A family from Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford in Montérégie got a big surprise when their dog, a Dalmatian, gave birth to 16 puppies at the end of December.

The average in a litter for this dog breed is 7 to 9 puppies.

The oldest child in the family, who helped the female dog during her puppyhood, could not believe seeing so many baby dogs.

All members of the family of five children volunteered to help care for the 12 females and 4 males in the litter.

“We bought powdered milk and we are helping Quenny,” explains the family’s mother, Isabelle Chouinard, to TVA Nouvelles.

The 16 puppies, currently three weeks old, will not all be able to stay with the family and must be adopted. They will be able to leave home after eight weeks.

The Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford family does not breed puppies.

She adopted Quenny two years ago because she dreamed of getting a Dalmatian.

The family members have previously had a litter with another dog and wanted to relive the experience.

The family assures that it will be selective in its choice of people who can adopt one of these little Dalmatians.