Helpless at Birth
It may come as a surprise, but puppies are born quite helpless. They are born deaf, blind, and toothless, with their eyes and ears sealed shut. Even their sense of smell, known for being exceptional in dogs, is not active at birth. Puppies open their eyes around 10 to 14 days old, and their eyesight fully develops at approximately 7 weeks.
Touch is the First Sense
With their other senses still developing, the first sense that puppies rely on is touch. From the moment they are born, their mother licks and nuzzles them, stimulating their sense of touch. Touch remains significant for puppies throughout their lives.
Puppies Can Be Twins
While it's known that each puppy in a litter is genetically unique, it's also possible for puppies to be twins. The first confirmed case of identical canine twins was recorded in South Africa in 2016 when a veterinarian named Kurt de Cramer delivered them via Caesarean section. Although there may have been other unconfirmed instances, this was the first officially documented case of identical puppies being born.
Baby Teeth
Puppies have a set of baby teeth that they eventually lose. These adorable teeth are later replaced by adult teeth, typically around 4 months of age.
Changing Coat Colors
Similar to humans, the coat color of puppies can change as they grow. Patches of color may shift and expand, and the specific changes can vary depending on the breed. For example, Dalmatians don't develop their iconic spots until they are two or three weeks old. While the appearance of purebred puppies can often be predicted based on their parents, it can be more complex for crossbred or mixed breed pups.
Over 1.2 Million Puppies Born Daily
Puppies outnumber human babies by a significant margin. Approximately 1.2 million puppies are born worldwide each day, compared to around 360,000 human babies. That's roughly three times as many puppies as humans!
Doubling Birth Weight
In an ideal scenario, healthy and thriving puppies should double their birth weight within the first week of life. It's an impressive growth rate, doubling in size within just a week.
Adult Status at One Year
Puppies are officially considered adult dogs when they reach one year of age. However, the age at which different breeds reach maturity can vary. Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas may be physically mature around 9 or 10 months old, while larger breeds like the Great Dane may take up to 2 years to reach full size.
Record-Breaking Litter of 24 Puppies
The largest recorded litter of puppies is an astounding 24! This remarkable fact is documented in the Guinness Book of World Records. In 2004, a Neapolitan Mastiff named Tia gave birth to these puppies through a Caesarean section. Unfortunately, one was stillborn, and three others passed away within the first week.
Green Puppies
Believe it or not, puppies can be born green! Although the color doesn't last and fades after a few weeks, there have been recorded cases of light-colored puppies being born with a surprising green hue. Veterinarians attribute this unusual color to a green bile pigment present in the dog's placenta mixing with the amniotic fluid.
