Possible St. Bernard

[montanagal]

So my fiancee has it in his head that he wants a St. Bernard, knowing already that I will be bringing two dogs into the union. My diplomatic answer for the time being is: "Well, we'll see. OK?" I've put a hold on anymore dogs until after the wedding, but I'm pretty sure he will want to consider it afterwards.

So in the mean time, I figured I'd do a little reaserch into the St. Bernard. I don't know much about the breed, other than they are VERY big dogs and that they are prone to hip dysplasia. Does anybody have experience with these big dogs? I checked out the St. Bernard Club website, but it didn't give much help. If anybody can point me in the right direction, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks.

[KatzNK9]

Lovely dogs! Great temperaments. Lovable giants. I'd make sure to find an experienced breeder & get references, certifications, etc. as large breeds are susceptible to all those large breed diseases. Lots of grooming & drooling ... the grooming would be OK with me but I'm not sure I could live with all the drool. I'm pretty sure there are wet & dry-mouthed dogs. That would be something that I'd be particularly interested in.

[sheplovr]

I did not breed this breed but owned one name Greta. She would never of harmed a flea. She did drull, tongue out hanging alot. I think that was a genetic defect as she never brought her tongue in. We had to sit buckets of water everywhere as she was sooo hot during the summer. Temperment was super great, big yes. She did not eat anymore than the couple of Shepherds we had running about. She was kinda clutsy in trotting around to keep up. SHe was funny, we would laugh at her. She never got hip displasia and was 4 when she was given to us by a docter. She was tied to a box and barked all the time, no exercise. They are great rescue dogs in snow. So scent is powerful to do that. Otherwise I do not know that much unless I would look it up.? I am just saying temperment is soo good, we met some others during our time with Greta and they were great dog, healthy. Greta got run over by a truck in our drive.

[montanagal]

Lovely dogs! Great temperaments. Lovable giants. I'd make sure to find an experienced breeder & get references, certifications, etc. as large breeds are susceptible to all those large breed diseases. Lots of grooming & drooling ... the grooming would be OK with me but I'm not sure I could live with all the drool. I'm pretty sure there are wet & dry-mouthed dogs. That would be something that I'd be particularly interested in.I am one of those strange humans, that actually likes doggy kisses. LOL. The breed club website actaully said something about "there are no dry mouthed St. Bernards". But I didn't understand what that means, I guess myabe whether they drool or not?

[montanagal]

I'm sorry to here about Greta.:( She sounds like she was a lovely dog.

[sheplovr]

Yes they are droolers for sure. We never left her inside as she was an outdoor dog and did not like it in when we tried. She has foam running all the time and it flew as she ran. Wet mouths on all I have encountered. But, beautiful dogs, took alot of brushing and she was pretty for the day. lol.

[KatzNK9]

I am one of those strange humans, that actually likes doggy kisses. LOL. The breed club website actaully said something about "there are no dry mouthed St. Bernards". But I didn't understand what that means, I guess myabe whether they drool or not?

I'll have to check with my friend who grew up in a family who raised them many years ago. I could swear that she told me hers were relatively dry-mouthed (but certainly wouldn't argue current experienced breeders).

With a big drooler, I'd likely be 80% OK with it & the other 20% of the time, I'd likely go out of my mind with it. I don't mind sloppy dog kisses either.:p

[golden&hovawart]

Are you ready for buckets of slobber?!.Some ligns have dryer mouth than others but they do drool a lot!.
Great breed,very heavy,in this country compared to the European ones.
I like them,better rough hair!.Do well,in cold countries and not so well,in heat!.
The only real dry mouth,giant breed,i know is the leonberger,all the others,drool!.

[Aussiepaws]

Here is some information on the St. Bernard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_(dog)

I know they are gentle giants and make wonderful family dogs. Due to their size their life expectancy is about 10 years. Some drool more than others so if your not into slobber this can be a problem. I'm sure they're huge shedders so grooming them would be an issue.

I know for years my hubby wanted a Newfie ... love the breed dearly but there is no way I could put up with the drool. I can't even stand when my friend's English setters drool and they're not nearly as big nor do they drool as heavily.

[montanagal]

The link didn't work, Aussiepaws. :( I did type "St. Bernard" into the wiki search engine, though, and it came up with a St. Bernard page. I have met some Newfies, and honestly their drooling didn't bother me. My main concern, really, is health issues, but from reading the wiki page, it seems that St.s don't have any more issues than any other breed.

I'll have to see if my fiancee is still interested in a St. Bernard after we get married. In the mean time I have six months to do some research and find some reputable breeders.

[Katybud]

We have a 4 1/2 month Saint Bernard .She's very mellow .So far she hasn't started to drool .If you pick a good breeder there shouldn't be a problem with hips they will have had the sire and dam done .Mines name is sugar she was very easy to house break.Is learning to heel and sit .She minds very good if you tell her no .

[Kaos]

The only one I know is definitely lovely in temperament, but really can't do much exercise without getting hot and puffed, which would frustrate me as I wouldn't be able to walk it with my other active dogs. It is enormous and can't jump into the back of the owner's 4WD - you have to lift the back end (no mean feat!). It slobbers way too much for my liking. Beautiful dog, but definitely not for me.

Perhaps you could sell him on a bernese mountain dog instead - they are beautiful large breed dogs, but a bit more lively and far less slobbery???

[montanagal]

They are big dogs. I'm not sure if the lack of energy and inability to get into vehicles is specific to the St. B that you know Kaos, but one of the breeders showed me some pictures of one of her girls doing agility. Granted they can't take hot weather so well, but I think one would do lovely in the winters here.

Thanks for sharing your insights of your own St. B puppy, Katybud. She sounds like a wonderful dog!:)

[Melamaphine]

We used to have Pyrenean Mountain Dogs (i think in the US they are Great Pyrenees?) and they don't drool anywhere near as much as a St. B, but have the same kind of size, look and temperament (although a little bit less dopey I believe because they were flock guardians). Ours didn't get HD and were fantastic, gentle giants.

When I was a young child, our female Pyrenean 'Elsa' looked after me like I was her own pup. She would help me get up when I fell and I learned to walk leaning on her side and on our male pyrenean 'Giles'. I slept in her bed during naptime and not once did my parents have to worry that she would harm me as she was so unbelievably gentle with me.

The pyreneans were great guard dogs without the need to be aggressive (who challenges a combined 22 stone/300 lbs of dog?), they were wary of strangers who were not invited in by the human family, but 100% accepting of anyone who was. My parents chose them as they thought a St Bernard might be too slobbery and clumsy, so if you want to avoid the slobber the breed may be worth a look for you. If not, then St B's are beautiful too and I hope you find yours soon!