German shepherd gives birth to 16 puppies and it’s the largest litter in Guide Dog UK history
A guide dog organization has a good problem on its hands.
We hope they’ve got enough hands to juggle – because after one of their dogs gave birth, they found themselves looking the biggest litter they’ve seen in their 60-year breeding history.
The organization welcomed sixteen new puppies – and all of them came from one mom. We just hope that they can handle this overdose of cuteness but we’re pretty sure these good folks don’t mind at all.
Guide Dogs welcomed this giant litter.
The non-profit organization from the U.K. breeds, raises, and trains these dogs. These dogs, in turn, find a home with visually impaired people who they can support and assist.
Just recently, they added sixteen dogs to their roster after their three-year-old German shepherd gave birth.
She’s a first-time mother but her litter is three times larger than the average for her breed. At first, they thought that she was going to give birth to a smaller litter since her scan showed only nine puppies.
This is the largest litter in the organization’s 60-year history.
“A litter of sixteen is incredibly unusual, but such a gift. The pandemic has had a detrimental impact on our charity’s breeding program and how many litters we can have, so these puppies are even more treasured,” Matthew Bottomley, Guide Dogs’ head of breeding operations, was quoted by People.
The puppies are not pure-bred German shepherd dogs like their mom, however. Their father is a Golden Retriever named Trigger. This is Trigger’s 28th litter.
They hope the puppies get the best of both worlds.
While the puppies came from both fairly large breeds, the organization hopes that the puppies inherit the loyalty of a German shepherd and the innate friendliness of a Golden retriever. These characteristics can help them become good guide dogs.
The puppies will be spending some time at the Guide Dogs National Center. Then, they will be sent to different volunteer puppy raisers where they will be looked after.
It is only the start of their wonderful journey.
“Our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to ensure all the puppies have thrived, and they are now ready to start their journeys to becoming life-changing guide dogs for people with sight loss,” Bottomley added in his statement.
This stage can help them socialize in preparation for their guide dog duties. They will also be exposed to new environments and trained with basic commands.
Guide dogs are essential members of the community.
According to the Guide Dogs’ website, 70% of adults receive no support within the first year of their diagnosis. This lack of support can lead to poor education, unemployment, isolation, financial insecurity, and lack of access to basic needs.
Guide dogs enable visually impaired people in participating in the community leading them to live their lives to the fullest. They also empower their humans by giving them a sense of independence and responsibility, both of which are needed to thrive in life.
Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram
Watch how this organization welcomed the largest litter in its 60-year history.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Source: YouTube – Guide Dogs, BBC, People, Instagram – @guidedogsuk, Facebook – Guide Dogs UK, Facebook – Guide Dogs Midlands and East, Guide Dogs UK
