[treasures_cherished]

So, I know we are all PHOTO nuts around here

so I posted a pic of Belle in my gallery @ 4 wks old. I will have tons and tons next week when I bring her home!

 

[k/c mom]

Oh how cute!!!! How old will she be when you bring her home?

 

[treasures_cherished]

She will be 8 1/2 weeks...... I know, a little early......

 

[MalteseJane]

Yes a little early. One more reason to ask the breeder to babysitt her when you are gone in June.

 

[Caesar's Mommie]

Awww sooo tiny!

Very very cute!

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by treasures_cherished@Apr 26 2005, 07:49 PM
She will be 8 1/2 weeks...... I know, a little early...... 

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I hate to suggest this but maybe the breeder could keep her until your return from your beach trip. I believe you'll find a 12-week-old puppy so much easier ..... I know you are so excited... believe me I've been there myself.... getting two at less than 8 weeks

and then Catcher at almost 11 weeks.... there is quite a difference.... I get very frustrated at these breeders (usually BYB) who let their Maltese babies go at 8 weeks....

This is just my opinion.... I hope you don't mind my sharing it!!

 

[denise&chico]

MY BOYS CAME HOME AT 16 WEEKS AND 12 WEEKS AND THEY MADE THEM SELEVES RIGHT AT HOME FROM DAY ONE I SAY WAIT UNTIL YOU GET BACK

 

[charmypoo]

I agree. It is absolutely the best idea to ask the breeder to keep the pup until you return from the trip. 8.5 weeks is too young anyways.
Charmaine

 

[msmagnolia]

This would solve your problems if the breeder would keep her till she is 12 weeks. You could take your trip and then come home and enjoy your new puppy, instead of worrying about her the whole time you're gone. I know its hard to wait, but your life would be so much easier, and it would be better for her. If the breeder won't do it, then you might need to ask some hard questions. See, I told you that we're not shy about sharing out opinions.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Yeah, that would be the perfect answer to your problems!

My breeder kept Brinkley for an extra few weeks for me so we could take our vacation and come get him! Surely she will understand your dilemma! (sp?) Sure won't hurt to ask!!!!! I know you are excited, and this will extend the wait, but just think how much better you will be able to enjoy your vacation...

 

[stini]

She's precious!

I know you've already waited for what seems like aaaaaaaaages.

But, it's just a little while longer!

And it'll really be worth it!

 

[treasures_cherished]

Okay gals.... I really honestly do appreciate the info

.... and I know that 8 1/2 weeks is a little too early to be coming home

.... So I called my vet today (at home) and had a chat with him. He said that one of the breeders that comes to him (imagine.. all that time I searched and there was a breeder 10 min from me) is now sending hers home @ 8-9 wks also depending on their size. She was told by a couple of different vets that 8-12 weeks is when they bond the most. So she decided to send them to their homes as long as they were big enough. (My vet said he's kinda on the line with this) So I then called her (this local breeder), one to verify, and two to see if she knew anyone that could sit for me while we're away (LOL

). She verified that she does send them at 8-9 wks depending on size... blah blah blah. (She isnt a BYB, BTW) So, Im confused. I THEN went on to call MY breeder and express my concerns. She said that she has sent her last 2 litters home @8-9 weeks (per her vets recommendation for the same reason as above), and that if I am really worried about it she can keep her for me, but that they will be out of town themselves for the 9-11 week span

b/c her husband is having some kind of medical thing in Cali that they just found out last week, in which her dogs go to a local pet resort. So, she has a dilemma as well.
So, are have all of these vets gone

? And am I going to be horribly wrong if I bring her home at 8.5 wks? Or should I just bring her home and give it everything I have to keep her healthy, and not worry about who in the world would watch her while my breeder is gone if she were to keep her til 12 wks? (I did find a sitter for myself, by the way. My vet's wife jumped at the chance!)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me out here!!!! Im beside myself

Everybody that has brought their babies home early, enlighten me!

Oh, I just need a hug and no more craziness!!!!

 

[msmagnolia]

Actually this raises a point that I've been wondering about too. Bear with me while I try to say this all correctly. This poster has been told by her breeder, her vet, and the breeder's vet that it is OK to send the puppies home in the 8-9 week time frame. Other breeders say the same. We all know that the American Maltese Organization suggests 12 weeks and it is in their code of ethics.

10 years ago I purchased a Bichon from a wonderful breeder and she came home at 8 weeks. We thought that was long, because other dogs that we've had came home at 6 or 7 weeks. When we started researching Maltese I didn't think it was strange that the time was minimum of 12 weeks. I figured that times had changed and new info was available, plus Malts are smaller than Bichons. But this post got me wondering if other toy breeds all say 12 weeks, or if this is just something that Maltese people suggest. I went to the web pages for several breeds - I went to their national organizations, not just some random website. The code of ethics for Yorkies call for 12 weeks. I couldn't find a national organization for Chihuahuas. I also looked at Papillions and Pomeranians - two dogs which I consider very small. Both of their national organizations say 8 weeks. So what is the deal?

