Bruised Tails

A bruised tail most often occurs when your dog’s tail has banged hard against something such as a coffee table or even a wall. In addition to having a drooping or sagging tail, you may notice swelling or discoloration at the site of the bruise. Bruised tails will generally heal on their own but you should make sure that your dog is kept relatively inactive during the healing process so as not to re-injure the tail. In addition, for more severe bruises, many vets will administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids to help reduce pain and swelling.

Tail Problems - (cont.)

Unfortunately, tail injuries in dogs are not that uncommon.  That normally wagging tail can be stepped on, hurt when it bangs into something, caught in a car door, or even bitten.  Tail injuries are painful for your four-legged friend.  Even if you did not see the cause of the injury or don't see any swelling or wounds, you can usually tell when something is wrong with their tail when it droops or lies flat against the dog's hindquarters.  Due to the painful nature of tail injuries, your dog may start to walk gently. 

Dominance (cont.)

I think we too often compare wolf packs with our domesticated pets.  Yes, they do share a common ancestry; but they are two totally different groups at this time.  The domesticated pet does not have to find food, water and shelter for itself; we provide this for them.

St. Bernard Pencil Drawing

Another Major Win for Subira's Edison

Another major win for Edison.

Second Place in Working Dog Puppy Group

This was a very nice win for Venus, second place in the Puppy Working Dog Group, October 2008.

Subira's Venus

Our Venus wins her first major in October of 2008.

BRANDYKEGS SAINT BERNARDS

We have shared our home and lives with Saint Bernards since 1986.

Basset Hounds in Show Ring

Judge giving a line of Bassett Hounds the once over in the Show Ring.

Smooth Coated Female St. Bernard

Young handler with a very nice looking smooth coated female Saint Bernard.

Saint Bernard Puppies

Smooth or short-haired Saint Bernard puppy on the left, and rough or long-haired Saint Bernard puppy on the right.

Saint Bernard Kennels in the United States

BRANDYKEGS' website has twenty-two states with Saint Bernard Kennel links. Do you have a Saint Bernard Kennel and website that you would like to have added to our links page? If so, you can email your information to brandykegs@gmail.com . You can see our Saint Bernard Kennel links by visiting us at http://www.brandykegs.com/1994.html

Saint Bernard Clubs

You can find links to Saint Bernard Clubs by visiting the BRANDYKEGS website. If your Saint Bernard Club is not listed and you would like to have it added, you can email your information to
brandykegs@gmail.com . We would really like to grow our Saint Bernard links. Visit our links page at http://www.brandykegs.com/1994.html

Salve for burns

I haven't heard this one before either, but some use toothpaste (begins with a "C" ends with gate) to heal a burn. I am sure they are talking about a minor burn, anything else needs medical attention. I would think the ingredients in toothpaste would sting when applied to the burn.

Rainy Day Doggy Odor

Some people use a dryer sheet to wipe down their down when they bring them in from the rain. They say it helps with the wet dog smell. I have not tried this. The dryer sheets are stiff and seem to have an almost waxy feel to them, seems like a clean dry towel would work just as well. If you try this, I would like to know if it helped.

Flea Troubles

Some people use dishwashing liquid(four letters begins with "D")to kill fleas instantly. They use a few drops of the dishwashing liquid with the shampoo they use to bathe their dog. Make sure you thoroughly rinse your dog. Dishwashing liquid is highly concentrated, so it creates a lot of suds. You don't want to ever leave any soap on your dog. I don't know if this works or not, but it sounds relatively harmless. Fleas can make your pet miserable, and a lot of people do not like to use the products made specifically for treating fleas.

Ear Mites

A popular brand of corn oil (it starts with "W") is said to eliminate ear mites. Apply a few drops in the ear, massage gentle, and wipe out with a cotton ball. You should do this for three days. Supposedly this smothers the ear mites and acts as a healing agent in the ear. I am not endorsing this just passing on some info I read. If you do decide to try this, I would use an eye dropper; you would not want to put too much oil into an ear. Plus it is a good idea to know that ear mites is really the problem, it could me an ear infection. I am not against home remedies and use many myself. I just advise caution and common sense.

Two Coats Types for St. Bernards

Saint Bernards have two coats types: long-haired or rough and short-haired or smooth. The wonderful thing is you can get both coat types in a litter of puppies. Most people have a preference to coat type. The smooth or short-haired Saint Bernard's markings are right there for you to see. Many individuals prefer this coat, they say there is less grooming. The rough or long-haired Saint Bernard's markings are sometimes hidden in that long coat. There is definitely more grooming with this coat type. It has been my experience that the smooth or short-haired Saint Bernards shed much more than the rough or long-haired. I currently have two smooth or short-haired Saint Bernards and every day I am astounded at how much fur they shed. I also have a rough or long-haired Saint Bernard, the shedding of fur is most noticeable when she is blowing her coat, other times it just isn't much of a problem.

Senate Bill SB250 (Florez spaying/neutering)

The Senate Bill SB250 regarding spaying and neutering of dogs and cats was sent to the suspense file. This occurred because of the fiscal impact to the State of California and the tough economic times we are experiencing. We all know that down the road this issue will be re-visited. Those promoting the mandatory spaying/neutering program are a very well financed and organized group. I hope we are able to defeat them, government should not be controlling this sort of decision for us as individuals.

Saint Bernard Sketch

So you decided you want to get a Saint Bernard. Here is some good advice; do some research. I don't recommend buying a pure-bred Saint Bernard from a pet store. Try to locate a kennel within your area, sometimes they have websites. BRANDYKEGS has links on their website to several kennels across the United States. Visit our site at http://www.brandykegs.com Arrange to visit a local kennel. Go to some dog shows. Ask questions. We actually did these things before we bought our first Saint Bernard back in 1986.