A German Shepherd has set a new record for a 60-year-old Guide Dogs UK breeding programme after delivering 16 puppies.
The puppies were born at the organisation’s National Centre near the town of Leamington Spa in Warwickshire eight weeks ago.
The puppies’ parents are Unity, a three-year-old mum German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever dad Trigger.
The little ones have been named Konrad, Hugo, Clayton, Nash, Derek, Joel, Pax, Ranger, Denver, Evans, Ellie, Silvie, Mabel, Twiggy, Betty and Daisy.
The charitable organisation Guide Dogs Midlands and East shared images of the adorable pups on social media on 12th January with the message: “Record litter: Unity, a three-year-old German Shepherd, has birthed 16 puppies, setting a record for our 60-year-old breeding programme!
Pictures of the puppies at one day old, with mum Unity, in November 2021 at Guide Dogs UK. (@GuideDogsUK/Newsflash) Pictures of the puppies at one day old, with mum Unity, in November 2021 at Guide Dogs UK. (@GuideDogsUK/Newsflash)
“The puppies, now eight weeks old, were sired by Trigger, a six-year-old Golden Retriever.
“All puppies in our breeding programme come to our National Centre near Leamington Spa for health checks, before being individually placed with volunteer Puppy Raisers around the UK.”
Guide Dogs UK shared a video of the cute pups on 13th January accompanied with the message: “16 puppies incoming! Meet Konrad, Hugo, Clayton, Nash, Derek, Joel, Pax, Ranger, Denver, Evans, Ellie, Silvie, Mabel, Twiggy, Betty and Daisy.
“That’s right, 16 little life-changers!”
The footage shows a Guide Dogs National Centre staff member carrying one of the fluffy puppies before placing it on the floor with its siblings.
A three-year-old German Shepherd in the care of Guide Dogs has birthed 16 puppies, setting a new record for the charity’s 60-year-old breeding programme in November 2021 at Guide Dogs UK (@GuideDogsUK/Newsflash) A three-year-old German Shepherd in the care of Guide Dogs has birthed 16 puppies, setting a new record for the charity’s 60-year-old breeding programme in November 2021 at Guide Dogs UK.(@GuideDogsUK/Newsflash) A three-year-old German Shepherd in the care of Guide Dogs has birthed 16 puppies, setting a new record for the charity’s 60-year-old breeding programme in November 2021 at Guide Dogs UK.(@GuideDogsUK/Newsflash) A three-year-old German Shepherd in the care of Guide Dogs has birthed 16 puppies, setting a new record for the charity’s 60-year-old breeding programme in November 2021 at Guide Dogs UK.(@GuideDogsUK/Newsflash)
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: James King, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.