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Minimum Age To Sell Puppy


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In the US most States require puppies to be a minimum 8 weeks before they can be sold- there are a few with exceptions to 7 weeks and that they should be weaned etc. Doing some research I found this link and so that got me to wondering what are the state regulations, rules and fines that would apply here in Australia.

What I found interesting about the table was that in some states puppies couldn't even be displayed which I believe applies to petstores rather than a breeder allowing prospective people to view puppies.

What are the legalities and realities here?

And this is a question for breeders - Do many of you prefer the pup to be older than 8 weeks?

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In the US most States require puppies to be a minimum 8 weeks before they can be sold- there are a few with exceptions to 7 weeks and that they should be weaned etc. Doing some research I found this link and so that got me to wondering what are the state regulations, rules and fines that would apply here in Australia.

What I found interesting about the table was that in some states puppies couldn't even be displayed which I believe applies to petstores rather than a breeder allowing prospective people to view puppies.

What are the legalities and realities here?

And this is a question for breeders - Do many of you prefer the pup to be older than 8 weeks?

UM... no replies - would this be better suited to another discussion area???

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6 weeks in NSW

8 Weeks from Registered Breeders

It's illegal to sell a puppy from a breeder or petshop etc under 8 weeks old. That doesn't stop byb giving them away beforehand. Sooty was 5weeks 5 days when my son got her from a work colleague back in 2000.

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6 weeks in NSW

8 Weeks from Registered Breeders

Sooty was 5weeks 5 days when my son got her from a work colleague back in 2000.

:laugh:

I left my dog with the breeder until he was ten weeks because there's been some research abroad to say that pups are that much better developed to go into a new environment.

So if a registered breeder is 'caught' what would the penalty be if any?

And can any action be taken on a byb?

So many questions I know. Also is there any pressure by, say DOGS NSW or another body to educate pollies about this?

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Ethically, registered breeders are not allowed to let pups go until they are at least 8 weeks of age.

I don't know about the legalities, however, our local paper, in the classifieds section under Pets, normally includes a statement to the effect that it is an offense to sell pups under the age of 8 weeks.

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i always thought it was 8 weeks, i know of a registered breeder who flew a 7 week, 1 day old puppy a few weeks ago, i questioned him about that, but he said it was legal?

Possibly legal, but a direct breach of the COE - hardly an ethical breeder.

ETA: Thinking on this more, I had a feeling that at least some of the airlines won't fly pups under the age of 8 weeks. Just checked Virgin Blue, and it is certainly the case for them. Haven't looked at Qantas yet.

Of course, I guess that relies on the honesty of the person sending the pup to a degree, since it's unreasonable to expect airline staff to be able to tell the difference between a 7 week old pup and an 8 week old pup.

ETA: AAE (freight for Qantas) are the same - will not accepts pups under 8 weeks of age.

Edited by Allerzeit
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I know of a case where a journalist friend of mice exposed the shipping of pups overseas to countries in asia. The tip off came from a Qantas staffer.

It really sounds like this 'rule' has no teeth if it can't be enforced and there are no fines in place. If you knew the practice was happening who would you call...? :laugh:

I appreciate the input - if anyone has anything more to add that would be helpful...

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I know in WA it is at least 8 weeks for a pedigree but others, i dont know as i know of someone who bought a x breed from a petshop and he was bearly 5 weeks old.

I have a litter of staffords who are 3 weeks old(our first) and after some research and a few hints, pups go through a stage of bonding at 8-12weeks of age so i wont be sending mine to their new homes until they are at least 9 weeks...

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I know in WA it is at least 8 weeks for a pedigree but others, i dont know as i know of someone who bought a x breed from a petshop and he was bearly 5 weeks old.

I have a litter of staffords who are 3 weeks old(our first) and after some research and a few hints, pups go through a stage of bonding at 8-12weeks of age so i wont be sending mine to their new homes until they are at least 9 weeks...

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I know in WA it is at least 8 weeks for a pedigree but others, i dont know as i know of someone who bought a x breed from a petshop and he was bearly 5 weeks old.

