LET'S LOOK AT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF OWNING A GOOD QUALITY SAINT BERNARD:
a) READ at least one Saint Bernard book from cover to cover first.
b) VISIT a breed show to look at some Saint Bernards. Speak to the owners and find out who bred their dogs.
c) FIND OUT who the winning dogs are bred by.
d) CONTACT THE BREEDERS and arrange to visit their kennels. Look carefully at their dogs and make a decision on a possible bloodline for a dam and sire. If the breeder is planning to use an outside male, determine which male it will be and arrange to visit him at a show or at his kennel. Being able to handle the dam and sire is a good indication of their temperament. Ask the breeder to show you any other dogs bred from either or both the intended parents. Can they be handled?
e) FIND OUT what show results have been achieved by other dogs bred from the sire or dam or both.
f) ASK TO LOOK at the pedigrees of the sire and dam. Ask the breeder to explain how to read the pedigree if you do not know how. Ensure that you are happy with the level of inbreeding/linebreeding. Check what awards each dog has qualified for. A Saint Bernard can only be called a champion if it has been awarded championship status by KUSA and has an official championship certificate from KUSA. Championship bloodlines refer to the dam and sire of the puppy you are purchasing. If their sisters, uncles, father etc is a champion it is not the same. In most Saint Bernard pedigrees you will find champion ancestors if you look back far enough.
g) IF YOU HAVE DONE your homework and are satisfied that you are on the right track, arrange to reserve a puppy from the chosen bloodline. Be prepared to pay a deposit to ensure your place on the waiting list. Remember that very few people actually get first pick of any litter, since there are only about 10 litters every year. This privilege is usually reserved by the breeder for experienced or pre-qualified show homes. If quality is important to the breeder then they will want to show their best dogs themselves or send them to experienced exhibitors to gain recognition for their efforts.
h) WAIT PATIENTLY, but keep in contact with the breeder so that you remain informed of any progress. Once the puppies are whelped visit them often and handle the puppies and the dam from the 1st visit. Ensure that the puppy you receive is what you wanted. If you are not happy with your puppy, discuss this with the breeder before you remove the puppy from the kennel. If necessary you may be able to postpone your selection to another litter.
i) IT MAY NOT be possible to complete all of the above. There may not be any breed shows in your area. Perhaps there are no breeders in your area. The breeder of your choice may live far from you. These are simply obstacles that you need to overcome. Try to use as many of the above points in your decision making as possible. Use the internet for photos and communication with breeders. Use the telephone. Most breeders will be happy to discuss your requirements and give you information to assist you.
This may all sound time consuming and over cautious. Remember that your Saint Bernard will probably live with you for the next 10 years. Rather put in the effort now to ensure that you give yourself the best possible start.
