Puppy

Puppy

A puppy or pup is a juvenile dog, generally less than one year of age, that has not reached sexual maturity. Puppy size varies among breeds: smaller puppies may weigh convert|1|-|3|lb|abbr=on, while others are convert|15|-|20|lb|abbr=on. All healthy puppies grow rapidly after birth.

A puppy's coat color may change as the puppy matures, 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, health, prenatal care, and nutrition, and often produce puppies which are improperly socialized and in poor health.

Training

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.

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.Fact|date=June 2007 Some 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 cropped. 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. The practice of docking primarily began as an preventative measure for injury among dogs who worked in environments that led to high incidences of tail injuries.

References

*cite book|author=Cunliffe, Juliette |year=2004|title=The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds|publisher= Parragon Publishing|id=ISBN 0-7525-8276-3
*cite book|author=Fogle, Bruce |year=2000|title=The New Encyclopedia of the Dog|publisher= Doring Kindersley (DK)|id=ISBN 0-7894-6130-7
*cite book|title=Dog Bible|last=Mehus-Roe|first=Kristin|editor=(editor)
publisher=BowTie|year=2005|id=ISBN 1-931993-34-3

ee also

*Dog reproduction


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Puppy — Linux Bildschirmfoto Puppy Linux 4.2 Basisdaten Entwickler …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Puppy — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Puppy es una voz en inglés que significa perrito o cachorro de perro. Puede hacer referencia a: Puppy Linux, una distribución del sistema operativo GNU/Linux Puppy, escultura de 1992 de Jeff Koons representando un… …   Wikipedia Español

  • puppy — late 15c., woman s small pet dog, from M.Fr. poupée doll, toy (see PUPPET (Cf. puppet)). Meaning shifted from toy dog to young dog (1590s), replacing M.E. whelp. Also used about that time in sense of vain young man. Puppy love is from 1834. Puppy …   Etymology dictionary

  • Puppy — Pup py, n.; pl. {Puppies}. [F. poup[ e]e doll, puppet. See {Puppet}, and cf. {Pup}, n.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) The young of a canine animal, esp. of the common dog; a whelp. [1913 Webster] 2. A name of contemptuous reproach for a conceited and impertinent …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • puppy — [pup′ē] n. pl. puppies [ME popi < MFr popee, doll < * poupe: see PUPPET] 1. a) a young dog b) a young fox, seal, etc.; pup 2. an insolent, conceited, or silly young man ☆ 3. Slang a person or thing …   English World dictionary

  • Puppy — Pup py, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puppied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Puppying}.] To bring forth whelps; to pup. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • puppy — [pypi] n. m. ÉTYM. 1880; mot angl. « chiot ». ❖ ♦ Anglic. Sports. Jeune lévrier de course de deux ans …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • puppy — ► NOUN (pl. puppies) 1) a young dog. 2) informal, dated a conceited or arrogant young man. DERIVATIVES puppyish adjective. ORIGIN perhaps from Old French poupee doll, toy …   English terms dictionary

  • puppy */ — UK [ˈpʌpɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms puppy : singular puppy plural puppies a) a very young dog b) a very young canine (= an animal in the same group as dogs) wolf puppies • this/that puppy American spoken used instead of the name of… …   English dictionary

  • puppy — 1. n. a wimp; a softie. □ That silly puppy is still waiting outside your door. □ Oh, Paul, you’re such a puppy! 2. n. a thing; a piece or part of something. □ Put this little puppy right here. □ …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”