B.C. dog gives birth to 14 puppies in possible Canadian record
Athena's owners knew their dog was going to have a lot puppies, but they weren't expecting a potentially record-setting litter.
Abbotsford, B.C., resident Victoria Jacobse told CTV News she was expecting "seven or eight, maybe 10" puppies from the three-year-old purebred boxer.
Instead, in late May, Athena ended up giving birth to 14.
“I was at a friend’s house when my mom called me at 3 a.m. to tell me,” said Jacobse.
“I woke my friend up to tell them, we had 14 puppies – 14! That’s unheard of!”
The Jacobse family is aware of a boxer in Texas that gave birth to 15 puppies several years ago, and another litter of 14 boxer puppies in Florida, but they believe Athena now holds the unofficial Canadian record for the largest litter of boxer puppies.
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.
Athena’s first two puppies were born naturally, with the following dozen being delivered via c-section. All of the newborns were in great health, and Athena has done her best to keep them that way.
“When she started producing milk and getting the motherly instinct, she was doing well but was really over it, (almost saying) there’s 14 of these guys and I’m really outnumbered. But she’s done well for her first litter,” said Jacobse.
The nine male and five female puppies are up for sale. Two of the potentially record-setting dogs have already gone to new homes, much to the relief of Jacobse, who likens caring for the large litter to a full-time job.
“It’s really nice to see them go to their new homes. Although it’s very difficult to keep up with them and they’re a lot of work, in the end, it’s worth it,” said Jacobse.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.