There are many pitfalls when it comes to purchasing or adopting a puppy too early. Several states have put in force "puppy sale laws" which make it unlawful to sell an underage puppy. For instance, according to the Illinois General Assembly, in the State of Illinois, it is unlawful for dog dealers and kennel operators to separate a puppy from his mother earlier than the age of 8 weeks. There are several reasons why such regulations are implemented by several states.
Reasons Why Puppies Should not be Sold Under 8 Weeks Old
The main purpose for implementing puppy sale laws is to curb the distribution of puppy mills and other unregulated sources of puppies. According to The Animal Law and History Web Center, a project of the Michigan State University College of Law, 12 out of 18 states have made it unlawful for any person to sell underage puppies. The remaining states have decided to limit these rules to pet store owners, animal dealers and breeders.
When a puppy is sold underage, there are also good chances he has not been accustomed yet to ingesting solid food . For instance, according to the Kansas Animal Health Department a retail breeder may not sell a puppy unless he is at least 8 weeks old and has been accustomed to eating solid foods without nursing for at least five days. (See Reference 3) Selling a puppy once it has reached 8 weeks allows sufficient time for the puppy to be weaned and ready to go to his new home.
Puppies go through an important developmental phase known as "primary socialization stage" occurring between the ages of 3 to 5 weeks. Puppies during this stage learn important species-specific behaviors such as bite inhibition, submissive postures and the development of proper social relations with their litter mates and dam. According to Certified Professional Dog Trainer Pia Silvani, removing puppies during this stage may result in intolerance of other dogs later in life.
A study conducted by veterinarians L. Pierantoni, M. Albertini and F. Pirrone, and published in the 2011 issue of "Veterinary Record", found that dogs acquired from a pet shop at 30 to 40 days of age displayed a much higher incidence of problematic behaviors when compared to dogs that remained with their social group for 60 days. Such behavioral problems were particularly relevant in underage puppies obtained from pet stores.
What About Missouri Puppy Age Laws?
In Missouri, it is unlawful to sell a puppy under 8 weeks old and not weaned when delivered by any person to any carrier or intermediate handler for transport, in commerce, or shall be transported in commerce". . More about this can be found at The Animal Law and History Web Center.
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