As you may already know, the Saint Bernard breed has many potential physical problems that a breeder needs to address and considered. (hip dysplasia, entropia, ectropia, epilepsy etc). To guarantee the health of the animals I as a breeder may have to x-raying my breeding stock with OFA registry, Penn Hip or with some other similar method. Hip Dysplasia is a major problem in this breed and animals with these problems should never be breed.

Breeders must always Judge their animals and ask themselves Are the animals I am breeding compatible in type and temperament? What are the faults? What are their strengths? How do they compare to the standard? It is always good to have your Saint Bernard’s evaluated by other reputable breeders. I like to take my Saint Bernard’s into the shown ring to be evaluated by judges. I make a list about what I am trying to improve and why. No dog is perfect, but I am always policing myself to not be love blind and produce unsound dogs that are not better than both parents. Sadly no matter how wonderful a Saint may be, it may not be good enough to breed.

I have to go over their pedigrees! I have to be familiar with the breeders and the lines of my dogs and any I may breed too. Many lines are producing dogs that carry the epileptic genes even though they don’t show it in the individual dogs. A good breeders worst nightmare and greatest heart ace is to produce a 180 pound dog with epilepsy that could bite someone. Sadly, it can happen to anyone and their goes your name as a breeder; everyone will fault you even if you try your best! How do you handle that? How do you handle the liability?

As a breeder I am responsible for the lives of the puppies I produces. I have a written contract FOR EVERY DOG I PRODUCE FOR AS LONG AS THEY LIVE. I will not sell to a Pet home without spay/neuter before the Saint levees my owner ship.

When Breeding Saint Bernard Females I never bred until they are 2 years old and stop when they are 5-6, depending on their condition. I do not breed every season or even every year. My females may only ever have one or two litters. I do not breed just to sell puppies I breed to get my next generation.

Typically, C-Sections cost around $2,000 if my female needs one (many do) and a litter (just shots, dewclaws, health checks, etc) can easily run up to $1,000+. I spay and neuter all my pups that go to pet homes on top of that.

Due to the size of the female and the smallness of the puppies, they typically need 24 hour per day care for the first 2 to 3 weeks as the momma will accidentally roll over or step on the puppies and kill them. It’s a full time Job, you have to do!

When I get ready for a breeding I have to consider the question of the cost, and what I am going to do with my puppies. I never want one of my Saint Bernard’s going to a rescue they are to good to end up their. I try to help rescue organizations as much as possible and do not want to add to their burden.

NorDogs GOLDEN RULES FOR BREEDING Saint Bernard’s

• The only reason to breed any purebred Saint Bernard is to preserve the best qualities of the lines and the breed. Breeding to supply any market is not a justification or ethical.

• I do all my breeding with the best interests of the Saint Bernard breed in mind. Never my pocket book.

• I strive to be a serious student of the Saint Bernard breed and have devote years of my life to it.

• I will always consider myself a beginner. I am continually engrossing myself in the breed as much as possible and turn to my mentors to learn more all the time.

• I show and compete with my Saint Bernard’s as much as I can.

• I keep track of all puppies if possible I produce to the best of my ability, I hate losing track of how puppies are doing and growing. It is vital whether pet or show, to know how my breeding program is working.

• All My pet dogs are sold already spayed/neuter.

• All my show puppies go on a contract that they will not be allowed to breed unless the dog lives up to the quality intended and passes all health checks. If a prospective breeder does not want to do this, then I am sorry but they will have to mess with someone else’s dogs not mine!!   Frankly, I will not let my Saints go to any one I don’t know or unless some one I know and trust will vouch for them in showing.

• As a breeder I help with rescue when ever I can.

• I am always prepared to take back any dog I have bred for whatever reason. I will make the space; I am prepared to make arrangements for the rest of the dog’s life. I will always take a dog I have breed back and find them a new home or provide them with one as I see fit!

  What people need to understand is that there is a lot more to breeding dogs than what meets the eye. I breed to produce a quality type and temperament. I would love to talk Saints with you.  Call me at 865-945-7063 or e-mail me at NorDogs@hotmail.com