Limerick dog gives birth to 16 puppies in ‘record for Ireland’

A Limerick family had planned a trip to vets to have their dogs cut up, but then Covid-19 happened. They now have 15 bundles of joy in their hands!

The Killing family of Crecora, Co Limerick were surprised when Archie, an Irish setter / English springer spaniel, and Bella, a labrador / border collie produced a baby of 16 puppies.

While a baby dog ​​has sadly died, the incredible birth equates to the second highest number of puppies in a single birth, and is believed to be the largest in Ireland.

Bella, 15 months old, gave birth to the cubs at the Crecora family home.

But Mary Killing, a mom of five, says if it weren’t for the Covid-19 lockdown, the family would never have welcomed these jolly creatures.

“The castration appointment was canceled during the confinement because it was not considered urgent,” he explained.

“We tried to keep Bella and Archie apart: we tried diapers, Vick’s Vaporub and separated them for a couple of days. However, it was not “.

The incredible delivery began on Saturday July 25 with 10 puppies leaving at midnight and six more the next morning. There were eight girls and eight boys in all.

“I was in absolute shock. The vet had told us that she was going to have eight to ten puppies. So being 15 was terrific. I think it’s a record, “he added.

Mary explained how she was relaxing at home when the first of the extraordinary litter arrived.

“It was a shock to the system. Bella was panting heavily on my couch. I’m in the middle of a Game of Thrones rerun with my feet up, and then a puppy was handed to me on my lap. You can imagine! So we lead her down the stairs. We put a big duvet cover on it, “he added.

“We had to get a suitcase the next morning to put them in and count them as they squirmed all over the place. It was just terrific. We were amazed. They are all of different colors, and some have the Zorro mark on their head, others have it on their chest ”.

It was ideal for Mary, who works in the office of the President of the University of Limerick. Due to Covid-19, she has been able to work from home, while at the same time taking care of the new dogs.

“It’s been tough, it’s been tough work. I’ve been turning them on their nipples because obviously she’s not 15. So I was on my knees. It coincided with my 10 days of annual UL vacation, which was great,” she added.

The family has decided that they will only keep one member of the litter, the first-born Walter, named by 11-year-old Isaac in honor of Where’s Wally because he kept hiding!

The rest of the litter, all incredibly born without the supervision of a vet, will go to family and friends, including one to his oldest son Josh, 24, who lives with his partner Maria Healy in the city.
Dougal the puppy will join Ted the cat in their home.

Mary is not accepting a red penny for either dog, saying that all she wants in return is a guarantee that they will be loved and treated as part of the family.

The cubs will be going home forever this weekend, and Mary admits she will be “crying” when they leave.

“At one point I thought I would have 17 tracks because I love them all,” he concluded.

The 16-dog set is the largest in this country, but is below the British record.

In 2009, a litter of 18 Rottweilers gave birth in Luton, Beds, but one was stillborn and another died two days later.

In 2017, a litter of 16 arrived in Telford, Shropshire.

But these are still well below the world record for a dog.

That was established by Tia, a Neapolitan Mastiff from Cambridgeshire, who gave birth to 24 puppies in 2004.