Home Dog Ownership & Care # How Many Puppies Do Dogs Have? Answered for All Dog Breeds The Woof & Beyond Team Updated February 17, 2022 4 min read Not veterinary advice ![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/97b1e8b7c9624cccd567b0c2abf157a0/5e493/image.jpg) For better or for worse, life is full of surprises. A surprise birthday party can produce tears of gratitude and happiness. But a surprise flat tire may push you to tears of frustration. Indeed, your response to a surprise can vary depending on how you feel about exactly _what_ you’re being surprised with. So how do you feel about…surprise puppies? If your dog is currently pregnant, this is one of those times in life where an unknown number of little surprises may very well be coming your way very soon! **Typical dogs’ litter sizes are between 1-12, with an average of about 6 puppies. There are, however, much larger documented litter sizes. Unfortunately, it’s generally impossible to know how many puppies an individual dog will have in advance. The exact number varies greatly depending on the dog’s breed, size, age, and more.** In this article, I will explain the factors that determine how many puppies a dog will have. Then, I will lay out the average puppy litter sizes for almost all dog breeds in existence. For some extra convenience, I will also detail which dog breeds have the most and least puppies. Maybe you find the idea of surprise puppies exciting, but you’d appreciate some specifics. Like should you be expecting 2 or 3 puppies…or 9 or 10? If you just want the numbers, well, here they are: How Many Puppies Does Each Dog Breed Have? Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Afghan Shepherd Africanis Aidi Airedale Terrier Akbash Dog Akita Inu Aksaray Malaklisi Alano Español Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Alaskan Husky Alaskan Klee Kai (Miniature) Alaskan Klee Kai (Standard) Alaskan Klee Kai (Toy) Alaskan Malamute Alopekis (Αλωπεκίς) Alpine Dachsbracke American Bulldog American Bully American Eskimo Dog (Miniature) American Eskimo Dog (Standard) American Eskimo Dog (Toy) American Foxhound American Hairless Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier American Shepherd (Miniature) American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Andalusian Hound (Large) Andalusian Hound (Medium) Andalusian Hound (Small) Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie Appenzeller Sennenhund Ariegeois Ariège Pointer Armant Armenian Gampr Artois Hound Australian Cattle Dog Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd Australian Silky Terrier Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Australian Terrier Austrian Black and Tan Hound Austrian Pinscher Azawakh Bakharwal Dog Banjara Hound Barak Barbado da Terceira Barbet Basenji Basque Ratter Basque Shepherd Dog (Gorbeiakoa) Basque Shepherd Dog (Iletsua) Basset Bleu de Gascogne Basset Fauve de Bretagne Basset Hound Bavarian Mountain Hound Beagle Beagle-Harrier Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Shepherd Bergamasco Shepherd Berger Picard Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Billy Black Mouth Cur Black Norwegian Elkhound Black Russian Terrier Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Blue Lacy Blue Picardy Spaniel Bluetick Coonhound Boerboel Bohemian Shepherd Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Ardennes Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Dog Boykin Spaniel Bracco Italiano Braque Français (Gascogne) Braque Saint-Germain Braque d'Auvergne Braque du Bourbonnais Brazilian Terrier Briard Briquet Griffon Vendéen Brittany Broholmer Bruno Jura Hound Bulgarian Shepherd Dog Bull Arab Bull Terrier (Miniature) Bull Terrier (Standard) Bulldog Bullmastiff Bully Kutta Ca Eivissenc Ca Rater Mallorquí Ca de Bestiar Ca de Bou Cairn Terrier Campeiro Bulldog Canaan Dog Canadian Eskimo Dog Cane Corso Cantabrian Water Dog Cardigan Welsh Corgi Carolina dog Castro Laboreiro Dog Catahoula Leopard Dog Catalan sheepdog Caucasian Shepherd Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Central Asian Shepherd Cesky Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chien Français Blanc et Orange Chien Français Tricolore Chihuahua Chilean Terrier Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Crested Dog Chinook Chippiparai Chortai Chow Chow Cimarrón Uruguayo Cirneco dell'Etna Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Coton de Tulear Cretan hound Croatian Sheepdog Curly-coated Retriever Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Cão