Little lurchers at Shropshire animal rescue centre searching for homes
When an abandoned lurcher came to a Shropshire animal rescue centre, staff realised they may be accommodating more than four paws.
For less than two weeks after the beautiful black coated bitch arrived, she gave birth to a staggering 12 puppies.
The breed, bred to hunt rabbit and hare in Ireland and Great Britain by Irish gipsies and tinkers in the 1600s, normally have between six and eight pups.
But staff at the Greyhound Rescue Centre at Condover rose to the challenge and, despite one pup dying within hours of its birth, they have now successfully raised all of the remaining 11.
And now it is time to find them homes.
Sue Tipton, kennels owner, said: "We got a call from a vet's surgery in South Wales after Doobie, who was obviously pregnant, was taken there by someone who never returned to pick her up.
"Within 10 days of coming here she had the pups. That was nine weeks ago and they have been a lovely handful ever since. But now it is time to find them homes of their own." Sue said lurchers usually have litters numbering between six and eight, so Doobie's was an exceptional pregnancy.
"There are eight girls and three boys," said Sue.
The name lurcher is a derived name from the Romany word lur, which means thief – and these are sure to steal a few hearts. "The pups are in to everything," said Sue.
To offer a pup a home contact Sue on 01743 872 395 or e-mail her on mail@moorlandskennels.co.uk
