ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Couple believe raising puppies is more demanding than raising kids

'In the first week it is worse than having a newborn baby.' - by Claire Tyrrell
  • 28 Mar 2018

Raising 17 puppies is more than a full time occupation — just ask Graeme Jones and Bev Barnett.

The Thornlie couple have raised four children but believe the demands of 17 puppies outweigh that of a baby.

“In the first week it is worse than having a newborn baby,” Mr Jones said. “I needed to stay awake to make sure they stayed alive. They needed to be fed every two hours for the first three days — we could only feed them six at a time.”

The Jones’ prize doberman Sassy gave birth to 18 puppies on February 19, in what they believed was equalling an Australian record. One puppy died at about two weeks old. A dalmatian gave birth to 18 puppies in Ballarat last year.

When Mr Jones posted the litter on social media, a NSW doberman breeder was quick to say her dog had 20 puppies.

 

The West Australian

The biggest recorded puppy litter in the world is 24, born to a neapolitan mastiff in Britain in 2004.

“I wasn’t chasing a record — I just wanted some European puppies,” Mr Jones said.

The couple imported Serbian doberman Fort Bellatores Ildefonso, which they got last June, to breed European-style dobermans for their robustness.

Mr Jones said the dogs were bred to protect their owners and he had never seen one attack a human.

This was not the first time Sassy, 4, has had a big litter.

In September 2016 she was pregnant with 18 puppies but two died during birth.

“She’ll be spayed now, I think she’s done her duty to the breed — 34 puppies in two litters,” Mr Jones said.

The puppies will be sold when they are eight weeks old.

This article originally appeared on PerthNow.

  • Real Life
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

The heartwarming moment a grandson gifts his grandfather a puppy

The heartwarming moment a grandson gifts his grandfather a puppy

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

Pregnant at 51 – My mum had my baby

There was no room for my boy's brain

There was no room for my boy's brain

{headline}

{headline}

My pup's a mum to 200 rescues

My pup's a mum to 200 rescues

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Sweet Gwen: Extra cute, extra special, EXTRA JOY!

Miracle baby born not breathing for seven minutes came back to life

Miracle baby born not breathing for seven minutes came back to life

{headline}

{headline}

'A stranger had our son's baby - SEVEN YEARS after he died'

'A stranger had our son's baby - SEVEN YEARS after he died'

Mum's medical mystery: 'I couldn't cuddle my boy for TWO YEARS'

Mum's medical mystery: 'I couldn't cuddle my boy for TWO YEARS'

'So in love' Britain's biggest family welcomes baby number 22

'So in love' Britain's biggest family welcomes baby number 22

Baby surprise - I had no clue I was due

Baby surprise - I had no clue I was due

My baby and I came back from the dead

My baby and I came back from the dead

BIRTH SHOCK: Young Melbourne model has SURPRISE BABY on bathroom floor

BIRTH SHOCK: Young Melbourne model has SURPRISE BABY on bathroom floor

Mum sees 'ghost baby' cuddling her boy on baby monitor

Mum sees 'ghost baby' cuddling her boy on baby monitor

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!