Pharaoh Hound — Newborn & Baby Care

The arrival of Pharaoh Hound puppies is an event that demands careful attention from the very first moments. Newborn Pharaoh Hounds are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut, relying entirely on their sense of touch and smell to locate their mother. Each puppy should be checked immediately after birth to ensure the airways are clear and that the umbilical cord has been properly severed by the dam or attended to by the breeder. Healthy puppies will begin crawling toward the mother within minutes, seeking warmth and their first meal.

The first feeding of colostrum is critical for every Pharaoh Hound puppy. Colostrum is the nutrient-rich first milk produced by the dam, and it delivers essential maternal antibodies that protect the puppies from infection during their earliest and most vulnerable days. Puppies that fail to nurse within the first few hours face significantly higher risks of illness and poor development. Breeders should observe each puppy to confirm successful latching and active suckling.

Weighing each puppy at birth and recording individual weights provides an important baseline for tracking growth. Pharaoh Hound newborns typically weigh between eight and twelve ounces, though slight variation is normal within a litter. Any puppy that appears significantly smaller or weaker than its littermates should be monitored closely and may need supplemental feeding or veterinary evaluation. Keeping a simple log of weights and nursing activity during the first day helps identify potential problems early.

The whelping area should be clean, dry, and free of drafts. A dedicated whelping box with low sides allows the dam easy access while keeping the puppies safely contained. Bedding should be changed frequently to maintain hygiene, and the box should be positioned in a quiet, low-traffic area of the home to minimize stress for the mother. Avoid using loose towels or blankets that could bunch up and potentially smother a puppy.

Pharaoh Hound puppies depend entirely on their mother's milk for the first three to four weeks of life. The dam's milk provides a carefully balanced combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that supports rapid growth, along with antibodies that bolster the puppies' developing immune systems. Healthy puppies will nurse every two to three hours during the first week, gradually spacing out feedings as they grow. A well-nourished litter will appear plump, warm, and relatively quiet between feedings.

The nursing dam requires significantly increased caloric intake to sustain milk production for her litter. High-quality food formulated for lactating dogs should be provided in generous portions, and fresh water must be available at all times. Some dams may benefit from multiple smaller meals throughout the day rather than one or two large feedings. Monitoring the mother's body condition during nursing is essential, as she should not lose excessive weight while supporting her puppies.

Occasionally, a puppy may struggle to compete with stronger littermates for access to the mother. In these cases, breeders should assist by ensuring the smaller puppy has time at the most productive teats or by providing supplemental bottle feeding with a veterinary-approved milk replacer. Cow's milk and goat's milk are not suitable substitutes, as they lack the proper nutritional profile for canine neonates and can cause digestive upset.

Around three to four weeks of age, breeders can begin introducing a soft gruel made by mixing high-quality puppy food with warm water or milk replacer. This early weaning food should be offered in a shallow dish and presented to the puppies several times a day. Most Pharaoh Hound puppies will initially walk through and play in the food before learning to eat from it. The transition from nursing to solid food is gradual and typically completed by six to seven weeks of age.

Pharaoh Hound puppies progress through a series of predictable developmental stages during their first weeks. For the first ten to fourteen days, they are in the neonatal period, during which they are essentially blind and deaf. Their primary activities are nursing, sleeping, and crawling in slow circles to stay close to the warmth of their mother and littermates. Despite their limited sensory abilities, neonatal puppies can respond to touch and temperature changes.

Between ten and fourteen days of age, the puppies' eyes begin to open, though their vision remains blurry and unfocused for several more days. By the end of the second week, the ear canals also start to open, and the puppies become increasingly aware of sounds in their environment. These sensory developments mark the beginning of the transitional period, during which the puppies start to engage more actively with the world around them.

By three weeks, Pharaoh Hound puppies begin attempting to stand on wobbly legs and take their first unsteady steps. Their baby teeth start to emerge around this time as well, which is one of the signals that they are approaching readiness for soft food. Social behaviors begin to appear, including tail wagging, play-biting with littermates, and vocalizations beyond simple cries. This is the start of the socialization period, a window of development that will have lasting effects on the puppy's temperament.

Between four and six weeks, the puppies become increasingly mobile, curious, and interactive. They will explore their whelping area with growing confidence, engage in rougher play with siblings, and begin responding to human voices and handling. Pharaoh Hounds are a naturally inquisitive breed, and even at this young age, their alert and attentive nature begins to show. Providing a variety of safe textures, gentle sounds, and brief handling sessions during this period helps build a foundation for confident, well-adjusted adult dogs.

Newborn Pharaoh Hounds cannot regulate their own body temperature for the first several weeks of life, making environmental control one of the most important responsibilities for the breeder. During the first week, the ambient temperature in the whelping area should be maintained between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be achieved through the use of heat lamps positioned safely above the box or heating pads placed beneath the bedding. Direct contact between a heating element and the puppies must be avoided to prevent burns.

As the puppies grow and their ability to thermoregulate improves, the temperature can be gradually reduced. By the second week, the whelping area can be lowered to around 80 degrees, and by the fourth week, a range of 72 to 75 degrees is generally comfortable. Observing the puppies provides the best guide to whether the temperature is appropriate. Puppies that are too cold will huddle tightly together and cry persistently, while overheated puppies will spread apart and may pant or appear restless.

