May 23rd, 2009 by admin

IS THE ST. BERNARD RIGHT FOR YOU?
The St. Bernard is a fascinating noble breed. He is a loveable, affectionate companion that is extremely loyal and devoted to his owners and families. However, you should be aware of the pros and cons associated with acquiring any breed—not just this one. You should understand the responsibilities associated with making this serious commitment and appreciate that you will be  Spending the next ten or more years with the dog you choose.

THE HEAVIEST DOG
The St. Bernard is the heaviest of all dogs as a breed. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, two English St. Bernards are the heaviest weight ever recorded. ‘Brandy,’ owned by Miss Gwendoline L white of Chinnor, Oxfordshire, weighed 259 pounds in February 1966. ‘Westernisles Ross,’ owned by Jean R. Rankin of Glassgow, Scotland Weighed 256 pounds in April 1966.

St. Bernards are ideal pets but do require a substantial amount of space. They are massive dogs and require enough room to stretch their bulky legs and enormous frame. Therefore, they don’t make good candidates for small flats and will undoubtedly be more comfortable in a larger home that has the space for them to roam freely. The St. Bernard of the present day is nothing like its active relatives from ancient times, but they do require some daily exercise. Many of them enjoy taking nice, leisurely daily walks with either their owners, or other household canine companions. When not exercising or playing, they enjoy spending a considerable amount of time resting at your feet. Yet they are not an overly excitable breed that demands constant attention. Frequently, they are just as content being left alone and doing things by themselves. However, that is not to say that you can abandon your St. Bernard for hours on end day after day. All dogs need attention and time with their owners lest they become unsociable and suffer from separation anxiety.

A MULTIPURPOSE BREED
The St. Bernard is truly a multipurpose breed. Many of them successfully complete in obedience, draughting, weight pulling and conformation. They also serve as companion dogs, participate in canine good citizen programmes and are used widely as therapy dogs

If you do make the decision to own a St. Bernard, two of your very first purchases should be a mop and a bunch of rags or towels. Regardless of what anyone may tell you, St. Bernards do drool. They will slobber on table counters, the floor or anything else that comes across their slimy path! If you’ve ever experience a St. Bernard shaking its head and tail excitedly, you’ll know exactly path of unintentional destruction- so be ye forwarned!

Having the money to support your St. Bernard’s ravenous eating habits St. Bernard’s ravenous eating habits is also another important consideration. It’s not uncommon for the adult dog to consume several pounds of food a day. Combine this with costly veterinary bills, grooming fees, training and other necessary equipment, and you have quite an investment on your hands. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself

DOGS, DOGS, GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!
People usually purchase dogs for companionship, but studies show that dogs can help to improve their owners’ health and level of activity, as well as lower a human’s risk of coronary heart disease. Without even realising it, when a person puts time into exercising, grooming and feeding a dog, he also puts more time into his own personal health care. Dog owners establish a more routine schedule for their dog to follow, which can have positive effects on a human’s health. Dogs also teach us patience, offer unconditional love and provide the joy of having a furry friend to pet!

ST. BERNARD SHOW FAULTS
In England, a St. Bernard with white around one or both eyes, or a half or a full-white face, would be considered to have a serious fault. In America and the rest of Europe, a dog without a white blaze or one with a black face would be deemed unacceptable in the show ring.

Into. Despite the fact that it’s a lot of hard work and dedication, the rewards of owning this giant majestic breed by far outweigh any negative aspects associated with the breed.

Once you’ve decided that the St. Bernard is right for you, the next step is to find the type of dog that will best suit your needs and expectations. Do you want an older dog or a puppy? Do you want a dog to keep just as a pet, or one you can show and compete with in obedience or some other performance event? Perhaps acquiring a rescue dog is more of what you had in mind.

Once you’ve answered these questions, the next step is to contact a reputable breeder. If you don’t know one, contact a local breed club or The Kennel Club for a list of reliable breeders in your area. Make plants to attend a nearby dog show. You’ll find that there one or two sizeable shows every weekend where you can find many beautiful examples of St. Bernards to view. Take the time to watch the judging, and talk with exhibitors and breeders that are participating. This is an excellent way to learn more about a breed, and make an honest decision as to whether this is the type of dog meant for you. If you approach breeders and exhibitors in a courteous and respectful manner, they will be more than happy to spend time answering your questions about the breed.

DOG OR BITCH
Many potential dog owners often ask which sex of dog is better—male or female? In some breeds, it does make a difference. With St. Bernards, both sexes are equally favourable, and it is a matter of personal preference which one you decide to choose. Obviously, if you decide to acquire a female, you can expect the inconvenience of her coming in season twice a year. However, the length of season depends on the dog itself. Oestrus varies from line to line, so ask your breeder about the length and frequency of her bitches’ cycles. Nonetheless, if you decide to keep a female, you should have enough space to keep it isolated from any males in your home.

If you have the space and decide you want to keep two or more St. Bernards, it is advisable to have them all of the same sex, unless you have the facilities to separate males and females. If you are keeping the dogs as pets, it’s highly recommended that they are either spayed or neutered.

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE LONGER?
If you like to volunteer, it is wonderful if you can take your dog to a nursing home once a week for several hours. The elder community loves to have a dog to visit with and often your dog will bring a bit of companionship to someone who is lonely or somewhat detached from the world. You will be not only bringing happiness to someone else but keeping your little dog busy—and we haven’t even mentioned the fact that they have discovered that volunteering helps to increase your own Longevity!

DISPOSITION
The St. Bernard should have a pleasant, outgoing temperament. They make excellent pets for children and are usually very protective of their owners and property. However, there are variations in temperament, which should be considered when chossing your St. Bernard. A Large aggressive dog of any type can be an extremely dangerous animal. Keep in mind that the breed’s first assignment back in ancient times was to guard the hospice, and therefore it will become quite defensive and protective if challe3nged or threatened. Your dog should be completely trustworthy with the family, but should be ready to protect itself and its family in times of danger.

TAKING CARE
Science is showing that as people take care of their pets, the pets are taking care of their owners. A Study in 1998 published in the American journal of Cardiology found that having a pet can prolong his owner’s life. Pet owners have lower blood pressure, and pets help their owners to relax and keep them more physically to keep the elderly connected to their community.