When to buy a puppy?

I have been talking to a number of breeders in the Chicago area looking for a male puppy for a pet. One breeder told me to run away from anyone selling a puppy at less than 12 weeks old. Is this true? I did find a breeder who seemed extremely responsible, but was selling an 8 week old puppy.
Jacque

• Some very responsible Maltese books as well as other breeds say 8 weeks and others say older. Talk to 4 vets and you'll probably get 4 different answers. The AMA likes the 12 weeks idea. Most State laws are between 6 and 8 weeks.

  I feel every dog is different. If he/she is able to eat dry food on its own or not and also how long it has been weaned from its mother. The size is another factor.

  If you feel more comfortable in waiting, ask the breeder who you to hold the pup for a few more weeks. If he/she is as responsible as you say, they should have no problem doing that for you. Hope everything works out.
  Jay

• The American Maltese Association Code of Ethics calls foe all of its members to keep pups until at least 12 weeks, and we ascribe to this not just because someone told us to but because it makes sense and works for us. On a purely physical level pups, particularly older ones may be able to handle the very emotional, often traumatic, transition from the only environment the pup has ever known into a new one. Littermates are gone, mom is gone, familiar scents and sounds and faces and voices are all gone. No, we keep them the additional four to six weeks (much longer for the tiny ones) for their emotional well-being. Their dam provides a certain amount of socialization for the pups in this 8-16 week period that helps prepare them for "life". She teaches them to be submissive to a larger, more dominant dog and she teaches them to learn how to play "politely" with their siblings. This additional time allows any traits or physical infirmities to surface so a new owner does't ever feel inclined to need to return the pup for a medical or temperament problem.

  I will not say that an eight week pup is too young to go to a new home - I will insist that a twelve week pup is so much MORE prepared to go to a new home that we will not do otherwise, ourselves.

  I agree with Jay, if the breeder will not accept a deposit to hold the dog for you for another month then I'd examine their "real intentions". If the welfare of the pup and the match for it into a new home is not the breeder's primary concern then they are approaching all of this from the wrong angle.
  Larry Stanberry - Divine Maltese