Puppy Diaries: The Birth of a Greyhound Puppy
Ever wondered how a racing greyhound starts its journey? In the first article of the Puppy Diaries series, we take you behind the scenes of a greyhound’s early life, starting from birth. Discover how careful preparation, expert care, and attention to detail set the foundation for a future racer. From the mother's pregnancy to the first few crucial hours of a puppy's life, this article gives you a glimpse into the early stages that shape these incredible athletes.
Puppy Diaries: The Birth of a Greyhound Puppy
Have you ever wondered how a racing greyhound starts its journey? Before they hit the track, these incredible athletes undergo months of careful breeding, nurturing, and early development. The foundation for their future success begins from the moment they are born, with dedicated care ensuring they grow into strong, healthy, and well-socialised young dogs.
Greyhounds typically start racing at around 16 months old, but before they are ready to race, they receive plenty of enrichment, care and exercise. Throughout the Puppy Diaries series, we will take you through the milestones in a greyhound puppies’ journey from birth to racing.
The Journey Begins: Pregnancy & Preparation
On average, greyhounds are pregnant for approximately 63 days. During this time, the owner carefully monitors the expectant mother. Regular parasite treatments are administered, and the mother-to-be is fed smaller consistent meals frequently throughout the day as the pregnancy progresses.
About 1-2 weeks before whelping, a whelping box or kennel is prepared for the bitch. This kennel is thoroughly disinfected and set up for the birth ensuring safety and comfort. Bedding preferences vary, but common choices include carpets, vet beds, and shredded paper. The kennel is kept warm with a heat lamp, central heating, and hot water bottles, if necessary. Some whelping kennels even have live camera feeds to closely monitor the bitch without disturbing her.
The Birth Process
Around day 63, the mum-to-be will start showing signs of labour. Her temperature will drop, and she will become agitated. Nesting behaviours, such as digging in the bedding, cleaning, and panting, are common – signalling birth is imminent.
Labour can take up to 24 hours, especially in cases of large litters. During this time, an attentive owner or carer stays with the mother to provide assistance if needed. In some cases, a caesarean section may be necessary if the birth is prolonged or if it has been a pre-planned procedure.
The Critical First Hours
The first few hours of a puppy's life are crucial. They are weighed and cared for by their human carer and mum. Some puppies may struggle to latch onto their mother, so they might require gentle assistance and guidance and may be bottle-fed with a specialised puppy formula.
The mother is also closely cared for after giving birth. She is given a light meal to boost her energy levels and allowed plenty of rest. In between caring for her new-borns, she is attended to by her human carer. The mother is often checked to ensure there are no remaining puppies inside her. She is also cleaned and given any necessary antibiotics to prevent infection. Her bedding is changed regularly to ensure a clean and hygienic environment for the litter and herself.
What’s Next?
In the next instalment of The Puppy Diaries, we will explore the puppies' development from new-born to three months. This is where the real fun and chaos begins! Stay tuned as we follow their growth, socialisation, and early training experiences.
