'Mom did a fantastic job': Ontario Rottweiler gives birth to 15 puppies
An Ontario Rottweiler recently gave birth to more than a dozen puppies and her owner believes the size of the litter may be an unofficial Canadian record.
Bradford, Ont. resident Laurie Smith said her dog, Lucy, went into labour at 4 a.m. on Dec. 22 and produced a litter of 15 by 9:30 a.m.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“Mom did a fantastic job,” Smith said in an email to CTV News Toronto.
Her first litter, Lucy’s puppies were delivered naturally, though two were stillborn and one died in the first 24 hours, Smith explained.
“The 12 remaining are doing well and mom seems to be doing well, also,” Smith said.
Of those that survived, nine of the puppies are boys and three are girls.
The large litter certainly came as a surprise to Smith and her husband, whose Rottweiler, Zidan, is the father of the pups.
“We did not have an ultrasound done so we were unsure of how many to expect, although we were told by our vet two to eight would be appropriate for her first litter,” she said.
A Bradford, Ont. woman says her Rottweiler, Lucy, birthed 15 puppies earlier this week which may be an unofficial Canadian record. (Supplied)
Moreover, Smith thinks the size of the litter may be an unofficial Canadian record.
In July, an Abbotsford, B.C. resident said she believed her Boxer’s litter of 14 set a new a record.
“I believe [this litter] beats the Canadian record by one,” Smith said proudly.
The Guinness World Record for the largest dog litter is held by a mastiff in the United Kingdom that gave birth to 24 puppies in 2004.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.
Toronto's police chief clarifies initial statement on Umar Zameer acquittal, says he 'accepts' jury's finding
Toronto's Chief of Police has clarified a statement that he'd hoped for "a different outcome" made just after Umar's Zameer acquittal, telling reporters Tuesday he supports and accepts the jury's finding in the five-week trial.