What is the gestation period of a dog?
63 days from time of the mating.
How large are newborn puppies?
The size of newborn puppies varies depending on the breed.
Can newborn, puppies see ?
All puppies are born with their eyes closed and therefor cannot see. Puppies start to open their eyes at about 10-12 days old.
What colour are puppies eyes?
Regardless of whether the eye colour of the adult dog is dark brown, light brown, yellow or even blue, the eyes of puppies will be grey and not change to the adult colour until about 12 weeks of age.
What age will the puppy be able to hear?
Although puppies may respond to vibrations they will not begin to hear until about two weeks old.
If puppies cannot see or hear how do they find their mother?
Puppies are born with a fully developed sense of smell which allows them to locate their mother for a feed. They also seek out the warmth of her body.
At what age do puppies walk?
Puppies are unable to walk when born and will drag themselves to the mother for a feed. At about two weeks old the puppies will start to lift their bodies off the floor and crawl. At approximately three weeks they will be able to walk and by 4 - 5 weeks they will run.
Are puppies born with teeth?
All puppies are born without teeth but by the age of 8 weeks they will have their 'milk' teeth. The permanent teeth appear between 12-18 weeks.
What age do puppies start to play?
Puppies begin to play with their litter at about 3-4 weeks old and at 6-8 weeks will chase and wrestle each other.
What age do puppies start to eat solid food?
Puppies may be given solid food at 3-4 weeks old although they will not be fully weaned until about 6-8 weeks.
When should a puppy have its first vaccinations?
Puppies should have their first vaccinations for the dog diseases Canine Hepatitis, Distemper and Canine Parvo Virus at 6 weeks old, with the next vaccination at 12-14 weeks.
When can a puppy go to a new home?
Puppies are usually weaned by 6-8 weeks and should not go to new homes until they are able to feed and have been vaccinated. |
