rhizoverbBeta
DictionarywhelpAnimal offspring
noun / verb

whelp

WELP/welp/

A young dog or similar mammal.

The tiny whelp curls up beside its mother and sleeps.

A very young domestic puppy beside its resting mother, with its small size, rounded muzzle, floppy ears and oversized paws making its youth immediately clear.
Etymology
whelpOld Englishyoung dog

Old English hwelp meant “young dog.” The name also came to cover the young of other animals, including lions and seals, while remaining especially associated with dogs.

In context

Libranima200:04
I am a lioness, I want my whelp. Oh! I will writhe on the earth
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame - Hugo (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 2 of 2

More examples

  • A wolf carries a whelp back to the den.
  • Our dog whelped five healthy puppies last night.
  • The veterinarian stays nearby while the dog is whelping.

Forms

whelp · whelps · whelped · whelping

Similar words

puppy
Specifically a young dog; more common in everyday speech.
cub
A young bear, lion, or similar animal, not usually a dog.