Humidity in the whelping room also deserves attention. Excessively dry air can irritate the puppies' developing respiratory systems, while overly humid conditions promote bacterial growth. A moderate humidity level of around 55 to 65 percent is ideal. A simple room humidifier or dehumidifier can help maintain this balance depending on your climate and season.

The whelping environment should remain calm, quiet, and dimly lit during the first two weeks. Pharaoh Hounds are a sensitive breed, and excessive noise or activity near the whelping box can stress both the dam and her puppies. Limit visitors during the neonatal period and introduce new people and stimuli gradually as the puppies enter the socialization window. Cleanliness remains paramount throughout, with bedding changed at least twice daily to prevent the buildup of bacteria and ammonia.

The socialization window for Pharaoh Hound puppies begins around three weeks of age and extends through approximately fourteen weeks, making the breeder's role in early socialization critically important. During the newborn period, socialization efforts are gentle and subtle, focusing on brief daily handling sessions that accustom the puppies to human touch, scent, and voice. Even before their eyes and ears open, puppies benefit from being held for a few minutes each day, turned gently in different positions, and spoken to softly.

As the puppies' senses develop and they become more aware of their surroundings, the complexity of socialization can increase. Between three and five weeks, breeders should introduce a variety of safe textures beneath the puppies' feet, such as fleece, rubber mats, and smooth tiles. Gentle exposure to common household sounds like the television, vacuum cleaner running in another room, and kitchen activity helps build resilience to noise. Each new experience should be positive and never overwhelming.

Pharaoh Hounds are known for their sensitivity and deep bond with humans, traits that are shaped significantly during these early weeks. Puppies that receive regular, positive human interaction during the neonatal and transitional periods tend to develop into more confident and trusting adults. Conversely, puppies that are isolated or handled roughly may develop fearfulness or anxiety that persists throughout their lives.

Littermate interaction is equally important during this stage. Play among siblings teaches bite inhibition, body language reading, and basic social rules that dogs carry into adulthood. Puppies that are separated too early from the litter may struggle with these social skills later. While the breeder should monitor play to ensure no puppy is being consistently bullied or excluded, normal roughhousing and vocal play are healthy and necessary parts of canine development.

A veterinary examination within the first 48 hours after birth is recommended for every Pharaoh Hound litter. The veterinarian will assess each puppy for congenital abnormalities such as cleft palate, heart murmurs, and hernias. The dam should also be examined to ensure she has recovered well from whelping and that her milk production is adequate. This initial visit establishes a medical record for each puppy and provides the breeder with professional guidance tailored to the specific litter.

Deworming typically begins at two weeks of age, as intestinal parasites can be transmitted from the dam to her puppies even before birth or through nursing. A veterinary-approved deworming protocol should be followed at regular intervals throughout the first several weeks. Parasite prevention is essential not only for the puppies' health but also for the safety of the humans handling them, as some parasites are zoonotic.

The first round of vaccinations is generally administered between six and eight weeks of age, covering core diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Pharaoh Hound puppies should not be exposed to unfamiliar dogs or public areas where unvaccinated animals may have been until their vaccination series is underway. The breeder should provide each puppy buyer with a complete vaccination and deworming record at the time of placement.

Regular weight monitoring throughout the neonatal period serves as one of the simplest and most effective health checks available. Puppies should gain weight steadily each day, roughly doubling their birth weight within the first ten days. A puppy that fails to gain weight, loses weight, or falls significantly behind its littermates should be evaluated promptly. Other warning signs include persistent crying, refusal to nurse, cold extremities, and lethargy.

Even with attentive care, newborn Pharaoh Hound puppies can develop problems that require immediate intervention. One of the most common and dangerous conditions in neonates is fading puppy syndrome, a general term for puppies that fail to thrive despite appearing healthy at birth. Symptoms include progressive weakness, inability to nurse, persistent crying, and a noticeable drop in body temperature. Fading puppy syndrome can have multiple causes, including infections, congenital defects, and inadequate maternal care, and it requires urgent veterinary attention.

Hypothermia is a leading cause of death in newborn puppies and can set in rapidly if a puppy becomes separated from the dam or if the whelping area temperature drops. A chilled puppy will feel cold to the touch, become limp, and stop nursing. Warming a hypothermic puppy must be done gradually, as rapid warming can cause dangerous shifts in circulation. Wrapping the puppy in a warm towel and holding it against your body while contacting a veterinarian is an appropriate first response.

Dehydration is another serious concern, particularly if a puppy is not nursing adequately. Signs of dehydration include dry gums, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes. In very young puppies, dehydration can progress quickly to a life-threatening state. Supplemental fluids may need to be administered by a veterinarian, and the underlying cause of poor nursing must be identified and addressed.

Breathing difficulties in newborns should never be ignored. Noisy or labored breathing, discharge from the nose, and persistent open-mouth breathing can indicate aspiration pneumonia, a condition that occurs when milk or fluids enter the lungs. This is more common in puppies that are bottle-fed improperly or in those with a cleft palate. Any respiratory distress warrants an immediate call to your veterinarian. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes for most neonatal complications.