Dog care - Be careful not to overexercise

Be careful not to overexercise your Saint Bernard puppy in its first two years of life, when its delicate bones are still forming.

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Dog care - Remember that Saint Bernard does not like to be alone

The secret to success with the Saint Bernard, as with any large dog, is early training. Teach it to obey as a puppy, and its large size will be quite manageable when it matures. Remember that the Saint Bernard is a family dog and does not like to be alone.

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Selection guide - Look at potential breeders very carefully

Look at potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask whether they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation through a club means you can check their references to make sure they are not a puppy mill (a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed).

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DOG FAQ - How much is it for a Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernard puppies sell in the range of $650 to $1200 according to breeding.

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DOG FAQ - What should I do when bringing home a new Saint Bernard puppy?

Keep that diet during the first days, to avoid some digestive upsets, and change it gradually, never abruptly. Check the vaccines already applied to the Saint Bernard puppy, and if possible, ask breeder for a certificate indicating date and type of vaccine, which, in the future, could be of great help for your veterinarian, specially because now there are all sorts of vaccines available. It's also important to know how many times the Saint Bernard has been treated against parasites, and the date of the last one. In case of pedigree dogs, appropriate certificates will be given to you: the pedigree. That is the genealogy tree of the animal, and all the details of the register or a transfer card declaring the property cession to the competent authorities. This is very important for dogs that in the future, could be presented in exhibitions, cause if they are not properly registered they will be considered mixed-breeds.

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DOG FAQ - How to choose healthy Saint Bernard puppy?

Is his place clean? Feces should be, more or less, solid, unless Saint Bernard has been treated against parasites recently. Healthy Saint Bernard puppies are usually fat, and if you catch them they will slip out of your hands easily with great flexibility. Starting by the head, look at his eyes. These should be clear and free of any substance than can damage his skin, specially in those parts of the eyes closer to the nose. The nose should be moist, and his ears clean. Give great attention to the skin, watch it carefully to detect some signs of fleas or lice. Ribs can be checked with your hands, but it's not so clear when you are carrying the dog in your arms.

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DOG FAQ - When should I buy a Saint Bernard puppy?

Probably the best season to be looking to buy a Saint Bernard puppy is spring. Once he has been vaccinated and can be trained out of home. Do not choose a puppy in the summer when you are planning to go out on vacations, cause his training will be interrupted, and most of the canine residences will not accept a non vaccinated animal.

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DOG FAQ - Can I trust Saint Bernard breeders?

An honest Saint Bernard breeder will appreciate your interest in a determined breed and will give you a date. Try always to visit the place; even if it is far away, cause it is better to travel some distance rather than receive a wrong bred dog or a sick one. Breeders working at small range always have litters of Saint Bernard puppy living at their homes. This guarantees that these Saint Bernards are used to domestic life since their birth. Temperament will change from one dog to another, and some will be more dominant than others. The most dominant are usually the first at the time of eating, pushing his brothers away from food. Puppies sleep for long periods, so that doesn't mean they are sick. Watch them all for a while before making up your mind.

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SAINT BERNARD AND CHILDREN

The Saint Bernard is usually a gentle giant and plays well with children and other dogs. However, a young Saint Bernard and small children is usually a bad combination, since these dogs make awkward, clumsy puppies. More than one toddler has been accidentally knocked down and injured when trying to play with a Saint Bernard puppy. Older dogs are usually more graceful and are careful not to knock children down.

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