saint bernard puppies inquiry
my boyfriend and i are getting puppies next spring. he is getting a shepard female, and im contemplating getting a St. bernard. His uncle has a rescue dog female dry mouth, and a purebred, non dry mouth male, they breed every spring. I understand this breed drools, ALOT... if a dry mouth and a non dry mouth have puppies, is there anyway we would get a dry mouth pup? or should i pass up the situation all together? and if i do decided to go elsewhere.. do dry mouths really drool so much less.. or is it a tall tale? I really like their faces, they are georgous dogs, and i love how huge they are, but im not sure we can deal with as much drool as people say they drool. i want the dog to beable to come into the house and not leave puddles on the couch, rugs, walking areas, etc |
|
|
| Welcome!
While this forum is mostly about Old English Sheepdogs, I'm pretty interested in your question -- I love St. Bernards too! 
Also, my sheepie has loose flews so he drools this long stringy slime most of the time, and very often it's double barrelled gooey slime hanging down to his knees. Yuck! |
| It is indeed a matter of those flews......or slobber gutters as I call them. It will depend on the dog's parentage as to just how much dip there is in flews.
The breed standard states: Quote: The flews of the lower jaw must not be deeply pendant. So a well bred dog will not have the deep slobber gutters, thus "dry mouth."
If you live in a warm climate, it will have to be an indoor dog. The warmer the dog, the more the mouth is open and more chance for drool to develop. If you are manic about the slobber, go for a different breed. My Pyrs have been dry mouth. Even Sam who appeared to have deeper flews was fine. The two Newfs in the family; one dry one very wet. Realize St.Bs also shed, but then so do GSD. If an StB came to the front fence looking for a home, you bet I'd invite them in. I'd have another in a heart beat. |
| ... flews ive read are the lips, mostly the upper lips that flip the saliva around, and that is what causes the excessive drooling.
is there anyway to tell from a pup if they will be larger or no? |
| No, not really other than examining the parents, look and the pup and hope for the best. In St.B the upper lip, flew, should come down ofer the lower lip. All St. Bernards drool, some are gross, properly bred aren't too bad. There is not true dry mouth in the way you think of other dogs.
Quote: The flews of the upper jaw are strongly developed, not sharply cut, but turning in a beautiful curve into the lower edge, and slightly overhanging. The flews of the lower jaw must not be deeply pendant I'd be looking for good strong conformation blood lines with champions all thru and especially the parents, grandparents, etc. Like other large breeds these guys are prone to hip and elbow problem, gastric torsion problems, inverted eye lids, excessively droopy eyes (where the red shows). Make certain the proper health tests have done on the parents. Don't rely on, "We've never had a problem." Here are some St. B. facts from their national club website: Quote: FACTS 1.Puppy buyers should visit as many breeders as possible and ask to see the parents of the puppies. 2.ALL Saints should be friendly and outgoing. 3.Puppies should be kept in a clean environment and be socialized by the breeder. 4.Puppies should not leave the kennel or their littermates until a minimum of seven weeks. 5.Breeders should be happy to give you references. 6.Responsible breeders provide AKC registration papers with each dog unless reasons such as spay/neuter are provided. 7.The average life expectancy of a Saint Bernard should be 8-10 years. 8.Saints do DROOL - there is no such thing as a dry mouth. 9.All Saints shed. 10.Saints are NOT guard dogs. 11.Breeders should be responsible for the dogs they have bred and be willing to find new homes for the occasional dog who needs it. 12.High prices do not determine quality. |
Our first dog, way back in 1969, not long after we were married was a Saint. He was of the "short hair" variety and YES he did slobber and drool, BUT he was just a GREAT dog. Shed like crazy, ate like a horse, but he was as gentle as could be. We had our son in 1972 and "Barney" allowed him to crawl all over him, pluck his lips and do whatever whenever. A truely great breed of dog, BUT, such a short life span. That is the single reason we did not adopt another one. Barney made it to almost 8 before crossing over. They really are not a lot of work as compared to some breeds (like an OES) and we took him with us to Denver (from New Jersey) when I was attending a Microwave Measurment school at Lowery Air Force Base. He lived with us in a Motel, had his own bed and did just fine. Daily walks were all he needed. If you go that route you will not be sorry. Whats a little slobber anyway, it cleans up with a damp cloth and a large bucket!  |
| Sheepie boss is right there is no such thing as a dry mouth St bernard.
The flews are deep on them so hence the drool dribbles out there in pools on occassions. Being hot they can drool heaps, being over excited, stressed, just been exercised etc etc no Saint is drool goob proof. There a lovely breed and very sweet and docile, but sometimes you need a bib on them and a little hand towel to wipe the slobber because if they shake there heads it can fly everywhere, remember the movie "Beethoven" !! |
| Lisaoes's comment gave me a flashback. When Barney shook his head the drool on the left side flew to the right and vice-versa from the right side. |
lisaoes wrote: Sheepie boss is right there is no such thing as a dry mouth St bernard.
The flews are deep on them so hence the drool dribbles out there in pools on occassions. Being hot they can drool heaps, being over excited, stressed, just been exercised etc etc no Saint is drool goob proof. There a lovely breed and very sweet and docile, but sometimes you need a bib on them and a little hand towel to wipe the slobber because if they shake there heads it can fly everywhere, remember the movie "Beethoven" !! SO TRUE....I love the St. Bernard and was thinking about getting one down the road when I'm older. Arthur can not stand the fact that they shed A LOT and drool A LOT. There is no such thing as a drool proof St. Bernard..... |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|