Getting a new puppy advice please.

Feel a bit daft asking this because I've had labradors for the last 25 years! However we lost our dear Minstrel, the leader of our labrador pack, at the beginning of January,. Her doggie brothers coped very well with her loss, better than me! We as a family have decided to get another puppy to introduce to our pack.

My question is, one of the breeders I have been speaking to the litter has just been born today. He is saying wait a few days, then you can come for a viewing, Surely it is too early for a viewing? You can't make a decision about a pups character until they are 5-6 weeks old and even then it is a stab in the dark but it it is a darned sight more insightful than at a few days old.

Or do you think I should visit at 3 days oldz?

Lisa

 

I would jump at the chance of multiple visits, with one early on. Gives you an opportunity to check out the breeder and what that person has in mind for early socialisation, and the temperament of the mother (dam) [and father (sire) if he is around]. Way too early to make a decision about a pup but the more information you have the better you will feel about making a decision. You might decide to go to another breeder based on what you see and hear on that early visit.

 

I would worry about this offer. I am not a breeder but it is very early days for those pups to be attaching to their Mum, and to have developed any sort of immunity to infections. If you are viewing through a window maybe, but any closer seems risky to me. Most breeders request a few weeks before letting viewings take place. A lots of breeders now share videos etc...of the pups early days, so you don't have to disturb them. Hopefully someone more experienced than me will reply. Best wishes.