de Gado Transmontano Dachshund (Miniature) Dachshund (Standard) Dachshund (Toy) Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Danish–Swedish Farmdog Denmark Feist Dobermann Dogo Argentino Dogue de Bordeaux Drentsche Patrijshond Drever Dunker Dutch Shepherd Dutch Smoushond East European Shepherd East Siberian Laika English Cocker Spaniel English Coonhound English Foxhound English Mastiff English Setter English Shepherd English Springer Spaniel English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Entlebucher Sennenhund Estonian Hound Estrela Mountain Dog Eurasier Field Spaniel Fila Brasileiro Finnish Hound Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever Fox Terrier (Miniature) Fox Terrier (Smooth) Fox Terrier (Toy) Français Blanc et Noir French Bulldog French Spaniel Galgo Español Gascon Saintongeois Georgian Shepherd Dog German Longhaired Pointer German Pinscher German Roughhaired Pointer German Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer German Spaniel German Spitz German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen Grand Bleu de Gascogne Grand Griffon Vendéen Great Dane Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greek Harehound Greek Shepherd Greenland Dog Greyhound Griffon Bleu de Gascogne Griffon Bruxellois Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Griffon Nivernais Guatemalan Dogo Gull Terrier Halden Hound Hamilton Hound Hanover Hound Harrier Havanese Hierran Wolfdog Himalayan Sheepdog Hokkaido Hovawart Huntaway Hygen Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Indian Spitz Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Istarski Oštrodlaki Gonič Istrian Short-haired Hound Italian Greyhound Jack Russell Terrier Jagdterrier Japanese Chin Japanese Spitz Japanese Terrier Jindo Dog Jonangi Jämthund Kai Ken Kaikadi Kangal Kanni Karelian Bear Dog Kars Karst Shepherd Keeshond Kerry Beagle Kerry Blue Terrier Khala King Charles Spaniel Kintamani Kishu Kokoni Kombai Komondor Kooikerhondje Koolie Kromfohrländer Kuvasz Labrador Retriever Lagotto Romagnolo Lakeland Terrier Lancashire Heeler Landseer Lapponian Herder Large Munsterlander Leonberger Lhasa Apso Lithuanian Hound Löwchen Mackenzie River husky Magyar agár Mahratta Hound Maltese Manchester Terrier (Standard) Manchester Terrier (Toy) Maremma-Abruzzese Sheepdog Montenegrin Mountain Hound Mountain Cur Mucuchies Mudhol Hound Mudi Neapolitan Mastiff New Guinea singing dog New Zealand Heading Dog Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norman Artesian Basset Norrbottenspets Northern Inuit Dog Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old Danish Pointer Old English Sheepdog Olde English Bulldogge Otterhound Pachón Navarro Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Patterdale Terrier Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Perdiguero de Burgos Perro Majorero Peruvian Inca Orchid (Large) Peruvian Inca Orchid (Medium) Peruvian Inca Orchid (Small) Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Petit Bleu de Gascogne Phalène Pharaoh Hound Phu Quoc Ridgeback Picardy Spaniel Pinscher (Miniature) Plott Hound Plummer Terrier Podenco Canario Podenco Valenciano Pointer Poitevin Polish Greyhound Polish Hound Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Pont-Audemer Spaniel Poodle (Medium) Poodle (Miniature) Poodle (Standard) Poodle (Toy) Porcelaine Portuguese Podengo (Large) Portuguese Podengo (Medium) Portuguese Podengo (Small) Portuguese Pointer Portuguese Sheepdog Portuguese Water Dog Posavac hound Pražský Krysařík Presa Canario Pudelpointer Pug Puli Pumi Pungsan Pyrenean Mastiff Pyrenean Mountain Dog Pyrenean Sheepdog Rafeiro do Alentejo Rajapalayam Rampur Greyhound Rastreador Brasileiro Rat Terrier Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz Ratonero Murciano Ratonero Valenciano Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Romanian Bucovina Shepherd Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Rottweiler Rough Collie Russian Spaniel Russkiy Toy Russo-European Laika Ryukyu Inu Saarloos wolfdog Sabueso Español Saint Miguel Cattle Dog Saint-Usuge Spaniel Sakhalin Husky Saluki Samoyed Sapsaree Sarabi dog Schapendoes Schillerstövare Schipperke Schnauzer (Giant) Schnauzer (Miniature) Schnauzer (Standard) Schweizer Laufhund Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund Scottish Deerhound Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Segugio italiano a pelo forte Serbian Hound Serbian Tricolour Hound Shar Pei Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Shikoku Siberian Husky