Dog gives birth to 16 puppies in Morris

MORRIS, Ill. (WLS) -- Over a dozen new furry faces surprised a Morris, Ill., family as their dog unexpectedly gave birth to 16 puppies earlier this week.

Booner, the family's 3-year-old English Mastiff, gave birth to the puppies Monday. Brandy Techmanski, the dog's owner, said Booner went into labor at 4 a.m. and gave birth to the last puppy at 11 p.m. that night.

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Techmanski says she, her husband and two daughters have been taking shifts to care for the pups while Booner rests. A veterinarian told the family that Booner and all 16 puppies - seven girls and nine boys - are healthy.

The family says it expected a litter of six or eight puppies; although it's Booner's first litter, they say it will likely be her last.