Giant-sized litter of threatened dog breed born

An English Mastiff dog has given birth to 14 pups, giving a much-needed boost to one of the UK’S most threatened breeds.

Just 166 of them were registered with the Kennel Club last year.

Breeder Hazel Manson, 32, from Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, claimed that the litter of 14 delivered by emergency caesarean section would fetch £2,000 each.

The total litter was 18, but four died during birth. Ms Manson said: “The first thing I knew about the birth was when I was woken at 5am by the sound of tiny pups yelping.”

LOSSIEMOUTH