Dog gives birth to record-breaking $30,000 puppy litter

By Isobel Williams

A mom could make more than $30,000 after her dog gave birth to a record-breaking litter of 17 Irish Doodle puppies.

Miranda, 42, says the adorable dogs just kept coming as her Irish Setter Marigold endured a 13-hour labor last month.

The puppies, who are now almost eight weeks old, are believed to be the UK’s largest ever litter of Irish Doodles, and are all very healthy.

Despite falling in love with the litter, Miranda says they will not be keeping any of the pups as their house is already busy with their own pets, including a black Labrador called Monty, and cats.

The puppies will be up for sale from Friday, February 27 for £1,300 a piece, adding up to a total of £22,100, and she says that there has already been lots of interest.

The mom-of-three, from Blean, Kent, said: “We aren’t going to keep one. We did really debate it, and I think it will be hard to see them all go but we have two dogs, cats, and other pets so I think the house is full.

“It would be lovely to hear how the puppies are doing in their new homes. There is lots that we will miss about them.

“People are travelling really far to get them. There are still a fair few who are looking for homes.”

Two-year-old Marigold was bred with a ‘stud’ miniature poodle and had become very large when pregnant- which Miranda says was the only indication that it would be a big litter.

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Labour began at around 11am on January 2 and the last puppy was finally born at midnight, to a very exhausted pet and her equally tired owner.

Miranda, who works as a mediator for special education needs families, said: “I could tell she was quite round but that is not necessarily a good guide. She was one of 12 so I thought maybe it would be 12 but I didn’t expect 17.

“I didn’t realize how much work it would be. I was with her all the way through; it was very exciting. It was a long day but it was exciting so the time passed easily.

“She has been amazing, I was so impressed with how she took to it all. She just really accepted her job. She has taken to it really naturally, considering it is her first litter. They all kind of jump on her.

“I was surprised when I rung the vet and they said that they had never seen a litter that big at all of any breed. One of my son's friends googled it and told me that it was a record.”

All of the puppies have been given names including Stormageddon and Mini Marigold, which Miranda says were mostly picked by her children.

The mum says that it has been an exhausting eight weeks caring for the puppies, but that she has loved the experience.

Miranda says that she might consider breeding Marigold again in the future, but that she will give her at least a year and a half to recover first.

She added: “It has been total chaos. It is a full-time job. It has been really full on. It has taken over. Our house is not functioning as a normal house at all. It has turned everything upside down totally.

“The kids love it. It has been really interesting for them to see, it has been a learning experience. Their friends come round a lot, so all the puppies have not been short on cuddles.

“They are all just so energetic and small. Even the runt is still doing really well, and he is just unfazed by his size. He is an absolute sweetie.”