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Should we breed our Saint Bernard so that we can have a biological puppy of his?
My husband and I love our male Saint Bernard very dearly. He is just the light of our lives. So we were thinking of breeding him to have one of his biological puppies. Yes we know there is no guarantee they will have the same personality and we have no interest in money. We got him from a family that bred their Saints for only one litter. And we would obviously do our research on whom we would breed him with. I am usually all for rescue pups but we are just so attached to him.
Please no ugly responses.
Thank You!
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I wouldn't. You don't seem to know what his genetic lines are like, based on his own parents and the people that bred them. Breeding is more than just getting the same personality (although of course temperament is a very important portion of it). But, not knowing the history of his lines is detrimental in trying to predict temperament. At appropriate age, genetic health testing should be done. I am assuming that none of that was done on this pup's parents, since it was a "just one litter" deal (which still makes them breeders by the way ;-) so again you have no history of health to stand on here, no records.
There are already a lot of poorly-bred Saints out there, and when we breed without really knowing what we are doing we only amplify health and temperament issues, which affects the breed overall. To do it correctly is not cheap, and IMO "because we want another like him" is not a good enough reason. Not trying to be ugly, just giving honest thoughts.
Kolbe
answered on 7/31/11.
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Bowdrie,
I understand EXACTLY how you feel !
The thought of loosing my Senior Pack Member, is something I just hate to think about, but have.
Fortunately for me, my Breeder has not thrown in the towel so far, and I was able to acquire a loving little Female, who is the Sister to my Male(the senior animal).
The love and companionship which they share, has been a revelation to me, and I may have to admit, that association can in no way be duplicated, via human intervention. Though at first, she was HIS PUPPY, but it's well beyond that now.
Yes, my two are "related", but I'm not sure that is an issue to them, as it may be to me. The fact remains, that when he passes (God forbid) that everything he is, will be carried on in Her, at least in my mind.
So, ha, to try to shorten this as much as possible, I don't think it's an issue of relationship. I love them SO much it just doesn't matter.
SNEAKERS
answered on 7/31/11.
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First dog?
BOL, cause you kinda sound like first time parents :D
Glad you're enjoying him.
I'd like to reassure you, it doesn't matter...
You will love the next dog just as much, even if it's a completely different breed, size, personality, etc.
If you did breed him, or get another St. Bernard you would see the differences as well as the similarities.
If you have no such expectations you can except a new dog with the same amount of wonder and joy that Bowdrie has given you.
There are considerable legalities and responsibilities that go along with breeding a dog. They have to be over 2 years and undergo a bunch of expensive genetic tests. The tests can cost more than a pure breed puppy.
Inherited diseases: "wobbler" syndrome, heart problems, skin problems, hip dysplasia, tumors and extropion - a folding outward of the eyelid rim, usually on the lower lid. As these dogs are prone to bloat, it is best to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one.
Pepper
answered on 7/31/11.
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I understand you love your dog so much and would love one of his offspring so you would keep a pup. What about the rest of the litter ? Can you 100% guarantee that they will go to a good home to spend the rest of their life ?No, you can't unless you keep them all. Take a look at petfinder and see how many SB are on there. Now how many end up in the euthanize room at the shelter? I'm obviously for the rescue route and not producing another litter. Adopt...it's a much better way to honor your dog.
Cupcake
answered on 7/31/11.
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Just some information:
We had 4 related dogs. Father (who passed recently) daughter, and 2 grand children. They have radically different personalities. All of Romeos (father)litters have not had his personality. Some where sweet others were bouncy some were not nice. There is no guarantee when it comes to breeding. You most likely will not get a dog that is the same as the one you have already.
If you want another dog like him it is best to go to rescues and other organizations to find one. At least that way you don't have unwanted puppies and can experience what the dog is like before you take it. No two dogs are alike and breeding is not a way to get one that is. As I said we have 3 generations and they all have radically different personalities. Also even dogs in the same litter as Romeo had different personalities. In other words no you probably should not breed your dog to get a dog like him.
Molly
answered on 7/31/11.
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Let me tell you a story . . .
I had a friend, who bought a Saint Bernard puppy from the same type of breeder as you want to become. "Just one litter" to get some cute puppies, because they loved their dog so much.
Unfortunately, they did not know enough about lines, conformations, the breed, or genetic defects, and my friend wound up with a puppy that had epilepsy and several other major problems. My friend tried her best to take care of her dog, it was her dream dog, but the problems were really hard to deal with. The dog died when he was about 2 years old, because his health problems were so severe.
My friend was so devastated, it took years before she could even think about getting another dog, and she said she could never have a Saint Bernard again.
My advice, is to invest your time and money into finding a reputable saint bernard breeder, who can help you pick a puppy from one of their litters that has the temperament you want.
Bianca
answered on 8/1/11.
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