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Puppies are blind and deaf when they are born (whelped). They also cannot move around very well and cannot retain body heat well. Puppies are usually whelped 62 to 64 days after breeding.
Voice
Puppies are able to cry so that their mothers can hear them when they are in distress, but they are not thought to be able to hear their litter mates' cries.
Time Frame
According to Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook by Debra M. Eldredge, puppies are about 2 weeks old before they begin to hear and see.
Considerations
According to Texas A&M University, some dog breeds are prone to deafness, including Dalmatians and English setters.
Significance
According to Deaf Dog Education Action Fund, puppies that are deaf by 6 weeks old are irreversibly deaf. Purebred puppies need to be tested for deafness by the breeder before selling.
Speculation
According to Stanley Coren, PhD., puppies are born deaf and blind because they have not developed in the womb long enough. But being born early frees the mother dog to hunt for and protect the helpless puppies.
Source:
Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, et al; 2007)
Can You Hear Me Now? Some Dog Breeds Prone to Deafness
Psychology Today: Why Are Puppies Born With Their Eyes and Ears Closed? By Stanley Coren, PhD
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