The Guide Dogs is celebrating its biggest litter in three years – a rare 13 puppies, aptly nicknamed the 'Baker's Dozen'.
Four-year-old Golden Retriever-Labrador cross Yori welcomed her litter at home in Chipping Camden in August, two months after meeting guide dog dad Otis, a yellow Labrador.
The Baker's Dozen is Guide Dogs' biggest litter since 2022, when a German Shepherd guide dog gave birth to a "record-breaking" 16 puppies. The charity said the new litter's size is "well above" its average of seven to eight pups.
For context, the American Kennel Club notes that Labradors typically have between five and 10 puppies, while Golden Retrievers can have up to 12.
Janine Dixon, Breeding and Welfare Operations Lead at Guide Dogs, said: "Counting puppies during pregnancy is very tricky, so we didn’t know Yori had quite so many buns in the oven.
"She had a very straightforward whelping at home and is an excellent mum. We’re thrilled that all 13 thrived thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and staff."
All puppies have been given a baking-themed name inspired by sweet and savoury treats. The boys are called Biscuit, Crumble, Bagel, Crumpet, Rye, Tiger and Pretzel; the girls are Apple, Eccles, Cocoa, Chelsea, Custard and Ginger.
This news coincides with the charity's Puppy Appeal campaign, which runs throughout October.
During this time, Guide Dogs encourages members of the public to fundraise and donate in support of its mission to breed, raise and train guide dogs for people with sight loss – a mission that's becoming increasingly costly.
Guide Dogs reports that the overall cost of breeding and training a single guide dog has risen to £77,000, a 123% increase from £34,600 in 2019.
Now eight weeks old, the puppies are ready to be paired with volunteer 'Puppy Raisers' across the UK, beginning their training to become fully qualified guide dogs by 2027.
Janine added, "Each pup has a bright future, hopefully becoming a guide dog bringing independence and mobility to someone with sight loss."
Sign up to fundraise for the Guide Dogs' Puppy Appeal on the charity's website.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
