They're waiting to get the city into a snarl, and then rob the houses-pack of dirty, worthless whelps.
"A Hazard of New Fortunes, Part Fifth"
William Dean Howells
They were young, and required care just like her own dear little whelps; so, seizing them, she carried them off one by one to her kennel, and would allow no one to take them away.
"Stories of Animal Sagacity"
W.H.G. Kingston
Especially when the mother beast was killed, the boys were always told to care for the cubs, whelps and kittens.
"Dutch Fairy Tales for Young Folks"
William Elliot Griffis