Posted on 01/21/2005 6:26:56 AM PST by Rodney King
A Neapolitan mastiff in Manea, United Kingdom, has broken a world record by giving birth to a litter of 24 mastiff puppies, according to a report.
Breeders Damian Ward and his girlfriend, Anne Kellegher, had only been expecting their two-year-old mastiff, Tia, to give birth to a maximum of 10 puppies after a scan from a local veterinarian.
When Tia grew so large she could barely move, the couple took the dog to the vets, who decided that an immediate caesarean was vital. Two hours later, Tia had given birth to the record 24 puppies.
Four of the puppies were too weak and died but the remaining 20 are thriving.
All but three of the pups are up for sale. They are worth more than $1,800 each.
Tia's achievement is now likely to set two records in the Guinness World Records -- the biggest litter and that of the most surviving puppies.
A Guinness World Records spokesman said the current record stands at 23.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Whoa, friends! I'm involved in breed rescue and other canine interest efforts and I think some of these comments are a bit over the top.
Dog adoption/purchase isn't a zero-sum game. Some people always adopt, some always buy and most do both at various times in their lives. If someone wants a mastiff, they aren't going to adopt a lab mix instead.
I'm all for adoption but adoption is not the best option for everyone. A lot of shelter dogs have severe behavior problems that take a time and skill to fix. Most of them are medium to large dogs which make them unsuitable for many frail elderly or disabled people. Good breeders, including some of the much maligned "backyard" variety, serve a purpose.
Puppy mills are bad as are irresponsible breeders whether they are backyard or professional but we have no reason to believe this dog in that type of situation.
To the breeders, they are not puppies - They are nothing but cash.
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Depends on the breeder. To the puppy millers that's true.
To many of us, they are children to be loved and they tear the heart out when they leave to go to good loving homes.
Don't generalize this issue.
Then let me tell you about the four months I dated a boxer.
>>I'm all for adoption but adoption is not the best option for everyone. A lot of shelter dogs have severe behavior problems that take a time and skill to fix.<<<
The SPCA and most other shelters put dogs to sleep with behavior problems.
So.....
The puppies look like they are about 8 weeks old, more or less. Cute, very cute.
>>>To the breeders, they are not puppies - They are nothing but cash. With millions of homeless dogs and cats, breeders are putting one of them to death for every cash bag(puppies to the rest of us) they sell.<<<
I agree.
It is my understanding that good animal shelters try to not adopt out dogs with health and temperament problems.
As for a source of pets, I wouldn't go anywhere else. My two dogs both came from animal shelters and I couldn't be happier with them.
I adopted a female Boxer from Boxer Rescue. This dog has behavioral problems. There is no violence or aggressivness in the dog. None. The most lovable and kind hearted dog around.
But she is unable to learn a single damn thing. The dog is not trainable. Period. I think she has brain damage from when she got hit by a car prior to my getting her.
>>>There are no homeless mastiff puppies<<<
Puppies are easy to find homes for. I think we are saying that eventually a lot these DOGS wind up mistreated or homeless regardless of their breed or cost.
That is why organizations like the one listed below exist!
http://www.conceptsdesign.com/mastiff/
Make that "severe" health and behavioral problems. Some do have problems but none that the shelters doesn't believe cannot be handled. And they always tell the adopter what they are.
We have rescued 3 Great Danes. It is a risky thing to do, because you can't be sure of the temperament of any rescue dog, nor know what health problems are lurking. It took us two years and a great deal of training before our sons could come in the house without being threatened by our last rescue.
Although he is now a sweet dog, I have resolved that our next Dane will be raised by me and come with health guarantees.
She sounds sweet.
I am glad you chose to adopt her.
Maybe she came from a breeder who sold her to someone who did not care enough for her to keep her safe.
I agree with you.
She came from a top notch breeder, has her papers, and is a beautiful specimen of her breed.
But she was neglected in many ways, and was badly hurt when hit by a car. Lack of nutrition and getting hit by a car really messed her up.
Oh, and her nickname among family and friends is "Devil Dog", though her real name is Maggie.
You and others are proving my point.
There would be no need for all these dogs to be rescued and placed into other homes if breeders were not so greedy.
They bring many animals into this world and sell them to ANYONE with cash.
That poor mamma dog, though.
Good point. I've seen people who grab animals for free or buy them cheap at a pound and the next month will get rid of it, and have a different pet.
I think that lots of people know that "the pound" is an option, but that there's something of a stigma attached and it's not thought of as the best route to go. I really should not have gotten involved in a discussion about dogs, because I know little about them (we had a mutt when I was a kid that was terrier/poodle mix, really a hound from hell) and am not qualified to say anything about the importance of breeding. The pug was a bad choice for an example. They are very trendy in the Boston area, but I'm told it's because they make for good city dogs and have good personalities.
I do feel more strongly about this when it comes to cats. I think that getting a pedigreed cat when you don't intend to compete in shows is mixed up with misconceptions and fads and the search for the fluffiest, most doll-like cat you can get. Personality-wise, you're often worse off with a Siamese then you are with a domestic shorthair from the shelter. I have shelter cats that I got as kittens (an indulgence in itself). They both have soft, silky coats, one thicker than the other, and they have great personalities. Very affectionate.
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