Virginia Great Dane gives birth to 21 puppies

Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff
Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff

(Pocahontas, VA) -- A Great Dane in Virginia is now a supermom after giving birth to 21 puppies.

Her owner, Tanya Dubbs, was surprised since she says she only expected the two-year-old to have 13 to 14 puppies.

The saga lasted 27 hours, with 19 of the 21 puppies surviving. Dubbs says she plans to sell the massive litter once they're weaned, with proceeds from the first pup going towards the Tazewell County Animal Shelter.

Great Danes are one of the largest domestic dog breeds and typically have bigger litters.

The Guinness World Record for the largest litter belongs to a Neapolitan mastiff who had 24 puppies back in 2004.