Truths and Fables

Mike and Susan Osher - Grass Valley California

Members in good standing for 20+ years with: The American Kennel Club, The Saint Bernard Club of America
and The Sacramento-Sierra Saint Bernard Club


"Dry Mouths?" aint no such thing. There are only long hairs and short hairs. Anyone telling you otherwise is either lying or ignorant. Lixit. Lixits are a self watering attachment for your outdoor hose bib. This lets your dog have fresh water at all times so he isn't drinking from a bucket full of spit. Obedience!! You gotta take your dog to obedience classes for at least 10 weeks or two courses. They need socialization with other dogs so yours isn't the one trying to eat your neighbor's dog on first sight. If you don't take the courses with your dog when he's 165 lb, 11 month old puppy that doesn't know "Sit" or "Stay", you're gonna go for a ride! He's stronger than you are! If you don't do the training, he's not a bad dog, you are a bad owner! If you won't commit to the training, don't buy any dog! Much too often, uncontrollable, young dogs end up in Rescue. It's a fact. A well trained dog is something to be proud of and he won't be a pain in the butt like your neighbor's dog is. Clumsy dogs and kids. Young Saints are great big, sloppy, clumsy, rambunctious puppies. Young kids and babies are gonna get knocked on their butts. You're gonna get knocked on your butt! After you get tired of the baby crying the dog ends up in Rescue. Let the kids grow up a little bit first. Then get your Saint.	These are NOT guard dogs! Don't want to hear about the one you knew when you were a kid. That was then, this is now. A big, nasty Saint Bernard guard dog is a lawsuit waiting to happen and a huge liability. They are very big dogs and can do a lot of damage. All the spit, drool and damage you saw in the Beethoven movies can happen! If you're gonna own a Saint, plan for it and be happy if it doesn't happen. These are very intelligent, loving dogs that need to be a family member. They don't do well as a locked out, backyard dog. If you can't make that commitment, this isn't the dog for you. Dysplasia. Not all Saints have it. If the breeder says they don't have dysplasia in their lines, they are either lying or have not been at it long enough. Every breed recognized by the AKC, except for Borzoi have documented cases of dysplasia. That means Toy Poodles as well as Great Danes. Ask about guarantees when purchasing a puppy. Not all vets like to have big dogs as clients. If you have a favorite vet, ask them about their experiences with Saint Bernards before you buy one and find out you won't be welcome in their office. Lots of mess but these are the most wonderful, beautiful, loving animals put on this Earth. They will steal your heart.

"Dry Mouths?" aint no such thing.
There are only long hairs and short hairs.
Anyone telling you otherwise is either
lying or ignorant.

Lixit. Lixits are a self watering attachment
for your outdoor hose bib. This lets your dog
have fresh water at all times so he isn't
drinking from a bucket full of spit.

Obedience!! You gotta take your dog
to obedience classes for at least 10
weeks or two courses. They need
socialization with other dogs so yours
isn't the one trying to eat your
neighbor's dog on first sight. If you
don't take the courses with your dog
when he's 165 lb, 11 month old puppy
that doesn't know "Sit" or "Stay",
you're gonna go for a ride! He's
stronger than you are!
If you don't do the training, he's
not a bad dog, you are a bad owner!
If you won't commit to the training,
don't buy any dog! Much too often,
uncontrollable, young dogs end up
in Rescue. It's a fact.
A well trained dog is something to
be proud of and he won't be a pain
in the butt like your neighbor's dog is.

Clumsy dogs and kids. Young Saints
are great big, sloppy, clumsy,
rambunctious puppies. Young kids
and babies are gonna get knocked on
their butts. You're gonna get knocked
on your butt! After you get tired of
the baby crying the dog ends up in Rescue.
Let the kids grow up a little bit first.
Then get your Saint.

These are NOT guard dogs!
Don't want to hear about the one you knew
when you were a kid. That was then, this
is now. A big, nasty Saint Bernard guard
dog is a lawsuit waiting to happen and
a huge liability. They are very big
dogs and can do a lot of damage.

All the spit, drool and damage you
saw in the Beethoven movies can happen!
If you're gonna own a Saint, plan for
it and be happy if it doesn't happen.

These are very intelligent, loving dogs
that need to be a family member. They
don't do well as a locked out, backyard
dog. If you can't make that commitment,
this isn't the dog for you.

Dysplasia. Not all Saints have it. If the
breeder says they don't have dysplasia in
their lines, they are either lying or have
not been at it long enough. Every breed
recognized by the AKC, except for Borzoi
have documented cases of dysplasia. That
means Toy Poodles as well as Great Danes.
Ask about guarantees when purchasing a puppy.

Not all vets like to have big dogs as clients.
If you have a favorite vet, ask them about
their experiences with Saint Bernards before
you buy one and find out you won't be
welcome in their office.

Lots of mess but these are the most
wonderful, beautiful, loving animals
put on this Earth. They will steal your
heart.