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A family has been left stunned after their dog gave birth to a record-breaking 17 puppies after a gruelling 13-hour labour.
Miranda Pellecchia, 42, from Blean, Kent, said her two-year-old pooch, Marigold, delivered the enormous brood between 11am and midnight on January 2.
Her Irish Setter, who was mated with a miniature black poodle, is now believed to have produced Britain's largest ever litter of Irish Doodles.
The puppies, now nearly eight weeks old, are all healthy, nursed by their weary mother, who currently needs a staggering 12 tins of dog food a day to refuel.
Ms Pellecchia said: 'We knew she was going to have a big litter, but we were amazed when they just kept coming.
'Just when we thought it was all over, out would pop another one.
'Marigold was very good, considering it was her first litter, and she was happy for us to be with her through it all.
'But it's been exhausting for her and she's been having 12 tins of dog food a day to keep up her energy and supply the milk needed.'
Miranda Pellecchia, 42, from Blean, Kent, said her two-year-old pooch, Marigold, delivered the enormous brood (pictured) between 11am and midnight on January 2
Her Irish Setter, who was mated with a miniature black poodle, is now believed to have produced Britain's largest ever litter of Irish Doodles (pictured)
The puppies (pictured), now nearly eight weeks old, are all healthy, nursed by their weary mother, who currently needs a staggering 12 tins of dog food a day to refuel
The mother-of-three, who works as a mediator in special educational needs cases, said life at home has been chaos ever since.
'What with the feeding - because they needed extra formula milk - weighing and general care and attention, I've not been getting much sleep,' she explained.
'We've also been getting advice from the vet and, thankfully, they are all thriving.'
Her children - Freddie, 13, Orlando, 11 and Coco, nine - have all been excited by the cute additions to the family, as have their friends, who have been extra keen to visit.
And the family's other dog, a black Labrador called Monty, has been remarkably unfazed by all the drama.
'I think he thinks he's the dad and it's been quite funny to watch his behaviour,' Ms Pellecchia said.
The puppies, who have all been named by the family, will be eight weeks old on Friday, when they will have vaccinations, micro-chipping and a general health check.
'The vets were amazed when I rang them up after they were born for some advice,' she said.
Ms Pellecchia (pictured, with the puppies) said: 'We knew she was going to have a big litter, but we were amazed when they just kept coming'
The mother-of-three (pictured, with the puppies), who works as a mediator in special educational needs cases, said life at home has been chaos ever since
'They said they never heard of a litter so big - so they are excited about seeing them.'
Before Marigold's remarkable brood, the largest documented Irish Doodle litter involving an Irish Setter mum in the UK boasted 16 puppies.
It was born to a dog named Amelia in Hampshire in 2019.
From Friday, Ms Pellecchia will be offering the puppies for sale for £1,300 each - and she says there has already been keen interest.
'Obviously, we're going to miss them because they're adorable, but I'm also looking forward to getting my life back because it's been enormously demanding,' she said.
The Irish Doodle is a relatively modern crossbreed, believed to have emerged in the United States in the late 20th century.
It comes as part of the trend for designer dogs, such as the Labradoodle.
They are bred to combine the Irish Setter's athleticism with the poodle's intelligence and lower-shedding coat.
And dogs of this breed are prized for their friendly, energetic, and affectionate temperament, making them ideal family companions.