learn about the dog

Dogs have live births, usually in litters of around six puppies.  They are mammals, so in addition to giving live birth, they have fur and produce milk for the babies.  How long a dog lives varies by breed, but most dogs live 12 to 14 years.  A puppy is considered an adult dog at the age of about one year.

For some math fun:  Some people say that one human year is equal to 7 dog years. They say this because dogs become adults when they are between one and two years old.

If you are eight years old, how old is that in dog years?  Find out what your age equals in dog years!Butterflies are also insects, and hatch from eggs into larvae.  The larvae, also known as caterpillars, eat leaves while they grow.  After several days they make a cocoon and go through a pupal stage to become a butterfly.  The lifespan of a butterfly is 20-40 days.

For some craft fun:  Make your own butterfly life cycle. Draw, color and cut out a picture of each part of the butterfly life cycle. Punch a hole in the top of each picture. Thread yarn or string through the hole and tie the other end to a coat hanger. You have a mobile!

Life Cycle

• The typical female dog becomes sexually mature by the age of one. Some females mature by 6 months, others by the age of 18 months. The typical male dog becomes sexually mature by the age of one. An adult female dog is called a bitch; an adult male dog, a dog, or, if used for breeding, a stud.
• A sexually mature female dog goes into heat (enters a period of sexual receptivity) twice a year for a period of about 10 days. During this time, the female emits an odor that attracts males.
• After a gestation period of 63 days, the female whelps (gives birth to a litter of puppies). A litter may consist of up to 15 puppies, depending on the breed. Some breeds, such as the Pomeranian and Chihuahua, typically give birth to small litters, generally no more than three puppies; other breeds, such as the Airedale terrier and Great Dane, generally give birth to litters of 5 to 12 puppies.
• Puppies are born with their eyes closed and do not open them until they are about 10 to 14 days old. Puppies grow rapidly and are ready to be weaned about six weeks after birth. At this time, they have all their milk teeth. The full set of 42 permanent teeth (22 in the lower jaw and 20 in the upper jaw) begins to erupt when a puppy is about five months old. Dogs usually reach full growth and maturity by the age of two.
• The average life span of a dog is 12 years, although some dogs live 20 years or more. As a dog ages, the hairs around its muzzle and face become white or gray. Many old dogs suffer from arthritis, cataracts, hearing loss, and kidney disorders.