Champion Le Prince

Champion Hector

Call To Dinner For Saint Bernards

Old Black and White Photo of St. Bernard

How old is your dog in comparison to human years?

We have all been told take the dog's age multiply by seven and you get a comparable age to people. You have to keep in mind that larger breeds do not live as long, and very small breeds tend to live for a longer time. Weight of a dog also plays a factor in the formula. Most veterinarians call dog seniors by the time they are seven or eight years old.

Playing Tug With Your Dog

I have read in some dog training books, that playing tug with your dog encourages aggressive behavior. Caution should be used when playing tug with your dog. If you keep hold on one end and the dog on the other, it can be fun for both of you. Once your dog's teeth touch your skin or clothing then things can get out of control. If your dog is possessive of their toys, then playing tug is probably not a good idea. If your dog is overly excited or stressed probably not a good idea to play tug either. Playing tug of war with your dog does not encourage aggression.

Wagging Tail Happy Dog?

Just because a dog's tail is wagging does not necessarially mean they are happy. You need to look further at your dog, ear position, head position, overall body posture. Usually if your dog's tail and entire body is wagging then they are happy. If the tail is stiffly wagging, head is erect, along with slower more deliberate body movement, means a higher degree of tension. If you observe that dog; then you probably don't want to approach.

Do dogs really see in only black and white?

We have probably all been told that dogs only see in black and white. Research by veterinarians shows that dogs do see colors; they just cannot distinguish as many colors as people do. This is probably because there are fewer cones in a dog's eye, the cones in the eye are used for color recognition. Even though dogs cannot distinguish as many colors as people do; their vision is far superior to ours in dim light, and they also detect motion better than people.

Saint Bernard Specialty Show

The Willamette Valley Saint Bernard Club, Inc., will be hosting two Saint Bernard Specialty Shows today, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The shows will be held at the Portland Metropolitan Exposition Center, 2050-2060 North Marine Dr., Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Terry B. Carter and Mr. Jack A. Mulligan will be their conformation judges. Lynnette Blue and Ms. Penny King will be their junior showmanship judges. BRANDYKEGS wishes all the exhibitors good luck!

Spaying A Female Dog

Many people say you should not spay a female dog till she has gone through her first seasonal cycle. If you spay your female dog prior to her first season, you virtually eliminate the chance of her developing breast cancer. You also eliminate the chance of pyometra, ovarian cysts, and unwanted pregnancies by spaying prior to her first season. Spaying or keeping a female dog intact should be up to each owner, not mandated by our local, state, or federal governments.

Shaving A Dog To Keep Them Cool

Many people shave their dogs during the summer months, thinking that it will keep them cooler. This is not really true. A dog's coat actually insulates them from the heat and the cold. By shaving a dog your are actually exposing them to the risk of sunburn. Instead of shaving your dog, simply try brushing them regularly. By keeping their coat free of loose hair, knots, and matted areas, their coat can effectively insulate them from the heat.

Why do dogs eat grass?

Dogs usually eat grass because they like the taste of it. Grass actually acts as a stomach irritant and a binding agent. The grass will bind itself to certain toxins found in a dog's stomach. This is a way of ridding the toxin from your dog stomach when they expel the grass. You should be careful of the grass your dog is exposed to; fertilizers and pesticides on grass can make dogs very sick or even cause death if they ingest the grass.

Garlic Does Not Prevent Fleas

Using garlic as a flea prevention for dogs is not a good idea. Garlic can be toxic to dogs, so why would you use it for flea prevention? Consult your veterinarian regarding flea products. There are more cases occurring with problems with topical flea control products. Keep in mind if you use a topical flea control product, you and your children will also be coming into contact with the product. Always wash your hands thoroughly after playing with your dog.

Warm Dry Nose

We are often told that if your dog's nose is warm and dry then they are sick. That is not the case. The environment your dog is in can cause their nose to be warm and dry. For example, your dog laying in the sun, or a warm heated room in your home. Changes in your dogs normal behavior are a better indication that they are not feeling well. You might notice a change in their activity level, loss of appetite, limping, coughing, vomiting, urinary or fecal changes; this could indicate your dog is not feeling well, consult your veterinarian.

What causes dog aggression?

The most common cause of dog aggression is, fear. Behavior problems are not always a display of dominance. Usually behavior problems come from the dog learning a bad behavior and our unintentional rewarding them for it. Many young dogs who have not received any training, demonstrate an in your face behavior to get attention. It is a good idea to take an obedience class with your dog. This is a class for you as well as your dog. They need to learn good behavior and you need to learn how to achieve this with them.

Hypoallergenic Dogs

You often hear people with allergy problems are looking for a hypoallergenic dog. There is really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Some allergies are caused by the dog's fur, but most allergies are caused by a protein that is found in a dog's saliva. This protein in a dog's saliva sticks to the dried flakes of skin called dander. All dog's shed this dander, it doesn't matter what type of coat a dog has, they shed.

Your Dog's Tail

Did you know that your dog's tail is a continuation of their spine? Well it is, and it is made up of little bones that are acutally vertebrae. These vertebrae along with muscles and nerves allow your dog's tail to move and also control sensation in their tail.

