Some Americans let the pups go as young as 5 1/2 weeks because they are weaned, but they should not go until they are 8 weeks.

As to going to breeders....you're asking the wrong person. I have no idea why people would rather go to a breeder than save a life from a shelter, but, to each his own, which is why there are breeders out there so that people have the option.

Homeless animals on the street, I would say that it depends on the place. In big cities like LA or NYC there are thousands, in rural communities, probably quite a few too, in small town, probably not so many as in suburbia. I have a friend in NYC who runs a no kill shelter and she also feeds the feral strays at JFK airport and I asked her one time how many there were and she said thousands because people go on trips and bring their dog to the airport and just dump it. God I hate humans.

I hope that answered your questions. I hope those are the questions you wanted answered! lol