Think your lockdown’s a handful? Spare a thought for the nation’s puppy breeders

Think your lockdown’s a handful? Spare a thought for the nation’s puppy breeders – and one family who have 12 six-week-old pups living in their kitchen! 

  • Mrs Cousins-Brown, a Kennel Club breeder, has 12 six-week-old briard pups
  • All the puppies are reserved and were due to be picked up by their new owners 
  • The coronavirus lockdown means they can’t be taken to their new homes 
  • Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

Full of fun and unconditional love, they are a fluffy delight to behold. 

But adorable as they are, these 12 puppies are proving to be a handful for dog breeder Terrie Cousins-Brown. 

Like other breeders, she is stuck with the pups as coronavirus measures prevent families from collecting their new pets. 

Mrs Cousins-Brown, a Kennel Club breeder, has 12 six-week-old briard pups who are currently living in her kitchen. 

Terrie Cousins-Brown, 52, (centre) from Wales, is a Kennel Club breeder caring for 12 six-week-old briard puppies, pictured with daughter Philippa Brown (left) and son Harrison (right)

All the puppies had already been reserved and were due to be picked up by their new owners in two weeks. 

Her daughter Philippa, 21, and son Harrison, 14, have been helping look after the dogs. 

The 52-year-old from Wales said: ‘I’m stuck because they were born before there was any realisation about the virus.’ 

She said looking after 12 puppies presents many logistical problems and added: ‘On Monday we did 48 meals, so that’s 48 lots of mess to clean up afterwards, cut 240 nails and brushed all 12 puppies.’ 

Vets are currently only treating animals in emergencies, so the puppies cannot get their vaccinations or microchips. 

This means they are unable to go beyond the garden and risk developing behavioural issues due to of a lack of socialisation. 

Mrs Cousins-Brown also warned against the ‘coronavirus puppy inquiry’ where people want a pet during the lockdown but have not thought long-term.