Silken Windhound Sinhala Hound Skye Terrier Sloughi Slovak Cuvac Slovak Rough-haired Pointer Slovenský kopov Smaland Hound Small Munsterlander Smooth Collie South Russian Ovcharka Spanish Mastiff Spanish Water Dog Spinone Italiano Sporting Lucas Terrier St. Bernard St. John's water dog Stabyhoun Staffordshire Bull Terrier Stephens Stock Styrian Coarse-haired Hound Sussex Spaniel Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund Tahltan Bear Dog Taigan Taiwan Dog Tatra Shepherd Dog Tazy Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Telomian Tenterfield Terrier Thai Bangkaew Dog Thai Ridgeback Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Terrier Tibetan spaniel Tornjak Tosa Transylvanian Hound (Short) Transylvanian Hound (Tall) Treeing Cur Treeing Tennessee Brindle Treeing Walker Coonhound Tyrolean Hound Vikhan Villano de las Encartaciones Vizsla Volpino Italiano Weimaraner Welsh Sheepdog Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Country Harrier West Highland White Terrier West Siberian Laika Westphalian Dachsbracke Wetterhoun Wheaten Terrier Whippet White Shepherd White Swiss Shepherd Dog Wire fox terrier Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Wirehaired Vizsla Xiasi Dog Xoloitzcuintle (Miniature) Xoloitzcuintle (Standard) Xoloitzcuintle (Toy) Yakutian Laika Yorkshire Terrier Český Fousek Šarplaninac If you are still interested, come along with me as I break this down and give you a good idea of what you may be getting into. Let’s go! ## What Determines How Many Puppies a Dog Will Have? ![image1](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/99b509ea3bfd2906405f4d5b38eeb074/d7ad1/image1.jpg) As I said earlier, there is no foolproof way of knowing exactly how many puppies your dog will have until she actually gives birth. If you’re the type that loves to know every detail in advance, this can feel like a true bummer. But rest assured, some signs can help you predict how large your dog’s litter may be. A few of these [factors](https://breedingbusiness.com/puppy-litter-size/) include: ### The Size of the Breed The mother’s body size is usually the most significant thing that determines the size of a litter. **Generally, smaller dogs tend to have smaller litters** of about 1-8 puppies. Some small dogs will literally have only one dog per litter. This is called a singleton. But **larger dogs tend to have bigger litters** of around 5-13 puppies. ### Health and Diet Both the mother’s and the father’s health are large factors determining the size of a litter. **As a general rule, healthier parents produce a bigger litter.** Ensuring both dogs are fed a natural diet including sufficient protein can help your dogs produce more puppies per litter. ### The Age of the Mother There is a sweet spot that is thought to be the perfect time to breed a bitch. And breeding a female dog during this specific time window has a big impact on her litter’s size. Here are the basic points to know: - A dog’s first litter will likely be the smallest, with larger ones potentially following - A dog should never be bred too young or too old - Dogs will usually produce the largest litter between 2 and 5 years of age - A dog should ideally be bred when she is in her second or third heat ### The Age of the Father The age of the stud contributes a lot less to determine the size of a litter. But **generally, [male dogs](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/male-dogs-parental-care/) who are under 5 years of age will produce the largest litters.** This is when the male’s sperm will be of the highest overall quality. ### Inbreeding [Inbreeding](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/dog-inbreeding/) has been shown to produce smaller litter sizes. Therefore, the more inbreeding has taken place to produce the puppies, the smaller the litter size will likely be. ## Average Puppy Litter Sizes ![image2](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/f54445eb246981f62504e4943bf55fca/a2510/image2.jpg) Now that you know the factors that determine the size of a dog’s litter, let’s take a look at the [typical litter sizes](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/average-litter-size/#:~:text=A%20normal%20litter%20size%20can,according%20to%20AKC%20registration%20data.) of almost every (pure) dog breed that exists: How Many Puppies Does Each Dog Breed Have? Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Afghan Shepherd Africanis Aidi Airedale Terrier Akbash Dog Akita Inu Aksaray Malaklisi Alano Español Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Alaskan Husky Alaskan Klee Kai (Miniature) Alaskan Klee Kai (Standard) Alaskan Klee Kai (Toy) Alaskan Malamute Alopekis (Αλωπεκίς) Alpine Dachsbracke American Bulldog American Bully American Eskimo Dog (Miniature) American Eskimo Dog (Standard) American Eskimo Dog (Toy) American Foxhound American Hairless Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier American Shepherd (Miniature) American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Andalusian Hound (Large) Andalusian Hound (Medium) Andalusian Hound (Small) Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie Appenzeller Sennenhund Ariegeois Ariège Pointer Armant Armenian Gampr Artois Hound Australian Cattle Dog Australian Kelpie Australian Shepherd Australian Silky Terrier Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Australian Terrier Austrian Black and Tan Hound Austrian Pinscher Azawakh Bakharwal Dog Banjara Hound Barak Barbado da Terceira Barbet Basenji Basque Ratter Basque Shepherd Dog (Gorbeiakoa) Basque Shepherd Dog (Iletsua) Basset Bleu de Gascogne Basset Fauve de Bretagne Basset Hound Bavarian Mountain Hound Beagle Beagle-Harrier Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Shepherd Bergamasco Shepherd Berger Picard Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Billy Black Mouth Cur Black Norwegian Elkhound Black Russian Terrier Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Blue Lacy Blue Picardy Spaniel Bluetick Coonhound Boerboel Bohemian Shepherd Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Ardennes Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Dog Boykin Spaniel Bracco Italiano Braque Français (Gascogne) Braque Saint-Germain Braque d'Auvergne Braque du Bourbonnais Brazilian Terrier Briard Briquet Griffon Vendéen Brittany Broholmer Bruno Jura Hound Bulgarian Shepherd Dog Bull Arab Bull Terrier (Miniature) Bull Terrier (Standard) Bulldog Bullmastiff Bully Kutta Ca Eivissenc Ca Rater Mallorquí Ca de Bestiar Ca de Bou Cairn Terrier Campeiro Bulldog Canaan Dog Canadian Eskimo Dog Cane Corso Cantabrian Water Dog Cardigan Welsh Corgi Carolina dog Castro Laboreiro Dog Catahoula Leopard Dog Catalan sheepdog Caucasian Shepherd Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Central Asian Shepherd Cesky Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chien Français Blanc et Orange Chien Français Tricolore Chihuahua Chilean Terrier Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Crested Dog Chinook Chippiparai Chortai Chow Chow Cimarrón Uruguayo Cirneco dell'Etna Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Coton de Tulear Cretan hound Croatian Sheepdog Curly-coated Retriever Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Cão de Gado Transmontano Dachshund (Miniature) Dachshund (Standard) Dachshund (Toy) Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Danish–Swedish Farmdog Denmark Feist Dobermann Dogo Argentino Dogue de Bordeaux Drentsche Patrijshond Drever Dunker Dutch Shepherd Dutch Smoushond East European Shepherd East Siberian Laika English Cocker Spaniel English Coonhound English Foxhound English Mastiff English Setter English Shepherd English Springer Spaniel English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Entlebucher Sennenhund Estonian Hound Estrela Mountain Dog Eurasier Field Spaniel Fila Brasileiro Finnish Hound Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever Fox Terrier (Miniature) Fox Terrier (Smooth) Fox Terrier (Toy) Français Blanc et Noir French Bulldog French Spaniel Galgo Español Gascon Saintongeois Georgian Shepherd Dog German Longhaired Pointer German Pinscher German Roughhaired Pointer German Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer German Spaniel German Spitz German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen Grand Bleu de Gascogne Grand Griffon Vendéen Great Dane Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Greek Harehound Greek Shepherd Greenland Dog Greyhound Griffon Bleu de Gascogne Griffon Bruxellois Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Griffon Nivernais Guatemalan Dogo Gull Terrier Halden Hound Hamilton Hound Hanover Hound Harrier Havanese Hierran Wolfdog Himalayan Sheepdog Hokkaido Hovawart Huntaway Hygen Hound Icelandic Sheepdog Indian Spitz Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound Istarski Oštrodlaki Gonič Istrian Short-haired Hound Italian Greyhound Jack Russell Terrier Jagdterrier Japanese Chin Japanese Spitz Japanese Terrier Jindo Dog Jonangi Jämthund Kai Ken Kaikadi Kangal Kanni Karelian Bear Dog Kars Karst