When it comes to pure cuteness, golden retriever pups are very hard to beat. The little guys in this truly wholesome YouTube clip are utterly adorable. Most of them are spending a lot of time sleeping, but the older ones have started to get up to some mischief. Take a look for yourself and then read on to discover what golden retriever breeding is really like.
Golden Retriever Litters
Golden retrievers have 4-12 pups in a litter.
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A golden retriever Mom can have between four and 12 puppies in a litter. The average, however, is around eight. The exact number of pups in a litter is dictated by genetics, parental age, and how many litters the Mom has had. In general, first-time mothers have smaller litters. Usually, a golden’s first litter will be around eight pups. Having just one pup is highly unusual. A very large litter is a problem for the mother, who is likely to get fatigued. This is when the breeder and a vet may have to get involved, and a cesarean birth may be needed. Obese dogs tend to have smaller litters, as do excessively inbred dogs.
Puppy Sleep Patterns
At birth, most golden pups weigh between 0.5 and 1 pound. The newborn pups in this clip will need to sleep most of the time. When they are not sleeping, they are feeding on the mother’s milk. However, they grow rapidly and by the time they are three months old, they weigh between 20 and 30 pounds. Eight-week-old pups can still sleep for up to 20 hours a day. Sleep is very important for their physical and cognitive development. You can help them by establishing consistent sleep routines. Set regular bedtime and wake-up routines. Also, provide them with a cozy and quiet place to rest away from disturbances. Crates in a quiet part of the house are ideal. Nighttime disturbances are not uncommon in young pups, and calming music or white noise can help with this.
