Buzz
If you have recently rescued or found a puppy, you might not know how old it is. The size of the puppy can give you a rough idea, but the growth rate varies between breeds. The simplest way to determine the age of a puppy is by checking its teeth, observing its behavior, and taking it to a vet for a more accurate assessment.
Steps
Check the Teeth
Check if the puppy has teeth. Puppies without teeth are newborns. They might still have their eyes closed and stay next to their mother all day and night. If the puppy has no teeth, it means it is probably no more than 3 weeks old.
Locate the canine teeth. The canine teeth are the four sharp teeth of a dog, with two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw. These are the first teeth to emerge in puppies. The canine teeth typically begin to grow between the third and fourth week.
Identify the first incisors. Incisors are the small teeth at the front of the mouth, between the canine teeth. Puppies have two sets of incisors that emerge after the canines, usually around 4 to 5 weeks of age.
Monitor the first sets of premolars. Premolars are the teeth that grow immediately after the canine teeth. Between 4 to 6 weeks of age, puppies will develop their first two sets of premolars.
Find the final sets of incisors and premolars. These sets of teeth emerge several weeks after the previous ones. The final incisors will appear when the puppy is between 5 to 6 weeks old, while the last four premolars will come in between 6 to 8 weeks.
Observe the full set of puppy teeth. By 8 weeks of age, a puppy will have a complete set of sharp milk teeth. During the growth phase from 8 to 16 weeks, the puppy's head and jaw will enlarge, causing the teeth to appear more spaced out. These tiny teeth might seem too small for the puppy's mouth.
Identify the permanent teeth. Between 16 weeks and 8 months of age, a puppy’s baby teeth will fall out and be replaced by permanent ones. The incisors are the first to be replaced, followed by the other teeth in order. As the puppy ages, its permanent teeth will appear deeper inside its mouth.
- Most of the baby teeth will fall out when the puppy reaches 5 months old, with permanent teeth emerging between 8 and 12 months of age.
Examine the puppy's body and behavior.
Observe puppies with closed eyes. Puppies under 2 weeks old are very small and still have their eyes closed. They don't move much and remain close to their mother. They spend their entire day nursing and sleeping, nestled beside their mother.
Recognize the puppies learning to walk. Puppies open their eyes at around 2-3 weeks old. They begin to walk and slowly venture outside their den. Puppies also start to show more curiosity about their surroundings and begin exploring on their own. This is characteristic behavior for puppies between 5 and 6 weeks old.
Notice if your puppy has started eating solid food. Puppies typically only nurse until they are 5-7 weeks old. Puppies transitioning to solid food and becoming independent from their mother are likely around 6-8 weeks old.
Monitor chewing and playful behavior. As they grow, puppies become increasingly playful. By the time they are 8 weeks old, your puppy will exhibit the typical mischievous behavior we all associate with puppies. During their teething phase, puppies will start chewing on various objects around them. They will also begin playing relentlessly and are curious to explore everything around them.
- Puppies may start to feel restless and whine due to teething.
- They will also sleep a lot after their periods of play and chewing.
Track your puppy’s growth. From 8 weeks to 16 weeks of age, puppies experience rapid growth, and they will continue to grow noticeably over the next few months.
Observe changes in the coat. As puppies grow, they will shed their soft puppy fur and replace it with adult hair. Puppy fur is very soft, while adult fur is more coarse and denser.
Watch for behavioral issues. Puppies between 6 to 12 months old begin testing boundaries. They become more energetic and are easily distracted by everything around them. They may start searching for objects in the house to chew on and become more adventurous, sometimes even wandering very far away.
- At this age, your puppy may start ignoring you and forgetting previously learned behaviors.
Identify slowed growth and development in puppies. Most puppies reach their full size by 8-12 months of age. Larger breeds will continue growing until they are around 2 years old. A puppy under 2 years old is still considered a teenager. While they may still display some characteristics of puppies, such as being energetic and chewing, they tend to be a little calmer.
Recognizing when a female dog is in heat: Female dogs that have not been spayed typically go into heat for the first time between the ages of 6 and 24 months. You can tell if your dog is in heat if she becomes restless, more alert, and easily distracted. Additionally, you might notice her genital area swelling or discharging fluids that may resemble blood or straw-colored material.
Examining a male dog's genitalia to estimate its age: A puppy's testicles remain hidden in the scrotum until they are about 7 weeks old. As the dog matures, the testicles become more visible, allowing you to better estimate its age.
Taking your puppy to the veterinarian: If you're unable to determine your puppy's age based on its teeth or growth stages, a vet can help. The veterinarian will assess the dog's size and breed, examine its teeth, and provide you with an accurate age estimate. When you first bring your puppy home, it's also a good idea to take it to the vet for a health check-up. During the initial visit, the vet can estimate the dog's age as well.
