Labrador Retriever Delivers 17 Puppies — Her Owner Thinks the Little Dogs Are a Record-Breaking Litter

Mar. 15, 2025

Roxy-Mae the Labrador retriever with her puppies.Photo:Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree/Jacksonville Journal-Courier

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree/Jacksonville Journal-Courier

It’s easy to lose count when tallying up Roxy Mae’s puppies.

The 6-year-old Labrador retriever gave birth to 17 puppies in early December. Unfortunately, one of the pups did not survive the delivery, according to Illinois news outletMy Journal Courier.

Roxy Mae’s owner, John Swartz of Beardstown, Ill, told My Journal Courier that the Labrador started delivering puppies on the evening of Dec. 3 and continued through the night. The first puppy born was not breathing, but Swartz said he was able to bring the little dog back using CPR.

“Because there is 16 of them, we have to make sure to rotate them so they all get enough milk,” Swartz said about what it’s like caring for over one dozen puppies.

John Swartz with his dog Roxy-Mae and her 16 puppies.Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree/Jacksonville Journal-Courier

The impressive brood was a shock to Swartz, who has “never had a litter this big” in his years caring for canines. The dog owner believes the 16 puppies could be a record breakers.

While theGuinness Book of World Records lists the largest dog litteras a 24-pup litter born to a Neapolitan mastiff named Tia in 2004, Swartz believes Roxy’s litter might be the largest for a Labrador retriever.

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“I’ve looked it up, and I believe she beat the record,” Swartz told My Journal Courier about the record for the largest Labrador litter. The pet parent also said he contacted Guinness about the potential record, and the company is reviewing Roxy’s large delivery.

The dog mom has been a champion throughout, managing to be a “good mama” to all 16 pups. She has help from Swartz, who has kept Roxy under round-the-clock supervision to ensure she and the pups get what they need.

source: people.com