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WORDS BYLINE: Gerry Warren
A mum was left stunned as her dog gave birth to a record-breaking 17 puppies.
Miranda Pellecchia, from Blean, near Canterbury, Kent, has told how the adorable Irish Doodles “just kept coming” after her Irish Setter went into a 13-hour labour.
The pups are now almost eight weeks old and have been nursed through their vulnerable early days by their weary mother, two-year-old Marigold, and her equally exhausted owner.
They are believed to be the UK’s largest ever litter of Irish Doodles - a cross between an Irish Setter and a poodle.
Miranda, 42, said: “We knew she was going to have a big litter, but we were amazed when they just kept coming.”
Marigold, an Irish Setter, was mated with a miniature black poodle and produced her first puppy at 11am on January 2. The 17th and final arrival did not appear until midnight.
“Just when we thought it was all over, out would pop another one,” said mum-of-three Miranda.
“Marigold was very good, considering it was her first litter and she was happy for us to be with her through it all.
“But it’s been exhausting for her and she’s been having 12 tins of dog food a day to keep up her energy and supply the milk needed.”
Unsurprisingly, life at the family home has been frantic ever since.
“What with the feeding, because they needed extra formula milk, weighing and general care and attention, I’ve not been getting much sleep,” said Miranda, who works as a mediator in special educational needs.
“We’ve also been getting advice from the vet and, thankfully, they are all thriving.”
Miranda’s children have all been excited by the cute additions to the family, as have their friends, who have been extra keen to visit.
The family’s other dog, a black lab called Monty, has been remarkably unfazed by all the new drama, says Miranda.
“I think he thinks he’s the dad and it’s been quite funny to watch his behaviour,” she said.
The pups - who have all been named by the family - will be eight weeks old on Friday when Miranda plans to take them to the Barton Veterinary Surgery in Canterbury for their vaccinations, micro-chipping and general health check.
“The vets were amazed when I rang them up after they were born for some advice,” she said. “They said they never heard of a litter so big - so they are excited about seeing them.”
Prior to Marigold’s remarkable brood, the largest documented Irish Doodle litter, involving an Irish Setter mum in the UK, was 16, born to a dog named Amelia in Hampshire in 2019.
From Friday, Miranda will be offering them for sale for £1,300 each, and she says there has already been keen interest.
Anyone interested can email her at Mizza111@yahoo.com.
“Obviously, we’re going to miss them because they’re adorable, but I’m also looking forward to getting my life back because it’s been enormously demanding,” she said.
The Irish Doodle is a relatively modern crossbreed, believed to have emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, following the popularity of designer dogs such as the Labradoodle.
Bred to combine the Irish Setter’s athleticism with the poodle’s intelligence and lower-shedding coat, they are prized for their friendly, energetic, and affectionate temperament, making them ideal family companions.