we were planning on getting our new puppy-gsd/rot-chow mix, this sunday, which would make it 7 weeks old, we were wondering if this is an appropriate time to get it? i heard before that 7 weeks is fine..and its already weeneed, so thats not a problem

any input welcome, thanks in advance

Joseph

NO, before 7 weeks is NOT ok!!

There are critical developmental periods that occur in pups, and really anything under 7.5 weeks is too young to get a pup. 8 weeks is ideal.

It has nothing to do with what the pups are eating, it has everything to do with socialization and mental development. Up to about 8 weeks the pup needs to be with the mother and littermates.


Just a question, what has made you choose a rott/GSD/chow mix? If you don't already have the dog you should really think about that decision, or any decision to add a pup to your family.

Do the parents have any type of health certifications for hips, eyes, heart, other joints, etc???

What type of temperament do the parents have, have you spent time around them? Do you know if they are timid, dog aggressive, bull headed, neurotic, or whatever?

When looking at mix litters, or any breeding really, it is MAJOR SUPER important to look very very closely at the parents.


What type of things are you going to be looking to do with this dog? Do you or the "breeder" have any experience with basic selection tests for pups to help determine their general temperament and matching that temperament with the right owner?


Just things to be thinking about so you can make the best choice possible.

Good luck buddy.

alright, thanks, thats what i thought, and..about the puppy

The "breeder" is my uncle, he has had the GSD for abuot 6 years now, its around 7, and the mom is a red rot/chow mix, and it is his roomates, and these dogs have lived together for 3 years now. Both are VERY mild tempered, and if they wernet, we would never have decided to get one of these mixes. All of the dogs that came out of their litters are very mild tempered, and very good dogs, we were playing with an older 7 month that their keeping and it seemed to be a great dog.

The puppy we are getting seems to be the alpha male, seems bigger than the rest, and takes in all the surroundings, without yipping alot, which was a plus, we dont want a yippy/barking dog. We picked out of a litter of 8, and this dog seemed to be very mild mannered, and seemed smart, and the roof of its mouth was black, all of it.

No the parents dont have any certificits, besides the dad being a certified GSD. This puppy takes after hte father, being very laid back, and not bullheaded. Ive spent alot of time around the dad, and seen other litters from another GSD hes had, and all teh dogs have came out good, with great temperments, so tahts not a big worry of ours.

We've had a good share of dogs, so we have a pretty good idea of what to look for, and this one matches my personality, and its for me to care for and train.

edited to say what the use of the dog

I plan on using it for just a "take to the lake" kind of dog, a backyard gaurddog, and for running/bike riding training

SPAY THAT BITCH... Ugh...

I had to read it twice "their litter(S)" I can almost see it accidentally happening ONCE, but more than once... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Seriously... offer to spay her in exchange for your pup if you are serious about taking one. These mutts die everyday in shelters. There is absolutely no excuse for knowingly letting it happen again. http://www.spotsociety.org/fatedog.html

Anyway... to keep it on topic. Take the pup a few days later. Trust me... sleep while you can!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have to agree with Deanna.. Spay that Bitch and Neuter that male. I am the Director of Canine Coordination at an Animal Safe Haven Society (in its grass roots) in my city. Like Deanna said, those two dogs mating once could happen accidently, but it's back yard breeders who breed anything , any mix that fill up shelters like ours.
You may not want to hear this but you say you can handle a GSD/Rott/Chow mix....Good for you, but that's a lot of dog and a lot of mixed up traits that most people couldn't handle so they pawn them off to shelters to become someone else's problem and many dogs just like that are euthanized daily in Canada, the United States and other countries...(Our society has 30 acres and a STRICK no kill policy, but we are the minority)
IMO only conformation stock pure bred animals should be allowed to be bred. JMO !
There ought to be a law.....
GRRRRRRR... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> This is an issue that gets my dander up!

Oh and one more thing....A puppy SHOULD NEVER be taken from its litter before 8 weeks...NEVER!! It will miss critical lessons taught by the bitch and other litter mates and most probably would end up being an insecure dog. AGAIN....JMO !

Christine wrote: "IMO only conformation stock pure bred animals should be allowed to be bred."


I don't think I like the sound of that opinion.

You might have noticed that this is a working dog board.

You might want to include working dog stock in your opinion on what should be bred?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Of course you are right, I should have included working stock and actually was including them in my overgeneralization, but even working stock animals can be misbred.

yea..i believe i can handle one of these mixes, relatives have had them, and ive seen their puppies, and all seem to be really good puppies w/ good traits..or i would have never gotten one w/ this mix, and 2nd..it wasnt an accidental breed..they bred them for puppies, this is her 3rd i believe, and they give or sell the puppies, and the father just died a week ago or so due to some new disease/fungus/animal that ate his heart from the inside out..that the vets dont know whats causing it..others in the town have gotten it too, just died one day and yea, noone knows wahts going on..and the female, shes getting spayed after this litter already, but yea, thanks for your opinions