Stornum Kennels - Breeding Saint Benards

Breeding St Bernards is not a task to be undertaken lightly. So why do it?

If you want to breed St Bernards to make money or if you think your bitch will be better, healthier, live longer or any other ‘old wives tale’ think again!

The overriding reason must be to maintain or improve the breed whether for show or sale. The ideal is to breed healthy St Bernards with sound temperaments and construction that fit the breed standard. Take time to re-read the standard comparing it with your bitch. If this is to be a first litter talk with the breeder of your bitch. Take advice from the breeder to ensure the bitch has the quality to breed on, also for suitable stud dogs that will compliment the bitch.

Take care to do the sums. Premate and antibiotics, if you use them and vets fees need to be taken into account. The stud dog may live some distance away. You will probably have to pay the stud fee on completion of the mating. Extra food and puppy food then registration fees. That is providing your bitch takes and there are puppies and of course, there are no problems. Back-up fund for caesarian etc. Insurance does not cover pregnancy.

Once the decision is made the stud dog owner should be approached to ensure the bitch is acceptable. When the bitch is ready, not the nearest convenient weekend, take her to the stud dog and they should end with a tie, not necessarily in a breeding rack.

In an ideal world you will have a list of suitable future Saint owners wanting to buy your puppies. Experienced, successful breeders usually have a waiting list. Others have to work at it. Before the birth let friends in the breed know about the mating - this knowledge might generate some interest, even enquiries. After the birth you can advertise with the Kennel Club when you send in the registration documents. Breed clubs often have a puppy register where for a small sum your details will be given to any enquirer. The canine and local press can be used to advertise puppies but however your purchasers arrive it is your responsibility to ensure they will make suitable owners of your puppies.

You are responsible for your puppies! That includes ensuring they receive the best start in life, they go to owners willing to continue your good work and you take them back should circumstances alter at their new homes. You must also be prepared, in case you are unable to sell them all, that you may have to run some on at ever increasing expense. Providing you can afford the experience and the hard work there is a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction to be gained from breeding St Bernards.