Shepherd Keeshond Kerry Beagle Kerry Blue Terrier Khala King Charles Spaniel Kintamani Kishu Kokoni Kombai Komondor Kooikerhondje Koolie Kromfohrländer Kuvasz Labrador Retriever Lagotto Romagnolo Lakeland Terrier Lancashire Heeler Landseer Lapponian Herder Large Munsterlander Leonberger Lhasa Apso Lithuanian Hound Löwchen Mackenzie River husky Magyar agár Mahratta Hound Maltese Manchester Terrier (Standard) Manchester Terrier (Toy) Maremma-Abruzzese Sheepdog Montenegrin Mountain Hound Mountain Cur Mucuchies Mudhol Hound Mudi Neapolitan Mastiff New Guinea singing dog New Zealand Heading Dog Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norman Artesian Basset Norrbottenspets Northern Inuit Dog Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old Danish Pointer Old English Sheepdog Olde English Bulldogge Otterhound Pachón Navarro Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Patterdale Terrier Pekingese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Perdiguero de Burgos Perro Majorero Peruvian Inca Orchid (Large) Peruvian Inca Orchid (Medium) Peruvian Inca Orchid (Small) Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Petit Bleu de Gascogne Phalène Pharaoh Hound Phu Quoc Ridgeback Picardy Spaniel Pinscher (Miniature) Plott Hound Plummer Terrier Podenco Canario Podenco Valenciano Pointer Poitevin Polish Greyhound Polish Hound Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Pont-Audemer Spaniel Poodle (Medium) Poodle (Miniature) Poodle (Standard) Poodle (Toy) Porcelaine Portuguese Podengo (Large) Portuguese Podengo (Medium) Portuguese Podengo (Small) Portuguese Pointer Portuguese Sheepdog Portuguese Water Dog Posavac hound Pražský Krysařík Presa Canario Pudelpointer Pug Puli Pumi Pungsan Pyrenean Mastiff Pyrenean Mountain Dog Pyrenean Sheepdog Rafeiro do Alentejo Rajapalayam Rampur Greyhound Rastreador Brasileiro Rat Terrier Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz Ratonero Murciano Ratonero Valenciano Redbone Coonhound Rhodesian Ridgeback Romanian Bucovina Shepherd Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Rottweiler Rough Collie Russian Spaniel Russkiy Toy Russo-European Laika Ryukyu Inu Saarloos wolfdog Sabueso Español Saint Miguel Cattle Dog Saint-Usuge Spaniel Sakhalin Husky Saluki Samoyed Sapsaree Sarabi dog Schapendoes Schillerstövare Schipperke Schnauzer (Giant) Schnauzer (Miniature) Schnauzer (Standard) Schweizer Laufhund Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund Scottish Deerhound Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Segugio italiano a pelo forte Serbian Hound Serbian Tricolour Hound Shar Pei Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Shikoku Siberian Husky Silken Windhound Sinhala Hound Skye Terrier Sloughi Slovak Cuvac Slovak Rough-haired Pointer Slovenský kopov Smaland Hound Small Munsterlander Smooth Collie South Russian Ovcharka Spanish Mastiff Spanish Water Dog Spinone Italiano Sporting Lucas Terrier St. Bernard St. John's water dog Stabyhoun Staffordshire Bull Terrier Stephens Stock Styrian Coarse-haired Hound Sussex Spaniel Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund Tahltan Bear Dog Taigan Taiwan Dog Tatra Shepherd Dog Tazy Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Telomian Tenterfield Terrier Thai Bangkaew Dog Thai Ridgeback Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Terrier Tibetan spaniel Tornjak Tosa Transylvanian Hound (Short) Transylvanian Hound (Tall) Treeing Cur Treeing Tennessee Brindle Treeing Walker Coonhound Tyrolean Hound Vikhan Villano de las Encartaciones Vizsla Volpino Italiano Weimaraner Welsh Sheepdog Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Country Harrier West Highland White Terrier West Siberian Laika Westphalian Dachsbracke Wetterhoun Wheaten Terrier Whippet White Shepherd White Swiss Shepherd Dog Wire fox terrier Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Wirehaired Vizsla Xiasi Dog Xoloitzcuintle (Miniature) Xoloitzcuintle (Standard) Xoloitzcuintle (Toy) Yakutian Laika Yorkshire Terrier Český Fousek Šarplaninac ## What Dog Breeds Have the Most Puppies? Generally speaking, larger-sized dog breeds tend to have the most puppies per litter. This is evidenced in the large litter sizes of some bigger dogs like the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd, as listed above. Other breeds with the most puppies, between 8-10 on average, include Mastiff, Cane Corso, and Great Dane. If you think some of those litter sizes are big, get a load of some of the most miraculously large, [record-breaking litter