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14 pups
Posted On: 25/07/2008 11:35:38
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10:30 - 24 July 2008 Now that is what you call a proud mum!
Patch, a Staffordshire bull terrier, has given birth to 14 puppies - one of the largest litters breed experts have seen.
Owners Chris Rogers, 26, and Lisa George, 38, of South Wigston, are helping out the tired mum while they search for good homes for the seven males and seven females.
Patch belongs to Chris and the father, a Staffordshire bull terrier called Brian, belongs to Lisa.
The pups have taken over parts of the kitchen and space under the stairs, following their birth on Monday night.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Patch is doing sterling work in looking after her babies, even if she does need a little help from Lisa and Chris from time to time.
Lisa said: "They are all live and kicking at the moment.
"We are thinking of keeping one, and five are already reserved for friends and family.
"We just want the rest to go to good homes.
"It was just such a shock to see so many. We expected between four and seven, not double that number.
"Patch is an absolutely brilliant mum. She has put up with a lot because lots of people have been coming round to see the puppies."
Patch is being treated to regular doses of fresh mince and eggs while feeding the pups.
As she has only nine nipples, the pups have to be rotated in order to drink their mother's milk.
Some are still a little weak and Lisa and Chris are having to bottle feed them.
Patrick McGlynn, chairman of the Staffordshire bull terrier breed council, said: "A litter that big is very unusual. It's certainly one of the largest I've known about.
"It will be very difficult for the bitch to deal with all of those pups. When Staff bitches are pregnant, they need to be fed about four times a day. With a litter this big, she is going to need plenty of food now, too."
Louise Ritchie, of Eyres Monsell, Leicester, has owned Staffordshire bull terriers for seven years.
She said: "My first bitch had 11 pups and everybody thought it was a really big litter.
"This is certainly one of the biggest I've heard about.
"The reason I got a Staff in the first place was their reputation for being good with children.
"They are loyal and still have the fun factor."
Although the dogs have a good reputation, because they are sometimes wrongly confused with pit bull terriers - some types of which are banned in the UK - they are difficult to re-home.
The couple are keen for the puppies to go to good homes and anyone interested in owning one should call Lisa on 07779 296308.
this was in the local paper last night,
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