Obviously I got my puppies at 14 weeks and 5 months so I'm not arguing.....I just want to know why some small breeds are saying 12 weeks and other small breeds are saying 8. I'm adding to the OP's confusion, but I think that this is something that should be discussed. And I'm wondering how we know that the Maltese Organization is more correct than the Papillion organization???

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

The vet's wife sounds like a GREAT plan!

Glad she was so willing to do it!

PS: I can't imagine Brinkley being bonded to me more than he already is!!! I guess if I had gotten him at 8 weeks instead of 16, he would be permanently attached to my butt!

 

[paris]

We got Paris when she was 8-1/2 weeks old. I knew absolutely nothing about raising a Maltese. She was a gift. We have had no problems with her. In fact, when I talked to her breeder a couple of weeks ago, she told me that Paris wouldn't eat for her. Well, I have never had that problem. She came home and started eating right off the bat. Would probably eat anything you give her! Anyway, I think that as long as you make sure she is getting plenty of food, water, and LOTS OF LOVE, (which I'm sure you will have no problem in supplying) Belle will be absolutely fine! In fact, everybody that sees Paris tells me that she is one spoiled dog. I tell them yes, she is spoiled, and no she isn't a dog, she's my baby! I think most of them think I have lost it.

Who cares, I love my baby girl and I know that she loves me. ENJOY!
P.S. Continue coming to this forum...I have learned sooo much here!

 

[treasures_cherished]

Tlunn......

You always have me giggling!!!! And I posted another reply for you in a different post.... I believe it was the "where did you get your malt?" or something along those lines....

 

[LexiAndNikkisMom]

Originally posted by MomtwoMaltmuffins@Apr 26 2005, 11:51 PM
If you think 8.5 weeks is young, I was at the vets the other day $150 later - for Casper, LOL expensive gas!  A couple came in and they said they had a maltese, they got her at 7 weeks!!!!  Now that is too young!!! 

I have heard that after 8 weeks the pups should be weaned from Mom, so maybe that is why alot of breeders are letting the pups go earlier than the 12 week.  I think in Australia breeders are letting the pups go at 8 weeks??  Correct me if I am wrong.
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When I was searching for a breeder last year I came across a "breeder" that lets her puppies got at 5/6 weeks!!! She claims the this mom stops feeding her pups at 4 weeks and that she like to keep them another week or two. I was so shocked. I practically ran out of there.

 

[Sisses Momma]

Sis was 12 wks when she came home. We had been visiting since she was 4 weeks old. I could see the progression in her as far as size, temperment and eating went. I seriously think she could of come home at 10 weeks or so because she really was the "independent" one of the litter. She played well alone and did not show any social problems, ie; biting, aggression etc, at the time. The "breeder" (hobby breeder) insisted on keeping her until 12 weeks because "that is what my Vet recommended".......I understand the theory of learning "puppy manners", but frankly, we have had some of those "puppy" issues, biting etc anyway!! I would of loved to have had her at 10 weeks and feel sometimes that I really missed that "puppy stage". She was DARNED independent when she came to us, she rarely cuddles (maybe it's because she is STILL a puppy), but often feel she would of been more "loving" had we gotten her sooner. She's crazy about being with us in the same room, but won't sleep in our laps or anything like that. She gives kisses and just turns herself inside out when I come home from work, you can see she just loves us, but NO cuddles.....

I am glad your Vets wife is keeping her...it'll be better for both of you.....

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by Sisses Momma@Apr 27 2005, 03:53 PM
Sis was 12 wks when she came home.  We had been visiting since she was 4 weeks old.  I could see the progression in her as far as size, temperment and eating went.  I seriously think she could of come home at 10 weeks or so because she really was the "independant" one of the litter.  She played well alone and did not show any social problems, ie; biting, aggression etc, at the time.  The "breeder" (hobby breeder) insisted on keeping her until 12 weeks because "that is what my Vet recommended".......I understand the theory of learning "puppy manners", but frankly, we have had some of those "puppy" issues, biting etc anyway!!  I would of loved to have had her at 10 weeks and feel sometimes that I really missed that "puppy stage".  She was DARNED independant when she came to us, she rarely cuddles (maybe it's because she is STILL a puppy), but often feel she would of been more "loving" had we gotten her sooner.  She's crazy about being with us in the same room, but won't sleep in our laps or anything like that.  She gives kisses and just turns herself inside out when I come home from work, you can see she just loves us, but NO cuddles.....

I am glad your Vets wife is keeping her...it'll be better for both of you.....

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How old is Sis?

I don't remember.

BUT, my point is...that Brinkley was MUCH like you are describing her pre-neutering...he changed SO much about 6-12 weeks after he was neutered! Now he lays in my lap all the time and sleeps right next to me most nights. I don't know if it was something that happened hormonally after the neuter or if it just happened as he got older...but it did happen. Maybe Sis will be like that too, or maybe she just has a more independent personality...

 

[stini]

Originally posted by tlunn@Apr 27 2005, 08:39 AM
PS: I can't imagine Brinkley being bonded to me more than he already is!!! I guess if I had gotten him at 8 weeks instead of 16, he would be permanently attached to my butt!

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PS: Congrats!! I'm glad everything is going to work out with Belle! I bet that Vet's wife is really excited to have a baby to care for while you're on vacation.