It is illegal in all fifty states to sell a puppy less than six weeks old (in some states, including New York, the minimum is eight weeks). This law was put in place by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) because it is inhumane.
No responsible breeder will ever let a puppy go to his or her new home until he/she is at least eight weeks old.
Separating a puppy from his or her mother and littermates prematurely causes severe and irreversable behavioral and psychological damage. The most common complaints being separation anxiety, difficulty potty training, and other similar problems.
On the other end of the scale, there's nothing wrong with adopting an older dog. Many adult and elderly dogs are already potty trained. Many in shelters have been trained to some extent. Common commands such as "sit" "come" "down" "no" and "drop it" are known by most shelter dogs. You'll also find that most elderly animals in shelters are owner-surrendered. This means that they are probably current on all vaccines, wormings, and health needs. The old saying, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is far from the truth. Older dogs make excellent pets, and ask for nothing more than a safe and loving home to live out their final years in. Much like a retirement home.
Adopting a puppy comes with a fair amount of challenges. From potty training to obedience classes and all that comes between. Puppies need much more vet care than an adult dog. Are you ready for the expenses involved in replacing everything your new puppy chews up?
