Current Events > Dog sets natural birth record by having 21 babies

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A dog could have set a new world record after giving birth naturally to a staggering litter of 21 puppies. Great Dane and American bulldog cross Mary Jane (MJ) did her owner Joanne Hine proud as she popped out the enormous brood.

Joanne, whos from the Isle of Man, had been told her beloved pet would give birth to six-eight puppies, but as the due date crept closer a fresh examination revealed that the number was going to be much higher. Joanne Hines with some of her puppies and their mother Mary Jane.

A British dog has given birth naturally to a staggering litter of 21 puppies - which its owner thinks could be a world record. Joanne Hine watched in amazement as her Great Dane and American bulldog cross Mary Jane (MJ) popped out the astonishing number last month. She had initially been told the pet would give birth to between six and eight little canines. But an examination closer to MJ's due date showed the actual total was going to be much higher - potentially becoming record-breaking. The puppies were born naturally which might make the birth a world record

The Guinness World Record for the largest litter currently stands at 24, born to a Neapolitan mastiff called Tia in Cambridgeshire in 2004. But those puppies were born via caesarian section while MJs litter were all natural

When the vets told me it would probably be more after theyd said she would have just six to eight I said; no way! Joanne recalls. Im so proud of her. MJ did it all on her own with Annie and Ruth of Jane Callow Veterinary Practice by her side the whole time. MJ only has nine nipples so bottle feeding them every two hours is a team effort from us all.

Sadly, six of Joannes puppies were stillborn and one died soon after the birth on November 20. So the new mum has 14 little ones to care for. Some of Joanne Hines's dog's puppies.

The remaining 14 pups have been named after chocolate bars that Joanne says suit their personalities. Joanne loves these little dogs so much, she even sleeps in the kitchen next to a homemade crib, which is big enough for all 14 and their mother. The majority of the dogs are yet to be re-homed, although two are soon being taken to a new family in Rotherham. More: Lifestyle zone post image for post 11274820 How I Save: The 30-year-old charity worker who spends 140 on therapy each month zone post image for post 11274996 Christmas party dresses under 30 zone post image for post 11275272 15 Christmas presents perfect for every kind of dad

All the pups seem to have inherited their mothers black and white colouring and the face of their father a bull mastiff crossed with a rottweiler. Which is an unbelievably adorable combination. The animals need to be fed every two hours, so Joanne is being supported by her dad Steve, brother Matt and friend Liam who will soon all become dads to the puppies. She added that MJ will now be neutered as shes read that a second litter can be even bigger than the first.

Full Article: https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/dog-may-set-new-world-record-giant-litter-21-puppies-11269165/

https://i.imgur.com/YdmT2vv.jpg

RIP those 7 who didn't make it :(
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