Dalmatian in Bergen gives birth to 19 puppies, ties world record

bergen - A Dalmatian in Bergen has given birth to an unexpected litter of 19 puppies, matching a world record set previously. The proud owners share their surprise and the challenges of caring for the large litter.

A Dalmatian in Bergen, Belgium surprised its owners, Mélina and Justin, by giving birth to an astonishing 19 puppies. This exceeds the average litter size for Dalmatians, which is usually around seven puppies. The couple, who named their dog Perdita after the character in '101 Dalmatians', were initially informed about the pregnancy two months ago but were unable to determine the exact number of puppies from ultrasounds. The vet estimated that Perdita was carrying more than 10 puppies.

On the day of delivery, the owners were amazed as the puppies just kept coming, eventually totaling 19. This impressive litter ties a world record, previously set by a Dalmatian in Australia. The couple now faces the challenge of feeding and caring for the puppies round the clock, with each puppy requiring care every two hours.

Mélina and Justin have assigned different collars to the puppies to tell them apart, and emphasize that both Perdita and the puppies are doing well. The devoted owners take shifts in caring for the puppies, with Justin even having to resuscitate one of the puppies during the night. Despite the challenges, the couple is dedicated to taking care of the puppies for at least two months before finding them new homes.