Getting a pup at 7 weeks (49 days) is quite common. However, I do not think a pup should be away from the litter until it is 8 weeks. Six weeks is definitely way too young!!

Most pups are fully weaned around 5 - 6 weeks if the breeder does it right. Temperment testing of puppies is done on or as close to the 49th day because this will show you the truest personality traits that are genetic. After this you start to have environment influence the behavior. Temperment testing is done by reputable breeders who are interested in placing their pups in homes where their optimum ability will be used such as working, showing, or just a great family pet.

I believe it is critical for the pup to remain with the litter until 8 weeks because of the learning that they can only get in a litter environment. Mom is pretty much out of the picture at this point but the litter is thriving and yes, establishing a pecking order. This pecking order teaches them how to adjust behaviors to survive in the pack. It also teaches them that there is a alpha. They learn bite inhibition and that there are consequences that they face if they cross the line in play. Play itself is very important at this stage. Basically so much is going on between week 7 and 8 that the pup can get only from the litter.

This does not mean that if you get a pup before 8 weeks it is doomed. What you do to socialize the dog will determine how it will adapt. If you are diligent in socialization with people and other animals and in training, you should be ok. It is just not the optimum scenario.

On the other hand, you want the pup away from the litter by the 8th week. Bonding occurs between 8 and 12 weeks and this is a valuable time for pup and the new owner. Again, this does not mean that if you don't get the dog between 8 and 12 weeks it won't bond with you. It just means it is more natural and easier at this point to make the seperation from litter to owner. I have refused to give someone a pup because they wanted me to hold the pup until 10 weeks. I don't want the pup bonding to me and then making the separation harder at 10 weeks. It is not fair to the pup or me. At 12 weeks a fear factor creeps in for a few weeks and things that were fine for pup only a week ago sometimes cause major problems. This is when phobias are usually developed and the owner needs to be more understanding in dicipline and handling. It is a short window but can do quite a bit of damage if not handled properly. The most common phobias developed are to noises and seperation. My Dixie was a classic case of seperation anxiety since she went to live with friends of ours for a week at 12 weeks because my husband was hospitalizied and I was not home much. It was unavoidable and getting her comfortable with me leaving was a very difficult task to achieve (but thankfully we made it!).

Critical socialization occurs up to 16 weeks. Make sure you socialize in all kinds of situations (people, children, other pets, etc.). You should get the pup involved where ever possible at this time frame. Their little brains are like sponges and they soak everything up. This slows after about 16 weeks so use that time as a advantage in socializing. After 16 weeks you want to start concentrating on obedience training and letting the pup know you are the giver of all good things. Socialization is still important but not as critical.

I think a lot of breeders let the pups go before 8 weeks because it is A LOT of work. When they are younger, mom takes care of most of their needs until around 3 weeks. They are just starting to get mobile around week 3 - 4 and mom is still feeding them. They are getting weaned around 4 - 6 weeks and can't go until that point. That is why usually the earliest you hear of pups going to their new home is at 6 weeks. It is mostly your backyard breeders and puppy mills that let them leave that early because they are not worried about how the pup will mature, only how much money they can get for it and why put themselves through a couple of hectic weeks when they don't have too.

In a nut shell, I would not get a pup younger than 7 weeks and preferrably at 8 weeks. 8 Weeks is perfect for pup and new owner!

I hope this info helps.