I have a litter of staffords who are 3 weeks old(our first) and after some research and a few hints, pups go through a stage of bonding at 8-12weeks of age so i wont be sending mine to their new homes until they are at least 9 weeks...

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It's sad when you see people with their new bundles of joy and they have tiny frightened little babies, that have barely cut their teeth and you just know they are nowhere near old enough to have left home.

I like to keep my guys at least a week or two after 8 weeks, if they are doing really well they can go at 9 weeks.

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The CCCQ COE states:

"... I shall not sell or otherwise transfer from my care any puppy under eight weeks of age, thus allowing for vaccination to be given at six weeks of age and the necessary fourteen days to take effect..."

"...I shal not export any puppy under (12) weeks of age..."

Between 4-8 weeks is when puppies are taught by their Mum, litter mates, and other dogs at the "kennel" some socialisation skills.

Domestically the age for flying should be 10 weeks.

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i always thought it was 8 weeks, i know of a registered breeder who flew a 7 week, 1 day old puppy a few weeks ago, i questioned him about that, but he said it was legal?

Possibly legal, but a direct breach of the COE - hardly an ethical breeder.

ETA: Thinking on this more, I had a feeling that at least some of the airlines won't fly pups under the age of 8 weeks. Just checked Virgin Blue, and it is certainly the case for them. Haven't looked at Qantas yet.

Of course, I guess that relies on the honesty of the person sending the pup to a degree, since it's unreasonable to expect airline staff to be able to tell the difference between a 7 week old pup and an 8 week old pup.

ETA: AAE (freight for Qantas) are the same - will not accepts pups under 8 weeks of age.

We had our puppy flown at 7 weeks 4 days.. it was the only day we could get to the airport to pick her up, otherwise we would had to have waited another 2 weeks. She flew with Virgin Blue and nothing was said.. her birthdate was on the card on her crate and no one noticed.

Having said that, the breeder was ok with sending her then too.. it was only a matter of 3 days. I would have been concerned if she'd said ok to earlier than 7 weeks.

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Do you think there is any permanent psychological damage done to animals when they fly to new homes?

I flew two of my cats to and from the USA when my ex and I transferred over there for work for 2 years. One cat was 13 months, the other just 16 weeks. Both cats were terribly traumatised when I picked them up at the airport in Chicago, but settled down as soon as I got them home. On the way home, we had quarantine to deal with - I met them at the quarantine facility and again, terribly traumatised, but ok once they saw me. They also had no lasting effects from the quarantine stay.

8 years on and I still can't get either cat in a travel cage. They go MENTAL when they see one, and despite me leaving it out for several days prior to them going anywhere just so it's not a big shock, they'd rip me apart if I carried them near it. And these are VERY placid Ragdolls. Both cats were shown as youngsters, so they were no strangers to both travel and cages, strange/new places etc. They still love going in the car, only in harness and never a cage.

I can't help but think the plane trips had a terrible and lasting effect on them. I'd be very interested to know if anyone has a puppy with similar issues.

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6 weeks in NSW

8 Weeks from Registered Breeders

Sooty was 5weeks 5 days when my son got her from a work colleague back in 2000.

:)

I left my dog with the breeder until he was ten weeks because there's been some research abroad to say that pups are that much better developed to go into a new environment.

So if a registered breeder is 'caught' what would the penalty be if any?

And can any action be taken on a byb?

So many questions I know. Also is there any pressure by, say DOGS NSW or another body to educate pollies about this?

I don't think a registered breeder would take a chance on loosing their reputation & the time & expence put into raising a litter of pups. Pet shops by law can't take pups under 8 w/o to sell. They would probably loose their licience & risk prosecution.

My new dog Tilba was nearly 12 w/o when i got her. She was well socialised.

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I am not a breeder, just a multi pet owner! Over the years I have found that when I get pups that are older (10-12 weeks) they are much better socialised and tend to have more even temperaments as adults.... that is a generalisation but that is just my own personal experience. I prefer older pups now - in fact have just got an 11 w.o. kelpie and she is a gem!

I flew my Gordon Setter when she was 12 weeks from Tasmania to NSW - she has no problems with crates or flying now as a 4 y.o.

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