A pet owner has left people puzzled with a snap of her snoozing sausage dogs - as everyone is left wondering just how many pooches are in the shot. Mandy Whitnall, 39, captured the 'dreamy' snap of all 12 of her Dachshunds snuggled up for an afternoon nap on her three-seater sofa last month.
After sharing it on social media, licensed breeder Mandy quickly realised that people were struggling to make heads or tails of the picture as all the pups blend into one 'sea of fur'. But the adorable dozen-Dachshund dog pile isn't a rare sight for Mandy or her husband Alec Whitnall, 48, and usually includes the couple's Jack Russell too.
The cuddly canines love piling onto the sofa for group naps after every meal and their daily walks - despite Mandy and business owner Alec having plenty of dog beds all over their home.
Mandy, of Cambridge, said: "People have said they had to count so many times to find out how many dogs are in the photo because there's just heads, feet, tails and fur everywhere. A lot of people who've seen the photo said we're living the dream. It's a gorgeous sea of fur.
"All the dogs come in and pass out on the sofa. It's quite cute how they all lay over each other. It's like they all blend into each other. You think 'that can't be comfy' but they must be because they'll stay there for hours. They've got beds everywhere so they don't have to be piled on top of each other."They get so warm all snuggled up like that. It's lovely for them especially in winter. I think it's partly because of the breed. Dachshunds are really affectionate and cuddly dogs and our Jack Russell thinks she's a dachshund anyway."
The dog-mad couple's pets include Dachshunds Saffi, 15, Maisie, 10, Dolly and Lady, both eight, Teddy, seven, Sophie and Piper, both five, Rosa and Shelby, both four, Maddie, 10 months, and Jack Russell Ruby, four.
Despite already having 13 pooches, Mandy said she and Alec still struggle not to keep all the puppies from every litter they welcome as the breed are 'addictive'.
Mandy said: "Dachshunds are addictive. You can't just have one. They are just such a great breed. They are so loving and so much fun. They make us laugh so much. And they love being out and about. People think they're handbag dogs but they're not. We've got lots of lovely countryside near us and they love going out, they run for miles.
"They're a really good bunch of dogs. They all have such a nice relationship. We never have any fights or anything like that. We do find it hard not to keep all the puppies to be honest. When they go to their new homes I do get really emotional, it's really sad.
"But when people come to pick them up, especially if they've got kids, and you see their excited faces, it makes up for it. And we keep in touch with everyone, people send us updates and photos. They all go to such lovely homes and have a fabulous time."
