Buying A Puppy Suggestions - continues

Ask if there have been health issues with any of the dogs in your puppy’s pedigree.  Heart disease, epilepsy, bloat, cherry eye, pyometra, cancer, hip dysplasia, behavior problems like aggression; are just a few to ask about.  Try to find out the longevity of the dogs in the pedigree.  The average lifespan of a Saint Bernard is 8 to 10 years, some live longer than this and some lives are shorter.

Brandykegs Saint Bernards

Buying A Puppy Suggestions - continues

Come prepared with questions for the breeder.  Ask to see the puppy’s sire and dam; if additional members of their pedigree are on sight ask to see them as well.  This will give you a glimpse as to how your puppy might turn out.  It will also show you the adult size, coat colors, and temperament.  There are two coat types with the Saint Bernard breed, smooth or short-haired and rough or long-haired.  The coat type is a personal preference.  It is not true that a smooth or short-haired Saint Bernard will shed less than a rough or long-haired Saint.  It has been my experience that the opposite is true, when you keep your Saint Bernards in your home.  My smooths have always shed far more than my roughs.  If you keep your Saints outdoors your experience will probably be different.  Saint Bernards drool, some drool a little and others drool a lot.  If you meet the sire and dam, you will have a better idea as to whether you will have a heavy drooler or a light one.

(more tomorrow)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from Brandykegs!

Buying A Puppy Suggestions - cont.

The reputable breeder will invite you to their kennel.  They want to get to know you; the experience is often similar to a job interview.  They should willingly show you their kennels and dogs.  The breeder wants to insure that their puppies are placed in the right hands; so they will ask a lot of questions.  Some breeders will even want to see your home environment.

continues on 11/25/2011

Buying A Puppy Suggestions - continues

I would not buy a Saint Bernard puppy from a pet store.  Caution should also be used about buying from backyard hobby breeders; most of them ask far less for a puppy than a reputable breeder.  Producing healthy puppies, with sound bodies, and good temperament requires a great deal of knowledge and experience with the breed.  Rescue organizations sometimes have puppies as well, you probably won’t know a lot about their pedigree though.  You may be happy with a puppy from any of these sources; ultimately it is your choice. 

Buying A Puppy Suggestions - cont.

Many breeders will ask if you are looking for a show dog or a pet.  Some breeders are only interested in selling to individuals who are looking for a show dog.  I never quite understand that logic, not every Saint Bernard is a show dog.  You should decide before you start talking to breeders whether you want a pet or a show dog.  Some of the breeders focus only on the show environment and they can be difficult to work with.  Try to find a breeder that offers pets as well as show dogs.  The reputable Saint Bernard breeder strives to produce puppies that meet the Saint Bernard standard or improve upon it.  

(more tomorrow)

Buying A Puppy Suggestions - continues

The Saint Bernard is one of those easily recognized breeds; and so there are always a lot of looky loos.  The same questions are asked over and over again.  How much food do they eat?  How much do they weigh?  Do they drool?  Are they friendly?  However if you want to buy a Saint Bernard puppy; then you better have more questions than that. 

(suggestions continues on tomorrow's blog)

Buying A Puppy Suggestions - cont.

It is a good idea to go to a dog show; all breed shows or a specialty show, just for Saint Bernards.  You will see a lot more Saint Bernards if you attend a specialty show.  Keep in mind that you should never disturb a handler or a dog before or while they are in the show ring.  The handler and dog are focused on the task at hand, winning in the show ring.  Once the judging is over, then you can approach people with your questions.  Some breeders have puppies there at a show and are willing to talk to people.  Some individuals at dog shows handle other breeds and do not have a lot of free time.  All you can do is approach people with Saint Bernards and see if they are available to talk to you.  

(more tomorrow)

Buying A Puppy Suggestions

The holidays are fast approaching and many of you are thinking about buying a puppy.  Many individuals will advise you against buying a puppy at this time of year; however I think it's up to you.  So if you are looking or thinking about looking; here are some tips for you from Brandykegs.

If you are looking for a Saint Bernard puppy, then do your homework.  I suggest looking at the SaintBernard Club of America’s website as well as the American Kennel Club.  These two sites can provide you with general information regarding the Saint Bernard breed, historical information, local clubs and breeders.  

(more information on tomorrow's blog)

Holiday Gifts At Brandykegs

Brandykegs offers a variety of unique, hand crafted gifts for this holiday season; many themed around the lovable Saint Bernard.  We invite you to stop by our online store; we are always open.  We offer free USPS shipping on all our orders.