A golden retriever from the East Flemish municipality of Herzele has surprised her owners and her vet by giving birth to a litter of new fewer than 14 pups. This is almost twice the average of 8 pups per litter for this breed of dog. The dog that is called Sheila’s owner Anita saw her pet anxiously looking for her basket. Anita followed Sheila and watch the pups being born. All 14 of them are in good health.
Sunday was an exciting day for Anita Van Eerenbruch from Herzele (East Flanders). Her beloved dog Sheila was due to give birth and she was looking forward to the arrival of the pups.
"It all went quite well. Our dog took her time to get ready and then everything went quickly”, Anita told VRT news.
All-in good health
Golden retrievers normally have litters averaging 8 pups. The size of litters of golden retriever pups varies between 4 and 12. This means that Sheila’s litter of 14 pups is quite exceptional.
"There are 3 that are small that we need to feed with powdered milk. This was advised by the vet”.
It will be a while before the puppies are up on their feet which means extra work for their owners. ‘It will be another 14 days before the puppies need less help and during that time, we will of course lend a hand. I also get up twice during the night to feed them. And in the evening, around 6 pm, I give the puppies some more powdered milk”, Anita told VRT News.