sizes](https://www.k9ofmine.com/how-many-puppies-can-dogs-have/) ever recorded: - A Maremma sheepdog set the state record in California after giving birth to a litter of 17 in 2016. - In 2015, Mosha, a white German Shepherd, gave birth to 17 puppies. - On Mother’s Day 2017, an Irish Setter gave birth to 15 puppies. Wildest of all: a Neapolitan Mastiff named Tia gave birth to the**largest litter ever on record of 24 puppies** via C-section in 2004! ## What Dog Breeds Have the Least Puppies? On the flipside, smaller-sized dogs will usually have the [least puppies.](https://emergencyvetsusa.com/how-many-puppies-can-dogs-have/) The breeds with the least puppies, usually between 1-4, include Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, and Teacup Chihuahua. ## Puppy Litters Are like a Box of Chocolates… ![image3](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/1fe1770ccc4eaaaf2bc91a3db47c11e6/d7ad1/image3.jpg) You truly never know quite what you’re gonna get! Well, you may not be able to know _exactly,_ but you can get a pretty good idea. When you examine factors like breed size, parents’ health, and the mother’s age, you can get an estimate of what size litter may be in store for you. Of course, this isn’t a predictable science. But back to that thing about life’s surprises: they keep things interesting! Even if you can’t pinpoint exactly how many pups there may be in your future, hopefully now you can gauge if you should be on the lookout for just 2 or 3 fur babies…or 9 or 10. …but then again, you never know! This is not a substitute for advice from a vet who can examine your dog. Breeding Dog Breeds Calculator Previous Puppy Won't Go in Their Crate? Here's Why & What to Do Next 4 Reasons Why Dogs Curl Their Front Paw Under When Lying Down On this page 1. [What Determines How Many Puppies a Dog Will Have?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-many-puppies-do-dogs-have/#what-determines-how-many-puppies-a-dog-will-have) 2. [Average Puppy Litter Sizes](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-many-puppies-do-dogs-have/#average-puppy-litter-sizes) 3. [What Dog Breeds Have the Most Puppies?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-many-puppies-do-dogs-have/#what-dog-breeds-have-the-most-puppies) 4. [What Dog Breeds Have the Least Puppies?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-many-puppies-do-dogs-have/#what-dog-breeds-have-the-least-puppies) 5. [Puppy Litters Are like a Box of Chocolates…](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/how-many-puppies-do-dogs-have/#puppy-litters-are-like-a-box-of-chocolates) People also ask Dog Pregnancy Calculator: When Will Your Dog Whelp? Dog Crate Sizes: Guide & Calculator by Breed Dog Litters: How Many Litters Can Your Dog Have? What Do Breeders Do with Puppies That Don’t Sell? Dog Inbreeding: Can You Breed Sibling Dogs? When Should Dogs Stop Breeding? Top Things to Consider ## Breeds this guide names Measurements, lifespan and the breeds each one looks most like. - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/cane-corso.webp)Cane Corso](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/cane-corso/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/chihuahua.webp)Chihuahua](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/chihuahua/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/german-shepherd.webp)German Shepherd](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/german-shepherd/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/golden-retriever.webp)Golden Retriever](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/golden-retriever/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/great-dane.webp)Great Dane](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/great-dane/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/irish-setter.webp)Irish Setter](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/irish-setter/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/neapolitan-mastiff.webp)Neapolitan Mastiff](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/neapolitan-mastiff/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/pomeranian.webp)Pomeranian](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/pomeranian/) - [![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breeds/shih-tzu.webp)Shih Tzu](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/breed/shih-tzu/) ## Other questions about dog ownership & care The ones people read straight after this. 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