Button's 18 pups prove to be spot-on
When Button the Dalmatian gave birth to 16 pups just over a year ago she raised a few eyebrows.
Now, however, she has produced a litter of 18 – leaving her owners stunned.
The three-year-old dog, who belongs to the Morley family, of Somerby, near Melton, came close to knocking spots off a British record with her latest bumper delivery.
All 18 of Button's pups were born alive by caesarian section at Chine House veterinary surgery, in Sileby.
The pups were delivered on December 23, as Adam and Nicola Morley and their three sons prepared for Christmas.
The couple and their older son, Michael, 17, have been working on a 24-hour rota helping an exhausted Button feed and deal with all her pups.
Mr Morley said: "She was gigantic and the vet said he didn't think she would be able to deliver them naturally. There were 12 boys and six girls.
"They were one big squirming mass of white.
"She can only feed eight at a time, so we've had to split them into three groups and rotate them.
"It is getting a bit easier for her now because they tend to feed for about 10 minutes and then have a sleep.
"It was what you could call an interesting Christmas and the heaviest pup now weighs about a kilogram. They were all between 300 and 400 grams at birth."
There is a number of family and friends interested in taking the pups and they will sell some to cover vets' bills, including the £700 caesarian section, and plan to keep one for themselves.
Mr Morley said: "We thought she would only have the usual seven or eight pups this time.
"Their spots are coming through now and they have started opening their eyes and are walking about. There have been some great moments, but when you're up in the small hours you think you're insane."
The latest delivery is a further boost for their youngest son, Thomas, seven, who has learning difficulties.
Mr Morley said: "It brings Thomas out a lot. When the pups are here, he's very outgoing and he blossoms."
Brother, George, nine, has also been enjoying the new arrivals.
Being in the spotlight is in the genes for Button as she is the daughter of one of the dogs which appeared in Disney's 101 and 102 Dalmatians films.
Two of Button's pups, from her earlier litter, have landed film roles with one appearing in an episode of Taggart, while another has a modelling contract.
The family said that after 34 pups Button's breeding days are now over.
A Dalmatian owned by a family in Middlesbrough gave birth to 19 puppies in 2006.
Shelagh Stevenson, secretary of the British Dalmatian Club, said of button's litter: "This number is unusual, but not unheard of."
8 Comments
by Sam, Beds
Thursday, January 08 2009, 11:44AM
“What lovely new that all pups and mum are doing so well, congratulations. I don't envy clearing up all the poop when they all get going! My biggest litter was 7 and they are a small breed.
If you have any left to sell would you consider us for a suitable home.
Kind regards, Sam”
by M Appleton, Wiltshire, UK
Thursday, January 08 2009, 9:43AM
“Statistically, if just one parent of a litter is unilaterally deaf (assuming the other parent is bilaterally hearing), the chances of completely deaf puppies DOUBLES! One can imagine the statistics on litters with one completely deaf parent!
While it is known what genes carry the deafness, not every dog of every breed with either of those two genes will be deaf. Therefore, there must be other genes at work as well; it is those modifiers that elude researchers.
The only way to reduce the incidence of deafness in any breed is through careful, responsible breeding. NO bilaterally deaf dog of any breed should be allowed to reproduce. Owners of unilaterally deaf dogs are strongly encouraged to have those dogs spayed/neutered; breeders of affected breeds are strongly encouraged to remove unilaterally deaf dogs from their breeding line/stock.”
by Ru, Leicester
Thursday, January 08 2009, 9:15AM
“I thought deafness was common in the majority of white-coated animals? If I was buying a dalmatian or any other white-coated animal I would be aware of the genetic tendency towards deafness, but if it is in the genes then surely little can be done.”
by M Appleton, Wiltshire, UK
Thursday, January 08 2009, 9:10AM
“Regarding the article I am was concerned to read that Buttons had been bred with in the last year, had 16 puppies in that litter & had been put to breed with again so soon. Also there was no mention in the article of whether the puppies or parents had or will be hearing tested.
The article unfortunately feels more like a free advert for these people. Dalmatians are a beautiful breed of dog & I myself am a Dalmatian owner. These dogs require a tremendous amount of excercise & attention & anyone considering owning one who has not had one before should be aware not only of this but of the potential for puppies being deaf or partially deaf & of there being a tendency for some to have urinary stones. Both parents should be hearing tested as should all puppies prior going to new homes. If they have not been hearing tested you are not buying from a responsible breeder. Puppies which have been tested are all certified at specialist centres and any which have partial hearing or which are deaf should not be bred with.”
by Zak, Leicester
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 3:09PM
“Give the dog a bone and get it spayed”
by Ru, Leicester
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 2:25PM
“Good! Glad to see some nice news for the new year :)”
by nicola morley, melton mowbray
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 1:20PM
“Thank You! Mum and pups are all blossoming!”
by Ru, Leicester
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 11:28AM
“Oh gosh I do love dalmatians..
Very cute puppies. Hope mother and pups are doing well!”