Dog In The UK Gives Birth To A Giant Litter Of 21 Puppies Setting Possible World Record

Ms Hine, from the Isle of Man, had been told that her Great Dane and American bulldog cross Mary Jane (MJ) would give birth to between six to eight puppies, although a scan close to the due date warned the actual total would be much higher.

The final number was a staggering 21 and could have set a new 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 MJ’s litter were all natural, prompting owner Joanne to believe that her pooch could have achieved a new world record.

MJ only has nine nipples so the pups need to be aided with bottle feeding, a demanding task for all involved as it’s an every two hour requirement.

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

The remaining 14 pups have been named after chocolate bars according to their personalities.

MJ will now be neutered – under concerns that a second litter can be bigger than the first.