The birth of 18 puppies by a Dalmatian mother has stunned the world. Nellie, a three-year-old pup, gave birth to an extraordinary number of puppies, double the typical litter size for a first-time mother dog. Louise Clement, a devoted breeder, was present during the 14-hour delivery and was left amazed when Nellie brought 10 male and eight female puppies into the world. Clement stated that Nellie experienced a successful natural childbirth, but the puppies continued to arrive. As a former nurse, Clement tirelessly weighed and labeled each puppy with a colored collar. She expressed immense pride in Nellie and described her as “lovely”. Clement, a 46-year-old breeder with over three decades of experience, shares her home with 27 dogs and plans to keep one of Nellie’s new puppies while finding loving homes for the rest. Dalmatians are recognized for their distinctive coat and described as affectionate, protective, and were initially bred to accompany noblemen, travelers, and firefighters.
According to Metro, Nellie’s 18 adorable puppies are undoubtedly a sight to behold. However, it’s worth noting that a Dalmatian named Melody from Albury, Australia, set the world record for the breed in 2019 when she gave birth to 19 puppies in one litter. Melody’s breeder, Melissa O’Brien, told The Canberra Times that the mother gained about 33 pounds during her pregnancy and required a cesarean section with the help of eight medical professionals.
According to O’Brien, it’s not unusual to have quite a few puppies in her line of work, but Melody’s litter of 19 was a record for her. To keep track of them, O’Brien and her family chose cute Disney names for all the puppies and were impressed by their calm and adaptable personalities. Like Clement, O’Brien kept one puppy as her own while finding loving homes for the others. However, despite their impressive size, some of the puppies required extra attention and nourishment to help their mother care for them.
