most pups gyp ever had

[dedeaux26]

I have a bluetick gyp that just had 16 pups. Most pups i have ever heard a gyp having was wondering if others have had gyps that had that many pups? Thanks Randy

[Benny G]

Randy,
The most I've ever heard of was eleven, and she raised them on her own!

[pegleg]

fifteen pups but it was like a magic number there for a while every dog that had pups had fifteen. large litter size is a genetic trait most of the time so be forewarned it's likely to happen again.

[Benny G]

Pegleg, How often did the bitch raise all of them, and did they need much help?

[briarpatch]

Had a Walker bitch have 16 pups. We raised all of them, but put about 6 of them on another female to do it. I have not known of more personally, but I am pretty sure that this is not a record.

briarpatch

[pegleg]

benny I had three hounds that threw fifteen pups and a Australian kelpie I can't remember absolutely. I know the kelpie kept them but this was a climate controlled environment and I immediately started pouring the milk replacer to her and the pups as soon as they could drink on their own. I believe one hound lost two or three I'm not real sure. but I did supplement the hell out of them all. bottle feeding pups isn't real high on my list of joys and at that age I was sure if I culled a few they would be the cream of the litter. and thinking on it there was only one runt in all of them. I have since learned that this is indeed a maternal trait genetically. food availability and some other factors can have a bearing on the number. mares that throw twins are considered a detriment as foal development can be a hassle or worse. sheep are selected for a specific number of lambs. sows have been selected for a maximum output. in some species milk production/# of teats is the limiting factor. rotties routinely produce litters of twelve or more pups. oddly it's more complex in people and cattle as a female twin is not going to have twins regularly if at all but it will show in future generations.

[Benny G]

Thanks Pegleg, Just got curious. I've seen litters of 5 and 6 that were hard to get raised. Milk production, environment, and other factors came into play. I've also seen litters of 9 and 10 that the female didn't require any assistance. As far as enjoying the added work to raise the pups, you're right. Not much fun, but in my view, if the cross was worthwhile, then all the pups should be worth the effort. Thanks again. Benny

[Melanie Hampton]

My female whelped and raised 13 pups last year.. I was more stressed about it then she was..

My male is out of a litter or 14.. She raised them all... I don't know how many so originally whelped though...

[Benny G]

Melanie, Just a side note. That's quite a fireball of a pup headed your way. Looks like she's ready to hit the ground running! Benny

[Melanie Hampton]

Melanie, Just a side note. That's quite a fireball of a pup headed your way. Looks like she's ready to hit the ground running! Benny

LOL.. Great.. a fireball.. probably going to drive me insane in the kennel then..