Breeders and 1st shots

[Tracey]

We've recently found a local breeder that I'm really pleased with =). The only thing that was unexpected is that they don't do any of the 1st vaccinations on the puppies. They feel that the pups get all of the needed immunities, etc. from mama's milk and that they're too young to start vaccinating. They are diligent about keeping them away from any place/person/thing that could expose them to disease. And I do understand (sort of) where she's coming from...I've heard the same thing from many a mom who doesn't believe in 'over-vaccinating' her children.

My vet (luckily is also one of my good friends) has assured me that as long as they're not exposed to anything, he should be fine. But I was wondering if anyone else has come across a breeder with similar beliefs? It's been a long time since we've had a puppy, so I'm sure philosophies have changed since we were in the loop ;).

[Adina P]

I don't think I've heard of any that give ZERO shots before 8 weeks...but do know of some that only give ONE set or a minimal amount. Is everything else up to par? Do the parent dogs have testing for hips, eyes, etc? Is there a good long term health guarantee?

[Tracey]

Everything else seems great. Hips and eyes for the Golden, hips, eyes and blood for the poodles. Health guarantee is 2 years, contract, etc. She takes stool samples in. Uses great food. They're actually one of the main dog trainers here in the area.

[Adina P]

Well I guess if puppy gets shots ASAP once you pick puppy up...should be okay.

[Tracey]

It's been so long since we've had a puppy, that I'd kind of wondered if thinking had changed since Tuck was a babe.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Trust your vet. When we got Thomas-he had been vaccinated by a vet that came every week to look at the puppies up until 8 weeks and we had the signed documents to prove it. However, our vet told us that many breeders give these shots themselves with vacinnes they have ordered over the internet and that although they may be legit, they are weaker in strength or in other word " the expiry date had expired on these". Again, if you are happy with the breeder, trust your vet.

[Adina P]

With puppy vaccinations the only reason for the "boosters" that they give every 3-4 weeks is because nobody knows for sure when mom's immunity actually wears off in any given puppy. If vaccinations are given while mom's immunity is still flowing through the puppy...the vaccines are cancelled out, so to speak...they don't do anything. So they are given at 8, 12, 16 weeks (or so) as a 'just in case' mom's immunity has worn off.

But here's the critical issue...there's a point where mom's immunity is STRONG enough to make the vaccines worthless, BUT NOT strong enough to actually protect the pup...it's that dangerous window of opportunity that can allow a pup to contract parvo virus given the right exposure to it. So...that is the main reason that some vets warn against letting puppy visit places other dogs visit...in case the vaccines did not 'take.' That is what I've read anyway.

Probably at 8 weeks most puppies are fine without the vaccine at the breeder...I would still give it right away though.

[Tracey]

LOL! I told Heidi (my friend/vet) that she better be on the day we pick him up, as he's going directly to see her ;). Not passing Go, not collecting $200, just going straight for shots! Poor guy...he'll think some big ole meanies adopted him....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have gone straight from the breeder to the vet with every single dog I've ever had...or in the case of Jackdoodle, straight from the shelter.
Just like with babies, I always feel like as long as they're going to be traumatized anyway, you might as well get it all over with at once, lol!