Good Saint Bernard Breeder?

Question

http://valleyofsweetsaintbernards.com/3/travelers.htm does this look like a good st bernard breeder XD. I know you cant really tell from just looking at some site, but..?

Answer 1

I don't like the fact that their pups are CKC registered. They live in the US.

If you live in the US, you don't need to register with the CKC (The Canandian Kennel Club). Now.... before everyone starts yelling, I know that's not what they are doing.

Write them and ask them what the CKC stands for. If it's the Continental Kennel Club you know they are not good breeders. Honestly, you already know the answer to this anyway. Why would someone in WVa register their dogs with this registery? Because their dogs are not purebred and cannot be registered with the AKC.

That's just for starters.

I agree with the 2 week health guarantee. That's not enough. Most others are much longer.

That's what I saw in 5 minutes of looking at the sites.... Just my opinion. I don't know them. I don't know their dogs. I'm not saying anything about them one way or another... just what I saw.

You can make up your own mind from here and from what other people tell you.

In my mind this is a classic case of an amateur breeder. Nice family, loves their dogs. Learning. Doesn't mean they are bad people. You can decide if you want to purchase from them. They are trying to do the right things and are making a legitmate effort. Points for that! Much better than many places. It's your call.

I'll make my pitch now.... you can find the same thing in a rescue. Nice young St. Needs a home, same health guarantees - which is about none.... =).

Good luck in your search.

Answer 2

Not the best breeder but doesn't seem as bad as some.

Here's what I see:
+ They only have a few adult dogs and it appears like all of them are family pets and well-loved.
+ They're raised with kids
+ They have some good information about the breed and say things like the buyer needs to research to determine if the breed is right for them
- They keep saying "AKC dogs" as if it's a sign of quality. It's not! It's not a sign of good or bad breeders and if that's what they have to advertise their dogs, I'm a bit suspicious.
- Some of their dogs are CKC registered. This probably means Continental Kennel Club which is a very good sign that they're a bad breeder. (although it also stands for Canadian Kennel Club, which is perfectly legitimate)
+ They will take the puppy back if something happens for the life of the dog.
- They don't demand that they get the dog back for the life of the dog if you can't keep it for some reason
- There's only a 2-week health guarantee. This is basically a guarantee against diseases the pup came with. Obviously they have no confidence that their dogs won't come down with hip displasia or other bad stuff in a couple years.

I wouldn't buy from them, but they seem like a nice family that really cares about their (own) dogs. I don't think they should be breeding, though.

Answer 3

I would contact the kennel club and see if this breeder is registered in their database.
Their are some red flags...like the two week health warrantee, and the lack of health information on their studs and b*itches. I would also be curious about the lack of pictures on their show dogs. They claim to have champion blood lines, but do not mention any specific dog or a show that they have entered and won. CKC is the Continental Kennel Club, and I would be cautious about anyone associated with this kennel club.

You could also look at petfinder.com for some Saint Bernards that need YOUR help!

Answer 4

Check with the St Bernard Club of America for a referral
http://www.saintbernardclub.org/

If you are looking to show the dog, definitely use a breeder referred to you by the St Bernard Club of America. If this would be strictly for a family pet (not for showing), I would personally feel comfortable getting a puppy from them. However, definitely find out what CKC stands for and get something in writing about their health guarantee (2 weeks seems very short to me!) before comitting. Even the animal shelter where I adopted my dog allowed us one month...

Answer 5

No, I suggest that you instead adopt a St. Bernard pup or dog fro your area. There are many of them on this list. You'll be saving a life and money too.
http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?breed=Bernard&tmpl=&preview=&animal=Dog&preview=&zip=Spencer%2C+WV
Some of these Saints may even be a relation to those dogs from that breeder, who knows.

Answer 6

I saw a few red flags, I would steer clear.

For one, their health guarantee is only 2 weeks!! Good Saint breeders offer a 2 year guarantee. And their guarantee is only for health related illnesses, NOT genetic defects (hip dysplasia for example). Secondly, I do not see any pedigree information at all. Good breeders are proud of their pedigree and would post it. Third, the parents are NOT champions and do not have any points to their titles. Fifth, "AKC puppies" means NOTHING. Sixth, some of their dogs are registered with CKC! That SCREAMS bad breeder! I would walk the other way.

It is however apparent that they love their dogs, but I would not classify them as a reputable breeder. They do not show their dogs at all and their dogs do not fit into breed standard just by glancing at the pictures posted of their Saints you can tell. They are cute, but not bred well.

My main concern would be the issue of health clearances. It is crucial that you find a breeder who has done all the breed specific health clearances (CERF, OFA/PennHIP, VWD, Heart, Thyroid, etc.).

You would hate to purchase a puppy and by the age of one have to deal with hip or elbow dysplasia surgery costing you around $2500. It pays to do your research and find a reputable breeder with real guarantees and clearances!

If you are serious about adding a Saint to your family, feel free to contact me, I can help you find a responsible and reputable breeder.

Answer 7

from the quick look no
they only offer a 2 week health gurantee
reputable breeders offer anywhere from 1-5+ year gurantee
they also ship anywhere in the US to anyone
this looks to be a byb

added:on past puppies they mention CKC registered pups, this is another thing to stay away from
find another breeder

Answer 8

I personally wouldn't purchase a pup from this breeder,and agree on everything the other previous posters have mentioned. I know a great reputable breeder in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago...don't know where you are located, but if you are interested in some info, email me.

Answer 9

I would look for a breeder with a better guarantee as well as parents with OFA clearances for hips/elbows and CERF clearances for eyes.

I do not find a 2 week guarantee to be anywhere near adequate... a 24 month or 36 month one would be better.

Edit: I'm starring this in the hopes St.Lady will chime in.

Answer 10

seek for St. Bernard rescues, in basic terms sort it in on your seek engine. I rescued a great St. Bernard over the summer season from a rescue approximately one hundred miles from us. that they had organic breeds as nicely as mixes, doggies as nicely as adults. Ours is 7 years previous, he became severe danger because of the fact of his age, yet there have been a great form of a while.