Tail injuries occur when your dog's tail gets caught in a door, bitten on their tail, or your dog bangs it's tail against something very hard. A tail injury can be very painful for your dog. Indications of a tail injury may be a drooping tail, tail lying flat against hindquarters, it may even affect how your dog walks.

A broken tail usually occurs when your dog's tail has been shut in a door, or if your dog has a severe fall. A broken tail is very painful for your dog. Many times they heal on their own and leave a crook in the tail, where the break occurred. It is best to see your veterinarian if you suspect your dog's tail is broken.

A bruised tail can occur when your dog's bangs its tail against a very hard surface. You might notice drooping or sagging of the tail, and even swelling. Usually a bruised tail heals on its own. You should limit your dog's activity during the healing process. If you are concerned always consult your veterinarian.

Your dog's tail can suffer a wound, usually caused from a bite. If the wound is minor you should keep the area clean to prevent infection. More serious wounds will need to be treated with antibiotics from your veterinarian.

New England Saint Bernard Club

Middle Atlantic Saint Bernard Club, Inc.

Looking for a Saint Bernard Club in the Greater Philadelphia Area, go to their website.

2010 Saint Bernard Club of America National Specialty

Check out the website for the 2010 Saint Bernard National Specialty.

Saint Bernard Club of Finland

Training Should Start Early

Training your puppy should begin at a very young age and continue for the rest of their life. Commands you give them should be kept to one word. For example: sit, stay, come, down, over, and wait. Treats as well as praise should be given once they successfully complete a command for you. It is a good idea to try and sit aside time each day for a little training.

Register Your Mixed Breed With AKC

Registered mixed breeds dogs can participate in obedience, rally, and agility trials. The Mixed Breed/All-American Dogs are part of AKC Canine Partners. For more information about getting your mixed breed dog involved contact AKC Canine Partners Program at (919)816-3749 or email at akccaninepartners@akc.org.

September Is Responsible Dog Ownership Days

This September will mark the 8th year for Responsible Dog Ownership Days started by AKC. AKC will have its own event in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

Dog clubs and organizations are encouraged to participate in hosting a Responsible Dog Ownership Day sometime during the month of September.

Here are some things you can do:
1. Hold a microchip clinic.
2. Have a rescue booth for various breeds.
3. Obedience/Agility/Rally/Performance demonstrations.
4. Therapy/SAR Dog or Police K9 Unit demonstrations.
5. AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.

Summertime Heat and Your Big Dog

Always provide your big dog with plenty of fresh water, and shade during the heat of summertime.

During the summer months always try to walk your dog early or late in the day when it is cooler. Keep in mind they don’t wear shoes like we do, so the hot pavement can burn their pads, just like it burns ours when we are barefoot.

It is a good idea to keep frozen packs in your freezer. If your dog becomes over-heated you need to act quickly in trying to lower their body temperature. Remember to cover the frozen packs with a cloth, so they do not stick to your dog. Always seeks help from your vet with heat stroke, it is life threatening to all of us.

Brushing Your Big Dog's Teeth

There are many uses for baking soda; it is great for cleaning your dog’s teeth. Take a small amount of baking soda and add enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to your dog’s teeth. Most pet stores have toothbrushes for dogs and some of them work quite well. However you can simply apply the baking soda paste with a soft cloth.

Dry Flaking Skin On Your Big Dog

Does your big dog have a problem with dry flaking skin? Try adding fish oil capsules to their dog food. If there is still a problem, try a dog food that has a salmon base. I have had luck with both of these tips, but I have also added oatmeal into their diet. My male Saint Bernard had extremely dry flaking skin. I was advised by a veteran breeder to add the fish oil capsules to his diet, so I did. It helped a little. Then I decided to switch to a salmon base dog food, that seemed to help even more. He still occasionally had flaky skin, so I thought I would add oatmeal to his diet. I am very pleased with his coat now, it is no longer dry and flaky. Plus he loves the salmon dog food and the oatmeal added to it.

Happy 4th of July!

Brandykegs would like to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July. Go to a firework's display with your family or friends this evening. Keep in mind that fireworks can frighten your pets, keep them safely indoors tonight.

Raisins and Grapes Are A Toxin To Dogs

Raisins and grapes cause acute renal failure in dogs. Poison control says as few as seven raisins or grapes could be toxic. Get your dog to the vet quickly with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking. For a list of other common toxins to dogs go to BRANDYKEGS' vaccination page and scroll down to the list of ten common household toxins.

Two New Reports Available from AKC for Breeders

Breeders who would like the history of the overall number of Champions and titled dogs they have bred or co-bred, can get a Champions Bred Report from AKC.

Dog owners looking for a history of the overall number of Champions and AKC-titled dogs an owner has finished, can now get a Champions Finished Report from AKC.

To order either report, contact the Electronic Reporting Department at reports@akc.org.

New AKC Grand Champion Title

The American Kennel Club has a new Grand Champion title for your Champion to earn at AKC Conformation events. For your Champion to earn a Grand Championship they need to receive 25 Grand Championship points, they must win 3 majors (3 or more points earned at a single show) and won under 3 different judges, at least 1 or more of these (25) points won under a 4th judge, and must defeat at least 1 other AKC Champion of Record at 3 shows.