A dog in Ohio gave birth to an astonishing 20 puppies last Monday. The mama dog, a two-year old named Sweetpea, is a Cane Corso, or Italian Mastiff breed and belongs to 30 year-old Christy Six, a college student and veterinary technician, reports Akron Beacon Journal.

Labor pains started early in the morning, with the first tiny pup emerging at 5:50 in the morning, reports Fox 8 News. Sweetpea was expected to have "only" 10 puppies, but she continued to give birth to pup after pup until the last -- and twentieth -- puppy was born seven hours later at 12:45 in the afternoon. Three died within the first week, but 17 survived.

Six acknowledges the dog overpopulation problem in this country, states Akron Beacon Journal, but she "believes it's important to breed good dogs and not breed only for profit."

Six bought her Cane Corsos for $2,400 each. She expects to sell her puppies for $800, and a little more for the females. (While news reports recommend contacting Six if you're interested in "adopting" one of the puppies -- make no mistake. If you buy a puppy from a breeder, that is a purchase, not an adoption, a term typically used to refer to finding a dog at a shelter or rescue group in need of a home.)

Interestingly, Ohio is the number one state in the country for giving up Cane Corso dogs for adoption, reports Akron Beacon Journal.

At Petfinder.com, the largest online database of adoptable animals at shelters and rescue groups across the country -- there are dozens of Cane Corso dogs available for adoption.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Examiner~y2009m12d13-20-puppies-born-to-mama-dog-a-Cane-Corso-Italian-Mastiff-breed

I saqw this on the news this morning!!! WOW!!!

Definitely wow, in two different ways though. One way, its astonishing that a this dog could have so many pups! But also (as it said in the comments) sad that 17 dogs in shelters now won't get a home. Because this was publisized I doubt that she'll have trouble placing the puppies though, but who knows, she's in college so she is most definitely (not at the time anyway) a reputable breeder...

oh wow! holy moly!
that's a lot of puppies! hehe

Cane corso, not a breed for just anyone. Any good breeder would select the families, not just take anyone. It's a tough breed, I wouldn't want one. I like how the bullies get tired

Wow, 20.. 17 that poor mother!
Cane corso, are there any breed restrictions? That is a lot of dog!