Dog gives birth to Britain's largest-ever litter of Rottweilers with 18 puppies



When four-year-old Rottweiler Terrie went into labour, her owner already knew it was going to be a long night.



But when the six-stone dog started to give birth she didn't stop until she had produced 18 mewling, squealing Rottweiler pups - the biggest ever litter in Britain.



The incredible feat smashed the previous record of 13 and doubled the traditional litter size of eight or nine dogs.



Sadly, one was stillborn and another died two days after the birth, but the remaining 16 have already doubled in size and now weigh between 1 and 1.5lb.

Proud mother Terrie rests after she gave birth to the UK's largest litter of rottweilers

At nine days old, they have yet to open their eyes but each is already gulping down 1.5 ozs of puppy milk every four hours.



The 10 female and six male pups are now snuggled up with their exhausted mum in owner Nicolette Morris' lounge.



Livery yard manager Nicolette, 34, acted as an emergency midwife when Terrie went into labour at 12.50pm on Sunday July 26.



She realised six-stone Terrie was 'huge' but could not believe what was happening when Terrie gave birth to pup after pup.



One member of the record-breaking litter keeps his distance while the rest play rough-and-tumble with their new siblings

Nicolette, of Luton, Beds., said: 'Terrie was absolutely huge before she gave birth but I never dreamt she would have so many.



'It was staggering. They just kept on coming. I began to wonder if she'd ever stop.



Nicolette Morris has been forced to help Terrie out with feeding duties

'No-one has heard to a Rottweiler having more pups. It's certainly a British record.



'Thankfully I've foaled horses before so when one got stuck I knew how to manoeuvre it to get it out.



'Now Terrie needs help with the feeding which is brilliant but completing exhausting.



'I know Rottweilers have got a bad name but I love the breed. They've got such fantastic temperaments, I'd recommend them to anyone.'

Nicolette, who lives with her nursery nurse partner Lisa Johnson, 27, is planning to sell the pedigree puppies for about £500 each.



A litter of 13 baby Rottweilers were born at the SSPCA centre in Cardonald, Glasgow, after their mother Tara rejected them in February this year.

