This may be a long post, apologies in advance!

We were on the list for a puppy that was due this week. I heard back from the breeder that the litter was smaller than they anticipated, so no puppy for us from them. This breeder wil have a couple of other litters in the early spring.

I decided to "re-open" my breeder search to see if there were other litters available, and ran across a litter of puppies from the same sire and also a great dam (both show healthy bloodlines, complete paperwork, some socialization, etc.) There are a couple of puppies that (as described) could have the temperament we're looking for.

There are a couple of things that concern me: the litter is almost 11 weeks old now - after reading the Dunbar book, I am worried that the clock is ticking for training and socialization etc.

My second concern is our family's holiday plans - we've scheduled a trip to see family for 5 days which requires a plane trip and a household of other dogs. Travel with a 14 week old puppy? Board a 14 week old puppy? Look for a dog sitter?

Am I just suffering from puppy fever? Or should I pursue this?

Thanks for your gentle advice!

I don't think 11 weeks is a problem, especially if the breeder is a good one and is socializing the pups.

The traveling is much harder. The holidays are a really difficult time to bring home a puppy--so many distractions when the puppy should be the focus. And so many things for the puppy to chew on, etc. If you really like the puppies and want to get one sooner rather than later, see if the breeder will keep it for you until after your trip. Or, if the breeder is close enough, go get it, and than ask the breeder to take it back for five days. The best place for it would be right where it is right now. I wouldn't put a really young puppy in a boarding kennel. JMO. I'm sure there will be others with good input. Good luck!

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

I'm sure you picked this specific breeder for good reasons. Why are you looking to re-open your breeder search? Were there qualms about this specific breeder or are you just awash in puppy fever and want one now?

Knowing that you have travel plans in the near future, I am inclined to think you are in the middle of puppy fever. It might not be in the puppies best interest to change so many things right out of the gate. If it were me, I would wait for my choosen breeder to have more litters. Or at the very least, wait to pick a puppy until after your holiday travels.

Regardless, congrats on your soon-to-be addition.

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I also second this! Thank you for finding the way to say the things I was thinking.

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i have held puppies for great families who had vacations planned or in one case surgery... it wasn't a big deal and i was happy to do that ...

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Shalva and the Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhound
Milbrose Retrievers and Irish Wolfhounds

Is the entire litter available at 11 weeks? Is that what the breeder does, not place until 11 weeks or was the breeder unable to sell them? I'd be a little concerned if an entire litter was available and it was not standard practice to hold this them long. What was the breeder looking to accomplish with this litter? Have pups available as Christmas puppies or was there a lot of thought placed in matching the stud and dam? Would your original breeder vouch for this new one?

Thanks all for your great responses, I appreciate the many perspectives.

We met with the breeder, asked a million questions (including those posed on this thread and spent some good quality time with the puppies and were satisfied with what we heard.

We brought home a lovely puppy that has been earnestly trying to understand my ham-handed training attempts today. It's pretty apparent the experiences that are new to her v. the experiences she's familiar with (hardwood floors are new!), she's learning quickly and becoming comfortable ... I'll post some new baby pictures of Sunshine in the puppy section - I expect to have a ton of questions as I learn her language and vice-versa.

We also made arrangements for boarding the puppy with them over the holiday (GREAT suggestion!), I'm just bummed that I'll have a few days away from her later this month.

Thanks all!
Pam

Just wanted to mention that we got Max at 11 weeks. He was great. I think that the extra time with one brother, and the rest of the dog family at his breeders made his adjustment to our home easier. We took him with us on a vacation in our 5th wheel one week after we got him, and he did great there also.

Congratulations on getting your new puppy. Have fun. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

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Dave

If I'm remembering correctly, Winter was 11 1/2 weeks when we got her. Winter's breeder keeps all pups until 10 weeks. Winter was reserved by someone else, but they backed out & we got her. She was the last one from the litter placed. We have had no trouble with socialization & she's been a great dog. Our last dog was a stray (mange, on the streets, malnourished) that we got at 4 months & she was really timid, but she socialized great during that first year, and lived to be 16 years old & was the best dog. I don't believe that dogs have to be socialized by a certain age- that would negate all of the great rescues out there.

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Sounds great!!

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).