What a surprise you'll have the first time you behold a newborn puppy. It's all wet, tiny, and really doesn't look anything like the breed standard. Don't panic. Their features will change and develop as they mature, even the color of their fur will change. For example, Dalmatian puppies are born without their spots. Sometimes puppies will have areas where fur is not present at first. Don't be overly concerned about these minor findings. If the puppy is healthy and well-formed, then wait for time to remove some of these youthful blemishes.

However, if the pup is malformed —and be sure this is so—then there is no sense in keeping it. At one time breeders would cut down the size of a litter by destroying those newborns who they felt were not "top" quality. Today, it is felt that a newly born puppy cannot be accurately evaluated. Sometimes the very one that you had intended to destroy may develop into a superior adult.

Puppy Weight
Weighing the pups at birth and then each day for the first week to ten days is good practice. By so doing, you can keep a close check on each pup and any that are not gaining sufficiently will come to your attention promptly. These should be allowed to nurse first so that the others don't put them aside. You may give them a supplemental bottle after each nursing period until they start to gain properly. Check with your vet as to the normal amount of weight gain desired for your breed. Use a baby scale for weighing the pups.

Puppy Temperature
Keeping the puppies warm is just as important as seeing that they are well-fed. The room should not only be warm, but also free from drafts. If the total room temperature cannot be maintained at 75 deg., then use well-protected heating pads. Take care that the cords are not exposed—dogs do have a tendency to chew on them. Another method of warming an area is to use a lamp. Place a room thermometer next to the whelping box so that you can be certain of the temperature in that spot.

Puppy Housekeeping
The whelping box itself should be kept dry and clean. After the births, remove all wet or soiled papers. The bottom of the box should be covered with several thick layers of newspaper. Some people like to stretch a towel across the bottom for extra warmth and softness. If you wish to do so, be sure to fasten it down well to prevent the pups from getting caught in or under it. The papers in the box should be changed as frequently as needed. For the first few weeks the mother usually is a terrific housekeeper. She will lick up any mess her children make. However, as they get older, this "clean-up patrol" will become your responsibility. If the nursery is not kept meticulously clean this becomes an invitation to infection and, needless to say, the odor can get rather overwhelming. Throw the soiled newspapers out of the house, otherwise your premises will rapidly develop a permeating reek.

Postnatal Care
After birth, most puppies are quite tired and may want to sleep. If it has been an easy delivery, the pup may wish to nurse immediately. The mother will usually lick the new puppy from head to toe to clean it up and to get its circulation going. The mother also must lick the puppy in order to help it to urinate and defecate.

A healthy, strong puppy should be able to suck well and satisfy his needs, sucking quietly, stroking the mother as it sucks. The rear nipples have the most milk and puppies having difficulties in getting enough to eat should be placed there. If a puppy is still not getting enough milk from the mother, supplemental feeding may be necessary. Puppies are both blind and deaf at birth; they do not open their eyes until about the tenth day—some breeds are even slower.

Fading Puppies
This term is applied to puppies that are normal, healthy, and strong at birth, and then gradually sicken and die during the first week. The reason for this can be an infection in the puppies or in the mother which is being passed to the pups via the milk. That is why it is necessary to keep a close watch on the puppies and dam, to be certain that they are eating and growing—that they have fat, full tummies and are content. Sick puppies cry and crawl around aimlessly. Any signs of diarrhea should also be a warning. Contact your vet immediately if you see danger signals. Treatment immediately can often save you from needless loss. Supplementary feeding for a smaller pup is worthwhile.

Dew Claws, Tail Docking, and Ear Cropping
Your vet can remove your puppies dew claws. These are the "extra" nails slightly above the others, around ankle height. It is not necessary to remove them. However, they serve no useful purpose and just get in the way. This procedure is best done when the pup is four days old.

Many breeds require that their tails be docked for show purposes. This can be done at the same time as the removal of the dew claws. Again, since the docking should be done correctly, it should be handled by the vet.

A.K.C. Breeds Whose Tails Should Be Docked
Affenpinscher
Airedale
Australian Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Brittany Spaniel
Brussels Griffon
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Doberman Pinscher
Old English Sheepdog
English Toy Spaniel
Fox Terrier (smooth)
Fox Terrier (wire)
Toy Fox Terrier
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lakeland Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Pinscher (miniature)
Poodle (miniature)
Poodle (standard)
Poodle (toy)
Rottweiler
Schipperke
Schnauzer (giant)
Schnauzer (miniature)
Schnauzer (standard)
Sealyham Terrier
Silky Terrier
Springer Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Welsch Corgi (pembroke)
Welsh Terrier
Wheaton Terrier

Some breeds should have their ears cropped. This operation should be conducted by a vet familiar with the breed standards. Cropping is usually done when the pups are eight weeks old. After surgery, the ears are taped and will heal by the time they are 12 weeks old.

A.K.C. Breeds Whose Ears Should be Cropped
Boston Terrier
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Brussels Griffon
Doberman Pinscher
Great Dane
Manchester Terrier
Schnauzer (giant)
Schnauzer (miniature)
Schnauzer (standard)

Weaning
When the puppies are gradually taken off their mother's milk and given other food, this is called the weaning process. Depending on the breed and the size of the litter, weaning may take place between the age of three and six weeks.