Watching a dog give birth is both emotional and awe-inspiring for any dog owner. If you’ve ever witnessed it firsthand, you know there are few moments in the canine world that match the tenderness of the bond between a mother and her newborn pups.
Back in March, Tanya Dubbs from Pocahontas, Virginia, was gearing up to witness her own dog, Namine, go into labor. She was completely unaware that her Great Dane was about to make national headlines.
What happened next left everyone speechless: two-year-old Namine delivered a jaw-dropping 21 puppies in just under 27 hours!
One Of The Biggest Litters Ever Recorded
Tanya and her family were stunned as the puppies kept coming. Great Danes are known for being one of the tallest dog breeds, so a bigger litter was expected—maybe 13 or 14 at most.
But even when the count reached 16, the family didn’t imagine it would go much higher. Then, after 27 hours of labor, the number rose to 21!
Sadly, two of the puppies passed away shortly after birth, leaving Namine with 19 healthy little ones.
Most of the newborns weighed in at over a pound, with just two coming in slightly under—one at 94 ounces and the other at 98.
With such a large litter, there’s a challenge ensuring every puppy gets enough to eat. Tanya closely monitors their feeding routine and steps in with bottle feeding whenever necessary to ensure no pup is left behind.
While Namine’s litter is certainly extraordinary, the world record is still held by a Neapolitan Mastiff named Tia, who delivered 24 puppies in a single litter.
A Remarkable Comeback After A Close Call
Namine’s story is even more special when you learn what she endured the year before.
Last year, she and her sibling, Malificent, slipped away from home overnight. Tragically, Namine was hit by a truck, leaving her with back injuries and damage to one of her eyes.
“My sweet Namine and Malificent escaped this evening. Malificent came back… Namine has not. I was told that she got hit by a car,” Tanya shared in an emotional post.
Thankfully, just 16 hours later, Namine was found and received medical care. Despite her injuries, she made a full recovery with no lasting health issues.
Now Living Her Best Life Surrounded By Family
Now that the puppies have been weaned, Tanya plans to find loving homes for them. She also intends to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Tazewell County Animal Shelter in Bluefield, Virginia—a gesture of gratitude and kindness.
Namine, meanwhile, won’t be left feeling lonely. She has a full house of human and dog siblings who adore her. This gentle giant is surrounded by love and continues to bring joy to everyone she meets.
And while Namine certainly loves being loved, she’s just as happy giving it back. Like many Great Danes, she’s a natural caretaker and thrives in her role as a nanny to both kids and puppies alike.
Her sweet, nurturing nature shines through every day as she continues to shower her family with affection.