According to the American Kennel Club, the primary registry of dog breeds and a recognized specialist on canine health, a female dog may have 1 to 12 offspring per gestation. And based on their registry data, a dog bears an average of five to six dogs per litter regardless of type.
However, there are also outliers. There are unique cases of dogs that give birth to a more significant number of puppies. And today’s story is about a tiny dog who surprised animal rescuers by giving birth to a litter of 13!
An 18-month Bedlington Terrier mix from the United Kingdom named Elsa was heavily pregnant when RSPCA – Essex South, Southend, and District branch inspectors found her. RSPCA is an abbreviation for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an independent community-based organization promoting animal welfare. Eventually, one of the branch’s experienced fosterers took her in.
Everyone expected Elsa to give birth to 6 puppies, at most. This was, after all, the average number. But when the big day came, Elsa bore a total of 13 puppies, which is more than twice the average litter size!
Despite their size, all puppies were healthy and thriving. Elsa also did an excellent job as their mother, according to the staff. However, the team supported Elsa by taking turns in feeding the puppies. They anticipated that 13 feeding on Elsa simultaneously can be overwhelming.
As an independent, nonprofit charity, RSPCA seeks people who can foster Elsa’s puppies. One advantage of being a sponsor is that they have the liberty to pick a Disney name for their chosen puppy, as Elsa’s name is also from a Disney character.
RSPCA also gladly accepts donations, as these will support their advocacy to rescue and rehabilitate other dogs like Elsa and other shelter dogs waiting for their adoptive families.
While Elsa’s story may be fantastic news to many, giving birth at a young age with a large litter is not always ideal, given the growing population of stray dogs. But animal welfare organizations like the RSPCA make the most of the situation by ensuring the health and safety of Elsa and the puppies. Hopefully, all of them will find their forever homes someday.
If you think Elsa’s story is impressive, check out this shelter dog who gave birth to 20 puppies! Watch the fantastic video below:
Source: KETK NBC via YouTube
