Welcoming a litter can be overwhelming yet profoundly special for female dog owners. Few experiences in the canine world can match the warmth of a dog mom’s bond with her puppies. In March, Tanya Dubbs of Pocahontas, Virginia, was about to witness this beauty firsthand. Little did she know that her Great Dane, Namine, would soon make headlines in U.S. news!
This two-year-old canine gave birth to an astounding **21 puppies** over a grueling 27-hour labor!
One Of The Largest Litters Ever
Tanya and her family were astonished to see Namine’s litter size exceed all expectations. Being one of the tallest dog breeds globally, Tanya anticipated a litter of about 13 to 14 puppies. Even upon reaching the 16th puppy, they doubted they’d surpass 20. However, after a **long 27-hour labor**, Namine surprised everyone!
Regrettably, **two of the puppies did not survive** the first few hours, leaving Namine with 19. Most of the puppies weighed over a pound at birth, with two slightly underweight at 94 and 98 ounces. Tanya faces logistical challenges regarding feeding, ensuring all puppies receive proper nourishment, sometimes supplementing with bottle-feeding.
While this litter size is remarkable and likely ranks among the largest worldwide, **the Neapolitan Mastiff named Tia still holds the world record with 24 puppies in one litter.**
Last Year, She Survived A Life-Threatening Accident
Namine’s story is remarkable. Last year, she and her sibling Malificent ran away from home and were unfortunately hit by a truck, injuring her back and eye. Tanya shared her fears that evening, stating, “My sweet Namine and Malificent escaped this evening. Malificent came back… Namine has not. I was told that she got hit by a car.” Fortunately, Namine was treated and made a full recovery without life-threatening consequences.
Living The Pawfect Little Life With Her Family
Tanya plans to **sell all the puppies** now that they are weaned. She aims to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Tazewell County Animal Shelter in Bluefield, Virginia. Namine, along with her hooman and dog siblings, will continue to feel loved and cherished, even as her puppies find new homes.
As a loving pet, Namine also gives back by nurturing the little ones. Like all Great Danes, she is a wonderful nanny to children and delights in caring for them.
