AS VETS our main involvement in dog breeding is in testing before mating and then assisting when births do not go according to plan, but I have never gone through the process with one of my own pets – until last week.

Last Wednesday my lovely Labrador Daisy gave birth to ten (yes, ten!) puppies. I was not working on her due day or the two days before, but Daisy had other ideas and went into labour three days early when I was at work. Luckily my fabulous parents stepped up and were with her for most of the deliveries and I managed to rush home for the birth of two of the puppies.

Being a fit, active young Labrador, Daisy took the birth (known as whelping in dogs) in her stride; she popped out puppy after puppy. The first four were black (the same colour as Daisy) then the last six were dark yellow (Daisy’s mate was Fox Red). We knew from a scan that Daisy had at least five puppies in her and my estimate was that she would have seven or eight, so it was a lovely surprise when she popped out ten.

Sadly, one of the yellow boys very rapidly showed signs of ill health and despite my best efforts to help feed him in the first 48 hours he passed away (nature is sometimes sensible about survival in the early days). I was sad to lose even one puppy but with my veterinary head on I knew that this puppy was not going to make it. The other nine are doing incredibly well, they are feeding loads, Daisy is eating like a horse and is a great mum. I will keep you updated on their progress in the next few weeks.

* Alice Moore is a vet at Castle Veterinary Clinic, Dorchester and Weymouth. Tel 01305 267083