Pups Birthing and Aging

Neonatal Period: Birth to Two Weeks

   Have dark fur, rounded heads and are unable to regulate their own body temperature
   Blind with closed eyes, deaf with small ears, and a “pugged” nose with little if any sense of smell but a good sense of taste and touch
   Limited to a slow crawl, mainly with front legs but have a good sense of balance
   Are limited to sucking and licking; can whine and yelp
   Will feed four or five times a day for periods of three to five minutes
   Average females gain 2.6 lbs and males 3.3 lbs per week for the next 14 weeks

Transitional Period: Eye Opening Two to Three Weeks

   Eyes open and are blue at 11-15 days but their eyesight is not fully developed and pups cannot perceive forms until weeks later
   Milk incisors present at 15 days; can eat small pieces of regurgitated meat
   Begin to stand and walk; vocalizations include growls, whimpering and squeaks, first high-pitched attempts at howling
   Weight: 3.5 lbs

Socialization Period: Three to Five Weeks

   Begin appearing outside of the den and playing near the entrance
   Ears begin to raise around 27 days and hearing improves significantly
   Around 31 days the ears are erect but with tips still flopping
   Canines and premolar teeth present


   Growth of adult hair around nose and eyes
   Disproportionately large feet and head
   Short, high-pitched howls are gaining strength
   Mother may go off for hours on end to hunt
   Dominance and play fighting begin
   Gradual process of weaning begins
   Can follow adults up to a mile away from the den

At 8 to 10 weeks:

   Adults abandon den and move pups to a rendezvous site
   Weaning complete, pups feed on food provided by adults
   Adult guard hair becomes apparent on body

At 8 to 16 Weeks:

   Eyes gradually change from blue to yellow-gold
   Pups begin to follow adults on hunting trips for a short while and return to the den by themselves
   Weight: 22-30 lbs

Period of Rapid Growth: 14 – 27 Weeks

   Pups will gain approximately 1.3 lbs. per week over the next three months
   Weight: 28-70 lbs
   Milk teeth replaced
   Winter fur becomes apparent and pup appearance is nearly indistinguishable from adults
   Pups begin to accompany adults on hunts

Period of Slow Growth: 27 – 51 Weeks

   Female pups will gain approximately .07 lbs. per week and male pups will gain approximately .4 lbs. per week
   Pups begin to travel with pack
   Begin actively hunting

   Pups status in the pack may start to take shape with pups displaying either more dominant or submissive behaviors
   Weight: 60-100 lbs


Sexual Maturity: 1 to 3 Years

   Hormonal changes signal sexual maturity
   May choose to disperse from pack
   Weight: 60-100+ lbs

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