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Puppy
A puppy is a juvenile dog, generally less than one year of age that has not
reached sexual maturity. The term is sometimes abbreviated to pup, a term
also used for the offspring of wolves.
Puppies are very playful and active. A lethargic or listless puppy is
uncommon, and oftentimes is an indication of illness..
Puppy size varies among breeds, smaller puppies may weigh 1-3 lbs, while
others are 15-20 lbs. All healthy puppies grow rapidly after birth. Very
small breeds, sometimes referred to as "pocket puppies" have become popular
recently.[1]
Coats can change color as the puppy grows older, as is commonly seen in
breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier.
Breeding
Reputable dog breeders raise their animals in humane conditions, provide
good socialization and often formal training, and adhere to the breed
standard. They are knowledgeable about major health problems associated with
their breed, and with the principles of genetics, frequently undertaking
specific matings to produce or refine particular desirable characteristics
in their dogs. Less than scrupulous breeding operations, known as Puppy
mills, may provide less attention to genetics, prenatal care, and nutrition,
and often produce puppies which are improperly socialized and in poor
health.
In recent years, some breeders have become interested in producing hybrid
puppies, crossing established breeds to achieve interesting or marketable
traits. Consequently, large numbers of the new cross breeds are being sold.
There is concern that these new "breeds" may be vulnerable to disease and
genetic abormality, and recognition by the Kennel Club and other dog
registering authorities may be doubful.[2]
Training
Training puppies is not always easy: it requires a lot of work, as they do
not know right from wrong and must rely on the owner for guidance. Often,
aggressive or skittish adult dogs can be blamed on the owner's lack of
discipline and training. It is critical for puppy socialization that they
interact often with humans and be exposed to a variety of objects and
situations.
Training of basic obedience can begin at the same time, although
recommendations for how intense and how soon vary. Training for young
puppies is generally recommended to be light, gentle, and fun; more like a
game than an exercise. Most formal puppy classes accept puppies starting at
three months of age, although some provide socialization classes for younger
pups. Local dog trainers may also offer some in home training for younger
puppies. Most dog owners start out with these classes.
Housebreaking can begin by the time the puppy is two to three months old,
although they usually do not have enough control of their bladder to be
completely housebroken until they are six months to a year old. Many find
that using training pads is an effective method of housebreaking. Others
prefer to use a crate training method.
Physical alteration
Some breeds traditionally have their tails docked or ears cropped, or both.
Many countries now ban cropping and docking for cosmetic purposes, but other
countries have no such prohibitions. Some breeders prefer to remove a dog's
dewclaws to prevent future injuries. These procedures are usually performed
within the first few days after birth, by a veterinarian, or by an
experienced breeder.
Sources
* Cunliffe, Juliette (2004). The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. Parragon
Publishing. ISBN 0-7525-8276-3.
* Fogle, Bruce (2000). The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. Doring Kindersley
(DK). ISBN 0-7894-6130-7.
* Mehus-Roe, Kristin (2005). in (editor): Dog Bible. BowTie. ISBN
1-931993-34-3.
References
1. ^ Pocket Puppies.
2. ^ Designer dog breeds.
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