A Neapolitan mastiff in Manea, United Kingdom, has broken a world record by giving birth to a litter of 24 mastiff puppies, according to a report.

Breeders Damian Ward and his girlfriend, Anne Kellegher, had only been expecting their two-year-old mastiff, Tia, to give birth to a maximum of 10 puppies after a scan from a local veterinarian.

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IMAGES: More images of the puppies

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When Tia grew so large she could barely move, the couple took the dog to the vets, who decided that an immediate caesarean was vital. Two hours later, Tia had given birth to the record 24 puppies.

Four of the puppies were too weak and died but the remaining 20 are thriving.

All but three of the pups are up for sale. They are worth more than $1,800 each.

Tia's achievement is now likely to set two records in the Guinness World Records -- the biggest litter and that of the most surviving puppies.

A Guinness World Records spokesman said the current record stands at 23.

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