's home then depending on the regulations regarding coronavirus in your region, the puppy may be better off with you now. These are very difficult times for any new puppy owner because of the challenges of socializing a puppy during isolation or quarantine. I read an article in a major newspaper the other day where a journalist put 'get a puppy' in their list of great things to do while quarantined. It couldn't be further from the truth, and I wish you lots of luck (and good health!) in the weeks ahead.
Hi Sam, has your puppy been microchipped? I am due to collect a black lab puppy mid-April but the breeder's vet is not doing microchipping at the moment, meaning we aren't sure if the breeder can release the puppies to the new owners. Currently, it's illegal for the breeder to let puppies leave without a microchip but apparently, the Kennel Club are enquiring with DEFRA about an exemption for puppies to leave the breeder without a microchip. No news yet.
