Determining a puppy’s age is important for several reasons. Knowing a puppy’s age can help you determine things like appropriate nutrition, vaccinations, training, and socialization needs. It also helps to know an estimate of when the puppy will reach certain developmental milestones. There are several ways to tell the age of a puppy, and the most accurate method will vary depending on the puppy’s age.
For puppies under six weeks old, the best way to determine their age is by their weight and physical development. Newborn puppies weigh between 3 and 4 ounces and are unable to walk or see. By two weeks old, their weight doubles, and they begin to crawl. At three weeks, they begin to walk and their eyes start to open. By four weeks, they are able to run and play, and their teeth start to erupt. By six weeks, they are fully weaned and weigh between 10 and 12 pounds.