Lawful age for buying a puppy?

[Lampacres]

"Lucy's Law " made it illegal to sell a puppy (or Kitten) younger than 8 weeks. But Lucy's Law only applies to licenced breeders ie those in England who breed more than 3 litters in any year and sell at least one pup (either as a pup or adult dog).
Being a fan of Wilson Stephens' book "Gundog Sense and Sensibilities", I want to
collect my pup at the optimum age of 6 weeks and 6 days and the seller has agreed providing the pup is sufficiently independent and healthy (and we'll complete the KC registration paperwork after the 8 weeks date). Is my plan lawful?

[munstyman]

From what I understand "lucy's law" the amendment to The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 brought about by The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which makes unlawful the sales of puppies and kittens (under six months in both cases) by third party sellers/anyone other than the breeder. Is only concerned with "third party sellers" and does not apply when you are directly buying from the breeder.
You should be applying due diligence about who you are buying it from and making sure you see the bitch with the pups and how they are being kept before you pick it up ( while the bitch is still nursing ). Remember every pup is different, so I would not apply a broad brush as to the effect of a `week' early or late as to the effect this has on bonding or training.

[Lampacres]

Thank you. I'll re-read the amendments in that light as being applicable to third-party sellers. Cheers

[EssGrouse]

Id like to think any competent breeder would tell you to shove it! you take them from 8 weeks and after, so much learning goes on in those last few weeks. Now I'm no soft touch furr baby crap person but doesn't sit right with me a breeder letting you do that unless they weren't a very good breeder.